Cover Attached By An Element Mounted To The Frame Patents (Class 297/218.3)
  • Patent number: 11654804
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat frame including a frame component and a seat pad supported by the seat frame, with the seat pad defining an opening therethrough such that the seat frame is accessible via the opening. The vehicle seat also includes a trim cover assembly disposed over the seat pad. The trim cover assembly includes a trim cover having a flap portion sized to extend through the opening in the seat pad with a first fastener, and a securing flap having a retainer secured thereon. The securing flap includes a second fastener cooperable with the first fastener. The retainer is connected to the frame component to attach the securing flap to the seat frame, and the flap portion is positioned through the opening and connected to the securing flap via the first and second fasteners to define a faux hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Laura Schulz, William Paruszkiewicz, Benedict Messina
  • Patent number: 11155191
    Abstract: A seat assembly having improved trim appearance is provided as well as a method and mold tool for making the seat assembly. In certain embodiments, the seat assembly has at least one narrow trench having a substantially constant width of up to 5 mm, which provides for better tolerances when installing a trim cover on the cushion and provides improved appearance and comfort. In certain embodiments, the mold tool has at least one tool insert that is configured to create the at least one narrow trench with a substantially constant width in the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ashford A. Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Gregory Alan Lymburner, Paul S. Severinski, Gary Rock, James B. Clauser, Louella Ann Patterson, Thomas A. Welch
  • Patent number: 10821864
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat having a seat frame and a seat foam member, a seat trim assembly disposed over the seat foam member, a seat connector, and a seatback. The seatback includes a seatback frame. First and second seatback foam members are disposed around the seatback frame. A seatback trim assembly is disposed over the first and second seatback foam members. A seatback connector is operably coupled to the seat connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Damerow, Carol Diane Casey, Andrew Matusko, Johnathan Andrew Line, Steven Carnago, Walter Woodward
  • Patent number: 10618800
    Abstract: There is provided a skin-material fixing clip for connecting a skin material with a cushion material and provided with a locking section and a hook. The hook is provided with an extension portion extending downward from the locking section and a claw-shaped portion extending laterally from a distal end of the extension portion. The locking section is provided with a wire guide piece. A groove portion surrounded by the claw-shaped portion and the extension portion defines a wire holding space. Parts of the wire guide piece and the claw-shaped portion facing the wire insertion opening defines guide surfaces. The distal end portion of the wire guide piece and the distal end portion of the claw-shaped portion are provided to be spaced from each other along a direction parallel to an extending direction of the groove portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Genta Matsumura, Tomonari Yoshida, Ryuichi Murasaki, Yoshitomo Iyoda, Yuka Makino, Tsutomu Yamada
  • Patent number: 10471867
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a seat pad; and a seat cover including: a first cover piece and a second cover piece which are arranged adjacent to each other; and a sewn portion, wherein the first cover piece includes a general portion which forms a design surface of the seat and a thin end portion which projects from an edge of the general portion and has a thickness smaller than a thickness of the general portion, and wherein in the sewn portion in a tilted state, the thin end portion is bent back towards a back side of the general portion so as to form a lateral U shape, and a part of the thin end portion which is arranged at a back side thereof serves as a seam allowance of the first cover piece and is overlapped with and sewn to a seam allowance of the second cover piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideki Ohtsu
  • Patent number: 10357111
    Abstract: A cushion for releaseably engaging an armrest, said cushion having a top portion, a padded portion, a bottom portion, and an attachment means configured to releaseably engage the cushion to an armrest, where said armrest comprises a top portion, where said attachment means comprises a hook member and a loop member, where the hook member of the attachment means engages the cushion and the loop member of the attachment means engages the armrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Inventor: Richard Maebe
  • Patent number: 10334953
    Abstract: Furniture and a chair include a shielding piece (7b5) which is provided in an operation plate (7b2) or a flange (7a5) and closes a gap generated by the operation plate (7b2) and the flange (7a5) when the operation plate (7b2) has an operation posture. In addition, a chair includes a load support member for a chair, the load support member for a chair includes a frame member which includes a pair of rod members (19) and an extension material (22) which is formed in a bag shape and covers the frame member, a support portion (26) is provided on each of inner surfaces facing each other in the pair of rod members (19), and an interior material (21) having a repulsive force with respect to a load in a surface perpendicular direction is bridged between the pair of rod members (19) by being supported by the support portion (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: OKAMURA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Masunaga, Yoshinori Isogai, Kouichirou Wakizono, Naoyuki Okuda, Syouichi Izawa
  • Patent number: 10220745
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle has upwardly extending seat back assembly comprising a seat back frame, a decorative seat back rear panel module, and a seat back cushion and suspension module attached to the seat back frame. The seat back cushion and suspension module further comprises a one-piece composite inner carrier substrate having a pair of vertically extending side members, an upper transverse member, and a lower transverse member having an outer perimeter. A plurality of attachment openings is disposed about the outer perimeter at discrete locations. A seat back trim cover has an outer perimeter having a plurality of seat back trim cover attachment fasteners disposed about a perimeter of the seat back trim cover at locations corresponding to the discrete locations of the outer perimeter of the one-piece composite inner carrier substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Andrew Line, Christian J. Hosbach, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Rodney Charles Brinker, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello
  • Patent number: 10166897
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (1) includes a seat frame (6), an elastic sheet (9) mounted to the seat frame in a tensioned state (6), and a trim (10) provided on the elastic sheet (9). The elastic sheet (9) includes a fastening section including a fastening plate (16) for the trim (10). The trim (10) includes a trim body (11) and a trim end (15) that is attached to the trim body (11) and fastened to the fastening plate (16) with the trim body (11) being stretched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: DELTA KOGYO CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Okui, Katsumi Sumoto, Yuji Sato
  • Patent number: 9914379
    Abstract: A carpet which forms a terminal of a cushion cover is folded back in a direction opposite to a direction in which the carpet extends from the cushion cover to form a folded portion, a wire is enclosed inside the folded portion to stitch the carpet, a locking hole is opened in a position of the folded portion closer to a cushion cover side than the wire, and a locking plate on a cushion frame side is locked to the locking hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi Ushiyama, Hideo Sahashi
  • Patent number: 9873389
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle cushion component that can suppress generation of unusual sound due to contact between a boss included in an interior panel of a vehicle and an opposing member, and facilitate the mounting operation to the boss. A vehicle cushion component is disposed as an elastic component assembled to a distal end of a projecting portion of an interior panel (interior component).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignees: DAIWA KASEI INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HAYASHI TELEMPU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Makoto Kato, Takaaki Yamazaki, Atsutoshi Kaji, Naoki Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 9827890
    Abstract: A cover fastening clip includes a locking section that locks with an end member to be locked that is provided on the edge of a cover, and a hook that engages with a wire disposed in a groove of a cushion material. The hook is provided with an extended section that extends down from the locking section and a claw-shaped section, and the locking section is provided with a guide piece. The guide piece extends down along the extended section of the hook, bends at a midway bending section, and extends toward the distal end of the claw-shaped section. A wire insertion opening that has a prescribed gap and into which the wire is inserted is formed by the distal end of the guide piece reaching a location that faces the distal end of the claw-shaped section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Saiga, Tetsuya Yoshino, Yoshitomo Iyoda
  • Patent number: 9668581
    Abstract: A knockdown sofa that includes a pair of angled struts affixed at opposing sides to a wooden base and configured to engage different ones of a pair of angled slats, each of the slats attached to different ones of a pair of side arms. The base also defines a pair of apertures configured to receive different ones of a pair of downwardly depending lugs affixed to the bottom of a sofa back, such that the entire sofa can be assembled quickly and easily without the need of tools. An embodiment of the sofa includes hook and loop strips connecting both the side arms and the back to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Prominence Furniture & Finishing, Inc.
    Inventor: Scotty W. Hill
  • Patent number: 9027994
    Abstract: A structure is provided to improve rigidity of a locking structure for skin terminals of a vehicle seat. The locking structure for the skin terminals of the vehicle seat includes a seat frame having a tucking groove on an outer surface, a skin terminal of a skin for covering the seat frame, a holding member fixed to the skin terminal, a carpet terminal surrounded by the holding member, and a cut and bent portion for regulating detachment of the holding member. The skin terminal and the carpet terminal are locked in the tucking groove. The holding member is provided with a projection portion, and the carpet terminal is provided with an engagement member engaged with the projection portion for regulating detachment from the holding member. The projection portion is provided closer to the opening side of the tucking groove than the engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Souheil Hage-Hassan, Eiji Toba
  • Patent number: 8979204
    Abstract: In a seat backboard, a backboard section is formed with a size that enables it to pass through between left and right side frames of a seatback frame. Coupling fixing sections are also provided at the two seat width direction sides of the backboard section, the coupling fixing sections engaging with the front side of the side frames and supported by the side frames. The seat backboard can thereby be attached to the seatback frame from the seat front side, and the degrees of freedom for design can be increased. The seat backboard is also provided with a cover anchor section to which outer periphery anchor portions provided to a seat cover are anchored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinji Awata, Hideki Kobayashi, Hisaya Mori
  • Patent number: 8979195
    Abstract: A seat cover is attachable to a seat section of a vehicle seat including a frame and an original cover, in the state of covering the original cover. The original cover is attached in the state where a hook-like original cover engaging tool including a pair of portions facing each other is hooked on an engageable portion of the frame. The seat cover includes a cover main body for covering the seat section, and a cover attaching tool provided along an end of the cover main body. The cover attaching tool includes a pair of cover seat portions facing each other and is hook-like. The cover attaching tool is allowed to be hooked on the original cover engaging tool hooked on the engageable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Eleven International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Itakura
  • Patent number: 8974004
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including: a seat component such as a seat cushion and a seat back, the seat component including, a cushioning material constituting an outer shape of the vehicle seat, a through-hole penetrating the cushioning material in a thickness direction thereof, and a skin material configured to cover the cushioning material, wherein a reinforcing wire is embedded into the cushioning material at both sides of the through-hole, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noritaka Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8960791
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly that includes a frame structure and a panel coupled with the frame structure that has an occupant support surface. A connection element protrudes from the occupant support surface and borders a predefined area of the occupant support surface. A trim module covers the predefined area and includes an attachment feature extending inward and engaging the connection element to form a seal around the predefined area. A ventilation aperture extends through the panel within the predefined area and an air movement device is coupled with the panel to draw air through the ventilation aperture from an exterior surface of the trim module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan George Dry, Gunnar Groesbeck, Christian J. Hosbach, Johnathan Andrew Line
  • Patent number: 8944515
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle seat including a seat structure member which has a frame member which configures a seat framework, a pad member which configures an outer shape of the seat and is configured to elastically support an occupant, and a sheet-like elastic fiber body which is disposed on a rear surface of the pad member. The pad member is disposed on the frame member while the elastic fiber body contacting the frame member. The elastic fiber body includes protrusions which protrude toward the frame member and recesses which are closer to the pad member than the protrusions, and the elastic fiber body is configured to come into point or line contact with the frame member by the protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Mold Technical Office Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsunori Kono, Yoshiyuki Murata, Shota Matsushita, Naoya Sato, Toshio Iwasawa
  • Patent number: 8926013
    Abstract: Provided is a seat which comprises: a seat frame constituting a framework for a seat cushion or seat back; a synthetic resin hook member having a locking portion locked to a frame member as a part of the seat frame; a stretchable planar elastic body attached to the hook member locked to the frame member so as to be mounted to the seat frame in a tensioned state; and an anti-expansion mechanism for avoiding a situation where the hook member is expanded and thereby the hook member is disengaged from the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Kurashita
  • Patent number: 8919878
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention include a vehicle seat having a seat component member, for example a seat cushion or a seat back. The seat component member has a pad forming a seat contour, a cover covering the pad and a mounting portion. At the mounting portion, a part of the cover is mounted to the pad by pulling the part of the cover to the pad. The mounting portion has a first portion for receiving pressure when an occupant seats on the vehicle seat, and a second portion for receiving a pressure lower than that the first portion receives. The mounting portion may have a structure in which the first portion is more flexible than the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noritaka Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8911022
    Abstract: A fastening system for fastening a covering apparatus to a support structure is provided. The fastening system comprises a support frame having a fastening edge configured as a beading and a fastening device for fastening the covering apparatus on the support frame. The fastening device has a fastening opening into which a fastening unit projecting from the support frame engages at least partially so that a fastening fixed in at least six degrees of freedom is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Andrzej Pleskot
  • Patent number: 8845020
    Abstract: A cushion is arranged on a frame member and covered by a cover. Also, a support member is attached to the frame member and extends in a vertical direction when a seat back is in an upright position, and an attaching portion to which a portion of the cover attaches is provided on the support member. The support member supports the cushion on the frame member, and the portion of the cover is attached tucked in to the attaching portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kousuke Sei, Keisuke Yamamoto, Yukinori Sugiura, Takanori Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 8834975
    Abstract: A modular block system that is aesthetically and functionally versatile by providing a plurality of independent puzzle-like block members to form furniture, table, wall and floor coverings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Adam Friedman
  • Patent number: 8820833
    Abstract: On a rear side of seat back, a trim cover assembly of the seat back includes an openable first cover portion disposed centrally thereof and a pair of second cover portions disposed on opposite sides of the first cover portion. A pair of female fastener assemblies are provided to two lateral ends of the first cover portion, respectively, and each comprises: an anchor element; a female fastener element; and a connecting element connected between the anchor and female fastener elements. The anchor element is securely engaged with a seat back frame, thereby neatly securing the two lateral ends of the first cover to the rear side of seat back. The male fastener element is securely engaged with the female fastener element, thereby neatly securing the two second cover portions to the rear side of seat back in alignment with the two lateral ends of the first cover portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Tsuchiya, Michael Dwayne Welch, Joseph Anthony Niemiec
  • Patent number: 8801094
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including a three-dimensional woven knitted fabric including a surface-layer-side base fabric, a back-layer-side base fabric, and an intermediate layer that three-dimensionally connects the surface-layer-side base fabric and the back-layer-side base fabric, the three-dimensional woven knitted fabric being tightly stretched on a seat frame by a locking member provided to an end portion thereof to form a seat surface, wherein an edge portion of the three-dimensional woven knitted fabric has a single-layer structure, which includes only the back-layer-side base fabric among the surface-layer-side base fabric, the back-layer-side base fabric and the intermediate layer, and wherein the locking member is provided to an end portion of the back-layer-side base fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Nishiura, Takao Sakurai
  • Publication number: 20140183913
    Abstract: A structure is provided to improve rigidity of a locking structure for skin terminals of a vehicle seat. The locking structure for the skin terminals of the vehicle seat includes a seat frame having a tucking groove on an outer surface, a skin terminal of a skin for covering the seat frame, a holding member fixed to the skin terminal, a carpet terminal surrounded by the holding member, and a cut and bent portion for regulating detachment of the holding member. The skin terminal and the carpet terminal are locked in the tucking groove. The holding member is provided with a projection portion, and the carpet terminal is provided with an engagement member engaged with the projection portion for regulating detachment from the holding member. The projection portion is provided closer to the opening side of the tucking groove than the engagement member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Souheil Hage-Hassan, Eiji Toba
  • Patent number: 8764113
    Abstract: A modular seat assembly including a seat bottom, a seat back, and a fastener. The seat bottom having a frame and a cushion, the frame including a first member having a channel with an open end. The seat back having a back frame, a back cushion, a second member, and a first restraint system. The second member is configured to be removably coupled to the first member by the fastener with the channel of the first member receiving the second member through the open end. The seat assembly is configured such that the second member may be decoupled from the first member to decouple the first seat back from the seat assembly and replace the first seat back with a second seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Michael Smith, Bradley Michael Glance, Thomas Grzybowski, Frank Glenn Walega
  • Patent number: 8733834
    Abstract: A trim assembly for a seat back of a vehicle seat is provided. The seat back has a seat frame and a seat cushion. The trim assembly includes a backboard securable to the seat frame and adapted to form a rear surface of the seat back. The backboard has a channel formed therein and a plurality of spaced apart retaining windows formed along a length of the channel. A trim cover is adapted to cover the seat cushion and form a front surface of the seat back. The trim cover has a cover material portion and a trim retainer connected to the cover material portion. The trim retainer includes an engagement feature. The trim retainer is insertable into the channel such that the engagement feature cooperates with the retaining windows for securing the trim cover to the backboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Palmer
  • Patent number: 8690240
    Abstract: An object is to provide a coupling device protection member that can prevent contact between a cushion material and a coupling device to protect the coupling device. A coupling device protection member is used in a vehicle seat that includes a cushion material that is elastically deformed by loads, a frame member that is stacked to the cushion material to reinforce the cushion material, and a surface cover that covers at least the cushion material, the surface cover being coupled to the frame member via a coupling device, in which the coupling device protection member is attached to the frame material so as to protect the coupling device coupled to the frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sekisui Plastics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinji Takakura, Takeharu Nakano, Takehiro Togami
  • Patent number: 8672404
    Abstract: A profile (9) which can be connected to a cover (4) serves to fasten the cover (4) on a supporting body (2). According to the invention, it is provided that the profile has a recess (17) for receiving a connecting region, in particular a seam (6), of cover segments (5.1, 5.2) of an at least two-piece cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Hennig, Axel Posnien, Uwe Schulze
  • Publication number: 20130057035
    Abstract: A vehicle seat including a three-dimensional woven knitted fabric including a surface-layer-side base fabric, a back-layer-side base fabric, and an intermediate layer that three-dimensionally connects the surface-layer-side base fabric and the back-layer-side base fabric, the three-dimensional woven knitted fabric being tightly stretched on a seat frame by a locking member provided to an end portion thereof to form a seat surface, wherein an edge portion of the three-dimensional woven knitted fabric has a single-layer structure, which includes only the back-layer-side base fabric among the surface-layer-side base fabric, the back-layer-side base fabric and the intermediate layer, and wherein the locking member is provided to an end portion of the back-layer-side base fabric.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeshi NISHIURA, Takao SAKURAI
  • Patent number: 8388062
    Abstract: A profile (9) which can be connected to a cover (4) serves to fasten the cover (4) on a supporting body (2). According to the invention, it is provided that the profile has a recess (17) for receiving a connecting region, in particular a seam (6), of cover segments (5.1, 5.2) of an at least two-piece cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
    Inventors: Lars Hennig, Axel Posnien, Uwe Schulze
  • Patent number: 8246113
    Abstract: An office chair or office chair element, such as a backrest or seat, has a flat covering element, such as a fabric, cushioning or webbing element, secured to support elements, such as the arms of a support frame, and tensioned in between. The covering element is provided with a welt strip that, in the fitted state, is placed in an accommodating groove in the support element. The accommodating groove has two oppositely situated contact faces for the welt strip and one of the contact faces is provided with a projection that projects into the accommodating groove and extends in the longitudinal direction of the groove. The welt strip can be pressed into the accommodating groove, resiliently deforming the projection and/or the welt strip and the welt strip, in the fitted state, is positively locked and/or friction-locked in the groove with abutment against the contact faces, with the projection preventing the welt strip from escaping from the accommodating groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Bock 1 GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hermann Bock
  • Patent number: 8240759
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a trim cover assembly disposed proximate a cushion. The trim cover assembly includes a first portion and a second portion. The second portion has a first end coupled to the first portion, a second end coupled to the frame, and an elastomeric layer that exerts a tensile force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ralf Hobl, Kevin John Withers
  • Patent number: 8152235
    Abstract: An elongated edging is provided for use in a method of upholstering a chair element with a perimeter edge. The edging has a pair of sides and a top portion, with a slot defined between the sides for receiving the perimeter edge of the chair element. A flange extends outwardly from the outward face of the side of the edging and defines a recess between an upper side of the flange and the outward face of the side of the edging. A portion of upholstery is attached to the chair element using fasteners which are positioned in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Michigan Tube Swagers & Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry J. McElmurry
  • Patent number: 8128166
    Abstract: A pull-in recess is formed in a seat pad (30). The pull-in recess is partly formed as a through hole penetrating to a back surface of the seat pad. A seat cover (40) is formed into a bag shape. A string-shaped member (50) for drawing the seat cover (40) and attaching the same to the seat pad (30) is disposed along an opening of the seat cover. The seat cover (40) is provided with a pull-in portion at a position corresponding to the pull-in recess of the seat pad (30). The pull-in portion is inserted into the through hole of the seat pad (30). A distal end of the pull-in portion is provided with a retainer portion (47a and 47b) that is capable of engaging the string-shaped member (50). The retainer portions (47a and 47b) inserted into the through holes (34a and 34b) of the seat pad (30) are engaged with the string-shaped member (50) while the drawing action force of the string-shaped member (50) is applied thereto, which force can be produced when the seat cover is attached by drawing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Hoshina, Kazukimi Shinohara, Seiji Chaza
  • Patent number: 7946649
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly has a seat body adapted to be mounted within a vehicle to provide support to an occupant. A seat component is provided adjacent to the seat body. A first attachment member is provided within one of the seat body and the seat component. A second attachment member is provided on the other of the seat body and the seat component. The second attachment member is engageable within the first attachment member such that the seat component is attached to the seat body through engagement between the first attachment member and the second attachment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ashford A. Galbreath, Asad S. Ali, Richard Reyes, Jeffrey Frelich, Ronald L. Miotto, James B. Clauser, George Edward Dishner, William Paruszkiewicz, Paul S. Severinski
  • Patent number: 7901002
    Abstract: A clip for use in a cushion for a vehicle seat, wherein the cushion includes a cushioned pad and a trim cover , the cushioned pad having a recess portion and a wire embedded in the cushioned pad so as to be partially exposed to the recess portion from the cushioned pad, the trim cover having a portion, a longitudinal tensioning cord attached to the portion of the trim cover, a longitudinal bulged member provided along a longitudinal edge portion of the cord, and a laterally elongated through-hole formed in the cord.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Mashimo
  • Patent number: 7891735
    Abstract: A hook member is provided and includes a pinching portion that pinches a plate body of a seat frame, a fixing portion that can fix an upholstery material, and an introduction portion defining an opening into the fixing portion, wherein the fixing portion faces an outer side of the plate body and is pinched by the pinching portion, and includes the introduction portion having a curved shape and defining an opening for the upholstery material to enter and be fixed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenichi Oku
  • Patent number: 7837263
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a foam cushion, a flexible cover at least partially defining the outer surface of the vehicle seat, and a spacer fabric. The spacer fabric includes a first fabric panel operatively connected to the flexible cover, a second fabric panel operatively connected to the foam cushion, and an interconnecting layer. The interconnecting layer resiliently interconnects the first and second fabric panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Booth, Robert L. Demick, Jeffrey J. Kilmer, Eric M. Bruckbauer
  • Patent number: 7775589
    Abstract: An upholstery mounting system for an article of furniture with a furniture member, such as a chair back, and an upholstery backing member for being removably coupled to the furniture member. A plurality of mounting clips are fixed to one of the upholstery backing member and the furniture member, and a corresponding a plurality of mounting brackets are fixed to the other of the furniture member and the upholstery backing member. The mounting clips can have raised central portions that define apertures, and the mourning clips have elongate engaging members for being matingly received through the apertures in the mounting brackets for coupling the furniture member and the upholstery backing member. One mounting clip can have a longer elongate engaging member to facilitate alignment during coupling. A protuberance on each elongate engaging member can enable a mechanical engagement between the mounting brackets and the mounting clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Inventor: Sava Cvek
  • Publication number: 20100148551
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide a soft cover for covering a seat having an inner frame. According to various embodiments, the soft cover includes a rear portion having a first side portion, a second side portion, an upper portion, and a flap portion with a medial portion. In various embodiments, the medial portion of the soft cover is configured to be recessed by engaging hooks that are attached to the inner surface of the medial portion to the inner frame of the seat and engaging fasteners along the edges of the flap portion with corresponding fasteners along the first and second side portions of the rear portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Thanh P. Nguyen, Tomonari Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7669925
    Abstract: A trim set attachment assembly is provided comprising a retaining strip attached to a mesh panel encapsulated within a seat frame, and at least one tab extending from the trim set and securedly seating between the retaining strip and the mesh panel, thereby securing the trim set in relation to the mesh panel. The tab includes a trim piece seated within an anchor. The trim piece extends from the trim set to seat beneath the retraining strip atop the mesh panel, while the anchor prevents the trim piece from sliding out from under the retaining strip. The retaining strip includes a base, with at least one retainer extending from the base to secure the trim piece therebeneath. The retaining strip further includes a flange, with at least one connector extending through the mesh panel and the flange to connect the retaining strip to the mesh panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Beck, Jeffrey J. Poniatowski
  • Patent number: 7607730
    Abstract: The invention pertains to an upholstery (5) for a passenger seat (1), particularly an aircraft seat, that comprises at least one layer (7, 26) in the form of a textile surface (8) consisting of threads (9 to 11) and/or fibers forming these threads (9 to 11). The textile surface (8) is at least regionally formed by a knitted spacer fabric composed of at least two layers (12, 13) that are spaced apart from one another and pile threads extending therebetween, wherein the textile surface (8) can be at least regionally connected to a supporting frame (6). At least one functional element (19) is at least regionally assigned to the textile surface (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Greiner Purtec GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Möseneder
  • Publication number: 20090163336
    Abstract: The seat cover exercise device is a portable exercise apparatus in the form of a seat cover that fits around various types of seats. Attached and integrated into the seat cover are resistance members, such as elastic bands, and exercise tools that permit individuals to perform a variety of exercises while seated. The resistance members are attached at one end to the seat cover and at the other end to a grip. When the exercise device is installed on a seat, users may engage in resistance exercises by grasping the grip and extending the resistance member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Boris Adreas Mueller
  • Patent number: 7527335
    Abstract: An armrest structure includes a tubular support, and an armrest having a tubular end telescopingly engaging the tubular support. A support plate engages bottom walls of the tubular support and the tubular end in a laminar arrangement. A clamping bolt slides through a top hole and into aligned holes in the laminar arrangement, with its head abutting the aligned holes. A clamping handle on a bottom of the bolt is rotatable between a clamping position tensioning the bolt to secure the arrangement, and a release position de-tensioning the bolt. By this arrangement, remaining walls of the tubular support and the tubular end are not deformed even when the clamp is clampingly pressing the adjacent sidewall sections together. An adjustable back with actuator handles at a lower edge of the back, and a seat assembly with fingers that retain an upholstery cover tight against concave areas are also shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: Steelcase Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Eberlein, Kirt D. Martin, James D. Houda, David J. Dekker
  • Patent number: 7517024
    Abstract: An arrangement for enabling post-assembly tension adjustment in an elastomeric material application. The arrangement can have a frame structure and a panel of elastomeric material, such as elastomeric mesh, retained to span from a first side to a second side of the frame structure in tension. A tension adjustment assembly enables a post-assembly, selective deflection of the panel of elastomeric material and thus the tension in the panel of elastomeric material. The tension adjustment assembly can, for example, employ a selectively inflatable bladder, an extension and retraction arrangement with a biasing portion, a pivoting member, a laterally slidable member, a roller with a non-concentric pivot axis a deflection member with a tip portion disposed to an outer surface side of the panel of elastomeric material, or a deflection member slidable on an inclined surface in relation to the panel of elastomeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Inventor: Sava Cvek
  • Patent number: 7510245
    Abstract: A seat belt webbing enclosure for a vehicle seat having a seat back and a seat cushion. The enclosure includes a bracket attached to a frame of the seat back. A cover is coupled to the bracket and extends downwardly to the seat cushion to enclose a gap between the seat back the seat cushion. A seat belt web of the seat is substantially enclosed proximate the gap by the cover in cooperation with the seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Hidetsugu Okazaki, Kelly Michael Whalen
  • Patent number: 7506939
    Abstract: Vehicle seat includes a cushion body and an attached cover with a groove at the attachment sites in the cushion body, and first lockable attachment elements attached to a groove base that lock with second lockable attachment elements affixed to the cover. Vehicle seat includes attachment elements that enable the cover to be easily, quickly and properly attached to the cushion body. This is achieved in that the first and second lockable attachment elements are the halves of a slide lock or zipper lock with a slide received by the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dagmar Brockschneider, Silvia Krömer, Benno Kauls