1471results about "Seat coverings" patented technology

In order to ensure that a vehicle seat, having a supporting face and incorporating microcapsules of phase-change material having a phase transition temperature between 15 and 37° C., is comfortable to use in terms of temperature, the support face is heated or cooled before the seat is used so that the phase-change material is at its transition temperature when a user subsequently sits on the seat.

A trim cover for use with a vehicle seat having an air bag includes an outer layer. The outer layer includes a front portion having first and second ends. The outer layer further includes first and second bolster portions connected to the first and second ends, respectively, and an intermediate portion connected to the first and second bolster portions at first and second bolster seams, respectively. The first bolster seam is configured to rupture upon deployment of the air bag. A first reinforcement panel is positioned adjacent the first bolster portion. The first reinforcement panel has a first end portion connected to the outer layer proximate the first end of the front portion, and a second end portion connected to the outer layer proximate the first bolster seam. A second reinforcement panel is positioned adjacent the intermediate portion. The second reinforcement panel has one end portion connected to the outer layer proximate the first bolster seam, and an opposite end portion connected to the outer layer proximate the second bolster seam. The reinforcement panels are configured to reinforce the outer layer during deployment of the air bag so that the air bag deploys through the first bolster seam.

A breathable seat comprises a seat body formed of urethane foam, a three-dimensional network cushion body incorporated in that region of the seat body which bears a user's body, a seat cover having breathability, and a pan frame. The cushion body is formed of a large number of continuous linear elements of thermoplastic resin. The linear elements are looped windingly so that their respective contact portions are fused together. The seat body is formed having venting holes that penetrate the urethane foam in its thickness direction. The venting holes communicate with the cushion body and apertures of the pan frame. The seat cover envelops the seat body and the cushion body.

In a back portion of a seat back provided with a lumbar support portion 20 and a side support portion 21, a seat back cover 30 for covering a back face of the seat back is provided. The seat back cover 30 is provided with a side portion 32 for covering an air bag module 50 by making a forward end portion, which is extended to the front side of a vehicle, come into contact with the side support portion 21. The side support portion 21 is provided being capable of oscillating to the front side of the vehicle with respect to the lumbar support 20. An air bag module 50 is arranged in an accommodation space 90 provided on the rear side of the side support portion 21.

The present invention relates to a trim material attachment assembly for securing trim material to the padding of a vehicle seat. The present invention includes an elongate wedge having a wedge tip and opposed walls joined at the wedge tip. The opposed walls extend angularly outward to define a substantially V-shaped channel adapted to receive the trim material of a vehicle seat. The trim material attachment assembly further includes a receiving member having a base adapted to engage the padding of a vehicle seat, a centrally located elevated platform and cantilevered retention tabs extending from the elevated platform. The cantilevered retention tabs are adapted to operatively receive the elongate wedge. Each of the cantilevered retention tabs includes a guide deck adapted to provide positive placement of the elongate wedge and an engaging flange adapted to releasably engage the elongate wedge juxtaposed therebetween.

A vehicle seat has a back rest, a head restraint, which is adjustable in the height and which has a head cushion, and a ventilation device, whose exhaust vent for blowing out a warm airflow is arranged on the upper side of the back rest. The vehicle seat that has a construction that is simplified and aesthetically pleasing and that is characterized in that a diverting mechanism is provided in a lower area of the head restraint and is integrated into the head cushion. The warm airflow issuing from the exhaust vent is diverted into the head and / or neck area of a seat passenger via this diverting mechanism.

The present invention relates to a trim material attachment assembly for securing trim material to the padding of a vehicle seat. The present invention includes an elongate wedge having a wedge tip and opposed walls joined at the wedge tip. The opposed walls extend angularly outward to define a substantially V-shaped channel adapted to receive the trim material of a vehicle seat. The trim material attachment assembly further includes a receiving member having a base adapted to engage the padding of a vehicle seat, a centrally located elevated platform and cantilevered retention tabs extending from the elevated platform. The cantilevered retention tabs are adapted to operatively receive the elongate wedge. Each of the cantilevered retention tabs includes a guide deck adapted to provide positive placement of the elongate wedge and an engaging flange adapted to releasably engage the elongate wedge juxtaposed therebetween.

A trim set attachment assembly is provided comprising a retaining strip attached to a mesh panel encapsulated within a seat frame, and at least one tab extending from the trim set and securedly seating between the retaining strip and the mesh panel, thereby securing the trim set in relation to the mesh panel. The tab includes a trim piece seated within an anchor. The trim piece extends from the trim set to seat beneath the retraining strip atop the mesh panel, while the anchor prevents the trim piece from sliding out from under the retaining strip. The retaining strip includes a base, with at least one retainer extending from the base to secure the trim piece therebeneath. The retaining strip further includes a flange, with at least one connector extending through the mesh panel and the flange to connect the retaining strip to the mesh panel.

An infant rest, particularly for use with infant support devices, such as cribs, bassinets, strollers, infant seats and the like. The infant rest of the present invention provides not only support for the head of the infant from sudden movements and the impact from sudden movements but from the effects of the environment as well. A padded roll is formed by a doubled padded layer which provides protection from sudden movements and the impacts from sudden movement. A zipper or other fastener is disengaged to allow this doubled padded layer to extend upward into a single layer to form a bonnet around the head of the infant. This provides protection from excessive sun, wind, cold or other environmental causes.

A system of controlling various actuators associated with human support surfaces is disclosed. Such a system is made up of a support surface, a controller, and an actuator. The system may optionally include batteries, a means of charging the batteries, and a graphical user interface as well as a communication link between the graphical user interface and the support surfaces. The actuators are capable of altering contour and / or firmness, of a support surface, they may be vibrational or heating / cooling in nature, and they may also alter the overall relative position of a support surface to another support surface, and / or to the ground plane.

An air-pressure applying assembly for a seat, having an occupant holding portion, for selectively applying a desired pressure to the body of a seat occupant. This assembly includes an air-bag assembly, an air-pressure source, an inlet-conduit assembly, an exhaust valve assembly, and a control assembly. The air-bag assembly is removably mountable to the seat occupant holding portion. The inlet-conduit assembly is in fluid communication at one end to the air-pressure source and at another to the air-bag assembly. The exhaust valve assembly is in fluid communication at one end to the inlet conduit assembly and has an air-outlet at the other end. A control assembly is linked to the air pressure source and to the exhaust valve assembly. The control assembly is so configured as to selectively signal the air-pressure source to inflate the air bag assembly so as to apply the desired pressure to the body of the seat occupant and as to selectively signal the exhaust valve assembly to release air from the air-bag assembly.

An interior component having an illuminated portion comprises a trim cover positioned over a substrate. At least one light conductive element is in communication with an illumination source. A carrier engages the trim cover. The carrier further secures the light conductive element to the trim cover. The carrier has a plurality of windows formed therethrough such that the light conductive element is visible through the plurality of windows. The illuminated portion may further include an emblem in communication with the light source. The illuminated interior component may be formed by a method that includes the steps of forming a light conductive element that includes extruding an optical guide and a carrier having a mounting tab thereon.

A vehicle seat assembly having a backrest member and a seat bottom subassembly connected to the backrest member. The seat bottom subassembly has a cushion pan comprising a polymeric material, a cushion comprising a foam material supported on the cushion pan, and a trim layer comprising a fabric material disposed over the cushion. The cushion pan defines a plurality of integral trim attachment features. The trim layer is attached to the cushion pan through engagement with the trim attachment features.

A cover for a child seat in the form of a pad with slots through the pad that facilitate simple removal and reinstallation of the cover. Some of the slots accommodate the seat safety harness and merge with side slots that are held closed by mating separable fastening elements. The side slots extend at least partially along the junction between the backrest portion and the side bolster portions of the pad. A pair of back slots extend from respective strap anchoring locations in the backrest region to respective side slots. A release slot may be included at each side of the pad, extending from the respective side slot to the adjacent outer side edge of the pad—this being especially useful with three-point harness seats. A five-point harness version has a pair of lap strap slots through the pad to accommodate the lap straps of the harness. The lap straps slots extend outwardly to the adjacent side slots. Adding release slots as described gives this latter cover universal application.

A vehicle seatback assembly includes a seatback side support that has a frame member that extends. A suspension component extends forward from the side support to define a peripheral gap. An airbag module is operably coupled to the frame member. A first trim piece conceals a rear area of the frame member and extends forward over the airbag module. A second trim piece is coupled to a forward portion of the frame member and is detachably coupled with the first trim piece along a seam. The airbag module is deployable forward through the seam to move the second trim piece into the peripheral gap.

A seat includes a seat frame, and a cushion material supported by the seat frame and having a three-dimensional knitted fabric which is formed by joining, with connecting threads, a pair of ground knit fabrics which are disposed so as to be separated from one another. The cushion material includes a first region whose elastic compliance when a reaction force is applied to an extending side of the cushion material when an occupant is seated on the seat is substantially equivalent to an elastic compliance of a portion of the occupant's body pressing the cushion material and a second region whose elastic compliance is larger than that of the first region. Accordingly, a thin and light seat can be provided, load concentration on the occupant's tuber ishiadicum bottom portion when seated for a long period of time can be mitigated, and vibration-transmitting characteristics can be improved.

A clip for retaining a trim cover assembly against a foam pad of a vehicle seat including a base having a hook end and a lock end. The base also includes a flange extending out therefrom. The hook end defines a hook, which secures the trim cover assembly to the clip. The lock end includes a lock and a lock hook. The foam pad includes a pair of inner foam pad walls that define a trench, through which the clip initially passes before contacting the foam pad. The clip is inserted into the foam pad so that the lock end passes completely through the foam pad to an underlying “B” surface. The lock hook is then rotated relative to the base until the lock hook engages the flange. The clip is firmly anchored within the foam pad by the lock end, which has a width greater than the trench.

Embodiments of the invention provide novel car seats, car seat covers, and methods for their use. One exemplary embodiment comprises a car seat cover for a car seat, which can comprise a frame, a padding disposed over the frame, two shoulder straps and a crotch strap. The car seat cover can comprise a fabric cover having an outer periphery, which can be adapted to be coupled to the car seat frame over the padding. The fabric cover may define a pair of shoulder strap openings and a crotch strap opening, which can be disposed so as to allow the shoulder straps and the crotch strap, respectively, to be extended through the fabric cover. Thus, in accordance with some embodiments, the shoulder straps and the crotch strap can be used to secure a child in the car seat, with the car seat cover being disposed between the child and the car seat.

The present invention relates to a seat or chair cooling apparatus. In an embodiment the seat cooling apparatus cools the back of a user without the need of forced air. The seat cooling apparatus includes an array of conduits held in place by a set of supports to form a heat exchanger. Heat from the contact surfaces is removed by free convection, an upward air movement due to density difference. When the seat cooling apparatus is in the preferred substantially vertical arrangement, the warm air exiting the conduits is replaced by cooler air entering the conduits. A seat securing attachment secures the heat exchanger components to a seat. The seat cooling apparatus shapes into the back of the user to provide comfort that is effective in cooling. The seat cooling apparatus can be light weight, portable, and occupies little space, can be quickly installed and removed, easily cleaned and is very low cost to manufacture. In another embodiment, the seat cooling apparatus is easily connected to a forced air cooling source to increase the cooling rate if desired by the user.

A seat assembly includes a seat back frame having a pair of spaced apart side rails. A cover is fastened to the frame and extends between the pair of side rails. A rigid cross member is preferably integrally molded in an upper portion of the cover. The cover and the cross member cooperate to provide structural rigidity to the seat back frame.

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.

A hybrid sensor is formed by stacking a plurality of flexible sheets each provided with electrode patterns. The hybrid sensor includes a contact pressure sensor which has switches turning on or off by a pressure load, and an electrostatic capacitance sensor which detects a nearby object without contacting the object. The electrode patterns include a switching electrode pattern as the switch of the contact pressure sensor and a detecting electrode pattern as the detecting electrode of the electrostatic capacitance sensor. The detecting electrode is formed to cover substantially the entire area other than the area on which the switching electrode pattern is formed.

A vehicle seat assembly is provided with a structural member adapted to be mounted within a vehicle to provide support to an occupant. The structural member has at least one channel formed therein. A cushion member is provided adjacent to the structural layer. The cushion member has at least one channel formed therethrough. A trim member is secured over the cushion member to form a seating surface. At least one attachment member is mounted to the trim member extending through the at least one channel of the cushion member. The at least one attachment member extends into the at least one channel of the structural member such that at least one of the trim material and the cushion layer is retained on the structural member.

The present invention relates to a spacer fabric with advanced cushionability, flexibility, and thermal conductivity, and a method of fabricating the same. In accordance with the present invention, the spacer fabric is useful as a car seat fabric. In particular, the spacer fabric is applicable to a car seat equipped with an actuator and a heating / cooling apparatus inside, due to the advanced flexibility for transferring the actuator moving effect to the body, the increased cushionability for minimizing the hardness of the surface of the device, and the high thermal conductivity for effectively transferring the quick heating / cooling effect to the body.

A trim cover attachment member of a vehicle seat, being attached to an end portion of a trim cover, and being engaged with an engaging portion provided at a seat frame of the vehicle seat, comprises: an attachment portion to which the end portion of the trim cover is attached; a hook portion having a hook on an upper end thereof, the hook being engaged with the engaging portion, the hook portion being disposed generally in opposite to the attachment portion; and a bottom portion for connecting a bottom end of the attachment portion and a bottom end of the hook portion. A cut-out portion is formed at a portion of the upper end of the hook portion, and an opening portion is formed at a portion of the attachment portion, in a portion of the trim cover attachment member corresponding to a corner portion of the vehicle seat.

An interior component having an illuminated portion comprises a trim cover positioned over a substrate. At least one light conductive element is in communication with an illumination source. A carrier engages the trim cover. The carrier further secures the light conductive element to the trim cover. The carrier has a plurality of windows formed therethrough such that the light conductive element is visible through the plurality of windows. The illuminated portion may further include an emblem in communication with the light source. The illuminated interior component may be formed by a method that includes the steps of forming a light conductive element that includes extruding an optical guide and a carrier having a mounting tab thereon.

In a back portion of a seat back provided with a lumbar support portion 20 and a side support portion 21, a seat back cover 30 for covering a back face of the seat back is provided. The seat back cover 30 is provided with a side portion 32 for covering an air bag module 50 by making a forward end portion, which is extended to the front side of a vehicle, come into contact with the side support portion 21. The side support portion 21 is provided being capable of oscillating to the front side of the vehicle with respect to the lumbar support 20. An air bag module 50 is arranged in an accommodation space 90 provided on the rear side of the side support portion 21.