U.S. patent application number 16/778811 was filed with the patent office on 2021-08-05 for seat back heater mat attachment.
The applicant listed for this patent is Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC. Invention is credited to Diane JONES, Harshavardhan UPENDRAM, James WEHRLE.
Application Number | 20210237632 16/778811 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004674718 |
Filed Date | 2021-08-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210237632 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
UPENDRAM; Harshavardhan ; et
al. |
August 5, 2021 |
SEAT BACK HEATER MAT ATTACHMENT
Abstract
An occupant-support base includes a seat assembly and a heater
mat coupled to the seat assembly. The seat assembly includes a seat
frame, a foam pad coupled to the seat frame, and a trim cover
coupled to the foam pad. The trim cover is coupled to the seat
assembly by one or more attachments. The heater mat is arranged
between the trim cover and the foam pad and includes a carrier
sheet and a heating element coupled to the carrier sheet. The
heater mat is secured to the seat assembly with a fastener
system.
Inventors: |
UPENDRAM; Harshavardhan;
(Northville, MI) ; JONES; Diane; (Huntington
Woods, MI) ; WEHRLE; James; (Troy, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC |
Auburn Hills |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004674718 |
Appl. No.: |
16/778811 |
Filed: |
January 31, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/5875 20130101;
B60N 2/5685 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60N 2/56 20060101
B60N002/56; B60N 2/58 20060101 B60N002/58 |
Claims
1. An occupant-support base comprising a seat assembly configured
to support an occupant thereon, the seat assembly including a seat
frame, a foam pad coupled to the seat frame, and a trim cover
coupled to the foam pad, the foam pad including a pad attachment
that extends through an attachment trench formed in the foam pad,
the trim cover including an outer sheet and a trim attachment
coupled to the outer sheet and the pad attachment to mount the
outer sheet to the foam pad, a heater mat arranged between the
outer sheet of the trim cover and the foam pad, the heater mat
including a carrier sheet and a heating element coupled to the
carrier sheet, the carrier sheet being formed to include an
aperture, and a fastener system configured to couple the heater mat
to the foam pad, the fastener system including an adhesive strip
that couples the heater mat to at least one of the foam pad and the
trim cover and a mechanical fastener that couples the trim
attachment to the pad attachment to mount the trim cover to the
foam pad and that passes through the aperture in the carrier sheet
to retain the heater mat in position if the adhesive strip
fails.
2. The occupant-support base of claim 1, wherein the aperture in
the carrier sheet provides a window so that the pad attachment is
visible through the window when the trim cover is being
installed.
3. The occupant-support base of claim 2, wherein the fastener is a
hog ring and is configured to fasten the trim attachment to the pad
attachment with the heater mat positioned between the trim
attachment and the pad attachment such that the aperture is aligned
with both the trim attachment and the pad attachment.
4. The occupant-support base of claim 1, wherein the carrier sheet
is devoid of the heating element in a portion of the carrier sheet
and the aperture is formed in the portion of the carrier sheet that
is devoid of the heating element.
5. The occupant support base of claim 3, wherein the portion of the
carrier sheet that is devoid of the heating element is an outermost
portion of the heater mat that is furthest from a seat bite line
region of the seat assembly.
6. The occupant-support base of claim 5, wherein the adhesive strip
is positioned closer to the seat bite line region of the seat
assembly than the aperture.
7. The occupant-support base of claim 1, wherein the aperture is
formed in an end of the carrier sheet that is positioned furthest
from a seat bite line region of the seat assembly.
8. An occupant-support base comprising a seat assembly configured
to support an occupant thereon, the seat assembly including a foam
pad and a trim cover coupled to the foam pad, the foam pad and the
trim cover each including a listing attachment that, when fastened
together, mounts the trim cover to the foam pad, a heater mat
coupled to the seat assembly and arranged between the trim cover
and the foam pad, the heater mat including a carrier sheet and a
heating element coupled to the carrier sheet, the carrier sheet
being formed to include an aperture, and a mechanical fastener that
ties the listing attachments in the foam pad and the trim cover
together and extends through the aperture in the carrier sheet to
couple the heater mat to the foam pad of the seat back, wherein the
aperture is formed in an end of the carrier sheet that is
positioned furthest from a seat bite line region of the seat
assembly.
9. The occupant-support base of claim 8, wherein the aperture in
the carrier sheet provides a window so that the listing attachment
in the cushion is visible through the window when the trim cover is
being installed on the foam pad.
10. The occupant-support base of claim 8, wherein the carrier sheet
is devoid of the heating element in a portion of the carrier sheet
and the aperture is formed in the portion of the carrier sheet that
is devoid of the heating element.
11. The occupant support base of claim 10, wherein the portion of
the carrier sheet that is devoid of the heating element is an
outermost portion of the heater mat.
12. The occupant-support base of claim 11, further comprising an
adhesive strip that secures the heater mat to the foam pad and that
is positioned closer to the seat bite line region of the seat
assembly than the aperture.
13. (canceled)
14. The occupant support of claim 8, wherein the carrier sheet of
the heater mat includes a heating area that carries the heating
element and an extension area devoid of the heating element that is
tucked within an attachment trench formed in the foam pad and the
mechanical fastener retains the extension area to the listing
attachment in the foam pad.
15. A method of assembling an occupant support, the method
comprising providing a foam pad with at least one listing
attachment coupled to the foam pad, coupling a heater mat to an
outer surface of the foam pad, covering the foam pad and the heater
pad with a trim cover to locate the heater mat between the foam pad
and the trim cover, wherein the trim cover and the heater mat are
fastened to the at least one listing attachment simultaneously
during the step of covering, wherein the heater mat is formed to
include an aperture that provides a window so that the listing
attachment in the foam pad is visible through the window when the
trim cover is being installed on the foam pad, wherein the heater
mat includes a carrier sheet and a heating element coupled to the
carrier sheet, the carrier sheet being devoid of the heating
element in a portion of the carrier sheet and the aperture being
formed in the portion of the carrier sheet that is devoid of the
heating element, and wherein the portion of the carrier sheet that
is devoid of the heating element is an outermost portion of the
heater mat that is furthest from a seat bite line region of a seat
assembly including a seat back and a seat bottom.
16-18. (canceled)
19. The occupant-support base of claim 15, further comprising an
adhesive strip that secures the heater mat to the cushion and that
is positioned closer to the seat bite line region of the seat
assembly than the aperture.
20. The occupant-support base of claim 15, wherein the carrier
sheet of the heater mat includes a heating area that carries the
heating element and an extension area devoid of the heating element
that is tucked within an attachment trench formed in the foam pad
and the mechanical fastener retains the extension area to the
listing attachment in the foam pad.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates to occupant supports, and
particularly to occupant supports for use in a vehicle. More
particularly, the present disclosure relates to an occupant-support
base with a heater mat.
SUMMARY
[0002] According to the present disclosure, an occupant support
comprising a seat bottom and a seat back which are configured to
support an occupant thereon within a vehicle. Both the seat bottom
and the seat back may be referred to as an occupant-support base.
The occupant-support base includes a seat assembly and a heater mat
coupled to the seat assembly. The seat assembly has a foam pad and
an outer trim cover that wraps around the cushion. The heater mat
is arranged between the foam pad and the trim cover and is
configured to provide thermal effects for an occupant seated on the
seat assembly.
[0003] In illustrative embodiments, the foam pad includes a pad
attachment that extends through an attachment trench formed in the
foam pad. The pad attachment is embedded in the attachment trench
and extends longitudinally through the attachment trench. The pad
attachment is configured to couple to portions of the outer trim
cover to mount the trim cover to the foam pad and assemble the
occupant-support base.
[0004] In illustrative embodiments, the trim cover includes outer
sheet, an attachment flap coupled to an inner surface of the outer
sheet, and a trim attachment. The pad attachment and the trim
attachment are illustratively embodied as, but not limited to
listing attachments that extend through the foam pad and the trim
cover, respectively. During assembly of the occupant-support base,
the trim cover is pulled around the foam pad and the attachments
are tied together by one or more mechanical fasteners to retain the
trim cover to the foam pad.
[0005] In illustrative embodiments, the heater mat includes a
carrier sheet and a heating element coupled to the carrier sheet.
The carrier sheet lies flat along an outer surface of the foam pad
and extends away from a seat bite line region of the
occupant-support region along the foam pad. The heater mat is
coupled to either the foam pad or the trim cover by one or more
adhesive strips which are applied before the trim cover is worked
around and attached to the foam pad. The mechanical fastener and
the adhesive strips cooperate with one another to provide a
fastener system that both attaches the trim cover to the foam pad
and couples the heater mat to the seat assembly during assembly of
the trim cover with the foam pad. The mechanical fastener retains
the heater mat in a flat arrangement along the outer surface of the
foam pad if the adhesive strip fails to prevent the heater mat from
moving toward the seat bite line region between the trim cover and
the foam pad.
[0006] Additional features of the present disclosure will become
apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of
illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out
the disclosure as presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The detailed description particularly refers to the
accompanying figures in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective and diagrammatic view of an
occupant-support base that includes a seat assembly configured to
support an occupant thereon, and with portions of the seat assembly
cut away to show a heater mat coupled to the seat assembly and
configured to provide thermal effects for the occupant, and a
fastener system configured to mount and retain the heater mat to
the seat assembly such that the heater mat lies flat along the seat
assembly to block the heater mat from sliding down the seat
assembly toward a seat bite area of the occupant-support base;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 shown
in FIG. 1 showing that the occupant-support base includes a foam
pad and an outer trim cover and showing the heater pad arranged
between the cushion and the outer trim cover and retained to the
seat assembly by a mechanical fastener;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the heater mat from FIGS. 1-4
showing that the heater mat includes a carrier sheet and a heating
element coupled to the carrier sheet and further showing that a
portion of the carrier sheet is devoid of the heating element and
the aperture is formed in the portion of the carrier sheet that is
devoid of the heating element;
[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2 showing
that both the foam pad and the outer trim cover include an
attachment which are coupled together by a mechanical fastener that
passes through an aperture formed in the heater mat to couple the
outer trim to the foam pad and to couple the heater mat to the seat
assembly all in one step;
[0012] FIG. 5 is an exploded assembly view of a portion of the
occupant-support base from FIGS. 1-3 showing the attachments in
both the foam pad and the trim cover aligned with the aperture
formed in the heater mat and suggesting that the mechanical
fastener is configured to grip both listing attachments with the
heater mat positioned therebetween to retain the heater mat to the
seat assembly;
[0013] FIGS. 6-9 are a series of elevation views of the
occupant-support base being assembled with the heater mat;
[0014] FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the cushion without the trim
cover and the heater mat de-coupled from the foam pad as suggesting
that the heater mat may be coupled to an outer surface of the foam
pad by one or more adhesive strips;
[0015] FIG. 7 is an elevation view of the cushion with the heater
mat coupled to the outer surface of the foam pad by the adhesive
strips and a plurality of apertures formed in the heater mat
aligned with a listing attachment that extends through the foam
pad;
[0016] FIG. 8 is an elevation view showing the trim cover being
assembled with the foam pad using mechanical fasteners that tie the
attachment in the foam pad with the attachment coupled to the trim
cover; and
[0017] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 8 showing
that the mechanical fastener extends through the aperture formed in
the heater mat as the trim cover is coupled to the cushion by the
mechanical fastener to reinforce attachment of the heater mat to
the seat assembly so that the heater pad is blocked from sliding
toward the seat bite line region of the occupant support base if
one or more of the adhesive strips fail during use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] An occupant support 10 in accordance with the present
disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 and comprises a plurality of
occupant-support bases 12. The occupant support bases 12 may be
embodied as a seat bottom 14 (also called a seat cushion assembly)
and a seat back 16 (also called a seat back assembly) which are
configured to support an occupant thereon within a vehicle in the
illustrative embodiment. The seat bottom 14 and the seat back 16
are coupled to one another and establish a seat bite line region 18
where the seat bottom 14 and the seat back 16 meet.
[0019] Each occupant-support base 12 includes a seat assembly 20
that has a foam pad 22 and an outer trim cover 24 that wraps around
the foam pad 22 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The foam pad 22
comprises a foam material 54 to provide cushioning for the occupant
seated on the occupant-support base 12. The outer trim cover 24
wraps around the foam pad 22 to provide greater aesthetics and to
increase durability of the occupant-support base 12.
[0020] To couple the trim cover 24 to the foam pad 22 during
assembly of the occupant-support base 12, a pad attachment 40 is
provided on the foam pad 22 and a trim attachment 42 is provided on
the trim cover 24 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The pad attachment 40
and the trim attachment 42 are illustratively embodied as listing
attachments that extend through the foam pad 22 and the trim cover
24, respectively. As the trim cover 24 is pulled around the foam
pad 22 during assembly, the attachments 40, 42 are tied together by
one or more mechanical fasteners 36 to retain the trim cover 24 to
the foam pad 22.
[0021] Each occupant-support base 12 may further include a heater
mat 26 arranged between the foam pad 22 and the trim cover 24 as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The heater mat 26 includes a carrier sheet
28 and a heating element 30 coupled to the carrier sheet 28. The
carrier sheet 28 lies flat along an outer surface 32 of the cushion
and extends away from the seat bite line region 18 along the foam
pad 22. The heating element 30 is illustratively embodied as a
conductive wire that, when energized by a power source 39, produces
heat. The heat produced by the heating element 30 is conducted
through the trim cover 24 to an occupant seated on the
occupant-support base 12.
[0022] The heater mat 26 is coupled to either the foam pad 22 or
the trim cover 24 by one or more adhesive strips 38 which are
applied before the trim cover 24 is worked around and attached to
the foam pad 22. In the illustrative embodiment, a first adhesive
strip 381 is arranged near an outer end of the heater mat 26 and a
second adhesive strip 382 is spaced apart from the first adhesive
strip 381 near a lower end of the heater mat 26. The mechanical
fastener 36 and the adhesive strips 38 cooperate with one another
to provide a fastener system 35 that both attaches the trim cover
24 to the foam pad 22 and couples the heater mat 26 and the seat
assembly 20 during assembly of the trim cover 24 with the foam pad
22.
[0023] The carrier sheet 28 of the heater mat 26 is formed to
include one or more apertures 34 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The
apertures 34 provide windows for a technician to see through as the
heater mat 26 is coupled to the foam pad 22. The arrangement of the
apertures 34 in the heater mat 26 relative to the attachments 40,
42 facilitates assembly of the occupant-support base 12 and reduces
amount of assembly time for the occupant-support base 12 as
suggested in FIGS. 6-9. The apertures 34 may be aligned with the
pad attachment 40 by looking through the apertures 34 as the heater
mat 26 is brought into contact with the foam pad 22 and bonded to
the foam pad 22 with the adhesive strips 38 as suggested in FIG. 6.
The trim cover 24 may then be pulled over the foam pad 22 and
positioned so that the trim attachment 42 is also aligned with the
apertures 34 and the pad attachment 40. With the attachments 40, 42
aligned with the apertures 34, the mechanical fastener 36 may be
gripped around each attachment 40, 42 while passing through an
aperture 34 to couple the trim cover 24 to the foam pad 22 and to
reinforce the connection between the heater mat 26 and the seat
assembly 20 all in one step.
[0024] The mechanical fastener 36 provides an additional connection
point between the heater mat 26 and the seat assembly 20 to
maintain the heater mat 26 in face-to-face contact with the foam
pad 22 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7. Over time and after continued use
of the occupant-support base 12, moisture and/or repetitive forces
on the heater mat 26 may cause the adhesive strips 38 to fail. If
the adhesive strips fail, the heater mat 26 may slide toward the
seat bite line region 18 and bunch-up in the seat bite line region
18. The mechanical fastener 36 is configured to retain an outermost
end 46 of the heater mat 26 away from the seat bite line region 18
to block the heater mat 26 from sliding toward the seat bite line
region 18 and bunching up in the seat bite line region 18.
[0025] In the illustrative embodiment, the mechanical fastener 36
is a hog ring. In other embodiments, another type of mechanical
fastener such as a staple, a wire, a zip-tie, a pin, a screw, or
any other suitable faster may be used. In some embodiments, the
adhesive strips 38 may be omitted and the heater mat 26 may be
retained to the seat assembly 20 by only the mechanical fastener
36.
[0026] In some embodiments, the seat assembly 20 includes a seat
frame 21, foam pad 22 coupled to the seat frame 21, and a trim
cover 24 coupled to the foam pad 22 as shown in FIG. 5. The seat
frame 21 may be made from a metallic material to provide support
for the occupant-support base 12 as a whole. The pad attachment 40
may be anchored to the seat frame 21 to provide additional support
for the heater mat 26 and the trim cover 24. The pad attachment 40
extends through an attachment trench 44 which is formed in foam pad
22. The attachment trench 44 may be a formed gap in the foam pad 22
as shown in FIG. 4 or may be a slit in the foam pad 22 that closes
dues to the foam material 54 of the foam pad 22.
[0027] The trim cover 24 includes including an outer sheet 56, an
attachment flap 60 coupled to an inner surface 57 of the outer
sheet 56, and trim attachment 42 as shown in FIG. 5. The outer
sheet 56 covers the foam pad 22 and the heater mat 26 when the
occupant-support base 12 is fully assembled. The attachment flap 60
is formed into a loop to define an attachment conduit 62 that
receives the trim attachment 42 therein. The attachment flap 60 is
formed to include one or more cutouts 64 that expose the trim
attachment 42 for coupling with the pad attachment 40 by the
mechanical fastener 36 as suggested in FIG. 5. The attachment flap
60 and the trim attachment 42 are inserted into the attachment
trench 44 when the trim cover 24 is being installed on the foam pad
22 by tying the attachments 40, 42 together with mechanical
fastener 36.
[0028] The carrier sheet 28 of the heater mat 26 is made from a
felt material that supports the heating element 30 on or in the
carrier sheet 28. The heating element 30 extends across only a
portion of an area of the carrier sheet 28 to provide a heating
area 48 and an extension area of the carrier sheet 28 as shown in
FIG. 3. The conductive coils of the heating element 30 are arranged
in the heating area 48 of the carrier sheet 28. The extension area
50 is devoid of the heating element 30 and is formed to include
apertures 34 to be used in fastening the heater mat 26 to the seat
assembly 20. The extension area 50 is devoid of the heating element
30 so that the mechanical fastener 36 does not disrupt or interfere
with the heating element 30 once the mechanical fastener 36 is
installed to secure the heater mat 26 to the seat assembly 20.
[0029] Before the trim cover 24 is positioned such that the trim
attachment 42 is aligned with the apertures 34 and the pad
attachment 40, the extension area 50 may be tucked into the
attachment trench 44 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. This may bring the
pad attachment 40 into better view through the apertures 34 to
facilitate attachment of the mechanical faster 36 to the
attachments 40, 42. In some embodiments, the mechanical fastener 36
may be arranged entirely within the aperture 34 once it is fully
installed around the attachments 40, 42 as shown in FIG. 4.
Alternatively, the extension area 50 may wrap around the pad
attachment 40 in some embodiments such that the area immediately
above the aperture 34 is captured against the pad attachment by the
mechanical fastener 36. Because the extension area 50 is devoid of
the heating element 30, if the mechanical fastener 36
unintentionally pierces the carrier sheet 28 during installation,
the thermal functions of the heater mat 26 will not be
disrupted.
[0030] The extension area 50 of the carrier sheet 28 that is devoid
of the heating element 30 is an outermost end 46 of the heater mat
26 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The outermost end 46 of the heater
mat 26 is furthest from the seat bite line region 18 of the seat
assembly 20 to maintain the heater mat 26 in a flat arrangement
against outer surface 32 if the adhesive strip 381 fails. The
adhesive strip 381 is positioned closer to the seat bite line
region 18 of the seat assembly 20 than the aperture 34 so that the
extension area 50 of the carrier sheet 28 can be maneuvered as the
trim cover 24 is being installed on foam pad 22.
[0031] In some embodiments, the heater mat may become disengaged if
the adhesive integrity at the top is compromised by moisture and
other contaminants. In some embodiments, the heater mat is extended
to capture the heater mat in the foam trench during installation.
In one embodiment, 50 mm of additional material is added to the top
of the heater mat and includes holes in the heater mat to not
interfere with the trim attachment. Any suitable amount of
additional material may be added depending on the size of the
heater mat and the location of the attachments in the seat
assembly. Adding a hog ring or any mechanical attachment in
addition to the tape attachment may increase the robustness of the
heater mat design.
[0032] In some embodiments, bottom and top tape (adhesive strips)
are used to position & adhere the heater mat to the foam pad.
With the heater mat adhered and positioned, the extended area of
the heater mat may be tucked into the attachment trench. The trim
cover attachment locations are aligned to the molded in pad
attachment seen through the heater mat apertures. A mechanical
attachment technique may be used (i.e. hog ring or any mechanical
attachment) to attach the trim cover to the foam pad through the
heater mat holes. This may restrict downward movement of the heater
mat and prevent the heater mat from bunching up at the bottom of
the seat back if the top heater mat adhesive strip fails.
[0033] The following numbered clauses include embodiments that are
contemplated and non-limiting:
[0034] Clause 1. An occupant-support base comprises a seat assembly
configured to support an occupant thereon.
[0035] Clause 2. The occupant-support base of clause 1, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the seat
assembly includes a seat frame, a foam pad coupled to the seat
frame, and a trim cover coupled to the foam pad.
[0036] Clause 3. The occupant-support base of clause 2, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the foam
pad includes a pad attachment that extends through an attachment
trench formed in the foam pad.
[0037] Clause 4. The occupant-support base of clause 3, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the trim
cover includes an outer sheet and a trim attachment coupled to the
outer sheet and the pad attachment to mount the outer sheet to the
foam pad.
[0038] Clause 5. The occupant-support base of clause 4, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, further comprising
a heater mat arranged between the outer sheet of the trim cover and
the foam pad, the heater mat including a carrier sheet and a
heating element coupled to the carrier sheet, the carrier sheet
being formed to include an aperture.
[0039] Clause 6. The occupant-support base of clause 5, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, further comprising
a fastener system configured to couple the heater mat to the foam
pad, the fastener system including an adhesive strip that couples
the heater mat to at least one of the foam pad and the trim cover
and a mechanical fastener that couples the trim attachment to the
pad attachment to mount the trim cover to the foam pad and that
passes through the aperture in the carrier sheet to retain the
heater mat in position if the adhesive strip fails.
[0040] Clause 7. The occupant-support base of clause 6, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the
aperture in the carrier sheet provides a window so that the pad
attachment is visible through the window when the trim cover is
being installed.
[0041] Clause 8. The occupant-support base of clause 6, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the
fastener is a hog ring or any mechanical attachment and is
configured to fasten the trim attachment to the pad attachment with
the heater mat positioned between the trim attachment and the pad
attachment such that the aperture is aligned with both the trim
attachment and the pad attachment.
[0042] Clause 9. The occupant-support base of clause 6, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the carrier
sheet is devoid of the heating element in a portion of the carrier
sheet and the aperture is formed in the portion of the carrier
sheet that is devoid of the heating element.
[0043] Clause 10. The occupant-support base of clause 9, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the portion
of the carrier sheet that is devoid of the heating element is an
outermost portion of the heater mat that is furthest from a seat
bite line region of the seat assembly.
[0044] Clause 11. The occupant-support base of clause 10, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the
adhesive strip is positioned closer to the seat bite line region of
the seat assembly than the aperture.
[0045] Clause 12. The occupant-support base of clause 6, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the
aperture is formed in an end of the carrier sheet that is
positioned furthest from a seat bite line region of the seat
assembly.
[0046] Clause 13. An occupant-support base comprising a seat
assembly configured to support an occupant thereon, the seat
assembly including a foam pad and a trim cover coupled to the foam
pad, the foam pad and the trim cover each including, but not
limited to, a listing attachment that, when fastened together,
mounts the trim cover to the foam pad.
[0047] Clause 14. The occupant-support base of clause 13, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, further comprising
a heater mat coupled to the seat assembly and arranged between the
trim cover and the foam pad, the heater mat including a carrier
sheet and a heating element coupled to the carrier sheet, the
carrier sheet being formed to include an aperture.
[0048] Clause 15. The occupant-support base of clause 14, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, further comprising
a mechanical fastener that ties the listing attachments in the foam
pad and the trim cover together and extends through the aperture in
the carrier sheet to couple the heater mat to the foam pad of the
seat back.
[0049] Clause 16. The occupant-support base of clause 15, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the
aperture in the carrier sheet provides a window so that the listing
attachment in the cushion is visible through the window when the
trim cover is being installed on the foam pad.
[0050] Clause 17. The occupant-support base of clause 15, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the carrier
sheet is devoid of the heating element in a portion of the carrier
sheet and the aperture is formed in the portion of the carrier
sheet that is devoid of the heating element.
[0051] Clause 18. The occupant-support base of clause 17, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the portion
of the carrier sheet that is devoid of the heating element is an
outermost portion of the heater mat that is furthest from a seat
bite line region of the seat assembly.
[0052] Clause 19. The occupant-support base of clause 18, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, further comprising
an adhesive strip that secures the heater mat to the foam pad and
that is positioned closer to the seat bite line region of the seat
assembly than the aperture.
[0053] Clause 20. The occupant-support base of clause 15, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the
aperture is formed in an end of the carrier sheet that is
positioned furthest from a seat bite line region of the seat
assembly.
[0054] Clause 21. The occupant-support base of clause 15, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the carrier
sheet of the heater mat includes a heating area that carries the
heating element and an extension area devoid of the heating element
that is tucked within an attachment trench formed in the foam pad
and the mechanical fastener retains the extension area to the
listing attachment in the foam pad.
[0055] Clause 22. A method of assembling an occupant support, the
method comprising providing a foam pad with at least one listing
attachment coupled to the foam pad.
[0056] Clause 23. The occupant-support base of clause 22, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, further comprising
coupling a heater mat to an outer surface of the foam pad.
[0057] Clause 24. The occupant-support base of clause 23, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, further comprising
covering the foam pad and the heater pad with a trim cover to
locate the heater mat between the foam pad and the trim cover.
[0058] Clause 25. The occupant-support base of clause 24, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the trim
cover and the heater mat are fastened to at least one listing
attachment simultaneously during the step of covering.
[0059] Clause 26. The occupant-support base of clause 25, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein heater mat
is formed to include an aperture that provides a window so that the
listing attachment in the foam pad is visible through the window
when the trim cover is being installed on the foam pad.
[0060] Clause 27. The occupant-support base of clause 25, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the heater
mat includes a carrier sheet and a heating element coupled to the
carrier sheet, the carrier sheet being devoid of the heating
element in a portion of the carrier sheet and the aperture being
formed in the portion of the carrier sheet that is devoid of the
heating element.
[0061] Clause 28. The occupant-support base of clause 27, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the portion
of the carrier sheet that is devoid of the heating element is an
outermost portion of the heater mat that is furthest from a seat
bite line region of the seat assembly.
[0062] Clause 29. The occupant-support base of clause 28, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, further comprising
an adhesive strip that secures the heater mat to the cushion and
that is positioned closer to the seat bite line region of the seat
assembly than the aperture.
[0063] Clause 30. The occupant-support base of clause 27, any other
clause, or any suitable combination of clauses, wherein the carrier
sheet of the heater mat includes a heating area that carries the
heating element and an extension area devoid of the heating element
that is tucked within an attachment trench formed in the foam pad
and the mechanical fastener retains the extension area to the
listing attachment in the foam pad.
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