Rear vehicle seat trim cover closure

Abstract

A seat assembly of a vehicle includes a seat cushion, a seatback connected to and extending from the seat cushion, and an access opening in one of the seat cushion or the seatback. The access opening is configured to allow a user to access the vehicle body child seat anchoring feature to mount the child seat. A vehicle body child seat anchoring feature is secured to a vehicle body or a seat frame. The access opening includes a closure that is operated by an attractive magnetic force.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicles, and more particularly to covers for child seat anchoring features at rear seats of vehicles. BACKGROUND

[0002] Vehicle rear seats include vehicle anchoring features for assisting child seats to be secured in the vehicle. These vehicle anchoring features typically include metal rings or loops that are secured to the vehicle body via the rear seat. Complimentary seat anchoring features on the child seat, typically straps or the like, engage to the vehicle anchoring features to secure the child seat in the vehicle.

[0003] When not in use, meaning when a child seat is not installed, the vehicle anchoring features are either exposed or hidden by, for example, a plastic cover, a zipper in the vehicle seat, or a cover in the seat trim fabric. The cover or zipper is intended to improve the user’s perception of the appearance by hiding the vehicle anchoring features.

[0004] To install a child seat, the user must then typically remove the plastic cover, open the zipper, and / or manually open the seat trim fabric by finger to create an access path to the vehicle anchoring features to install the seat anchoring features thereto. SUMMARY

[0005] In one example embodiment, a seat assembly of a vehicle includes a seat cushion, a seat back connected to and extending from the seat cushion, and an access opening in one of the seat cushion or the seat back. The access opening is configured to allow a user to access a vehicle body child seat anchoring feature to install a child seat. The vehicle body child seat anchoring feature is secured to the vehicle body or a seat frame. The access opening includes a closure operated by attractive magnetic force.

[0006] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the access opening includes at least two opposing edges. The closure includes a magnetic element embedded in the at least two opposing edges.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the magnetic element includes a magnetic cord or wire.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the magnetic element is enclosed in a hem of each of the at least two opposing edges.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the magnetic element is enclosed in an edge trim portion secured to the at least two opposing edges.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the closure is biased toward the closed position by attractive magnetic force.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the access opening includes one of a slit or a flap.

[0012] In another example embodiment, a vehicle includes a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment, and one or more vehicle seats positioned inside the passenger compartment. A vehicle seat of the one or more vehicle seats includes a seat cushion, a seat back connected to and extending from the seat cushion, and an access opening in one of the seat cushion or the seat back. The access opening is configured to allow a user to access a vehicle body anchoring feature to install a child seat. The vehicle body anchoring feature is secured to the vehicle body. The access opening includes a closure operated by attractive magnetic force.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the access opening includes at least two opposing edges. The closure includes a magnetic element embedded in the at least two opposing edges.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the magnetic element includes a magnetic string or wire.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the magnetic element is enclosed in a hem of each of the at least two opposing edges.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the magnetic element is enclosed in an edge trim portion secured to the at least two opposing edges.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the closure is biased toward the closed position by attractive magnetic force.

[0018] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the access opening includes one of a slit or a flap.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the child seat anchoring feature is one of a loop or a ring secured to the vehicle body.

[0020] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the seat assembly is positioned in a rear seat of the vehicle.

[0021] In yet another example embodiment, a method of installing a child seat to a vehicle includes opening a closure of an access opening of a seat assembly. The access opening allows a user to access a body anchoring feature secured to a vehicle body. A child seat anchoring feature of the child seat is secured to the body anchoring feature to secure the child seat to the vehicle. The closure is operated by attractive magnetic force.

[0022] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the child seat anchoring feature is removed from the body anchoring feature, and the access opening is automatically closed via attractive magnetic force.

[0023] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the access opening includes at least two opposing edges, and the closure includes a magnetic element embedded in the at least two opposing edges.

[0024] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the magnetic element includes a magnetic rope or wire.

[0025] The above features and advantages of the present disclosure, and other features and advantages, are readily apparent from the following detailed description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026] Other features, aspects, and details are described below with reference to the drawings. The contents of this disclosure should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure.

[0027] Figure 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a vehicle;

[0028] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of a passenger compartment of a vehicle;

[0029] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a rear seat of a vehicle;

[0030] Figure 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a lower anchor feature of a vehicle;

[0031] Figure 5 is an illustration of a seat assembly including an access opening with a magnetic closure;

[0032] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a magnetic closure in a closed position at an access opening of a seat assembly;

[0033] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a magnetic element secured at a trim edge of a seat assembly;

[0034] Figure 8 is another cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a magnetic element secured at a trim edge of a seat assembly;

[0035] Figure 9 is an illustration of a seat assembly including another embodiment of an access opening with a magnetic closure; and

[0036] Figure 10 is an illustration of a seat assembly including yet another embodiment of an access opening with a magnetic closure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The following description is exemplary in nature only and is not intended to limit this disclosure, its application, or use. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals denote the same or corresponding parts and features.

[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment, Figure 1 An embodiment of vehicle 10 is shown. Vehicle 10 includes a body 12 defining a passenger compartment 14. Vehicle 10 also includes a powertrain 16, which provides energy for propulsion and electricity for the operation of vehicle systems. A plurality of wheels 18 are operatively connected to the powertrain 16, and at least two of the wheels 18 are steerable. An instrument panel 20 is located in the passenger compartment 14, and a steering assembly 22 extends from the instrument panel 20 into the passenger compartment 14.

[0039] Now for reference Figure 2 The passenger compartment 14 includes one or more front seats 24 and one or more rear seats 26, depending on the vehicle 10 configuration located behind the front seats 24. Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment of the rear seat 26 is shown. The rear seat 26 includes an anchoring position 28 for securing a child seat 30 thereto. Although Figure 3 An anchoring position 28 is shown, but those skilled in the art will readily understand that in other embodiments, two or more anchoring positions 28 may be used.

[0040] Each anchoring location 28 includes an upper vehicle anchoring feature 31, such as a metal ring or loop, fixed to the vehicle body 12, and a complementary upper seat anchoring feature 32 (such as a hook, strap, etc.) of the child seat 30 is connected to the upper vehicle anchoring feature 31. Additionally, anchoring locations 28 include one or more lower vehicle anchoring features 34, such as metal rings or loops, fixed to the vehicle body 12. The child seat 30 includes one or more complementary lower seat anchoring features 36, such as hooks or straps, which are attached to the corresponding lower vehicle anchoring feature 34. Thus, the child seat 30 is secured in the vehicle 10.

[0041] like Figure 4 As shown, the lower vehicle anchoring feature 34 is fixed to the vehicle body 12 by, for example, welding or bolting. (See again...) Figure 3 The rear seat 26 includes a rear seat cushion 38 and a rear seat back 40 extending upward from the rear seat cushion 38 to define the rear seat 26. To allow a user to operate each lower child seat anchor feature 34 to mount a corresponding lower child seat anchor feature 36, the rear seat 26 includes a child seat anchor access opening 42 defined therein. In some embodiments, such as shown herein, the child seat anchor access opening 42 is defined in the rear seat cushion 38.

[0042] Now for reference Figure 5 andFigure 6 The child seat anchor access opening 42 includes a closure 44 to enclose the child seat anchor access opening 42 when the child seat 30 is not installed, thereby covering the vehicle lower child seat anchor feature 34. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5 the child seat anchor access opening 42 is defined as a vertical slit in a seat cushion outer surface 46, which is part of a seat cushion trim piece or seat cover of the rear seat cushion 38. The vertical slit for the child seat anchor access opening 42 includes a first trim edge 48 and an opposing second trim edge 50 that define opposite sides of the child seat anchor access opening 42. The closure 44 is defined by magnetic elements 52 and 54 embedded in each of the first trim edge 48 and the second trim edge 50, as shown in Figure 6 the magnetic elements 52, 54 are configured to magnetically attract such that the magnetic element 52 is magnetically attracted to the magnetic element 54 resulting in closure of the child seat anchor access opening 42. The magnetic attraction between the magnetic elements 52 and 54 is such that the trim edges 48 and 50 automatically move toward one another when the child seat lower anchor feature 36 is not present in the child seat anchor access opening 42, thereby closing the child seat anchor access opening 42 via magnetic force, as shown in Figure 6 In some embodiments, the magnetic elements 52 and 54 are formed from a magnetic string or thread.

[0043] Referring to the cross-sectional view of Figure 7 in one embodiment, the magnetic elements 52, 54 are secured in the trim edges 48, 50 in a hem of a seat trim piece 56. Alternatively, in another embodiment shown in Figure 8 the magnetic elements 52, 54 are secured in the trim edges 48, 50 by being at least partially enclosed in a trim edge 58 secured to the seat trim piece 56, thereby defining the trim edges 48, 50. In each of these embodiments, the magnetic elements 52, 54 are secured into the trim edges 48, 50 by a stitching operation to the seat trim piece 56. However, it should be appreciated that these embodiments are merely exemplary and in other embodiments, the magnetic elements 52, 54 can be secured into the trim edges 48, 50 by other means, such as adhesive or mechanical fasteners, such as snaps, staples, etc.

[0044] In other embodiments, the child seat anchor access opening 42 can have other configurations and still include a closure 44 having magnetic elements 52, 54. For example, as shown in Figure 9 in one embodiment, the child seat anchor access opening 42 is defined as a horizontal slit having opposing trim edges 60, 62. Magnetic elements are embedded in the opposing trim edges 60, 62. In Figure 10In another embodiment shown, the child seat anchor entry opening is defined with a flap 64 formed in a seat trim piece 56 that extends to the seat cushion 38, such that when the flap 64 is in the closed position, the flap 64 covers the vehicle lower anchor feature 34. In this embodiment, a first magnetic element 66 is disposed at or embedded in the seat cushion 38, and a second magnetic element 68 is disposed at or embedded in the flap 64 at a flap edge 70. The first and second magnetic elements 66, 68 are attractive, such that when the child seat 30 is not installed, the magnetic elements 66, 68 are pulled toward each other to secure the flap 64 in the closed position by magnetic force.

[0045] Embodiments of the magnetic closure 44 disclosed herein provide an easy-to-use mechanism for covering the lower child seat anchor feature 36 when the child seat 30 is not installed. The magnetic closure improves the appearance of the back row of seats 26 and is a cost-effective solution when compared to utilizing an additional cover such as a plastic cover.

[0046] The term "a" does not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather is used to mean that "at least one" of the referenced item is present. Unless otherwise clearly indicated, the term "or" means "and / or." Reference throughout this specification to "aspect" means that a particular element described in connection with the aspect can be included in at least one aspect described herein and can or can not be present in other aspects. Additionally, it should be understood that described elements can be combined in any suitable manner in the various aspects.

[0047] When an element such as a layer, film, region, or substrate is referred to as being "on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements can also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

[0048] The term "about" is intended to encompass a degree of error with respect to a stated magnitude that is consistent with the measurement of the particular quantity based on the equipment available at the time of filing the application.

[0049] Technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs unless specifically defined otherwise.

[0050] While the foregoing disclosure has been described in reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the central scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A seat assembly of a vehicle, comprising: a seat cushion; a seat back connected to and extending from the seat cushion; and an access opening provided in one of the seat cushion or the seat back, the access opening configured to allow a user to access a vehicle body child seat anchoring feature for mounting a child seat, the vehicle body child seat anchoring feature being fixed to a vehicle body or a seat frame, the access opening comprising a closure operated by attractive magnetic force. The access opening comprises at least two opposing edges and the closure comprises a magnetic element embedded in the at least two opposing edges.

2. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein, The magnetic element comprises a magnetic rope or wire.

3. The seat assembly of claim 2, wherein, The magnetic element is enclosed in an edge of each of the at least two opposing edges.

4. The seat assembly of claim 2, wherein, The magnetic element is enclosed in an edge trim portion fixed to the at least two opposing edges.

5. The seat assembly of claim 2, wherein, The closure is biased towards a closed position by the attractive magnetic force.

6. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein, The access opening comprises one of a slit or a flap.

7. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein, 8. A vehicle, comprising: a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment; and one or more vehicle seats according to any one of the preceding claims provided.

9. A method of mounting a child seat to a vehicle, comprising: opening a closure of an access opening of a seat assembly, the access opening allowing a user to access a vehicle body anchoring feature fixed to a vehicle body; and fixing a child seat anchoring feature of the child seat to the vehicle body anchoring feature to fix the child seat to the vehicle; wherein the closure is operated by attractive magnetic force.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: removing the child seat anchoring feature from the vehicle body anchoring feature; and automatically closing the access opening via the attractive magnetic force. ​ ​

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