U.S. patent application number 10/858904 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-08 for seat trim cover assembly aid.
Invention is credited to Flegal, Thomas Brian, Jarackas, Daniel Joseph JR..
Application Number | 20050269855 10/858904 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35266285 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050269855 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Flegal, Thomas Brian ; et
al. |
December 8, 2005 |
SEAT TRIM COVER ASSEMBLY AID
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.
Inventors: |
Flegal, Thomas Brian;
(NORTHVILLE, MI) ; Jarackas, Daniel Joseph JR.;
(RUBY, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RAGGIO & DINNIN, P.C.
2701 CAMBRIDGE COURT, STE. 410
AUBURN HILLS
MI
48326
US
|
Family ID: |
35266285 |
Appl. No.: |
10/858904 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/452.6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 29/487 20150115;
Y10T 29/481 20150115; Y10T 29/49799 20150115; B60N 2/5825
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/452.6 |
International
Class: |
A47C 007/02 |
Claims
1. A method of manufacturing an upholstered seat comprising the
steps of: positioning edge portions of first and second upholstery
panels in adjacent substantially parallel planes with aligned
longitudinal edges; positioning a locator strip between adjacent
portions of the panels proximate the longitudinal edges;
positioning an attachment strip proximate and aligned with the
locator strip, the attachment strip including an enlarged
longitudinal portion positioned outboard of the locator strip;
stitching the first and second upholstery panels together along a
stitching line; positioning a plurality of clip members along a
groove in a molded foam seat backing, wherein the clip members are
substantially complementary to the enlarged longitudinal portion of
the attachment strip and adapted to snap-fit with the same;
engaging the enlarged longitudinal portion of the attachment strip
with the clip members, thereby securing the upholstery panels to
the seat backing; removing a portion of the locator strip by
tearing it along longitudinal perforations formed therein.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the locator strip and attachment
strip are an integral extruded plastic piece.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the locator strip and attachment
strip are separate pieces.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of positioning the
attachment strip proximate the locator strip comprises positioning
the attachment strip adjacent thereto.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of positioning the
attachment strip proximate the locator strip comprises positioning
the attachment strip such that it is separated from the locator
strip by one of said first and second upholstery panels.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the enlarged portion comprises an
arrow shaped cross section.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the enlarged portion is a
substantially cylindrical bead.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the clip members slidably receive
the enlarged portion of the attachment strip.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of engaging the enlarged
longitudinal portion of the attachment strip with the clip members
comprises manipulating the position of the attachment strip from an
exterior side of the upholstery panels.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of engaging the enlarged
longitudinal portion of the attachment strip with the clip members
comprises: grasping the locator strip and urging the attachment
strip into engagement with the clip members by pushing the locator
strip toward the groove, a force thereon snap-fitting the enlarged
longitudinal portion with the clip members.
11. A vehicle seat manufactured according to the method of claim
1.
12. An upholstered seat comprising: a preformed molded foam seat
backing having a groove; a plurality of clip members attached to
said seat backing at a plurality of locations along said groove; an
upholstery covering comprising adjacent panels with aligned
longitudinal edges, said panels attached with at least one
stitching line positioned inboard of said edges and substantially
parallel thereto; an elongate locator strip sandwiched between said
upholstery panels and secured therebetween, said strip having a
plurality of longitudinal perforations defining a tear line; an
elongate attachment strip proximate said locator strip, said
attachment strip having an enlarged longitudinal portion outboard
of the stitching line that is engageable with said clips and
slidable within said clips; wherein said elongate locator strip is
tearable along said tear line to remove at least a portion of the
locator strip from between the panels.
13. The vehicle seat of claim 12 wherein the attachment strip and
locator strip are a unitary piece.
14. The vehicle seat of claim 12 wherein the perforations in said
locator strip are formed by stitches comprising said stitching
line.
15. The vehicle seat of claim 12 wherein the enlarged longitudinal
edge portion comprises a substantially arrow shaped cross
section.
16. The vehicle seat of claim 12 wherein the attachment strip is
sandwiched between the upholstery panels and adjacent the locator
strip.
17. The vehicle seat of claim 12 wherein the locator strip is an
elongate extruded plastic piece having a substantially uniform
thickness.
18. A method of manufacturing a seat comprising the steps of:
positioning an elongate extruded strip with an enlarged edge in a
stitched seam between adjacent upholstery panels such that the
enlarged edge is positioned outboard of the seam and substantially
parallel thereto; positioning portions of the upholstery panels
proximate the seam in a groove in a preformed molded seat backing,
thereby engaging the enlarged edge with at least one substantially
complementary clip retainer in the seat backing; tearing a portion
of the strip away from the seam along perforations formed therein,
leaving the enlarged edge in engagement with the clip retainers and
thereby securing the upholstery panels to the seat backing.
19. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of attaching the
adjacent upholstery panels comprises forming parallel first and
second stitching lines proximate edges of the panels and
substantially parallel thereto.
20. A motor vehicle seat manufactured by the method of claim
18.
21. An upholstered seat comprising: a performed molded foam seat
backing having a groove; a plurality of clip members attached to
said seat backing; an upholstery covering comprising adjacent
panels with aligned longitudinal edges, said panels attached with
at least one stitching line positioned inboard of said edges and
substantially parallel thereto; an elongate locator strip
sandwiched between said upholstery panels and secured therebetween;
an elongate attachment strip proximate said locator strip, said
attachment strip and said locator strip overlap, said attachment
strip having an enlarged longitudinal portion outboard of the
stitching line that is engageable with said clips; wherein said
elongate locator strip is tearable along a tear line to remove at
least a portion of the locator strip from between the panels.
22. The vehicle seat of claim 21 further including a second
stitching line, said first stitching line pierces said locator
strip and said attachment strip, said second stitching line pierces
only said attachment strip.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to processes and
designs for attaching upholstery material to a seat backing, and
relates more particularly to such a design and process wherein a
locator strip and an attachment strip are secured to adjacent
pieces of upholstery material and the attachment strip is engaged
with clip retainers in the seat, allowing part of the locator strip
to be torn away.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional vehicle seats generally include one or more
backing members, and a plurality of upholstery panels positioned
thereon. Various processes and designs have been developed over the
years for attaching the upholstery material onto the backing.
Automated methods are known whereby the upholstery material is
positioned by a machine onto the pre-formed backing material, as
well as methods wherein an operator attaches the upholstery
material manually.
[0003] In one common manual technique, an operator positions the
upholstery material and secures the same to the backing material by
sliding a retaining member attached to adjacent pieces of
upholstery material into a receiving groove in a foam cushion or
backer. This process allows the upholstery to be attached to the
backer relatively quickly and easily, however it is necessary to
fold one of the adjacent upholstery panels double, i.e. backwardly
against the opposing piece of upholstery material so that the
operator can visually determine the appropriate orientation and
positioning of the retaining member for receipt in the groove.
[0004] In another known design, a robotic machine is utilized to
position upholstery material proximate a mold in which a formable
foaming material is injected, which solidifies to create the backer
for the seat. The solidification of the foam material adheres to a
retaining member extending between the adjacent upholstery panels.
In this design, the robotic device grasps a strip that is inserted
and attached between the adjacent panels, which may be torn away
along a perforated line after the molding process is complete.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a design and process for
attaching upholstery material to a seat cushion or backing. The
design preferably includes a locator strip and an attachment strip
secured between adjacent upholstery panels attached with
longitudinal stitching lines. The locator strip and attachment
strip may be one integral piece, or they may be formed as separate
pieces. A first stitching line preferably penetrates both pieces of
cover material as well as the locator strip and attachment strip. A
second stitching line is substantially parallel to the first
stitching line and preferably pierces both of the cover panels and
the locator strip, but does not pierce the attachment strip. The
second stitching line is preferably positioned inboard of the
attachment strip. During seat assembly, the locator strip can be
manually grasped from an exterior side of the upholstery covering,
and the material manipulated such that the attachment strip may be
pushed into a complementary groove in the seat backer. One or more
clips molded into or otherwise attached to the backer preferably
snap-fit with the attachment strip. Once positioned appropriately,
the locator strip may be tom away from the seat assembly along
longitudinal perforations formed in the strip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a sectioned end view, partially in perspective of
a cover attachment assembly according to a preferred embodiment of
the present invention;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a sectioned end view, also partially in
perspective of the cover assembly of FIG. 1, illustrating a locator
strip in a partially torn position;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a sectioned side view along line A-A of FIG.
2;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a sectioned end view partially in perspective of a
second preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a partial enlarged view of the cover attachment
assembly of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a seat cover assembly 10
according to the present invention, adapted for attaching to a seat
backing 12. Seat cover assembly 10 includes first and second
upholstery panels 11A and 11B. Upholstery panels 11A and 11B are
joined at a seam 15 and preferably stitched together there along
via first and second stitching lines 20 and 30. A locator strip 40
and attachment strip 50 are preferably sandwiched between
upholstery panels 11A and 11B and extend substantially along a
length of seam 15. Locator strip 40 and attachment strip 50 may be
formed integrally, e.g. as a single plastic extrusion, or they may
be formed as individual pieces. In a preferred embodiment, locator
strip 40 and attachment strip 50 are positioned adjacently;
however, attachment strip 50 might be positioned on the opposite
side of one of upholstery panels 11A and 11B from locator strip 40.
Locator strip 40 is preferably an elongate rectangular plastic
piece having a substantially uniform thickness. In a preferred
embodiment first stitching line 20 pierces both of upholstery
panels 11A and 11B as well as locator strip 40 and attachment strip
50. While FIG. 1 illustrates locator strip 40 and attachment strip
50 substantially as a uniform piece, in alternative preferred
embodiments locator strip 40 and attachment strip 50 include a
region 60 that overlaps proximate first stitching line 20, as shown
in FIG. 5. Thus, when seat cover assembly 10 is assembled, a
portion of attachment strip 50 is positioned in an overlying
relationship with a portion of locator strip 40, and first
stitching line 20 is subsequently formed therethrough. Second
stitching line 30 preferably pierces both of upholstery panels 11A
and 11B as well as attachment strip 50, however, locator strip 40
preferably does not extend sufficiently far in an outboard
direction between panels 11A and 11B such that it is pierced by
second stitching line 30. As used herein, the term "outboard"
should be understood to refer to a direction toward the edges of
panels 11A and 11B that comprise seam 15, whereas "inboard" should
be understood to refer to an opposite direction, i.e. away from
seam 15.
[0012] Seat backing 12 is preferably a solid piece of pre-formed
foam material well known in the art. The present invention is
contemplated for use with pre-formed seat backings, as opposed to
systems wherein a seat backing if formed during cover assembly,
such as by foaming the backing material while the cover is
positioned thereover. A groove 14 is formed in seat backing 12,
preferably during the molding process. A longitudinal slit 16 may
be formed in groove 14, as described below. In a preferred
embodiment, an assembly worker can grasp locator strip 40 and
manipulate seat cover assembly 10 such that the attached portions
of upholstery panels 11A and 11B, along with attachment strip 50
can be inserted into groove 14. This step may be performed "blind,"
that is by grasping locator strip 40 from an exterior cover side of
the upholstery panels 11A and 11B, and moving attachment strip 50
to an appropriate position, aligned with groove 14, then pushing
attachment strip 50 into place. This step can be carried out
without the need for flipping the upholstery panels such that they
are doubled over to visually identify the appropriate place for
attachment strip 50.
[0013] Turning to FIG. 2, there is shown seat cover assembly 10
engaged with seat backing 12. Upon engaging cover 10 and backing
12, locator strip 40 may be torn away from seam 15 along the
perforations formed by first stitching line 20, rendering an
aesthetically pleasing appearance to the covered seat. Embodiments
are contemplated wherein the entire strip 40 is pulled free from
seam 15, as well as embodiments wherein a portion of strip 40
remains. A plurality of perforations 41 are illustrated in FIG. 2
and represent points at which locator strip 40 is longitudinally
pierced by the stitches that form first stitching line 20. It
should be appreciated, however, that perforations 41 need not be
formed by the stitches, but could instead be formed by some other
means. Attachment strip 50 preferably includes an arrow-shaped,
barbed or otherwise enlarged longitudinal edge portion 51 for
engagement with complementary clips in backing 12, described below.
Various adhesives, epoxies, etc. may be utilized to enhance the
retention of attachment strip 50 and the edges of upholstery panels
11A and 11B in groove 14.
[0014] Turning now to FIG. 3, there is shown a sectioned view of
the various components of seat cover assembly 10 taken along line
A-A of FIG. 2, prior to tearing locator strip 40 away from assembly
10. As illustrated in FIG. 3, first and second stitching lines 20
and 30 extend substantially in parallel proximate an interface of
locator strip 40 and attachment strip 50. The interface of locator
strip 40 and attachment strip 50 comprises an overlapping region
60, also shown in FIG. 5. First stitching line 20 is preferably
formed such that it pierces both of locator strip 40 and attachment
strip 50, whereas second stitching line 30 preferably pierces only
attachment strip 50.
[0015] Further illustrated in FIG. 3 are retention members or clips
70. In a preferred embodiment, clips 70 snap fit with enlarged edge
portion 51 of attachment strip 50, and assist in retaining
attachment strip 50 in the target groove. Clips 70 are preferably
attached to backing member 12, within groove 14, and the seat cover
assembly lowered into engagement with backing member 12, snap
fitting attachment strip 50 into engagement with clips 70. Various
designs are contemplated wherein clips 70 are positioned at varying
locations along the groove in the seat backing, allowing the cover
assembly 10 to be secured at selected points. For example, portions
of vehicle seats exposed to relatively greater mechanical stress
and strain may call for a relatively securely attached cover
assembly at that point, requiring one or more clips. Other regions
may require or be better suited to a degree of play between the
covering and the backer and may thus require fewer or no clips
70.
[0016] Turning now to FIG. 4, there is shown an alternative
embodiment of the present invention including an attachment strip
150 having an alternatively shaped head 151. Many variations might
be made to the design and structure of attachment strip 50, 150. It
is generally preferred, however, to provide a strip having a shape
that facilitates mating engagement with fasteners or clip members
70.
[0017] By providing a design having a plurality of fasteners 70,
preferably slidable relative to enlarged portion 51, 151, seat
cover assembly 10 can be securely attached to seat backing member
12 at a plurality of selectable positions along a length of strip
50, 150. Moreover, a sliding interface between clips 70 and
attachment strip 50 provides for some "play" between the clips 70
and secured cover assembly 10, reducing wear on the seat in some
instances, and compensating for slight variations from the
prescribed fastening of the seat cover 10 to the seat backing 12
during manufacturing. Thus, where attachment strip 50, 150 is not
perfectly positioned relative to a particular supporting clip 70,
the relative position of the cover assembly 10 with respect to the
seat backing 14 can be adjusted slightly without disengaging the
cover assembly 10 therefrom.
[0018] Further advantages of the present design include the
capacity for "two-way" assembly of seat covers with seat backing
members. For example, because an operator can grasp locator strip
40, entry of the edges of upholstery panels 11A and 11B into groove
14, along with attachment strip 50, can be made from either of
opposite sides of groove 14. Variations in the design of interior
upholstered members in vehicles makes it desirable in some
instances to be able to attach the upholstery cover from different
angles or sides of the groove 14.
[0019] The present description is for illustrative purposes only,
and should not be construed to narrow the breadth of the present
invention in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will
appreciate that various modifications might be made to the
presently disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. Other aspects, features, and advantages
will be apparent upon an examination of the attached drawing
Figures and appended claims.
* * * * *