Decorative support components

Abstract

The present application relates to a decorative support member. A decorative cover assembly includes a decorative cover that can be set on a seat cushion, the decorative cover having an A side defining an occupant surface and a B side opposite to the A side and facing the outer surface of the seat cushion. The decorative cover defines a support area, and when the decorative cover is set on the seat cushion, the support area corresponds to a seat belt buckle and a recess corresponding to the seat belt buckle. The decorative cover assembly also includes a decorative support member fixed on the B side of the decorative cover and corresponding to at least a portion of the support area. The decorative support member defines a joint area, which is used to engage a seat frame to form a support extension of the seat frame, thereby providing support to the decorative cover on the seat belt buckle and the recess.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 194,746, filed on May 28, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates to seat assemblies and, more particularly, to seat assemblies having a trim support member engaged with a seat frame.

[0004] background

[0005] Vehicle seats having a seat bottom and a seat back typically include a foam cushion disposed on a seat frame to provide support to a vehicle occupant. The cushion includes a trim cover disposed thereon to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the occupant support surface. The seat may include various fastening means for attaching the trim cover to the seat frame.

[0006] Overview

[0007] According to one or more embodiments, a trim cover assembly includes a trim cover that defines a support area that covers a seatbelt buckle when the trim cover covers a seat in a stowed position. The trim cover assembly also includes a trim support member located on the B side of the trim cover, the trim support member having a support region positioned according to the support area. The trim cover assembly can be engaged with a seat frame, wherein the trim support member engages a receiving portion on the seat frame. Therefore, the trim support member provides structural support to a support area that is not otherwise supported by the seat frame or cushion, thereby improving the finish and closed appearance of the trim cover. A method for securing a trim cover assembly to a seat assembly is also provided. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a representative vehicle seat assembly according to at least one embodiment;

[0009] Figure 2 A trim cover assembly is shown according to at least one embodiment;

[0010] Figure 3 Shown with Figure 2 a trim cover assembly engaged with a seat frame;

[0011] Figure 4 Shown with Figure 2 The decorative cover assembly is joined Figure 3 A front view of a seat frame;

[0012] Figure 5 Shown with Figure 4 a rear view of the seat frame with the trim cover assembly engaged;

[0013] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat having a trim cover assembly according to at least one embodiment;

[0014] Figure 7 Is has Figure 6 An enlarged view of a vehicle seat of a trim cover assembly;

[0015] Figure 8 is a top view of a rear surface of a vehicle seat according to at least one embodiment with the seat back in a folded position; and

[0016] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a rear surface of a vehicle seat according to at least one embodiment, with the seat back in a folded position. Detailed Description

[0017] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, which may be embodied in various forms and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale; some features may be enlarged or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, the specific structural details and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to implement the present invention in various ways.

[0018] According to one or more embodiments, a seat assembly includes a trim cover assembly configured to cover a seat belt buckle on a rear side of the seat (with the rear side of the seat back facing upward) when the seat of the seat assembly is in a folded position. The trim cover may have corresponding recesses at the connection between the seat cushion component and other features (e.g., seat belt buckles, plastic latches, handles, and bezels) contained in recesses in the seat assembly, as well as at curves and corners of the seat back design, and / or may lack support at the edge of the component below it, especially when the recess is included to prevent folding from being hindered by the component when in the folded position. Therefore, the trim cover assembly is disposed on the seat and includes a trim support member to provide structural support for the trim cover in areas where there is no seat frame. These areas include areas where there is no trim cover, or areas where there is no other support (e.g., padding) for the trim cover, such as the seat belt buckle area. The trim cover assembly includes a trim cover having a trim support member located on the B side of the trim cover and fixed thereto (e.g., by sewing) so that when installed on the seat back, the trim support member can extend across the rear side of the seat. The size and shape of the trim support member are selected based on the support area of ​​the trim cover required to match the design of the seat. In the embodiment shown in the figures described herein by reference, the trim support member is a generally L-shaped body, wherein a first portion of the body of the trim support member defines an engagement area for engaging with the seat frame on a first side of the seat frame. The body of the trim support member includes a second portion, which is used to extend around a second side of the seat frame opposite the first side to further support the engagement between the trim support member and the seat frame. The engagement area of ​​the trim support member is configured to engage a receiving portion located on the seat frame so that the trim support member forms an extension of the metal frame to provide support to the support area of ​​the trim cover. For example, a trim cover for covering a seat belt buckle (and a corresponding recess) when the seat is in a folded position without the need for an additional frame or padding component.

[0019] Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to refer to like structures throughout, an exemplary vehicle seat assembly according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is generally illustrated as a seat assembly 100 in Figure 1 Shown in.

[0020] Referring to these figures, in at least the illustrated embodiment, the seat assembly 100 may be adapted for use in a motor vehicle (e.g., a car or truck), or may be used with other seat assemblies including aircraft seats, theater seats, or any suitable seat assembly, and the discussion of the seat assembly 100 in a vehicle is not intended to be limiting. Figure 1Although shown as a bench seat assembly, it should be understood that the principles of the present disclosure may be applied to other types of seat assemblies, such as bucket seat assemblies, captain seat assemblies, and other types of seat assemblies. In addition, although shown as a rear seat assembly, the seat assembly 100 may be suitable for use as any row of seats in a vehicle, and the description of a rear seat assembly is not intended to be limiting. Figure 1 As shown, the vehicle seat assembly 100 includes a seat back 110 and a seat bottom 120, which are connected to form the seat assembly 100 to support an occupant in a vehicle. The seat bottom 120 can be mounted on a seat frame (not in Figure 1 1 ), the seat frame can be removably secured to the vehicle floor. The seat bottom 120 can be used with any type of seat back 110 to form the vehicle seat 100. In some embodiments, the seat back 110 and the seat bottom 120 are made to have the same construction. However, it should be understood that the construction of the seat back 110 can be different from the construction of the seat bottom 120. In some embodiments, such as in Figure 1 In the example shown, the seat back 110 may include a headrest 105. In other embodiments, the headrest 105 may be omitted.

[0021] The seat back 110 may be pivotally mounted to the seat bottom 120 such that the seat back 110 may be tilted or adjusted relative to the seat bottom 120 , or folded onto the seat bottom 120 in a stowage position (eg, for expanded cargo storage).

[0022] The seat back 110 may include a release handle (not shown) that engages a mechanism connected to the seat frame to release the seat back 110 from a seating position (eg, Figure 1 folded to the stowage position (as shown) Figure 8-Figure 9 100 ) wherein the seat back 110 is folded onto the seat bottom 120. In the stowed position, cargo can be stowed onto the rear surface 114 of the seat back 110. Thus, in some embodiments, the seat back 110 can be formed as a unitary structure, or in other embodiments (e.g., Figure 6-Figure 9 The seat back 110 may be any known zoned configuration such that a first zone 140 of the seat back 110 may be folded independently of another zone 145 of the seat back 110, and in certain other embodiments, each zone 140, 145 may be folded independently of a third zone. For example, some possible configurations of the seat back 110 include a 60 / 40 configuration, a 50 / 50 configuration, or a 40-20-40 configuration.

[0023] In at least one embodiment, each of the seat back 110 and the seat bottom 120 includes a foam pad 130, 150, respectively. The foam pads 130, 150 may be conventionally secured to the seat frame (not shown) by any method generally known in the art. Figure 1 ). Each foam pad 130, 150 can be one or more foam pieces that are connected together to form a seat component. For example, the foam pad 130 of the seat back 110 may include a side cushion pillow portion 132 or any other component to conform to the desired design. The foam pads 130, 150 can have any suitable size and be formed by any suitable component configuration. The seat back foam pad 130 and the seat bottom foam pad 150 can independently include any suitable comfort foam material, such as but not limited to a suitable resilient polymer, and can be independently formed in any suitable manner. For example, the foam pads 130, 150 can be formed by conventional polyurethane foam, soy-based foam, silicone, thermoplastic olefin, thermoplastic urethane and / or natural oil-based expanded polyurethane, soy-based polyurethane, polymer fibers, non-woven polyester pad, latex foam and the like. The foam pads 130, 150 are formed of any suitable comfort material that provides soft resiliency when the occupant is in a seated position as the seat assembly deflects during use. In at least one embodiment, suitable padding materials have a density of 1.5 pcf to 4.5 pcf, in another embodiment, 2.0 pcf to 3.75 pcf, and in yet other embodiments, 2.7 pcf to 3.0 pcf. The density of the padding material can be measured by ASTM Test Method No. D3574.

[0024] The seat assembly 100 also includes a trim cover assembly 200, which is suitable for engaging the foam pads 130, 150 in a covering relationship. The trim cover assembly 200 can be fixed to the foam pads 130, 150 in any suitable manner, such as but not limited to by mechanical fasteners or thermoforming. The trim cover assembly 200 includes a trim cover 210, which can include any material generally known in the art. For example, some known materials include cloth, fabric, leather, synthetic leather, vinyl, synthetic suede, non-woven fabrics, or combinations thereof (fabric and fabric, leather and leather, fabric and leather, leather and fabric, etc.), or polymers of sufficient quality and thickness for seat decoration applications. The polymer decorative material can include a flexible closed-cell polymer skin material, such as a vinyl polymer, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic olefin (TPO) or thermoplastic urethane (TPU). In addition, the material used as a layer of the trim cover 210 can include a foam backing (not shown, but generally known in the art), which can be made of various polymer foam materials. For example, the foam backing may be polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam, polyurethane foam, or polystyrene foam. Optionally, other layers, such as a mesh material or a reinforcing material such as fiberglass or nylon (not shown, but generally known in the art), may be applied to the foam backing or backrest of the trim cover 210 to increase strength without increasing stiffness. The trim cover assembly 200 provides occupant seating surfaces 112, 122 for the seat back 110 and the seat bottom 120, respectively. The occupant seating surfaces 112, 122 are formed on the A side of the seat assembly 100, which is the outer surface visible to the occupant. It should be understood that the pad 130 for the seat back 110 may be different from the pad 150 for the seat bottom 120. Likewise, it should be understood that the trim cover assembly 200 for the seat back 110 may be different from the trim cover assembly for the seat bottom 120. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the trim cover 210 may include any number of pieces of similar or different trim materials to form the trim cover assembly 200 to cover the cushions 130, 150 in an aesthetically pleasing manner, based on the desired design of the seat assembly 100. For example, a first material may be used on the occupant support side of the seat assembly 100, and the seat assembly 100 may include a separate material on the rear or underside of the seat assembly 100 (e.g., on the rear surface 114 of the seat back 110).

[0025] Reference again Figure 1 The foam pads 130, 150 of the seat back 110 and the seat bottom 120 may include foam pads that are fixed to the seat frame ( Figure 1Various components that provide various functions (not shown) such as, but not limited to, a seat belt buckle 160 are disposed within one or more recesses 170 defined in the seat assembly 100. Although the embodiments below will discuss components as seat belt buckles 160, this is not intended to be limiting, and the recesses 170 may provide access to any suitable components that may or may not be attached to the seat frame ( Figure 1 1), a vehicle frame (not shown), or a vehicle body (not shown) and a trim support is required in the vicinity of the recess 170. Thus, although shown as two recesses 170 defined in the seat back 110 and the seat bottom 120, the recesses 170 may be any number of recesses and may be any suitable shape and depth and may be located in any suitable location of the seat assembly 100 based on the desired design of the seat assembly 100 for the components included in the seat assembly 100. For example, the recess 170 may be defined only in the seat back 110, only in the seat bottom 120, or in both the seat back 110 and the seat bottom 120, with the seat back 110 and the seat bottom 120 cooperating to form the recess 170.

[0026] In the embodiments described herein, the recess 170 can be configured to allow the seat back 110 to be folded over the seat bottom 120 without being obstructed by the seat belt buckle 160. For example, in Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the recess 170 can be defined in the area where the seat back 110 and the seat bottom 120 intersect and can be positioned on the inner side (or occupant support side) of the 60 / 40 split configuration. In other embodiments, the recess 170 can be located in different positions in different embodiments and different configurations.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the seat assembly 100 includes a trim support member 300 for supporting the trim cover 210 in the recess 170 and / or in the area around the seat belt buckle 160 so that the seat belt buckle 160 is not visible and / or hidden by the trim cover assembly 200 when the seat back 110 is in the folded (or stowed) position on the seat bottom 120, as shown in FIG. Figure 8-Figure 9 The trim support member 300 provides structural support to the trim cover 210 in areas proximate to a seat frame 400 (e.g., a metal frame 400, hereinafter interchangeably referred to as the seat frame 400) where the recess 170 does not include any structure or pads 130, 150 for supporting the trim cover 210. Figure 2-Figure 5 For further discussion of the trim support member 300, and its engagement with the metal frame 400 to form the seat assembly 100, and the support it provides to the trim cover assembly when the seat is in the folded position, refer to Figure 6-Figure 9 .

[0028] Reference Figure 2 , shows a trim cover assembly 200 according to one or more embodiments. The trim cover assembly 200 includes a trim cover 210 and is shown from a B-side 212 of the trim cover 210. The B-side 212 of the trim cover 210 is a surface of the trim cover 210 that is opposite the occupant surface 112 of the seat back 110. The B-side 212 of the trim cover 210 defines one or more support areas 220. The shape of each support area 220 corresponds to the shape of a corresponding recess 170 and is positioned based on the position of the seat belt buckle 160. When the seat back 110 is in the folded position, the support area 220 is positioned to cover the seat belt buckle 160 and the recess 170 so that the seat belt buckle 160 and the recess 170 are hidden and not visible (see FIG. 2 ). Figure 6-Figure 9 ). Therefore, when the trim cover 210 is disposed on the seat back 110 , the support area 220 is aligned with the positions of the seat belt buckle 160 and the recess 170 , so that the recess 170 and the seat belt buckle 160 may be covered by the trim cover 210 .

[0029] Reference again Figure 2 , as shown from the rear side, according to one embodiment, the trim cover assembly 200 also includes a trim support member 300 secured to the B-side 212 of the trim cover 210. The trim support member 300 provides support to the trim cover 210 at the support area 220, which, as discussed above, defines an area in which the seat assembly 100 does not include other structural features for supporting the trim cover 210, such as the metal frame 400 or the pads 130, 150 near the components / recesses of the seat assembly 100 (e.g., the seat belt buckle 160 together with the recess 170). The trim support member 300 is attached to the B-side 212 of the trim cover 210. Although shown as being sewn to the trim cover 210 via a seam or stitching 305, the trim support member 300 may be secured to the B-side 212 of the trim cover 210 in any suitable manner, including but not limited to via adhesives, welding, mechanical fasteners, sewing, etc. Furthermore, although shown as being sewn via a continuous seam, sewing may be performed on any suitable area of ​​the trim support member, based on the shape of the trim support member 300 and / or the trim cover 210, and the seams need not be continuous. In some embodiments, the length of each seam 305 may be up to 20 mm, in other embodiments up to 5 mm-17.5 mm, and in still other embodiments up to 7.5 mm-15 mm. In some examples, the trim support member 300 may be attached to at least one layer of the trim cover 210 (e.g., one or more layers toward the B-side 212), and may not be visible from the A-side occupant support surface 112 of the trim cover 210.

[0030] In the embodiment shown in the figure, the trim support member 300 has a body 310 having an A surface side 312a and a B surface side 312b. The body 310 includes a first portion 314 and a second portion 316 that form a generally L-shape. Although the trim support member 300 is shown as having a generally L-shape, this is not intended to be limiting, and the trim support member 300 may have any shape based on the desired design when the seat back 110 is folded, the shape of the recess 170, or the shape of the support area 220 based on the position of the trim cover 210 that needs to be supported. Figure 2-Figure 5 As shown, the trim support member 300 generally has a shape corresponding to the support area 220, which is defined at a location where the metal frame 400 terminates and does not support the support area 220 of the trim cover 210. Therefore, the main body 310 provides a support area 315 corresponding to at least a portion of the support area 220. The main body 310 includes a joint area 318 (shown as a section of the first portion 314), and the joint area 318 is configured to be attached to the metal frame 400 so that the trim support member 300 extends outward from the metal frame 400 in a region corresponding to the support area 220 to form a support extension of the metal frame 400, thereby providing support for the trim cover 210 at the support area 220. The metal frame 400 may include a receiving portion 410 for receiving the corresponding joint area 318. Thus, based on the desired seat design, the trim support member 300 is sized and shaped to correspond to the support area 220 of the trim cover 210 , and the engagement area 318 is sized and shaped to be received in the receiving portion 410 of the metal frame 400 when the trim cover 210 is secured to the seat 100 .

[0031] like Figure 3-Figure 5 As shown, the body 310 of the trim support member 300 is secured to the metal frame 400 via engagement between the engagement area 318 and the receiving portion 410 of the metal frame 400. The trim cover assembly 200 is aligned with the metal frame 400 so that the trim support member 300 engages with the receiving portion 410 of the metal frame 400 to secure the trim support member 300 to the metal frame 400. The receiving portion 410 can be any suitable area or feature of the metal frame 400 that can receive and / or engage the trim support member 300 in any suitable manner (e.g., interference fit, snap fit, or other mechanical attachment means). Figure 3-Figure 4As shown, the receiving portion 410 is a rolled edge of the metal frame 400, and the engagement area 318 of the trim support member 300 is fitted into the metal frame 400 under the rolled edge in the receiving portion 410. Although shown as an interference fit, the engagement area 318 of the trim support member 300 and the receiving portion 410 of the metal frame 400 can be any suitable mating components, and the description of the embodiment of the rolled edge is not intended to be limiting. For example, the engagement of the trim support member 300 and the metal frame 400 can be via snap fasteners, protrusions, bonding, or any other suitable attachment means between the components, so that when the trim cover 210 is placed on the seat 100, the trim support member 300 extends away from the metal frame to cover the recessed area 170.

[0032] Furthermore, although shown as Figure 4 Although the trim support member 300 is attached to the metal frame 400 at one location in the recess 170, the trim support member 300 may be secured or otherwise supported on the metal frame 400 at other locations separate from the A side 312a of the trim support member 300 (the A side 312a is secured to the metal frame 400 at the engagement area 318) to provide further support for the support area 220 of the trim cover assembly 210 at the recess 170. For example, Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the main body 310 is positioned on the metal frame 400 and fixed at the engagement area 318 with the receiving portion 410, wherein the second portion 316 of the decorative support member 300 extends to the rear side of the frame 400 (see Figure 5 ), so that except for Figure 4 In addition to the illustrated engagement area 318 and the receiving portion 410, the second portion 316 of the trim support member 300 is supported on the metal frame 400 at a portion of the second portion 316, wherein a portion of the second portion 316 extends toward and over a portion of the recessed area 170. Therefore, as the trim cover 210 covers the metal frame 400, the trim support member 300 forms a supporting band-type structure for the trim cover 210 in the area around the metal frame 400, thereby providing rigidity without requiring changes to the design of the metal frame.

[0033] The contour shape of the trim support member 300 and the shape of the metal frame 400 need not be similar, but the shapes may be generally set to correspond so that the features can be connected so that the trim cover 210 is supported at the support area 220. Generally, the trim support member 300 can be sized according to the corresponding support area 220 to provide structural support for the trim cover 210 when the trim cover assembly 200 is installed on the seat assembly 100. The size of the trim support member 300 can be designed to have any suitable size and shape based on the support required around and based on the engagement with the metal frame 400 and the shape of the metal frame 400. In one or more embodiments, the trim support member 300 can have a thickness of 0.5 mm to 3 mm, in other embodiments, can have a thickness of 0.75 mm to 2.5 mm, and in other embodiments, can have a thickness of 1 mm to 2 mm. In some embodiments, the trim support member 300 has a thickness of 1.5 mm.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the decorative support member 300 can be any suitable material that provides structural support to the support area 220, including but not limited to leather, fabric, or polypropylene. The material of the decorative support member 300 generally has sufficient rigidity to keep the decorative cover 210 supported around the metal frame 400 and engaged with the receiving portion 410, and maintain its shape and structure when the second portion 316 extends around the rear side of the metal frame 400 to better fix the decorative cover assembly 200. For example, in some embodiments, the decorative support member 300 can be made of polypropylene. In addition, in some embodiments, the material of the decorative support member 300 can be configured to receive stitching through the decorative support member 300 when the seam is applied through the decorative support member 300 and into the decorative cover 210 to secure the decorative support member to the B side 212 of the decorative cover 210. In some embodiments, the material of the decorative support member 300 can be selected so that the decorative support member 300 can be secured to the decorative cover 210 via adhesive, stitching, welding, or by (multiple) mechanical fasteners, as discussed above. Thus, in certain embodiments, the trim support member 300 may be a woven or nonwoven material having sufficient rigidity to provide structural support to the trim cover assembly 200 and reduce wrinkling of the trim cover 210 near the seat belt buckle 160 and the recess 170 when the seat back 110 is folded and in the stowed position. Figure 2In certain embodiments (shown in FIG. 1 ), the seam can be any suitable length for securing the trim support member 300 to the trim cover 210, and can be a continuous or discontinuous seam, including 1 mm to 20 mm in some embodiments, 2 mm to 18 mm in other embodiments, and 3 mm to 17 mm in still other embodiments. In at least one embodiment, the total seam length can be up to 15 mm.

[0035] Reference Figure 8-Figure 9 , shows a seat assembly 100 with the seat back 110 in a stowed position, the trim cover assembly 200 disposed thereon, and the trim support member 300 providing structural support at the support area 220 where the metal frame 400 does not extend, thereby providing coverage for the seat belt buckle 160 and the recess 170 corresponding to the seat belt buckle 160. Figure 6-Figure 9 Various views of the seat are shown in , with at least one section of the seat back 110 in a folded stowage position, thereby illustrating the covering relationship of the trim cover assembly 200 to the rear surface 114 of the seat back 110 .

[0036] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for assembling a seat is provided, the seat having a decorative cover assembly, the decorative cover assembly having a decorative support member. The method includes fixing the decorative support member to at least one layer of the decorative cover on the B side of the decorative cover to form the decorative cover assembly. The decorative support member includes a body sized to correspond to the support area of ​​the decorative cover, the body defining a joint area. The method also includes positioning the decorative cover assembly on a metal frame having a receiving portion defined thereon. The method also includes fixing the decorative cover assembly to the metal frame in a manner that causes the joint area of ​​the support member to engage with the receiving portion so that the decorative support member is a structural extension of the metal frame, thereby providing support to the decorative cover at the support area. The decorative support member may also include a rear region that wraps around the metal frame to a side of the metal frame different from the receiving portion to further support the decorative cover assembly thereon. Fixing the decorative support member to the decorative cover may be performed by sewing, via an adhesive, by welding, or via mechanical fasteners, and positioning may include aligning and engaging the support area with the receiving portion with an interference fit or other mechanical fit, and in some embodiments, no additional fastening components are required.

[0037] According to one or more embodiments, a trim cover assembly includes a trim cover that defines a support area that corresponds to an area of ​​the seat assembly having a seat belt buckle and a recess for the seat belt buckle in the seat assembly when the trim cover assembly covers the seat. The trim cover assembly also includes a trim support member located on the B side of the trim cover that is positioned according to the support area. The trim cover assembly is configured to be disposed on the seat, wherein the trim support member engages the metal frame to form an extension of the frame and provides structural support to the support area. Thus, in areas where the metal frame is not present, the trim cover is supported by the trim support member and allows the seat belt buckle and the recess to be covered when the seat back is folded in the stowage position, while the trim support member improves the finish and closed appearance of the rear surface of the trim cover.

[0038] Except in any example or otherwise clearly indicated, all numerical quantities indicating the amount of material or reaction conditions and / or use conditions in this specification should be understood to be modified by the word "about" when describing the broadest scope of the present invention. Practice within the stated numerical limits is usually preferred. As used herein, the term "about" means that the amount or value in question can be a specified specific value or some other value near it. The term "about" or "roughly" indicating a certain value is intended to represent the range within + / -5% of the value. As an example, the phrase "about 100" represents the range of 100+ / -5, that is, the range from 95 to 105. When using the term "about" or "roughly", it can be expected that similar results or effects according to the present invention can be obtained within the range of + / -5% of the indicated value. It should also be understood that integer ranges (e.g., for measurement or size) explicitly include all integers in between. For example, the integer range 1-10 explicitly includes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. Similarly, the range 1 to 100 includes 1, 2, 3, 4, ..., 97, 98, 99, 100. Similarly, when any range is required, the difference between the upper and lower limits divided by 10 as an increment of the intermediate numbers can be considered as optional upper or lower limits. For example, if the range is 1.1 to 2.1, the following numbers 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9 and 2.0 can be selected as the lower or upper limits.

[0039] In addition, unless expressly stated to the contrary: percentages, "parts of" and ratios are by weight; the term "polymer" includes "oligomer," "copolymer," "terpolymer," and the like; molecular weights provided for any polymer refer to weight average molecular weight unless otherwise indicated; a description of a group or class of materials as suitable or preferred for a given purpose in connection with the present invention implies that mixtures of any two or more of the members of that group or class are equally suitable or preferred; descriptions of ingredients in chemical terms refer to the ingredients when added to any combination specified in the specification and do not necessarily exclude chemical interactions between the ingredients of the mixture after mixing; the first definition of an acronym or other abbreviation applies to all subsequent uses of the same abbreviation herein and, mutatis mutandis, to common grammatical variations of the initially defined abbreviation; and, unless expressly stated to the contrary, measurements of properties are determined by the same techniques as those mentioned above or below for the same property.

[0040] It should also be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments and methods described below, as specific components and / or conditions may of course vary. In addition, the terminology used herein is used only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0041] It should also be noted that, as used in the specification and appended aspects, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, a component mentioned in the singular is intended to include a plurality of components.

[0042] Throughout this application, where publications are referenced, the disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.

[0043] Although Figure 1 The illustrated vehicle seat assembly 100 is illustrated as a bench-type seat assembly, but it is understood that the principles of the present disclosure may be applied to other types of seat assemblies, such as bucket-type, captain-type, and other types of seat assemblies. In addition, although the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with a seat back, it is also understood that the principles of the present invention may be applied to other applications where a trim cover is in a covering relationship with a seat component (e.g., a seat belt component, a frame, and other features in a seat back, seat bottom, armrest, and headrest).

[0044] Although exemplary embodiments have been described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the present invention. More specifically, the words used in the specification are descriptive and non-restrictive, and it should be understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the features of the various embodiments of implementation can be combined to form other embodiments of the present invention.

[0045] The present invention also provides the following provisions:

[0046] 1. A seat assembly, comprising:

[0047] a seat having an occupant surface formed by a pad positionable on a seat frame and a corresponding seat belt buckle, the seat defining a recess sized to receive a portion of the seat belt buckle; and

[0048] A trim cover assembly is disposed on the seat in covering relation, the trim cover assembly comprising:

[0049] a trim cover having an A side corresponding to the occupant surface and a B side opposite the A side facing the outer surface of the pad, wherein the trim cover defines a support area generally corresponding to the seat belt buckle and the recess; and

[0050] a trim support member fixed to the B side of the trim cover, the trim support member having a main body corresponding to at least a portion of the support area,

[0051] Wherein, the trim support member is securable to the seat frame to form a support extension of the seat frame so that the trim cover covers the recess and the seat belt buckle.

[0052] 2. The seat assembly of clause 1, wherein the seat has a seating position for an occupant and a folded position for stowing cargo, and wherein the recess and at least a portion of the seat belt buckle are covered by the support area of ​​the trim cover when the seat is in the folded position.

[0053] 3. The seat assembly of clause 1, wherein the seat frame includes a receiving portion for engaging an engagement area of ​​the main body of the trim support member to form the support extension.

[0054] 4. The seat assembly of clause 1 wherein the trim support member is polypropylene.

[0055] 5. The seat assembly of clause 1, wherein the trim support member is secured on the B-side to at least one layer of the trim cover via stitching.

[0056] 6. The seat assembly of clause 1, wherein the trim support member has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

[0057] 7. A seat assembly as described in clause 1, wherein the trim support member includes a first portion as an engagement area, the first portion engaging a receiving portion on a first side of the seat frame, and the trim support member includes a second portion engaging a second side of the seat frame, the second side being opposite to the first side.

[0058] 8. A decorative cover assembly, comprising:

[0059] a trim cover that can be disposed on a seat cushion, the trim cover having an A side defining an occupant surface and a B side opposite the A side facing an outer surface of the seat cushion, wherein the trim cover defines a support area that corresponds to a seat belt buckle and a recess corresponding to the seat belt buckle when the trim cover is disposed on the seat cushion; and

[0060] a trim support member secured to the B side of the trim cover, the trim support member corresponding to at least a portion of the support region and defining an engagement area for engaging a seat frame to form a support extension of the seat frame to provide support to the trim cover over at least a portion of the seat belt buckle and the recess.

[0061] 9. The trim cover assembly of clause 8, wherein the support area covers the recess of the seat and the seat belt buckle when the seat is in a folded position for loading cargo.

[0062] 10. The trim cover assembly of clause 8, wherein the seat frame includes a receiving portion engageable with the engagement region.

[0063] 11. The trim cover assembly of clause 8, wherein the trim support member is polypropylene.

[0064] 12. The trim cover assembly of clause 8, wherein the trim support member includes a first portion engageable with a first side of the seat frame and a second portion engageable with a second side of the seat frame, the second side being opposite the first side.

[0065] 13. The trim cover assembly of clause 8, wherein the trim support member is secured on the B-side to at least one layer of the trim cover by sewing.

[0066] 14. A method comprising:

[0067] securing a trim support member to the B side of the trim cover to form a trim cover assembly, the trim support member defining a support area for a support region of the trim cover corresponding to a seat belt buckle and a recess of a seat; and

[0068] The trim cover assembly is disposed on a seat having a seat frame by engaging the trim support member with the seat frame to form a support extension of the seat frame to support the trim cover at the support area over at least a portion of the seat belt buckle and the recess of the seat.

[0069] 15. The method of clause 14, wherein securing the trim support member comprises sewing the trim support member on the B-side to at least one layer of the trim cover.

[0070] 16. The method of clause 14, wherein engaging the trim support member with the seat frame is performed via engaging an engagement region of the trim support member with a receiving portion on the seat frame.

[0071] 17. The method according to clause 16, wherein the receiving portion is formed by a rolled edge of the seat frame.

[0072] 18. The method of clause 14, wherein the decorative support member is polypropylene.

[0073] 19. The method according to clause 14, wherein the decorative support member has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

[0074] 20. The method of clause 19, wherein the trim support member includes a first portion engaging a first side of the seat frame and a second portion engaging a second side of the seat frame, the second side opposite the first side.

Claims

1. A seat assembly, comprising: a seat having an occupant surface formed by a pad positionable on a seat frame and a corresponding seat belt buckle, the seat defining a recess sized to receive a portion of the seat belt buckle; and A trim cover assembly is disposed on the seat in covering relation, the trim cover assembly comprising: a trim cover having an A side corresponding to the occupant surface and a B side opposite the A side facing the outer surface of the pad, wherein the trim cover defines a support area generally corresponding to the seat belt buckle and the recess; and a trim support member fixed to the B side of the trim cover, the trim support member having a main body shape corresponding to at least a portion of the support area and a shape corresponding to the recessed portion, The trim support member is securable to the seat frame to form the support area of ​​the seat frame for supporting the trim cover to cover the recess and the support extension of the seat belt buckle.

2. The seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The seat has a seating position for an occupant and a folded position for loading cargo, and when the seat is in the folded position, the recess and at least a portion of the seat belt buckle are covered by the support area of ​​the trim cover.

3. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein: The seat frame includes a receiving portion for engaging an engagement area of ​​the main body of the trim support member to form the support extension.

4. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein: The decorative support member is made of polypropylene.

5. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein: The trim support member is secured on the B-side to at least one layer of the trim cover via stitching.

6. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein: The thickness of the decoration support member is 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

7. The seat assembly of claim 3, wherein: The trim support member includes a first portion as an engagement area that engages the receiver on a first side of the seat frame and a second portion that engages a second side of the seat frame, the second side opposite the first side.

8. A decorative cover assembly, comprising: a trim cover capable of being disposed on a seat cushion, the trim cover having an A side defining an occupant surface and a B side opposite the A side facing an outer surface of the seat cushion, wherein the trim cover defines a support area corresponding to a seat belt buckle and a recess corresponding to the seat belt buckle when the trim cover is disposed on the seat cushion; and a trim support member secured to the B side of the trim cover, the trim support member corresponding to at least a portion of the support area and to a shape corresponding to the recess and defining an engagement area for engaging a seat frame to form a support extension of the seat frame to provide support to the support area of ​​the trim cover over the seat belt buckle and at least a portion of the recess.

9. The trim cover assembly according to claim 8, wherein: The support area covers the recess of the seat and the seat belt buckle when the seat is in a folded position for loading cargo.

10. The trim cover assembly according to claim 8, wherein: The seat frame includes a receiving portion engageable with the engagement region.

11. The trim cover assembly according to claim 8, wherein: The decorative support member is made of polypropylene.

12. The trim cover assembly according to claim 8, wherein: The trim support member includes a first portion engageable with a first side of the seat frame and a second portion engageable with a second side of the seat frame, the second side opposite the first side.

13. The trim cover assembly according to claim 8, wherein: The trim support member is secured on the B side to at least one layer of the trim cover by sewing.

14. A method comprising: securing a trim support member to the B side of the trim cover to form a trim cover assembly, the trim support member defining a support area for a support region of the trim cover, the support region corresponding to a seat belt buckle and a recess of a seat; as well as The trim cover assembly is disposed on a seat having a seat frame by engaging the trim support member with the seat frame to form a support extension of the seat frame to support the trim cover at the support area over the seat belt buckle and at least a portion of the recess of the seat, the trim support member having a main body shape corresponding to at least a portion of the support area and to a shape corresponding to the recess.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: Securing the trim support member includes sewing the trim support member on the B-side to at least one layer of the trim cover.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein: Engaging the trim support member with the seat frame is performed via engaging an engagement area of ​​the trim support member with a receiving portion on the seat frame.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein: The receiving portion is formed by a beaded edge of the seat frame.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The decorative support member is made of polypropylene.

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The decoration support member has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

20. The method according to claim 14 or 19, wherein: The trim support member includes a first portion engaging a first side of the seat frame and a second portion engaging a second side of the seat frame, the second side opposite the first side.

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