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.

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 ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[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.

Problems solved by technology

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.

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.

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.

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.

Further, the performance of a contour presenting device in the seat may be limited due to the cover material.

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.

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.

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