SEATING ASSEMBLY COVER
A vehicle seating assembly includes a cushion with a seating surface. An elongated trench extends into the seating surface. A primary fastener part is disposed in the elongated trench, and a secondary fastener part is disposed around a cushion perimeter. A cover includes first and second fastener parts, wherein the primary fastener part and the first fastener part are selectively attachable to form a first disengageable seal. The secondary fastener part and the second fastener part are selectively attachable to form a second disengageable seal.
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The present disclosure generally relates to seating assembly covers for a vehicle, and more particularly, to removable covers for a vehicle seating assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREVehicle seating assemblies may include removable covers. Removable seating assembly covers may be used to change the visual appearance of the seating assembly, or provide variations in seat trim functionality.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREAccording to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seating assembly includes a cushion with a seating surface. An elongated trench extends into the seating surface. A primary fastener part is disposed in the elongated trench, and a secondary fastener part is disposed around a cushion perimeter. A cover includes first and second fastener parts, wherein the primary fastener part and the first fastener part are selectively attachable to form a first disengageable seal. The secondary fastener part and the second fastener part are selectively attachable to form a second disengageable seal.
Embodiments of the first aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
-
- a supporting structure disposed behind the cushion;
- an attachment assembly extending between the primary fastener part disposed in the elongated trench and the supporting structure;
- wherein the attachment assembly includes a hog ring, a first elongated member, and a second elongated member;
- wherein the hog ring includes opposing first and second hook portions, wherein the first elongated member is disposed in the first hook portion, and wherein the second elongated member is disposed in the second hook portion;
- wherein the primary fastener part is attached to the first elongated member;
- wherein the second elongated member is attached to the supporting structure;
- wherein the supporting structure includes a seating assembly frame;
- wherein the primary and secondary fastener parts comprise primary and secondary zipper parts;
- wherein the first and second fastener parts comprise first and second zipper parts;
- wherein the first disengageable seal includes a first zipper assembly and wherein the second disengageable seal includes a second zipper assembly; and/or
- wherein the seating surface comprises at least one of a seat surface and a seatback surface.
According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seating assembly includes a supporting structure. An intermediate member includes a seating surface, a cover, a selectively engageable first zipper assembly, and a selectively engageable second zipper assembly. The first zipper assembly extends between the removable cover and an attachment assembly secured to the supporting structure. The second zipper assembly extends between the removable cover and the seat.
Embodiments of the second aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
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- wherein the intermediate member includes a cushion and wherein first and second trenches are disposed in the cushion behind the respective first and second zipper assemblies;
- wherein a primary zipper part of the first zipper assembly is disposed in the first trench;
- wherein the first trench includes a first width at the bottom of the first trench and a second width at the top of the first trench;
- wherein the second width is greater than the first width; and/or
- a third disengageable seal disposed between the cover and the seating surface.
According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seating assembly includes a cover with first and second zipper parts. A cushion includes a first elongated trench for receiving an attachment assembly that extends from a vehicle member and is coupled to a primary zipper part. A second elongated trench is proximate a secondary zipper part. The first zipper part and the primary zipper part are selectively attachable, and the second zipper part and the secondary zipper part are selectively attachable.
Embodiments of the third aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
-
- wherein the first zipper part and the primary zipper part form a first zipper assembly, wherein the second zipper part and the secondary zipper part form a second zipper assembly, wherein the second elongated trench extends around a portion of the outer perimeter of the cushion, and wherein the second zipper assembly is disposed over the second elongated trench.
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,” “interior,” “exterior,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in
With reference to the vehicle seating assemblies described below and shown in the attached figures, a vehicle seating assembly may be described from the vantage point of an occupant seated in the seating assembly. The side of a seating assembly disposed on a right side of a seated occupant may be referred to as a right side or a first side of the seating assembly. The side of the seating assembly disposed on a left side of a seated occupant may be referred to as a left side or a second side of the seating assembly.
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Vehicle occupants may desire a change in the appearance of a vehicle interior 10. The appearance of a vehicle interior 10 may be changed by changing the seating assembly covers 26. Also, occupants may want to replace dirty, ripped, or damaged seating assembly covers 26 with new seating assembly covers 26. Seating assembly covers 26 may be sold as aftermarket items. Seating assembly covers 26 may also be installed during the seating assembly manufacturing process. During the seating assembly manufacturing process, operators may conveniently attach the seating assembly covers 26 to the seating assemblies. When ordering a car from an Original Equipment Manufacturer, customers may be able select a seating assembly cover 26 from a wide selection of available seating assembly covers 26.
During the design process of a removable seating assembly cover 26 and the seating assembly 14, an appropriate fit of the seating assembly cover 26 on the seating assembly 14 should be considered. A removable seating assembly cover 26 may be designed so that it may be used in a vehicle for several years or longer. Therefore, consideration may be given to optimal locations of zipper assemblies and other fastener assemblies on the seating assembly cover 26 and the seating assembly 14. Also, consideration may be given to optimal design of seats 18 and seatbacks 22 for receiving a seating assembly cover 26. Further, secure attachment of the seating assembly cover 26 to the seating assembly 14 may be evaluated. Additionally, it may be desirable to design the seating assembly cover 26 so that it is convenient for an operator to install during a seating assembly manufacturing process. Accordingly, a seating assembly cover 26 may incorporate many features that may increase customer and operator satisfaction.
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The seatback cushion 94 may include a primary fastener part 168b and a secondary fastener part 172b. In the example shown, a first bolster 200 extends between the first side 204 of the seatback 22 and the inner portion 102b of the seatback 22. A second bolster 208 extends between the second side 212 of the seatback 22 and the inner portion 102b of the seatback 22. The primary fastener part 168b may be generally U-shaped. A secondary fastener part 172b may be disposed on an outer portion 106b of the seatback 22. A first segment 194 of the primary fastener part 168b may extend between the first bolster 200 and the inner portion 102a of the seatback 22. A second segment 195 of the primary fastener part 168b may extend between the second bolster 208 and the inner portion 102b of the seatback 22. A third segment 196 may extend between the first segment 194 and the second segment 195. In one example, the primary fastener part 168b may be generally U-shaped 197.
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The geometries and positions of the first and second trenches 224, 270 on the seat cushion 74 and the seatback cushion 94 may be designed to facilitate convenient and efficient operation of the first and second zipper assemblies 130, 180 and 134, 184. In general, location of zipper assemblies on seating surfaces with compound curves may cause the zipper assemblies or individual zipper ribbons to buckle. Also, lateral curvature of a zipper geometry may constrain the placement of a zipper assembly on a seating surface. Zipper assemblies may be supported by a smooth surface with minimal steps. Zipper assemblies may be supported by a continuous surface with minimal interruptions. Thus, the contours of the first and second trenches 224, 270 disposed on the seat 18 and the seatback 22 may be designed to optimize first and second zipper assembly 130, 180 and 134, 184 function.
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In some examples, for reduced binding and generally smooth operation, the coil side of the secondary zipper part may be oriented outward and away from the surface of the cushion (seat cushion 74 or seatback cushion 94) foam. When a ribbon 298 with a coil 294 is used for the primary zipper part, then a coil side of the ribbon 298 may be oriented toward the outer wall (comprised of first and second segments 248a, 248b) of the first trench 224. Orienting a ribbon 298 with its coil facing outward may force the coil 294 to expand. A ribbon 298 having a coil 294 may be oriented with the coil 294 in a neutral or expanded condition. In various water repellant applications, a zipper assembly 290 having a coiled construction may be oriented with the coils facing toward the foam with a ribbon 298 having polyurethane film coated tape facing outward from the foam. For attachment of the seat cover 30 to the fixed cushion cover 274 on the lower portion of the cushion (i.e., along the second zipper assembly 134, 184), a No. 5 coil fire retardant zipper construction may be used. The No. 5 coil fire retardant zipper construction may offer a combination of low cost, strength, flexibility and availability.
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The location of the zipper start 320 on the outboard side of the seating assembly 14 may improve the ease of engaging the zipper box 314 and the zipper pin 318 proximate the door opening. With exemplary reference to the seat 18, at the zipper start 320 of the first zipper assembly 130, small stiffeners 322 may be sewn into the primary zipper part 118b and the first zipper part 118a. Similarly, at the start of the second zipper assembly 134, small stiffeners 322 may be sewn into the secondary zipper part 122b and the second zipper part 122a.
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In various examples, the seat cushion 74 and the seatback cushion 94 may be examples of intermediate members. Intermediate members may be seat 18 and seatback 22 parts that the seat cover 30 and the seatback cover 34 may be disposed on. Intermediate members may include hard seating surfaces, mesh seating surfaces, sling seating surfaces, and other seating surfaces.
In various examples, a vehicle member may include a seat frame 114, a seatback frame 116, a vehicle floor 54, a vehicle interior side panel, or other vehicle portion. The attachment assembly 220 that may be disposed in the first trench 224 may be secured to the vehicle member.
A variety of advantages may be derived from the present disclosure. The seat cover and the seatback covers may include combinations of features designed to optimize craftsmanship, durability, and operator friendliness. The use of one or more disengageable seals for attaching the seating assembly cover to the seating assembly may have numerous benefits. The first disengageable seal may automatically position the respective seat or seatback cover on the respective seat or seatback cushion. The use of a first zipper assembly and a second zipper assembly that may each include separate zippers may allow for consistent, repeatable craftsmanship, independent of the skill level of the operator. The use of the first zipper assembly may provide positive, high strength attachments between the removable seat or seatback cover and the seat or seatback. High strength attachments may provide cover pattern developers freedom to fit and tighten the seat and seatback covers while minimizing the possibility of inadvertent detachment of the seat or seatback cover from the seat or the seatback. Tight attachment of the seat or seatback cover to the respective seat or seatback may reduce wear of the seat or seatback cover and may improve durability of the seat or seatback cover. High strength attachments may limit the mobility of seat or seatback cover and may reduce the stretch and distortion of the seat or seatback cover that occurs with use. Location of the first and second trenches behind the first and second zipper assemblies facilitates efficient zipper assembly operation and a smoother seat and seatback surface.
It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the afore-mentioned structure 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 cushion including: a seating surface; an elongated trench extending into the seating surface and including: an interior sidewall substantially transverse to the seating surface and an exterior sidewall having a first segment substantially parallel to the interior sidewall and a second segment extending at an angle from the first segment towards an outer portion of the seating surface; a primary fastener part disposed in the elongated trench; and a secondary fastener part disposed along a cushion perimeter and adjacent a U-shaped recess extending along the cushion perimeter and into the cushion; and
- a cover including: first and second fastener parts,
- wherein the primary fastener part and the first fastener part are selectively attachable to form a first disengageable seal, and
- wherein the secondary fastener part and the second fastener part are selectively attachable to form a second disengageable seal.
2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising a supporting structure disposed behind the cushion.
3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 2, further comprising an attachment assembly extending between the primary fastener part disposed in the elongated trench and the supporting structure.
4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 3, wherein the attachment assembly includes:
- a hog ring,
- a first elongated member, and
- a second elongated member.
5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 4, wherein the hog ring includes opposing first and second hook portions, wherein the first elongated member is disposed in the first hook portion, and wherein the second elongated member is disposed in the second hook portion.
6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 5, wherein the primary fastener part is attached to the first elongated member.
7. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 6, wherein the second elongated member includes a wire and wherein the wire is attached to the supporting structure.
8. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the supporting structure includes a seating assembly frame.
9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 3, wherein the primary and secondary fastener parts comprise primary and secondary zipper parts and wherein the first and second fastener parts comprise first and second zipper parts.
10. (canceled)
11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, wherein the first disengageable seal includes a first zipper assembly and wherein the second disengageable seal includes a second zipper assembly.
12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 11, wherein the seating surface comprises at least one of a seat surface and a seatback surface.
13. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:
- a supporting structure;
- an intermediate member including: a seating surface; a removable cover; a selectively engageable first zipper assembly; a selectively engageable second zipper assembly; a first trench having: an internal portion having: an interior sidewall of the internal portion; an exterior sidewall of the internal portion; and a substantially constant width measured transverse to the interior sidewall of the internal portion and between the interior sidewall of the internal portion and the exterior sidewall of the internal portion; and an external portion having: an interior sidewall of the external portion substantially transverse to the seating surface; an exterior sidewall of the external portion defined by a chamfer extending from the interior sidewall of the internal portion to the seating surface; and a progressively increasing width measured transverse to the interior sidewall of the external portion and from the interior sidewall of the internal portion to the seating surface, wherein the progressively increasing width is defined by the distance between the interior sidewall of the external portion and the chamfer of the exterior sidewall of the external portion; and a second trench forming: a U-shaped recess in the intermediate member, wherein the first zipper assembly extends between the removable cover and an attachment assembly disposed in the first trench and secured to the supporting structure, and wherein the second zipper assembly extends between the removable cover and the intermediate member.
14. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 13, wherein the intermediate member includes a cushion, wherein the first trench is disposed in an inner portion of the cushion, and wherein the second trench is disposed in an outer portion of the cushion.
15. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein a primary zipper part of the first zipper assembly is disposed in the first trench.
16. (canceled)
17. (canceled)
18. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 13, further comprising:
- a disengageable seal disposed between the cover and the seating surface.
19. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:
- a cover including: first and second zipper parts; and
- a cushion including: a first elongated trench for receiving an attachment assembly extending from a the cushion and coupled to a primary zipper part and including: a depth defined by a substantially vertical distance between a trench floor and a cushion surface; a first outer wall segment extending from the trench floor toward the cushion surface in a direction substantially transverse to the trench floor; and a second outer wall segment extending between the first outer wall segment and the cushion surface and forming a chamfer between the first outer wall segment and the cushion surface; and a second elongated trench including a U-shaped indentation proximate a secondary zipper part,
- wherein the first zipper part and the primary zipper part are selectively attachable, and
- wherein the second zipper part and the secondary zipper part are selectively attachable.
20. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 19, wherein the first zipper part and the primary zipper part form a first zipper assembly, wherein the second zipper part and the secondary zipper part form a second zipper assembly, wherein the second elongated trench extends around a portion of the outer perimeter of the cushion, wherein the second zipper assembly is disposed over the second elongated trench, and wherein the U-shaped indentation is defined by a pair of opposing wall segments extending into the cushion and away from the cushion surface and a wall segment extending between the pair of opposing wall segments and substantially parallel to the cushion surface.
21. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the angle is within an approximate range of between approximately 15.0 degrees and approximately 45.0 degrees.
22. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 13, wherein a length of the interior sidewall of the external portion of the first trench is greater than a length of the interior sidewall of the internal portion of the first trench.
23. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 19, wherein the chamfer extends into at least one fifth of the depth of the first trench.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 11, 2019
Publication Date: Sep 17, 2020
Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Dearborn, MI)
Inventors: Timothy Owen Hamlin (Warren, MI), Rebecca Ann Olsen (Lake Orion, MI), Kanav Mahotra (Westland, MI)
Application Number: 16/298,025