U.S. patent application number 11/029909 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-18 for cushion and trim cover for contoured cushion presenting seat.
This patent application is currently assigned to Johnson Controls Technology Company. Invention is credited to Chantiny, Joseph D., Dimovski, Dalibor, Ekern, David F., Hodge, Brent T., King, Alan J., Lefevre, James P., White, Brennon L..
Application Number | 20050179306 11/029909 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34840414 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050179306 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
White, Brennon L. ; et
al. |
August 18, 2005 |
Cushion and trim cover for contoured cushion presenting seat
Abstract
A seat cushion and method of manufacturing a seat cushion
suitable for use with a seat having a contour presenting device
configured to move the seat cushion between a non-presented
position and a presented position is disclosed. The seat cushion
generally includes a substrate having a first portion and a second
portion that are separated by a trench. A connector is provided for
registering the substrate to a contour presenting device. The
trench is designed to provide the seat cushion with a consistent,
high quality craftsmanship, finish and appearance. According to one
exemplary embodiment, the trench comprises a first side wall having
a substantially vertical surface and a second side wall having an
angled surface.
Inventors: |
White, Brennon L.; (Commerce
Township, MI) ; Ekern, David F.; (Plymouth, MI)
; King, Alan J.; (Wixom, MI) ; Lefevre, James
P.; (South Lyon, MI) ; Hodge, Brent T.;
(Brighton, MI) ; Chantiny, Joseph D.; (South Lyon,
MI) ; Dimovski, Dalibor; (Macomb, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY & LARDNER
777 EAST WISCONSIN AVENUE
SUITE 3800
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202-5308
US
|
Assignee: |
Johnson Controls Technology
Company
|
Family ID: |
34840414 |
Appl. No.: |
11/029909 |
Filed: |
January 4, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60534273 |
Jan 4, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/452.33 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/3011 20130101;
B60N 2/58 20130101; B60N 2/36 20130101; B60N 2/99 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/452.33 |
International
Class: |
A47C 007/02 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cushion for use with a seat having a contour presenting
device, the cushion comprising: a substrate having a first portion
and a second portion; a trench separating the first portion from
the second portion and defined by a first side wall and a second
side wall; and at least one connector coupled to the substrate for
registering the substrate with the contour presenting device,
wherein the second portion of the substrate is adapted for rotating
a first angular distance when moving between a non-presented
position and a presented position, wherein the trench is configured
to provide a substantially vertical trench when in the presented
position.
2. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the
substrate is integrally formed with the second portion of the
substrate.
3. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the first side wall defining the
trench has a substantially vertical surface and the second side
wall defining the trench has a relatively angled surface compared
to the first side wall.
4. The cushion of claim 3, wherein the first portion of the
substrate is configured as a main portion of a seat back and the
second portion of the substrate is configured as a side bolster
portion of the seat back.
5. The cushion of claim 4, wherein the first side wall is provided
on the main portion of the seat back and the second side wall is
provided on the side bolster portion of the seat back.
6. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the angle formed between the
first side wall of the substrate and the second side wall of the
substrate when the cushion is in the non-presented position is
approximately equal to the first angular distance that the second
portion of the substrate is rotated to achieve the presented
position.
7. The cushion of claim 1, wherein the second side wall of the
substrate is substantially parallel with the first side wall of
substrate after the second portion of the substrate is moved into
the presented position.
8. The cushion of claim 1, further comprising a wire coupled to the
substrate, wherein the wire is configured to be engaged by the
connector for registering the substrate to the contour presenting
device.
9. The cushion of claim 1, further comprising a first connector
member and a second connector member, wherein the first connector
member is provided for registering the substrate in a first
direction and the second connector member is provided for
registering the substrate in a second direction that is different
than the first direction.
10. The cushion of claim 9, wherein the first direction is
substantially horizontal to the substrate and the contour
presenting device, and wherein the second direction is
substantially vertical to the substrate and the contour presenting
device.
11. The cushion of claim 1, further comprising a trim cover
disposed about the first portion of the substrate and the second
portion of the substrate.
12. The cushion of claim 11, further comprising a trim cover
retaining flap coupled to an edge of the trim cover at a first end
of the trim cover retaining flap.
13. The cushion of claim 12, further comprising a connector coupled
to a second end of the trim cover retaining flap, wherein the
connector is configured to engage the contour presenting device for
securing the trim cover.
14. The cushion of claim 12, wherein the trim cover retaining flap
is formed of a relatively non-stretchable material.
15. The cushion of claim 11, wherein the trim cover includes a
first portion formed of a first material having a first coefficient
of expansion and a second portion formed of a second material
having a second coefficient of expansion that is less than the
first coefficient.
16. The cushion of claim 15, wherein the second material is aligned
with the second portion of the substrate and the first material is
aligned with the first portion of the substrate.
17. A vehicle seat comprising: a seat back movably supported
relative to a seat bottom; a substrate supported at one of the seat
back and the seat bottom and having a trench separating a main
portion of the substrate from a side bolster portion of the
substrate; a contour presenting device adapted for moving the side
bolster portion of the substrate between a non-presented position
and a presented position; at least one connector registering the
substrate with the contour presenting device; and a closeout device
adapted for concealing a gap created when contour presenting device
is moved from the non-presented position to the presented position,
wherein the trench provides a visually square trench when the side
bolster portion is in the presented position.
18. The vehicle seat of claim 17, wherein the closeout device
comprises a plurality of telescoping panels configured to outwardly
telescope as the side bolster portion of the substrate is moved
into the presented position.
19. The vehicle seat of claim 17, wherein the closeout device
comprises a slide member having a first end coupled to move with
the side bolster and a second end slidably coupled to move until
being retained by a stop formed in the second end.
20. The vehicle seat of claim 17, wherein the closeout device
comprises a side facing stretchable material configured to stretch
as the side bolster is moved into the presented position.
21. The vehicle seat of claim 20, further comprising a biasing
element having a first end coupled between a first end and a second
end of the side facing stretchable material, wherein the biasing
element urges the side facing stretchable material inward as the
side bolster portion moves from the presented position to the
non-presented position to reduce bunching in the side facing
stretchable material.
22. A method of manufacturing a cushion having a main portion and a
bolster portion for use with a seat having a contour presenting
device configured to angularly rotate the bolster portion between a
non-presented position and a presented position, the method
comprising: predetermining the angular rotation of the bolster
portion between the non-presented position and the presented
position; providing the cushion with a trench separating the first
portion from the second portion; forming the trench with a first
side wall provided on the main portion of the cushion and a second
side wall provided on the bolster portion of the cushion; and
designing the angle formed between the first side wall and the
second side wall when the cushion is in the non-presented position
so that the first side wall and the second side wall are
substantially parallel when the side bolster portion is moved to
the presented position.
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising the step of
designing the first side wall as a substantially vertical surface
and the second side wall as a relatively angle surface compared to
the first side wall.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)
of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/534,273, entitled
"CUSHION AND TRIM COVER FOR CONTOURED CUSHION," having a filing
date of Jan. 4, 2004, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of
cushions and trim covers for seats and in particular for a vehicle
seat. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field
of cushions and trim covers and attachments for a vehicle seat
having a contour presenting device capable of expanding and
contracting the support structure and the cushion.
[0003] It is known to provide a seat including an expandable seat
base or seat back portion via a contour presenting device. The
contour presenting device (also referred to as a contoured cushion
presenter) is typically an expandable pneumatic or mechanical
device for providing comfort and support to an occupant of the
seat. The contour presenting device is capable of contracting or
retracting to provide a thinner profile which is generally
preferred when folding or stowing the seat. A seat including a
contour presenting device is known for use as a vehicle seat as
shown in PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US03/35565. Such a contour
presenting device includes a wire basket type member that is
movable between a first position in which the wire basket is nearly
coplanar with a seat back frame and a second position in which the
wire basket is moved outward or presented into a plane separate
from the plan of the seat back frame. This presentation of the wire
basket structure of the seat back provides greater support to an
occupant of the seat since the wire basket is biased toward the
presented position and can travel through a greater distance since
it has been presented before stopping against the seat back frame
structure.
[0004] In addition to the wire basket, the contour presenting
device includes a pair of wings or side bolster support members
that also move or present as the contour presenting device is moved
to the presented position. The side bolster support members are
designed to deflect angularly with respect to the wire basket to
provide more pronounced and supportive side bolsters. Accordingly,
the contour presenting device presents the entire cushion (i.e., a
main portion and a side bolster portion).
[0005] To provide the additional side bolster support and to
angularly deflect, the ends of the wings of the side bolster
support members must move farther than the wire basket--this
results in difficulty with the cushion and the cover material
providing a poor aesthetic. In particular, if a traditional cushion
and cover material are used on the contour presenting seat, the
result is that when the contour presenting device is moved to the
presented position, the cushion will bind and the cover material
will have a poor appearance. This is due in part because the
traditional cushion for a non-contour presenting seat is made
having vertical trenches, such as in the tie down trenches
separating the portions of the seat and bolsters, etc.
[0006] However, when the traditional cushion is applied to a
contour presenting seat, bunching and pinching result due the
movement of the wire basket and side bolsters wing members and the
traditional vertically trenched cushion and cover material applied
thereto. In the presented position, the trenches appear curved
and/or wavy due to the pinching and bunching--the trenches of the
traditional cushion product applied to a contour presenting device
of a seat do not have a straight and square appearance required for
an attractive looking seat.
[0007] Further, due to the movement of the seat back parts (the
wire basket in particular, registration between the cushion and the
seat back frame becomes a problem. Traditionally, the cushion is
registered (or locked) with the seat back frame so that the cushion
will not unwantedly move and it is more predictable to cover using
a trim cover. With a contour presenting device, the cushion is
moved or translated away from the seat back frame when the contour
presenting device is activated making registration of the cushion
with the seat back frame troublesome particularly when considering
the aesthetics in both the presented and retracted positions This
results in the traditional cushion being able to rotate, move and
become dislocated on the seat. Again, this results in an
unattractive seat and if the trim cover is not controlled, possibly
an inoperable seat.
[0008] Further, the performance of a contour presenting device in
the seat may be limited due to the cover material. In particular,
the contour presenting device may expand a significant distance
(e.g., as much as 70 millimeters and more depending upon the
details of the application) well beyond the amount of stretch in
the traditional materials used to cover a vehicle seat such as in
an automobile. Thus, traditional materials would quickly pull
taught on the sides of the contour presenting device and not allow
it to reach the extent of its range, thereby significantly and
materially impeding and preventing its performance. If the
traditional material is designed to have a length sufficient to
accommodate the extension of the contour presenting device, the
seat will have an acceptable appearance only in the upright or
presented position. In the stowed or non-presented position the
trim covering material will bag and wrinkle giving it an
unacceptable appearance. Further, the baggy and wrinkled material
may affect the performance of the contour presenting device making
it difficult to move the seat to the stow position.
[0009] Accordingly, there is a need for cushion and trim cover
solutions for a seat having a contour presenting device that will
allow the contour presenting device to expand the thickness of the
support structure of the seat and will provide a consistent, high
quality craftsmanship, finish and appearance. In particular, there
is a need to provide a seat having a contour presenting device
wherein the cushion and trim are designed to overcome the noted
deficiencies with conventional cushions and trims as applied to a
seat having an expandable, contoured seat portion. There is also a
need for a vehicle seat having a very compact footprint in both the
design and stow positions that includes a cushion and a cover that
are capable of providing a high quality finish, aesthetic and
craftsmanship appearance in both the retracted and presented
positions for use in a vehicle.
SUMMARY
[0010] One embodiment of the invention relates to a cushion product
design and a method of manufacturing the cushion product for use
with a seat having a contour presenting device. According to one
exemplary embodiment, the cushion product design includes a wire
located in the cushion and designed to be aligned with the contour
presenting device once the cushion is positioned on the contour
presenting device and a connector member is provided for
registering the cushion to the contour presenting device. Further,
in one embodiment, the cushion product design further includes a
plurality of connector members and preferably three including a
first connector member for registering the cushion in a first
direction with respect to the contour presenting device and a
second connector member for registering the cushion in a second
direction not aligned with the first direction. Preferably the
first direction is horizontal to the seat back and contour
presenting device and the second direction is orthogonal to the
first direction and preferably in the vertical direction of the
seat back and contour presenting device. According to one exemplary
embodiment, the connector member is a hog ring connecting the
contour presenting device and the wire in the foam. According to an
alternative embodiment, the connector member is a clip member.
According to a further alternative embodiment, the connector member
is a clip member molded in the cushion and having a clip portion
for connecting to the contour presenting device.
[0011] According to one exemplary embodiment, the cushion product
design includes a trench located in the cushion and designed to be
aligned with a contour presenting device. In particular, the trench
is aligned between a main portion of the contour presenting device
and a bolster portion. Further, the bolster portion of the contour
presenting device angularly deflects with respect to the main
portion of the contour presenting device and the trench is aligned
there between and has a substantially square and straight profile
when the contour presenting device is in the presented position.
The trench is designed to have an acute draft angle on one side
thereof while the other side of the trench is designed to have an
essentially vertical draft angle. Further, the acute draft angle of
the trench is aligned on the bolster portion of the contour
presenting device (i.e., the portion of the cushion which moves
more). According to one exemplary embodiment, the bolster portion
is a side bolster that will rotate a first determined angular
distance that is approximately equal to the acute draft angle of
the one side of the trench of the cushion product such that once
the side bolster is angularly displaced to the presenting position,
the result is an essentially vertical trench that is square and
straight.
[0012] According to another exemplary embodiment, a method of
manufacturing the cushion product includes the step of designing
the cushion for the presented position so that the trenches are
essentially vertical when a side bolster is angularly displaced
with respect to a main portion of the contour presenting device and
the step of producing the cushion in a tool. According to one
embodiment, the cushion is molded in a flat position such as when
the contour presenting device is in the retracted or non-presented
position which makes the cushion product easier to mold because of
reduced strain and fatigue in the cushion. According to another
embodiment, the cushion is molded in the presented position.
[0013] According to another exemplary embodiment, a trim cover for
a seat having a contour presenting device including a wire basket
portion and a bolster portion aligned with a side portion of the
seat frame of the vehicle seat includes a first portion of a first
material having a first coefficient of expansion and a second
portion having a second material having a second coefficient of
expansion wherein the second coefficient of expansion is
significantly higher than the first coefficient of expansion.
According to one exemplary embodiment, the second material has a
coefficient of expansion of at least one hundred percent and
preferably at least two hundred percent. Further, the second
material is preferably a flexible fabric aligned with the bolster
portion aligned with the side portion of the seat frame. According
to one exemplary embodiment, the second material is a blend of
nylon and spandex. Further, the second material forms the side
facing portion of the vehicle seat.
[0014] Other ways in which the above-referenced features are
accomplished will become apparent to those skilled in the art after
they have read this specification, and such other ways are deemed
by the present inventors to fall within the scope of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat including a seat back
contour presenting device;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat shown in FIG. 1,
with a seat back cushion according to one exemplary embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the seat back shown in
FIG. 2, taken along the line 3-3, with the seat back cushion in a
non-presented position and showing a closeout device according to
one exemplary embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a cross section view of the seat back shown in
FIG. 3, with the seat back cushion in a presented position;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a partial side perspective view of the seat back
shown in FIG. 4 having a trim material covering the seat back
cushion;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the seat back shown in
FIG. 2, taken along the line 3-3, with the seat back cushion in a
non-presented position and showing a closeout device according to
an alternate exemplary embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a cross section view of the seat back shown in
FIG. 6, with the seat back cushion in a presented position;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a partial side perspective view of the seat back
shown in FIG. 7 having a trim material covering the seat back
cushion;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a cross section view of the seat back shown in
FIG. 2, taken along the line 3-3, with the seat back cushion in a
non-presented position and showing a closeout device according to a
further alternate exemplary embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a cross section view of the seat back shown in
FIG. 9, with the seat back cushion in a presented position;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a partial side perspective view of the seat back
shown in FIG. 10 having a trim material covering the seat back
cushion;
[0026] FIG. 12 is a cross section view of the seat back shown in
FIG. 2, taken along the line 3-3, with the seat back cushion in a
non-presented position and showing a closeout device according to a
further alternate exemplary embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 13 is a cross section view of the seat back shown in
FIG. 12, with the seat back cushion in a presented position;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a partial cross section view of the seat back
shown in FIG. 12 having a trim material covering the seat back
cushion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Referring generally to the figures and particularly to FIG.
1, there is shown a folding vehicle seat 10 including a seat back
12 and a seat base 14. Seat 10 further alternatively includes a
headrest 16 which may be attached using any known or suitable
attachment member at an upper end of seat back 12 as is
conventional in the art of vehicle seats.
[0030] Preferably seat back 12 is provided with a seat cushion
presenting device, shown as a contour presenting device 20, such as
that disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/454,263, filed on Mar. 13, 2003, entitled "SEAT CUSHION
PRESENTER DEVICE FOR FOLDING SEAT," the full disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as well as
that disclosed in PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US03/35565, filed
Nov. 7, 2003.
[0031] It should be noted that contour presenting device 20 may be
any known or suitable contour presenting device that is suitable
for presenting a cushion. For example, contour presenting device 20
may alternatively be an inflatable type mechanism such as that
disclosed in the commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/425,225, filed on Nov. 8, 2002, entitled
"VEHICLE SEAT STRUCTURES," the full disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0032] Still referring to FIG. 1, seat back 12 of seat 10 includes
a seat back frame member 24 shown in the form of a bent, U-shaped
tubular member preferably having a substantially round cross
section and including a first side 25, a second side 26, and a top
27. According to the various suitable embodiments, frame member 24
may be of any known or suitable type of seat back frame. Contour
presenting device 20 preferably includes a main portion 30 shown in
the form of a wire basket type and connected to frame member 24.
Contour presenting device 20 further includes a pair of contour
wing portions 34 and 36 located as side bolsters for seat back 12.
Wing portions 34 and 36 are preferably designed to be angularly
displaceable about side members 44 and 46 of main portion 30. Side
members 44 and 46 are preferably wires or rods forming the sides of
the wire basket of main portion 30.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown seat 10 including a
cushion 50 placed on contour presenting device 20. Cushion 50 is
shown partially cut away. Cushion 50 is preferably connected to
contour presenting device 20 using a plurality of connecting
members 60. A first connecting member 60 is preferably located on
one side of cushion 50 and connects cushion 50 to wire 44 and a
second connecting member 60 is preferably located on the opposite
side of cushion 50 and connects cushion 50 to wire 46 of contour
presenting device 20. A third connecting member 60 is located near
an upper portion of main portion 30 to connect cushion 50 to wire
47 of contour presenting device 20 such that when contour
presenting device 20 moves, cushion 50 will move with the contour
presenting device. Connecting members 60 register cushion 50 to
contour presenting device 20 such that cushion 50 will be properly
located on seat back 12 and will maintain a quality appearance and
aesthetic over multiple uses of vehicle seat 10.
[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment, the connections of the
first connecting member 60 to wire 44 and the second connecting
member 60 to wire 46 registers cushion 50 in a lateral (i.e.,
side-to-side) or horizontal direction. Registering cushion 50 in
the horizontal direction allows cushion 50 to rotate about the axis
of wire 44 and wire 46 respectively. Similarly, the connection of
the third connecting member to wire 47 registers cushion 50 in a
vertical (i.e., up and down) direction. Registering cushion 50 in
the vertical direction allows cushion 50 to rotate about another
axis.
[0035] Connecting member 60 preferably includes a wire 52 molded
into cushion 50 (e.g., molded into the foam of cushion 50, etc.) as
part of producing cushion 50 as is well known in the art.
Connecting member 60 further preferably includes a first end 62 for
attachment to the wire of contour presenting device 20 (e.g., wire
44, wire 46, wire 47, etc.) and a second end 64 for attachment to
wire 52 of cushion 50. Connecting member 60 may be configured as a
clip member, wherein the ends of the clip member preferably have a
j-shaped clip or any other known or suitable construction for
securing the connecting member thereto.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is a shown a cross
section of seat back 12 about frame member 25, contour presenting
device 20 (schematically shown), and including a main portion 55 of
cushion 50 and a side bolster portion 58 of cushion 50. FIG. 3
shows cushion 50 in its retracted position (e.g., closed position,
stowed position, flat position, etc.) wherein side bolster portion
58 of cushion 50 is substantially aligned with main portion 55.
According to one exemplary embodiment, cushion 50 is manufactured
in a mold in its retracted position with side bolster portion 58
being integrally formed with main portion 55. According to another
exemplary embodiment, cushion 50 is manufactured in a mold in its
presented position.
[0037] Cushion 50 further includes a trench 70 separating main
portion 55 of cushion 50 and side bolster portion 58. Trench 70
includes a first side wall 72 provided on the side of trench 70
away from bolster portion 58 (i.e., on main portion 55 of cushion
50) and a second side wall 74 provided on the side of trench 70
away from main portion 55 (i.e., on bolster portion 58 of cushion
50). In the non-presented position, first side wall 72 and second
side wall 74 define an angle B (as shown by the arrows and lead
lines in FIG. 3). Angle B is selected to provide a particular
result when cushion 50 is moved to the presented position.
According to an exemplary embodiment, angle B is selected so that
side walls 72 and 74 are substantially parallel when cushion 50 is
in the presenting position and trench 70 has a square
appearance.
[0038] According to one exemplary embodiment, first side wall 72
has a substantially vertical surface into cushion 50 on main
portion 55 of cushion 50, while a second side wall 74 has a
relatively angled surface into cushion 50 on side bolster portion
58 of cushion 50 as compared to the relatively vertical first side
wall 72. According to various other suitable embodiments, first
side wall 72 may have a relatively angled surface and second side
wall 74 may have a substantially vertical surface, or
alternatively, both first side wall 72 and second side wall 74 may
have relatively angled surfaces. The presence of at least one
angled surface causes trench 70 to have a rather open appearance in
the retracted position. However, since cushion 50 is typically not
viewable by an occupant when contour presenting device 20 is in the
closed or retracted position, this is not a concern. This is
because vehicle seat 10 is typically stowed (e.g., folded,
collapsed, etc.) when contour presenting device 20 is in the
retracted (non-presenting) position.
[0039] When contour presenting device 20 is activated, cushion 50
is moved to the position shown in FIG. 4 (e.g., presenting
position, expanded position, use position, open position, etc.). In
the presenting position, side bolster portion 58 is angularly
displaced as compared to main portion 55 thereby causing trench 70
to narrow. However, due to the selected configuration of angle B,
trench 70 does not prematurely close or become bunched or wavy.
[0040] According to an exemplary embodiment, side bolster portion
58 rotates an amount equal to the angle A (as shown by the arrows
and lead lines in FIG. 4) which is substantially equivalent to the
angle B thereby resulting in trench 70 looking substantially square
and having two straight side walls 72 and 74. The angle A is
predetermined to create the desired position of side bolster
portion 58. Angle B is chosen to obtain a particular result (e.g.,
trench 70 being substantially square and straight, etc.) and
depends upon the characteristics of the particular foam and cover
material (not shown). Preferably, angle B allows side walls 72 and
74 to be substantially parallel when cushion 50 is in the
presenting position. According to various alternative embodiments,
the angle B may not be equivalent to the angle A.
[0041] Further, FIGS. 3 through 5 disclose a closeout device 80 in
the form of a plurality of telescoping panels 82 which can be
utilized in a portion of seat back 12 about side bolster portion 58
to provide an expansion portion to a cover 90 of the vehicle seat
back 12. Closeout device 80 moves between a presenting position and
a retracted position coinciding with the presenting position and
retracted position of contour presenting device 20. Closeout device
80 is adapted for concealing a gap (e.g., a gap between cushion 50
and seat frame 24, etc.) created when contour presenting device is
moved from the retracted position to the presenting position.
[0042] An alternative closeout device 80 is shown in FIGS. 6
through 8 in the form of a flexible, soft plastic slide member 86
having a first end 83 attached to move with side bolster portion 58
and a second end 84 connected to slidably move along seat back 12
and be retained thereto by a stop 88 formed in second end 84 and
encountering a stop 87. According to a further alternate
embodiment, shown in FIGS. 9 through 11, a closeout device 80 is
shown as including a side facing material 100 having a first end
101 connected to move with cover 90 as side bolster portion 58
moves and a second end 102 wrapping around a lower trim wire 103.
Side facing closeout device 80 of FIGS. 9 through 11 is shown as
further including an elastic member 105 having a first end 106
connected to side facing material 100 and a second end 107 attached
to the interior of seat back 12 and having a biasing force (as
shown by the arrow C) stored therein such that when contour
presenting device 20 is moved to the closed or retracted position,
the biasing force in elastic member 105 retracts side facing
material 100 as side bolster portion 58 becomes flat with main
portion 55 of cushion 50. According to a further alternative
embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 through 14, a closeout device 80
is shown in the form of a stretchable fabric material 110 that is
sewn as part of cover 90.
[0043] Referring particularly to FIG. 14, cushion 50 is further
shown as having a cover 90 supported about the outer surface of
cushion 50. Cover 90 is shown extending between side bolster 58 and
main portion 55 (including trench 70). According to one exemplary
embodiment, cover 90 includes a first portion formed of a first
material having a first coefficient of expansion and a second
portion formed of a second material having a second coefficient of
expansion. Preferably, the second coefficient of expansion is
significantly higher than the first coefficient of expansion.
According to one exemplary embodiment, the second material has a
coefficient of expansion of at least one hundred percent and
preferably at least two hundred percent greater than the first
material. Further, the second material is preferably aligned with
side bolster portion 58, while first material is preferably aligned
with main portion 55. According to an alternative embodiment, cover
90 may be formed of a single material having a relatively constant
coefficient of expansion.
[0044] Cover 90 can be secured to or supported relative to cushion
50 and trench 70 using a variety of suitable techniques. For
example, according to an exemplary embodiment (not shown), cover 90
can be retained in trench 70 by providing a first wire that is
coupled to the portion of cover 90 in trench 70 and a second wire
that is provided on a back side of cushion 50 (preferably adjacent
to the first wire). For such an embodiment, one or more openings
are provided along the length of trench 70. A connector, such as a
hog ring, is inserted through the opening to engage both the first
wire coupled to cover 90 and the second wire provided on the back
side of cushion 50 to secure cover 90 relative to cushion 50.
[0045] Cover 90 is further shown as including a cover retaining
flap 120 and a connector 122. Cover retaining flap 120 is provided
to prevent or at least reduce the likelihood that cover 90 will go
slack (e.g., wrinkle, bunch, etc.) when cushion 50 is moved from
the presented position to the non-presented position. Cover
retaining flap 120 is a relatively non-stretchable member compared
to cover 90 and functions as an interface between cover 90 and the
component to which cover 90 is coupled. According to an exemplary
embodiment, cover retaining flap 120 is a plastic member provided
along the edge of cover 90. Covering retaining flap 120 may be
provided along the entire edge of cover 90, or alternatively may
only be provided along a portion of the edge. Connector 122 is
coupled to an opposite end of cover retaining flap 120 and is
configured to engage a portion of contour presenting device 20.
Connector 122 is shown as a j-shaped connector having a hook end
engaging contour wing portion 34 of contour presenting device 20.
According to various alternative embodiments, connector 122 may
include any of a variety of suitable configurations and may engage
various other locations of seat back 12.
[0046] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been
described in connection with the illustrations, and various
modifications and alternatives thereto have been referred to in the
written text, the present invention generally relates to a foam
product and trim cover for a seat having a contour presenting
device, and preferably for use with a foldable vehicle seat to
provide a relatively very thin profile seat when in a stow position
and a relatively fully supporting and comfortable vehicle seat when
in a design position and having a relatively high quality
appearance and craftsmanship associated with a traditional
non-contour presenting vehicle seat. Unless expressly stated, the
invention is therefore not to be limited to the materials, shapes,
orientations and proportions illustrated and described.
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