Cover for covering a block of elastically compressible padding for upholstering a motor vehicle seat

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a covering cap for an elastically compressible padding block of motor vehicle seat padding and padding comprising such a covering cap. An example of a covering cap is described in document DE 198 47 334 A1.

[0002] It is known to produce a covering cap for an elastically compressible padding block of motor vehicle seat padding, said cap being made from knitted textile, said cap being provided with at least one anchoring element intended to attach to a complementary anchoring element from said block or from the frame of said seat to ensure a return of said cap towards said block.

[0003] One advantage of making a headdress by knitting is that it can be given a three-dimensional shape capable of matching the shape of the padding block, which makes it possible to avoid, or limit, sewing operations aimed at combining a plurality of formats of covering material.

[0004] Furthermore, the presence of anchoring elements makes it possible to ensure that the cap is fixed to the padding block and / or the frame while allowing it to be placed on said block, particularly in the concave area.

[0005] Usually, an anchoring element is integrated into the cap by a fixing means such as a seam, which complicates the production of said cap. Furthermore, the integration of the anchoring element into the cap may be visible in front of the appearance of said cap, which is unsightly.

[0006] The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks.

[0007] To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention proposes a covering cap for an elastically compressible padding block of motor vehicle seat padding, said cap being made from knitted textile, said cap being provided with at least one anchoring element intended to attach to a complementary anchoring element originating from said block or from the frame of said seat to ensure a return of said cap towards said block, said cap comprising: a front layer and a back layer obtained by knitting, said layers being knitted together so as to be associated with each other by knitting over their entire surface with the exception of at least one area where they are not associated with each other so as to define a housing, said housing is provided with at least one window resulting from knitting intended to allow the attachment of said complementary anchoring element, said window being provided in said back layer, said anchoring element is inserted into said housing.

[0008] With the proposed arrangement, the anchoring element is fixed by simple insertion into a housing resulting from the knitting operation of the cap, the window also being produced by knitting, which simplifies the production of said cap.

[0009] Furthermore, the integration of the anchoring element in the cap is not visible from the appearance of said cap.

[0010] According to a second aspect, the invention provides padding comprising such a cover.

[0011] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, given with reference to the attached figures, in which: [ Fig.1 ] is a schematic view in partial exploded perspective of a padding provided with a cover according to one embodiment, [ Fig.2 ] is a schematic view in partial section, not exploded, of the padding of the figure 1 , [ Fig.3 ] is a partial schematic perspective view showing the reverse side of a headdress according to a first embodiment, [ Fig.4 ] is a partial schematic perspective view showing the reverse side of a headdress according to a second embodiment, [ Fig.5 ] is a schematic front view of the reverse side of a headdress combining the embodiments of the figures 3 And 4 , [ Fig.6 ] is a partial schematic perspective view showing an anchoring element and a complementary anchoring element associated with each other according to an alternative embodiment of the figures 1 et 2 .

[0012] With reference to the figures, a cover 1 is described for covering a block 2 of elastically compressible padding - for example made of molded polyurethane foam, or even of fibrous material - of padding 15 of a motor vehicle seat, said cover being based on knitted textile, said cover being provided with at least one anchoring element 3 intended to attach to a complementary anchoring element 4 from said block or from the frame of said seat (not shown) to ensure a return of said cover towards said block, said cover comprising: a face layer 5 and a backing layer 6 obtained by knitting, said layers being knitted together so as to be associated with each other by knitting over their entire surface with the exception of at least one detached zone 7 where they are not associated with each other so as to define a housing 8, said housing is provided with at least one window 9 resulting from knitting intended to allow the attachment of said complementary anchoring element, said window being provided in said backing layer, said anchoring element is inserted into said housing.

[0013] According to various implementations, a detached zone 7 is presented: in an elongated form (extending in particular in a rectilinear direction) provided with one or more windows 9, as shown in figures 3 And 5, or in the form of a plurality of successive loops 20 (succeeding one another in particular in a rectilinear direction), the spaces between said loops defining a plurality of windows 9, as shown in figures 4 And 5 , the anchoring element 3 being in the form of a rod - formed for example by a metal wire or by a plastic material profile -, so as to allow a return of the cap 1 along a line by hooking said element to at least one complementary anchoring element 4.

[0014] According to an embodiment not shown, the anchoring element 3 extends on either side of the cap 1 along two opposite edges of said cap, so as to provide a return along an entire dimension of said cap.

[0015] According to an embodiment not shown, the housing 8 is arranged so as to receive a non-elongated anchoring element 3 - for example in the form of a metal finger or made of plastic material - so as to allow a punctual return of the cap 1 by hooking said element to a single complementary anchoring element 4.

[0016] A motor vehicle seat padding 15 is now described comprising such a cover 1, said padding further comprising a block 2 of elastically compressible padding, said cover being fitted onto said block, said block being provided with at least one complementary anchoring element 4 hooking onto an anchoring element 3 so as to return said cover towards said block.

[0017] In particular, as shown in figs 1 and 2, the anchoring element 3 extends opposite a groove 10 provided in the padding block 2, such an arrangement making it possible in particular to produce a decorative marking.

[0018] According to the realization represented in figures 1 et 2 , a complementary anchoring element 4 comprises a generally elastically deformable Ω-shaped attachment part 11 arranged so as to allow forceful insertion of the anchoring element 3 inside and its retention in said part - here by means of harpoons 12 cooperating with angular parts 13 in sectional view given to the attachment element 3.

[0019] According to the embodiment variant shown schematically in figure 6 , a complementary anchoring element 4 is in the form of a rod - formed for example by a metal wire or by a profile made of plastic material - the anchoring element 3 also being in the form of a rod, a metal ring 21 in the general shape of a C having been forcefully closed to receive said anchoring and complementary anchoring elements.

[0020] In a manner not shown, a similar arrangement could be provided by making the complementary anchoring element 4 integral with the frame of the seat, and not with the block 2, such an arrangement being particularly applicable to the case of an anchoring element 3 arranged on the periphery of the cover 1 to cooperate with said complementary anchoring element.

[0021] According to one embodiment, as shown in figures 1 et 2 , the padding block 2 is based on molded foam, a complementary anchoring element 4 comprising an anchoring part 14 - here in the form of a plate allowing effective anchoring in said block - in the foam, said part being overmolded by said block.

Claims

1. Cover (1) for covering a block (2) of elastically compressible padding upholstering a motor vehicle seat cushion (15), said cover being made of a knitted textile, said cover being provided with at least one anchoring element (3) intended to fasten into a complementary anchoring element (4) protruding from said block or from the framework of said seat to ensure a return of said cover toward said block, said cover being characterized in that it comprises: • a right-side layer (5) and a reverse-side layer (6) obtained by knitting, said layers being knitted together so that they are attached to one another through knitting along their entire surface with the exception of at least one unattached zone (7) where they are not attached to one another, so that they define a housing (8), • said housing is provided with at least one window (9) formed as a result of the knitting operation, and intended to allow the fastening of said complementary anchoring element, said window being formed in said reverse-side layer, • said anchoring element is inserted into said housing.

2. Cover according to claim 1, characterized in that an unattached zone (7) is: • in the form of an elongated portion provided with one or more windows (9), • or in the form of a plurality of successive loops (20), the spaces between said loops defining a plurality of windows (9), the anchoring element (3) being in the form of a rod, in such a way as to allow a linear return of the cover (1) by fastening said element onto at least one complementary anchoring element (4).

3. Cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the housing (8) is arranged to receive a non-elongated anchoring element (3), so as to allow a localized return of said cover by fastening said element onto a single complementary anchoring element (4).

4. Cushion (15) for a motor vehicle seat comprising a cover (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, said cushion further comprising a block (2) of elastically compressible padding, said cover being fitted over said block, said block being provided with at least one complementary anchoring element (4) fastening onto an anchoring element (3) so as to return said cover toward said block.

5. Cushion according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the anchoring element (3) extends facing a groove (10) provided in the padding block (2).

6. Cushion according to either claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a complementary anchoring element (4) comprises a fastening portion (11) having a generally Ω-shaped form that is elastically deformable and arranged to allow a snap-fit insertion of the anchoring element (3) into it and its retention within said portion.

7. Cushion according to any one of claims 4 or 5, when depending on claim 2, characterized in that a complementary anchoring element (4) is in the form of a rod, the anchoring element (3) also being in the form of a rod, a C-shaped metal ring (21) having been forcibly closed to retain said anchoring and complementary anchoring elements.

8. Cushion according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the padding block (2) is made of molded foam, a complementary anchoring element (4) comprising a portion (14) for anchoring in the foam, said portion being overmolded by said block.