INTEGRATED SEATBACK STORAGE
A vehicle seating assembly includes a rear panel having an outer surface. A rear pocket is defined by a recess in the rear panel. A rigid polymeric rear door is disposed over the rear pocket and is operable between an open position and a closed position. An outer surface of the rear door is flush with the outer surface of the rear panel when in the closed position. A side pocket is defined by a recess on an inboard side of a vehicle seatback. A rigid polymeric side pocket door is operable between an open position and a closed position. An outer surface of the side pocket door is flush with the outer surface of the rear panel when in the closed position. Flexible sidewalls are disposed between a body and the side pocket door. The flexible sidewalls are constructed from a flexible fabric.
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The present disclosure generally relates to a vehicle seating assembly, and more particularly to integrated seatback storage for a vehicle seat.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURESeating assemblies for vehicles are increasingly becoming more adapted for occupant comfort in a variety of vehicle environments and for a number of driver and passenger preferences. These same seating assemblies frequently include increased versatility to create additional options in the way of cargo space. Vehicles generally have storage features so that transported items can be positioned in a safe place. Storage features that take advantage of otherwise unused space are very useful.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREAccording to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seating assembly includes a rear panel having an outer surface. A rear pocket is defined by a recess in the rear panel. A rigid polymeric rear door is disposed over the rear pocket and is operable between an open position and a closed position. An outer surface of the rear door is flush with the outer surface of the rear panel when in the closed position. A side pocket is defined by a recess on an inboard side of a vehicle seatback. A rigid polymeric side pocket door is operable between an open position and a closed position. An outer surface of the side pocket door is flush with the outer surface of the rear panel when in the closed position. Flexible sidewalls are disposed between the rear panel and the side pocket door. The flexible sidewalls are constructed from a flexible fabric.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seating assembly includes a rear panel defining a pocket. A rigid rear door is disposed over the pocket. An outer surface of the rear door is flush with an outer surface of the panel when closed. A side door includes flexible sidewalls disposed over a side pocket defined in a side of the seating assembly. An outer surface of the side door is flush with the outer surface of a body when closed.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seating assembly includes a rear panel having an outer surface. A side pocket is defined by a recess on an inboard side of a vehicle seatback. A rigid polymeric side pocket door is operable between open and closed positions. An outer surface of the side pocket door is flush with the outer surface of the rear panel when in the closed position. Flexible sidewalls are disposed between a body and the side pocket door.
According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seating assembly includes a combination rear pocket and inboard side pocket disposed in a hard back panel of the vehicle seating assembly. The rear pocket and the side pocket each include outer surfaces that are flush with an outer surface of the hard back panel. One or both of the pockets may include a rigid polymeric door and flexible sidewalls that can flex outwardly to accommodate stored items.
These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosure will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in
In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
Referring to the embodiment generally illustrated in
With reference again to
The rear panel 11, as generally illustrated in
With reference now to
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An additional smaller side pocket 140 may be present on the side of the vehicle seating assembly 8. The smaller side pocket 140 may have features and functionality similar to those described in detail above. The smaller side pocket 140 may be configured to support a flashlight, an umbrella, or other similar shaped items. The smaller side pocket 140 may also include an outer surface flush with the outer surface 12 of the rear panel 11.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
Claims
1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:
- a rear panel having an outer surface;
- a rear pocket defined by a recess in the rear panel;
- a rigid polymeric rear door disposed over the rear pocket and operable between an open position and a closed position, wherein an outer surface of the rear door is flush with the outer surface of the rear panel when in the closed position; and
- a side pocket defined by a recess on an inboard side of a vehicle seatback, wherein the side pocket includes a polymeric rigid rim configured to engage the inboard side of the vehicle seatback;
- a rigid polymeric side pocket door operable between an open position and a closed position, wherein an outer surface of the side pocket door is flush with the outer surface of the rear panel when in the closed position; and
- flexible sidewalls disposed between the rear panel and the side pocket door, the flexible sidewalls being constructed from a flexible fabric.
2. (canceled)
3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the flexible sidewalls are disposed between the polymeric rigid rim and the side pocket door.
4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the polymeric rigid rim includes a U-shaped configuration.
5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the polymeric rigid rim is operably coupled with the inboard side of the vehicle seatback via a snap-fit connection.
6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
- an item retainer disposed above the side pocket.
7. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
- an inner wall disposed between the flexible sidewalls and inside the side pocket door.
8. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:
- a rear panel defining a pocket;
- a rigid rear door disposed over the pocket;
- an outer surface of the rear door being flush with an outer surface of the panel when closed;
- a side door with flexible sidewalls disposed over a side pocket defined in a side of the seating assembly, wherein the side pocket includes a polymeric rigid rim configured to engage an inboard side of a vehicle seatback; and
- an outer surface of the side door being flush with the outer surface of a body when closed.
9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, further comprising:
- a rear pocket defined by a recess in the rear panel.
10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, further comprising:
- a rigid polymeric rear door disposed over the side pocket and operable between an open position and a closed position, wherein an outer surface of the rear door is flush with the outer surface of the rear panel when in the closed position.
11. (canceled)
12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the flexible sidewalls are disposed between the polymeric rigid rim and the side pocket door.
13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the polymeric rigid rim includes a U-shaped configuration.
14. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the polymeric rigid rim is operably coupled with the inboard side of the vehicle seatback via a snap-fit connection.
15. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, further comprising:
- an item retainer disposed above the side pocket.
16. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, further comprising:
- an inner wall disposed between the flexible sidewalls and inside the side pocket door.
17. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:
- a rear panel having an outer surface;
- a side pocket including a polymeric rigid rim engaging an inboard side of a seatback;
- a rigid polymeric side pocket door operable between open and closed positions, wherein an outer surface of the side pocket door is flush with the outer surface of the rear panel when in the closed position; and
- flexible sidewalls disposed between a body and the side pocket door.
18. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 17, further comprising:
- a rear pocket defined by a recess in the rear panel.
19. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 18, further comprising:
- a rigid polymeric rear door disposed over the side pocket and operable between an open position and a closed position, wherein an outer surface of the rear door is flush with the outer surface of the rear panel when in the closed position.
20. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 25, 2015
Publication Date: Mar 2, 2017
Applicant:
Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line (Northville, MI), Sean David Fannin (Taylor, MI), Keith Allen Godin (Dearborn, MI), Marcos Silva Kondrad (Macomb, MI)
Application Number: 14/835,146