U.S. patent application number 10/118303 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-10 for trim fabric grip handle.
Invention is credited to Alejandro, Frank.
Application Number | 20020145313 10/118303 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28453962 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020145313 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Alejandro, Frank |
October 10, 2002 |
Trim fabric grip handle
Abstract
A control handle assembly for use in a vehicle seat, including a
movable handle which changes the position of the vehicle seat.
Surrounding the movable handle is a first flange. Covering the
first flange is a second flange. The trim fabric is engaged between
the first flange and the second flange. Use of the disclosed
invention enables the assembly of a vehicle seat without the need
for a support surface for mounting the control handle during seat
build-up of the vehicle.
Inventors: |
Alejandro, Frank; (Spring,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Alan R. Thiele
Jenkens & Gilchrist, P.C.
Suite 3200
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas
TX
75202
US
|
Family ID: |
28453962 |
Appl. No.: |
10/118303 |
Filed: |
April 8, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60282518 |
Apr 9, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/183.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/5841 20130101;
B60N 2/20 20130101; B60N 2/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/183.1 |
International
Class: |
A47C 004/52 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A control handle assembly for use in a vehicle seat covered with
trim fabric, said control handle assembly comprising: means for
changing the mechanical condition of a system for controlling the
position of the vehicle seat; a flange for surrounding said means
for changing the mechanical condition; said flange including a
plurality of outwardly facing spikes constructed and arranged to
engage the trim fabric; a face plate constructed and arranged to
both fit over said flange and engage said means for changing the
mechanical condition; and said face plate including a plurality of
inward facing spikes constructed and arrange to engage the trim
fabric.
2. The control handle assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said
means for changing the mechanical condition engages a cable.
3. A vehicle seat comprising: a seat frame; padding covering said
seat frame; means for controlling the position of the vehicle seat;
a control handle assembly including: a first flange constructed and
arranged for mounting a seat position control handle assembly, said
seat position control handle assembly constructed and arranged to
activate said means for controlling the position of the vehicle
seat; a second flange constructed and arranged to fit over said
first flange; and means for capturing said trim fabric between said
first and said second flanges.
4. The vehicle seat as defined in claim 3, wherein said means for
capturing said trim fabric includes a plurality of spikes.
5. The vehicle seat as defined in claim 3, wherein said means for
capturing said trim fabric includes adhesive.
6. The vehicle seat as defined in claim 3, wherein said means for
capturing said trim fabric includes a plurality of protrusions and
corresponding receptacles.
7. The vehicle seat as defined in claim 3, wherein said second
flange is a decorative face plate.
8. The vehicle seat as defined in claim 3, wherein said control
handle assembly and said means for controlling the position of the
vehicle seat are interconnected by a cable.
9. The vehicle seat as defined in claim 3, wherein said control
handle assembly and said means for controlling the position of the
vehicle seat are electrically interconnected.
10. The vehicle seat as defined in claim 3, wherein said second
flange is positioned over said first flange by engagement with said
control handle assembly.
11. A control handle assembly for changing the position of a
vehicle seat wherein said vehicle seat includes a seat frame,
padding covering the seat frame, and trim fabric covering the
padding, said control handle assembly not requiring a support
surface for installation on the vehicle seat, said control handle
assembly comprising: a frame constructed and arranged to surround
and mount a movable control handle system; said frame including: a
first section attached to said movable control handle system, and a
removable second section constructed and arranged for mounting to
said movable control handle system and interacting with said first
section to engage the trim fabric between said first section and
said second section of said frame.
12. The control handle assembly as defined in claim 11, further
including a plurality of spikes for engaging the trim fabric.
13. The control handle assembly as defined in claim 11, further
including an adhesive for engaging the trim fabric.
14. The control handle assembly as defined in claim 11, further
including a plurality of protrusions and corresponding receptacles
for engaging the trim fabric.
15. The control handle assembly as defined in claim 11, wherein
said second section is a decorative face plate.
16. A method for constructing a vehicle seat including a seat
frame, padding and trim fabric, wherein the position of the vehicle
seat is governed by a position control handle, said method
comprising the steps of: locating the position control handle with
respect to the seat frame; installing the padding on the seat
frame; installing the trim fabric over the padding; and capturing
the trim fabric between a first flange and a second flange, wherein
said first flange is constructed and arranged to surround the
position control handle and said second flange is constructed and
arranged for mounting over said first flange.
17. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein the trim fabric is
captured between said first flange and said second flange with a
plurality of spikes.
18. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein the trim fabric is
captured between said first flange and said second flange with
adhesives.
19. The method as defined in claim 16, further including the step
of connecting said position control handle to a seat movement
mechanism.
20. The method as defined in claim 16, wherein said section is a
decorative face plate.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application for Patent 60/282,518, filed Apr. 9, 2001.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention pertains to handle assemblies which control
the position of a vehicle seat; more particularly, the present
invention pertains to handle assemblies which are able to capture
the trim fabric covering the vehicle seat.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In the construction of vehicle seats for use in automobiles,
trucks, recreational vehicles, aircraft, boats, etc., a frame is
typically used to both give shape to the seat and provide a
mounting for the adjustment hardware needed to change the position
of the seat for the operator's comfort. As the vehicle seat is
assembled, other seat components such as foam and liner fabric are
placed over the frame. To give an attractive appearance to the
vehicle seat, a final layer of trim fabric is then used.
[0004] In prior art seat assembly systems, it is necessary to build
a support surface into the seat frame to capture the seat trim
fabric. Typically, the seat components, such as the foam and liner
fabric, are installed after components such as the foam and liner
fabric are installed on the seat frame. Assembling the hardware
components which adjust the position of the seat after the
installation of the foam and liner fabric complicates the operation
of installing the seat position adjustment hardware. Such
complication adds to increased assembly costs to make the seat
ready for use in a vehicle.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need in the art to simplify the
assembly and construction of a vehicle seat so as to both reduce
its costs while at the same time increasing the overall quality of
the vehicle seat.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention simplifies the assembly and
construction of a vehicle seat. The trim fabric grip handle system
of the present invention is a control handle assembly designed for
use in a vehicle seat which is covered with a trim fabric. A
movable handle within the control handle assembly is connected
electrically or by a cable or lever system to a mechanism which
changes the position of the vehicle seat with respect to the
vehicle. Surrounding the movable handle is a flange. The flange
includes a plurality of outwardly facing spikes which engage the
trim fabric. A second flange having substantially the same shape as
the first flange fits over the first flange. A plurality of spikes
on the inner surface of the second flange cooperate with the spikes
on the first flange to engage the trim fabric and thereby locate
the control handle assembly with respect to the trim fabric.
[0007] Use of the trim fabric grip control handle system of the
present invention allows assembly of a vehicle seat without the
need for a support surface for first positioning and then mounting
the vehicle seat control handle assembly during the build-up of the
vehicle seat.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A better understanding of the trim fabric grip control
handle system and method of the present invention may be had by
reference to the drawing figures, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of the trim fabric grip
control handle system of the present invention; and
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the trim fabric grip
control system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0011] As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the trim fabric grip handle
system 10 includes two basic components. The first component is a
control handle assembly 12 which includes a movable handle 14
mounted within a housing 16. This arrangement allows the movable
handle 14 to be repositioned in response to mechanical force placed
thereon by a person. When the movable handle 14 moves within the
housing 16, the seat position adjustment hardware allows the
vehicle seat to move. As is well known to those of ordinary skill
in the art, the movable handle 14 may move a cable, reposition a
lever, activate a crank, or change the condition of an electrical
switch (not shown). This movement of a cable, repositioning of a
lever, activating a crank, or changing the condition of an
electrical switch causes the vehicle seat movement mechanism, which
may be located underneath the seat, to change the position of the
vehicle seat with respect to the vehicle. The housing 16 containing
the movable handle 14 is surrounded by a flange or a frame 18. This
flange or frame 18 includes a plurality of outwardly extending
spikes 20. Such outwardly extending spikes 20 may be seen by
specific reference to both FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0012] The second key portion of the present invention is the
second flange or face plate 22 which is constructed and arranged to
fit over the first flange 18. A plurality of latch mechanisms 24
may be used to attach the face plate 24 to the housing 16
containing the moveable handle 14. On the inside of the face plate
are found a plurality of spikes 26. When the face plate 22 and the
control handle assembly 12 are mechanically connected one to
another, there is sufficient space between flange 18 and face plate
22 to capture the trim fabric which covers the seat. The spikes 20,
26 act to physically engage the trim fabric and hold the trim
fabric in position. While spikes 20, 26 are used in the preferred
embodiment, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the
art that the spikes 20, 26 may be replaced by adhesive or by the
use of a plurality of protrusions and corresponding receptacles
into which the protrusions may fit.
[0013] To match the decor of the vehicle, the face plate or second
flange 22 is typically made to have a decorative exterior. Such
decorative exterior may include a chromed or polished surface.
[0014] Operation
[0015] When constructing a vehicle seat, the operation begins with
the creation of a frame which defines the general shape of the
vehicle seat. In prior art seat build-up operations, it has been
necessary to cover the frame with a liner fabric and foam before
the mechanical components such as the control or position control
handle and associated mechanisms were attached to the seat. Such
method of manufacture greatly increased the complexity of
constructing a vehicle seat as the foam and liner fabric prevented
easy access to the hardware components of the vehicle seat. These
prior art vehicle seat construction systems were all based on the
need for a support surface for installing all components. According
to the present invention, it is possible to capture the seat trim
fabric between the face plate and the flange surrounding the
moveable control handle. With the control handle housing captured
in the trim fabric, the control handle assembly may be installed on
the vehicle seat at the same time as the trim fabric is installed.
Such assembly technique simplifies vehicle seat construction,
reduces the overall cost of the seat, and improves the overall
quality of the vehicle seat. Accordingly, a higher quality seat
results in a safer seat for the operator of the vehicle.
[0016] Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the
foregoing invention has been described in terms of its preferred
embodiment. Accordingly, numerous other embodiments of the present
invention will become apparent following an understanding of the
foregoing disclosure. Such other embodiments shall be included in
the scope and meaning of the appended claims.
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