Bonded To Cushioning Material Patents (Class 297/452.61)
  • Patent number: 11760242
    Abstract: A backrest of a vehicle seat includes an armature and an upholstery fixed to the armature. The upholstery has a slit for accommodating a headrest support rod by relative movement of the upholstery with respect to the armature in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle seat. The backrest further includes first and second trim elements. Each trim element forms a notch. The notches of the first and second trim elements define a passage for a headrest support rod. The second trim element partially covers the slit in the upholstery. The first and/or the second trim elements is/are in contact with the upholstery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: FAURECIA Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Carsten Reith, Jean-Marie Mauffrey, Didier Duriez, Yesh Prajapati, Jean-Yves Piederriere, Etienne Poulet, Benoît Gazaniol
  • Patent number: 10953776
    Abstract: The present invention provides a seat formed by bonding a trim cover to a foam pad, in which a sewing part of a trim cover can be bonded to a foam pad even when the trim cover is of leather. In a seat formed by bonding a trim cover to a foam pad, the trim cover includes a sewing part where plural trim covers are sewn up, raw material that is impregnated with an adhesive is sewn to the sewing part, and the foam pad and the raw material having been sewn are bonded to each other by the adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hideki Kamata
  • Patent number: 10596937
    Abstract: An interior part of vehicle capable of improving in design property is manufactured by joining a plurality of pieces of a layered cloth having at least a skin material and a cushion material. The plurality of pieces to be joined are processed with continuous stitches, and the pieces joined with the stitch processing are sewn up, with the front surfaces put together, along ends to be joined. One of the joined plurality of pieces is folded, thus the plurality of pieces are provided, with the front surfaces facing vehicle interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sekino, Yukihito Kobayashi, Satoshi Tadokoro, Meimei Lai, Takuya Hori
  • Patent number: 10368643
    Abstract: Described herein is a chair for relieving pressure points from prolonged sitting. The chair comprises a plurality of armrests, the armrests having an armrest frame and a foam layer coupled to an upper portion of the armrest frame. The chair further includes a seat bottom that includes a seat bottom frame, a sinuous spring base coupled to the seat bottom frame, a plurality of coil springs coupled to the sinuous spring base, and a gel infused foam layer coupled to the coil springs. The chair also includes a seat back having a seat back frame, elastic webbing coupled to the seat back frame, and one or more cushions coupled to the seat back frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Inventor: Joseph Savovic
  • Patent number: 10351415
    Abstract: In order to solve the issue, during recessed-shape molding for vehicle seats, of requiring a suspension step, more work, members for suspension, and increased cost in a method using suspension, a recessed-shape molding method is provided for vehicle seats having a seat frame, a seat pad covering the seat frame, and a trim cover covering the seat pad. The seat pad has a seat pad groove. An adhesive sheet is sewn on to the rear surface of the trim cover by using outer stitching, the trim cover is put on to the seat pad, then a die is pressed on to the outer stitching from the trim cover surface, the trim cover is adhered to the seat pad groove, and a recessed shape is formed. As a result, a vehicle seat having simplified molding steps and effectively reducing costs can be provided, as well as a vehicle seat molding method used for same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ayaru Sasaki, Hideki Kamata, Yasuyuki Ito, Ukyo Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 10293723
    Abstract: A surface structure of wadded seat, with a trim cover having a plurality of trim cover pieces backed with wadding members and sewed together at ends, further includes: first sewed portions, each formed by sewing two adjacent trim cover pieces at one end of each trim cover piece, while serving as seam allowance, the portions not backed with the wadding members; second sewed portions, each formed first by forming a continuous trim cover piece, then by laying a long wadding member on the backs of the wadding members, and finally by sewing, at both ends of the continuous trim cover piece, the wadding members on the backs of the trim cover pieces and the long wadding member; and third sewed portions, each formed by sewing, at both ends of each first sewed portion, the long wadding member to the end of each trim cover piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Shindo
  • Patent number: 10220740
    Abstract: In existing manufacturing methods wherein a bonded seat is formed by adhering a surface skin material to a pad made from molded foam, defects may occur from curing of the adhesive, such as reduced flexibility and a poor texture on the seat contact surface. In addition, the manufacturing steps therefor are complicated. In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a manufacturing method for a vehicle seat having a molded pad and a trim cover that covers the molded pad. The molded pad has a groove, and an adhesive is applied to the inside of the groove. The trim cover is pressed into the inside of the groove, and a steam nozzle is inserted into the molded pad from the surface of the molded pad opposite from the surface covered by the trim cover. Heat or steam from the steam nozzle melts the adhesive inside the groove so as to adhere the trim cover to the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Kamata, Ayaru Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10029592
    Abstract: A cushion body includes a seat pad; and a seat cover covering a surface of the seat pad in a state in which a surface of the seat cover is bonded to the surface of the seat pad. The seat pad includes a drawing groove into which an intermediate part of the seat cover is drawn such that a surface of the intermediate part of the seat cover is bonded to the drawing groove; and a deformation promoting structure configured to promote bending of a vicinity portion in vicinity of the drawing groove so as to promote bending of one pad portion with respect to another pad portion in a direction in which a groove width of the drawing groove is increased, the one pad portion being separated from the other pad portion by the drawing groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Ochiai, Tetsuo Hayashida, Yoshiyuki Murata, Yoshihisa Nakagawa, Ami Inagaki
  • Patent number: 9579862
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle seat component includes a first step of integrating a cushion member and an upholstery member together during molding of the cushion member, and a second step of forming a flow passage through which air passes from a back surface of the cushion member toward the upholstery member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Ota, Tomoki Nii, Kazuaki Toyama, Mitsuaki Taniguchi, Masahiko Ito, Ryousuke Jyoujima, Yoshiyuki Murata, Shinya Kaneko, Tetsuo Hayashida, Asakiyo Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9221375
    Abstract: A vehicle having a single seat for a plurality of occupants sitting side by side in a lateral direction of the vehicle. The seat has a front end recessed rearwardly at a center seat portion so as to form a substantially U-shaped recess as viewed in a plan view. The recess is composed of a bottom portion and a pair of left and right side portions extending obliquely in a forward direction from the left and right ends of the bottom portion. At a left corner portion of a right seat portion where the right side portion of the recess intersects the front end of the right seat portion, there is provided a seat grip for gripping by the occupant sitting on the right seat portion. The occupant can easily grip the seat grip with his/her hand in the vicinity of his/her body, thereby obtaining good support for the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hajime Uchiyama, Hiroyuki Nishimori, Takeshi Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 9073462
    Abstract: A seating system for use with a vehicle includes a first seat component having a skin having a thermal bond to an in-situ foam core. The first seat component maximum displacement is less than 160 mm when tested according to a test method in ECE R17 regulation for luggage retention with a 20 times the force of gravity crash pulse. A method of manufacture the seat back system is also recited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventor: Richard W. Roberts
  • Patent number: 9033411
    Abstract: A chair including a dynamically-flexible back and seat having a shape that adjusts to the movements of a user seated in the chair to enhance user comfort. Each of the back and seat has an air gap formed therewithin and a resilient frame or liner with a spring memory. The resilient liner is adapted to flex in response to compressive forces that are generated as the user slides his body back or from side-to-side in the chair. Accordingly, some of the chair back and some of the chair seat move into respective air gaps so that the shapes of the back and seat change to conform to the movements of the user. The air gaps also establish air flow ventilation channels which run laterally through the back and seat of the chair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Marcelo Mezzera
  • Patent number: 8919887
    Abstract: To achieve weight reduction while providing elasticity sufficient in a cushioning member for a vehicle seat, an elastic member made of expanded resin beads includes an elastic covering material having stretching properties stuck to an outer face of an expanded bead body. Therefore, when the elastic member made of expanded resin beads is bent or compressed, the respective beads themselves configuring the expanded bead body are elastically deformed according to stretching or compressing of the elastic covering material, and since the elastic deformation is not such deformation that a gap between beads of the expanded bead body largely expands, a crack occurring between beads or permanent deformation does not occur so that bending or compressing becomes possible. Accordingly, the elastic member made of expanded resin beads is suitable as a cushioning member utilizing an elastic recovering force in a bending direction and a thickness direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Tooling Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsunori Fujita, Yumi Ogura, Soichi Makita, Shigeki Wagata, Seiji Kawasaki, Yuji Hattori
  • Patent number: 8851569
    Abstract: A full-cover and light-weight child safety seat is disclosed, capable of improving the difficulties in manufacturing and assembling processes in conventional skills. The safety seat includes a first hard layer, a second hard layer, a body (or a cushion portion) formed by foaming expansion material and a wall formed on a peripheral zones of the body. The body is defined with an inner end surface coated with the first hard layer and an outer end surface covered by the second hard layer so that the foaming expansion material (or the body), the first hard layer and the second hard layer are snuggly and firmly formed in a composite state, thereby improving the improper conditions in conventional skills, such as carry or deliver inconvenience caused by larger thickness/volume and heavier weight for the purpose of obtaining sufficient strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Inventor: Chang-Hsien Ho
  • Publication number: 20140292043
    Abstract: A conveyance seat includes: a seat cover; a seat pad foamed so as to be integrated with part of the seat cover; and an interrupting portion provided in part of the seat cover and inhibiting integration of the seat pad with the seat cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoki NII, Yoshiyuki MURATA
  • Publication number: 20140239697
    Abstract: A seat structure member includes a cover and a seat pad. The cover and the seat pad are integrated when the seat pad is foam molded. A recessed portion is formed on a portion of a surface of the seat pad that is covered by the cover. Integrated molding of the seat pad and the cover is avoided at a location of the recessed portion, and a space of the recessed portion is formed between the seat pad and the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoki NII, Yoshiyuki MURATA
  • Patent number: 8752902
    Abstract: A trim attachment retainer having a body portion including a proximal end and an engagement end. At least one cross member is integral with and substantially orthogonal to the body portion. At least one barb extends from the engagement end. The at least one barb includes a base and a distal end. The distal end is closer than the base to the at least one cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John Vincent Labish
  • Patent number: 8727447
    Abstract: A cushion for a school bus seat can include a single piece of skinned foam including foam and a skin integrally bonded to the foam. The single piece of skinned form can include a cavity. The single piece of skinned foam can be configured to receive at least one of a substantially upright back portion of a school bus seat frame and a substantially horizontal seat portion of the school bus seat frame. The single piece of skinned foam can be configured to be disposed over and to cover at least one of the substantially upright back portion and the substantially horizontal seat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Heavy Duty Bus Parts, Inc.
    Inventor: Lyn Brandon Billingsley
  • Publication number: 20130193739
    Abstract: A cushion for a school bus seat can include a single piece of skinned foam including foam and a skin integrally bonded to the foam. The single piece of skinned form can include a cavity. The single piece of skinned foam can be configured to receive at least one of a substantially upright back portion of a school bus seat frame and a substantially horizontal seat portion of the school bus seat frame. The single piece of skinned foam can be configured to be disposed over and to cover at least one of the substantially upright back portion and the substantially horizontal seat portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: Lyn Brandon BILLINGSLEY
  • Patent number: 8491057
    Abstract: A seat body for vehicles has a padding made of plastic material foam and provided with through holes; the padding is covered by an upholstery covering having a fabric layer and a hygroscopic layer, which are heat-fixed together; the fabric layer defines a support surface for a user, while the material of the hygroscopic layer is an open-cell polyurethane foam having a cell mean linear density less than or equal to 15 cell/cm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societá Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Salvatore Demontis, Andrea Zussino
  • Patent number: 8419136
    Abstract: A cushion for a school bus seat can include a single piece of skinned foam including foam and a skin integrally bonded to the foam. The single piece of skinned form can include a cavity. The single piece of skinned foam can be configured to receive at least one of a substantially upright back portion of a school bus seat frame and a substantially horizontal seat portion of the school bus seat frame. The single piece of skinned foam can be configured to be disposed over and to cover at least one of the substantially upright back portion and the substantially horizontal seat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Heavy Duty Bus Parts, Inc.
    Inventor: Lyn Brandon Billingsley
  • Patent number: 8079643
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention can include a surface layer made of a fabric material and the surface layer covering one or more portions of a top plate main portion, top plate side portions, outside portions, a seat back portion, and a headrest portion has been subjected to an antiallergenic treatment and the antiallergenic treatment is a treatment in which a back side surface of the surface layer is dipped in an antiallergenic agent containing an aromatic hydroxy compound as an active ingredient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha, Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norie Hara, Akihiro Matsuyama, Kazuhiro Takami, Mitsuhito Teramoto
  • Publication number: 20110260508
    Abstract: A trim covering for a seat assembly of a vehicle, the trim cover having an inner and outer surface and a bonding tape applied to at least one of the inner or outer surfaces. The bonding tape is used to bond portions of the trim cover together, provide additional structural integrated to the trim cover and provide improved craftsmanship in closing-out certain areas of the trim cover. A method of performing a trim cover assembly for use in a seat assembly of a vehicle. The method includes applying heat and pressure over a predetermined time period to bonding tape arranged at a joint between at least two trim components, placing such bonding tape and trim components in a mold, and applying heat and pressure over a predetermined time period to such trim components having the bonding tape arranged at a joint, to form a one-piece trim assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Gregg Laframboise, David Thimm, Richard P. Doerer, Daniel J. Koester, Marie R. Howell, Sandra L. Smith, Jeffrey Suiter, Teresa A. Stapleton, Duane Potes, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8042874
    Abstract: An insulating cover for a cushioning material for providing a barrier against heat and flame, the insulating cover comprising at least one layer of aluminum film or ceramic fabric, at least one layer of fire-blocking material, and at least one layer of adhesive, wherein the insulating cover is flexible so as to conform to and move with an underlying cushioning material. The insulating cover may be positioned between a cushion and the protective fabric of an aircraft passenger seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: BE Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward Thomas Livengood
  • Publication number: 20110001347
    Abstract: A cushion sheet for a chair is disclosed. The cushion sheet includes an adhesion part (11), which has a curvature corresponding to that of the frame of the chair, cushion cells (12), which are formed by the adhesion part, and ventilation passages (13), which are defined between the cushion cells. Each cushion cell includes a base layer (22), a cover layer (21) and a sponge layer (23), which is provided between the base layer and the cover layer. The ventilation passages are defined by extending portions of the cover layer around the cushion cells such that extended portions of the cover layer are brought into close contact with the base layer. The adhesion part is formed by adhering the extended portions of the cover layer to the base layer using a sponge hot melt, which is formed by melting portions of the sponge layer corresponding to the ventilation passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: IOS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jin-Young Choi
  • Publication number: 20100327648
    Abstract: An insulating cover for a cushioning material for providing a barrier against heat and flame, the insulating cover comprising at least one layer of aluminum film or ceramic fabric, at least one layer of fire-blocking material, and at least one layer of adhesive, wherein the insulating cover is flexible so as to conform to and move with an underlying cushioning material. The insulating cover may be positioned between a cushion and the protective fabric of an aircraft passenger seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: BE AEROSPACE, INC.
    Inventor: EDWARD THOMAS LIVENGOOD
  • Patent number: 7823980
    Abstract: A piece for a skin member of a vehicular seat has a base member and a leather laminated to the base member. The base member has a cushion having elastic properties and a base cloth adhered to the cushion. The base member and the leather include an adhering portion bonded by an adhering agent, a sewing portion formed by being sewn at outer peripheral portions of the base member and the leather, and a nonbonding portion in which the base member and the leather are not bonded between the adhering portion and the sewing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Niwa, Soji Yasukawa
  • Publication number: 20090146483
    Abstract: A piece for a skin member of a vehicular seat has a base member and a leather laminated to the base member. The base member has a cushion having elastic properties and a base cloth adhered to the cushion. The base member and the leather include an adhering portion bonded by an adhering agent, a sewing portion formed by being sewn at outer peripheral portions of the base member and the leather, and a nonbonding portion in which the base member and the leather are not bonded between the adhering portion and the sewing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshitaka NIWA, Soji YASUKAWA
  • Patent number: 7523991
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat assembly having an exposed non-seating surface that includes one of a hook material and a loop material. The seat assembly also includes at least one removable storage element having a surface portion covered with the other of the hook material and the loop material. The removable storage element further removably attaches to a portion of the exposed non-passenger supporting surface in any one of a plurality of orientations and positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Scot Thompson, Raymond Devers, Anke Mazzei, Hideshi Saiki
  • Publication number: 20090096274
    Abstract: A vehicular seat trim cover attachment device having a plurality of female attachment portions interconnected to one another by at least one connecting portion. The attachment device is preferably flexible in at least two independent planes. Each female attachment portion has a receptacle portion and a base portion. Each base portion is connected to the connecting portion. Each base portion has a lateral dimension greater than a lateral dimension of the receptacle portion. At least a portion of the connecting portion is disposed in an exoplanar relationship with respect to a pair of female attachment portions that have substantially coplanar base portions. Preferably, the connecting portion extends below the bottom surfaces of the adjacent base portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: WOODBRIDGE FOAM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Burkhard Pedde, Philippe Marenne, Michael Hack, Georg Heinl
  • Publication number: 20090058168
    Abstract: A cushion for a school bus seat can include a single piece of skinned foam including foam and a skin integrally bonded to the foam. The single piece of skinned form can include a cavity. The single piece of skinned foam can be configured to receive at least one of a substantially upright back portion of a school bus seat frame and a substantially horizontal seat portion of the school bus seat frame. The single piece of skinned foam can be configured to be disposed over and to cover at least one of the substantially upright back portion and the substantially horizontal seat portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Lyn Brandon Billingsley
  • Patent number: 7427109
    Abstract: The present invention provides a pneumatic foam cushion for use within a vehicle seat comprising a foam member with a contoured outer surface surrounded by an impermeable layer coextensive therewith. The impermeable layer, which may be a thermoplastic material, permits selective pressurization and depressurization of the foam member, and comprises a first impermeable member having a first contoured shape, and a second impermeable member having either the same shape as the first contoured shape, or a second contoured shape. The first and second impermeable members are matable around the foam member to form the impermeable layer. Preferably, the first and second impermeable members are heat sealed following placement around the foam member. A method of manufacturing a pneumatic foam cushion is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James T. Embach, Jason G. Tilk, Chet R Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 7416249
    Abstract: A snowmobile seat configured to be disposed over a track tunnel of a snowmobile includes a base section including closed-cell foam configured to be disposed over the track tunnel of the snowmobile. A seat section including open-cell foam is disposed over at least a portion of the base section. The open-cell foam of the seat section is different than the closed-cell foam of the base section. A cover covers at least a portion of the seat section and the base section. At least one fastener secures the seat to the snowmobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: James Atherley
  • Patent number: 7255405
    Abstract: A cushion for a seat, including a foam padding integral with a three-dimensional cover covering the padding, the three-dimensional cover including a first piece, a second piece spaced apart from the first piece and facing the first piece, the second piece having first and second spaced apart sections, and a connecting section adjacent one ends of the first and second sections and interconnecting the first and second spaced apart sections, a peripheral piece disposed between the first and second pieces, extending along peripheral edges of the first and second pieces except an edge of one side of each of the first and second pieces, and attached at edges thereof to the peripheral edges of the first and second pieces, an intermediate piece attached at an edge of one side thereof to an edge of the connecting section of the second piece between the first and second sections so as to be disposed between the first and second sections, a third piece attached at an edge of one side thereof to the edge of the side of t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: TS Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tokio Kodera, Takahito Yabe
  • Patent number: 7140679
    Abstract: A snowmobile seat with a substantially rigid foam base disposed over a track tunnel of a snowmobile. A flexible seat section is disposed over at least a portion of the rigid base. The flexible seat section is formed of an open cell foam that is different than the substantially rigid foam base, and has an upper surface. A seat cover covers at least a portion of the flexible seat section and extends under the rigid foam base to cover at least a portion of the rigid foam base. At least one fastener is disposed on a portion of the seat cover extending under the rigid foam base to removably secure the seat cover to the snowmobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Inventor: James Atherley
  • Patent number: 6964453
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a seat that includes the steps of attaching adjacent upholstery panels with a locator strip and attachment strip sandwiched therebetween. The attachment strip includes an enlarged edge portion that engages clips in a molded foam seat backing. At least a portion of the locator strip is torn away along a line of perforations formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Irvin Automotive Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Brian Flegal, Daniel Joseph Jarackas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6769146
    Abstract: A fabric having a unique combination of stain resistance, fluid barrier properties, aesthetic characteristics and drape ability is described, and a method of making such fabrics. The fabric includes a fabric substrate that has been treated with a low surface energy stain resist compound on at least one of its surfaces, and one or more layers secured to the other of its surfaces, with the layers providing the fabric with the unique combination of characteristics. In addition, the fabric is desirably provided with flame resisting and ultraviolet resisting characteristics, to enable it to be used as a seating material for transportation vehicles. Methods for making the fabric are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignees: Milliken & Company, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Todd Copeland, Roy P. DeMott, Thomas E. Godfrey, Masato Ishibashi, William C. Kimbrell, Jr., Samuel J. Lynn, Patricia Scott
  • Publication number: 20030197414
    Abstract: A fastener secures a trim cover to a foam pad. The fastener is positionable within a mold trench, which extends between a plurality of ends having stepped regions. The fastener includes a base having a mold surface and a foam surface opposite to the mold surface. The base extends between a plurality of base ends and longitudinal sides. The fastener also includes a plurality of trim cover attachment members extending outwardly from the mold surface for securing the trim cover thereto. In addition, the fastener includes a plurality of sealing flats that sealingly engage each of the stepped regions to prevent foam from flowing past the stepped regions and onto the plurality of trim cover attachment members on the mold surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventors: Kurt Fleuchaus, Hugh C. Pekrul
  • Patent number: 6585317
    Abstract: A snowmobile seat a flexible seat section disposed over a substantially rigid base that is disposed over an upper surface of a track tunnel of a snowmobile. The rigid base is formed of a closed cell foam with cell walls and cell voids such that the base section is substantially rigid and light weight, while the flexible seat section is formed of an open cell foam. A cover covers at least the flexible seat section to resist absorption of water by the open cell foam of the flexible seat section. A storage cavity can be formed in the rigid base section to receive items for storage. The closed cell foam is formed around at least a portion of the storage cavity to thermally insulate the storage cavity. A flap can be coupled to the cover and removably positioned over an opening into the storage cavity. Zippers can be formed on opposite sides of the flap to releasably secured to the cover to selectively maintain the flap over the opening into the storage cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Inventor: James Atherley
  • Patent number: 6371562
    Abstract: Reinforcement is given in a vehicle seat with such an arrangement that a plurality of recessions and at least one decorative groove are scatteringly formed in each of two spaced-apart protuberant side support portions of the vehicle seat. A foaming is effected to create a foam padding of a predetermined shape of the seat having two spaced-apart protuberant side support portions, such as to define a plurality of first recessions and at least one first decorative groove in each of those two side support portions, after which, a trim cover assembly is pressingly bonded to the thus-formed foaming pad, thereby forcibly inserting and bonding plural points of the trim cover assembly in those first recessions and decorative groove of padding. A resulting seat is therefore provided not only with a highly enlarged area of cured and hardened adhesive layer, but also with an intensified stretched state of trim cover assembly, whereby an increased reinforcement is given to both two side support portions of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Tachi-S Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masakazu Yoshimura, Makoto Shimada
  • Patent number: 6345865
    Abstract: The vehicle seat of the invention includes a cushioning material having a ridge surrounding and defining a seating area on the cushioning material and a skin material covering the cushioning material. The skin material and cushioning material are bonded together only within the seating area. The skin material is a laminate including, in succession, a PVC layer, a knitted fabric and a closed-cell synthetic resin foam. A water proof film may be interposed between the cushioning material and the skin material outside of the seating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: T.S. Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobukatsu Ashida, Iwao Miyajima, Akira Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 6302488
    Abstract: A variable firmness motorcycle seat that includes a bottom plate, a cushion stuffing placed on the bottom plate and a seat skin that covers the cushion stuffing and is secured to the bottom plate. In order to improve sitting comfort, a portion with a greater firmness than surrounding portions is incorporated into the seat so as to provide riding comfort and prevent permanent seat deformation problems. The location of the greater firmness portion corresponds to the area where seat pressure produced by a rider is greatest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Tanigaki, Ichiro Kurawaki
  • Patent number: 6286903
    Abstract: A seat cushion, in particular for folding automobile vehicle seat, and its method of manufacture, the cushion having a lower face adapted to be in contact with a supporting frame and covered with a protective film of expanded synthetic plastic material that is resistant to wear and adheres to the expanded synthetic plastic material of the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Sofitec
    Inventor: Georges Proux
  • Patent number: 6226819
    Abstract: A seat having various hardnesses provided with a surface material. The seat is air-permeable, has a tactile feeling of the seat surface and has a hardness capable of supporting the weight of a person who sits thereon. The seat (1) is covered with an air-permeable surface material (2) and has a foamed body having a shape generally corresponding to an external shape of the seat. The foamed body includes a first foamed body (10) as a base of the foamed body and a second foamed body (6) connected integrally with the first foamed body. The first foamed body (10) has ascending parts (12, 13) which are formed on parts of a surface thereof. In the method for manufacturing the seat, the mixture (15) is introduced and layered on the first foamed body (10) and the surface material (2) is placed thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Namba Press Works., Ltd.
    Inventors: Taro Ogawa, Yasumasa Senoo, Takeshi Watadani, Yasuyuki Toda