Seat support element comprising padding attached to a frame

Abstract

Seat support element comprising padding fixed to a frame The support element (1) comprises a frame (2), extending in an elevation direction (Z) between a lower crosspiece (8) and an upper crosspiece (10), and padding (4) comprising an internal surface (34) applied against the frame (2) and an external surface, opposite the internal surface (34), said padding (4) comprising at least one element (36) for fixing the padding (4) to the frame (2).The fixing element (36) extends projecting from the internal surface (34) of the padding (4) towards the frame (2), the fixing element (36) comprising at least one clipping element (38), the lower crosspiece (8) of the frame (2) comprising at least one complementary fixing element (40) of said clipping element (38), said clipping element (38) cooperating by clipping with the complementary fixing element (40) to fix the padding (4) on the lower crosspiece (8) of the frame (2). Figure for abstract 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Seat support element comprising padding fixed to a frame

[0001] The present invention relates to a seat support element, of the type comprising a frame, extending in a direction of elevation between a lower crosspiece and an upper crosspiece, and padding comprising an internal surface applied against the frame and an external surface, opposite the internal surface and forming a support surface for an occupant of the seat, said padding comprising at least one element for fixing the padding to the frame.

[0002] Such a support element forms, for example, a seat back, for example a vehicle seat. Such a support element generally comprises padding arranged to receive an occupant of the seat and a frame, on which the padding is mounted. The support element is generally produced by covering the frame with a foam and covering this assembly with a cover which gives the seat support element its appearance.

[0003] Such a mounting method is however complex and makes it difficult to access the interior of the seat support element, where several functional elements are generally fixed to the frame. In addition, the performance of the support element in the event of an impact on the vehicle is not always satisfactory.

[0004] One of the aims of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a seat support element which can be assembled and disassembled simply while having satisfactory mechanical characteristics, particularly in the event of an impact.

[0005] To this end, the invention relates to a seat support element of the aforementioned type, in which the fixing element projects from the internal surface of the padding towards the frame, the fixing element comprising at least one clipping element, the lower crosspiece of the frame comprising at least one fixing element complementary to said clipping element, said clipping element cooperating by clipping with the complementary fixing element to fix the padding on the lower crosspiece of the frame.

[0006] By producing a padding and fixing it to the lower crosspiece by clipping, the mounting of the padding on the frame can be carried out in a single step, in a particularly simple manner. In addition, access to the frame remains simple since it is sufficient to undo the cooperation between the clipping element and the lower crosspiece to be able to separate the padding from the frame. In addition, the support element has satisfactory mechanical characteristics, in particular a high resistance to tearing of the padding from the frame in the event of an impact.

[0007] The seat support element according to the invention may further comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically conceivable combination:

[0008] - the padding is applied against an internal face of the frame, a shell being applied against an external face of the reinforcement, opposite the internal face of the reinforcement;

[0009] - the shell comprises a lower edge, said lower edge covering at least part of the fastening element of the padding and the lower crosspiece of the frame;

[0010] - the fixing element comprises a tab extending projecting from the internal surface from the padding towards the frame, the clipping element extending out from the leg in the direction of elevation;

[0011] - the tab is elastically deformable between an engagement position, in in which the fixing element can engage around at least a portion of the lower cross member, and a fixing position, in which the clipping element cooperates with the complementary fixing element;

[0012] - the complementary fixing element is formed by an orifice passing through a lower wall of the lower crosspiece, the clipping element penetrating into said opening to fix the padding on the lower crosspiece of the frame;

[0013] - the complementary fixing element is formed by the profile of the crosspiece lower, the fixing element extending around a portion of the lower crosspiece and the clipping element cooperating with an external wall of the lower crosspiece, opposite an internal wall of the lower crosspiece against which the padding is applied, to fix the padding to the lower crosspiece of the frame;

[0014] - the padding comprises a layer of foam extending against the frame of the lower crosspiece to the upper crosspiece, the fixing element comprising a support section extending between said foam layer and the lower crosspiece when the foam layer is applied against the frame;

[0015] - the fixing element is overmolded by the foam layer to secure said fixing element to said foam layer;

[0016] - the padding comprises a cover, forming the external surface of the padding, said cover comprising a cuff extending from an upper edge of the padding, said cuff being fitted onto the upper cross member of the frame to secure the padding to the upper cross member of the frame.

[0017] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0018] [Fig.l] - [Fig.l] is a schematic representation in exploded perspective of the seat support element according to the invention,

[0019] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is a sectional representation of a part of the element of seat support according to a first embodiment of the invention, and

[0020] [Fig.3] - [Fig.3] is a sectional representation of a part of the element of seat support according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0021] With reference to [Fig. 1], a seat support element 1 is described comprising a frame 2, padding 4 and, optionally, a shell 6. Such a support element 1 forms, for example, a vehicle seat back and the remainder of the description will be made with reference to such a seat back. It is however understood that the invention can be applied to another type of support element, for example a seat base.

[0022] In the description, the term "internal" refers to that which faces inwardly of the seat support member and the term "external" refers to that which faces outwardly of the support member.

[0023] The frame 2 is for example formed by a structure having a frame shape, as shown in [Fig.l]. More particularly, the frame 2 extends between a lower cross member 8 and an upper cross member 10 in a direction of elevation Z, corresponding to the height of the support element 1. The direction of elevation Z corresponds for example to the height of the vehicle in which the seat is installed when the backrest is in an upright position. The lower cross member 8 and the upper cross member 10 extend substantially parallel to each other in a transverse direction T, corresponding to the width of the support element 1. The transverse direction T is substantially perpendicular to the direction of elevation Z and corresponds for example to the width of the vehicle in which the seat is installed when this seat is turned towards the front of the vehicle.The frame 2 further comprises two uprights 12 extending in the elevation direction Z between the transverse ends of the lower cross member 8 and the upper cross member 10. A longitudinal direction L is further defined, substantially perpendicular to the elevation direction Z and to the transverse direction T, corresponding to the thickness of the support element 1. The longitudinal direction corresponds for example to the front-rear direction of the vehicle in which the seat is installed when this seat is facing the front of the vehicle. The frame 2 may be made of metal and / or plastic or composite material. The frame 2 defines an internal face 14 facing the front of the support element 1 and an external face 16 facing the rear or back of the support element 1. It is understood that the frame 2 may have a shape different from that of a frame, as long as it comprises a lower cross member 8 and an upper cross member 10.

[0024] The lower crosspiece 8 is for example formed by a profile having a substantially U-shaped section, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. More particularly, the lower crosspiece 8 comprises a lower wall 18 forming the base of the U, an internal wall 20 forming one branch of the U on the side of the internal face 14 of the frame 2 and an external wall 22 forming the other branch of the U on the side of the external face 16 of the frame 2. The lower wall 18 extends mainly in the transverse direction T and, to a lesser extent, in the longitudinal direction L. The internal 20 and external 22 walls extend mainly in the transverse direction T and, to a lesser extent, in the elevation direction Z. As can be seen in Figs.2 and 3, the different walls of the profile are not necessarily flat and may have curved shapes and shoulders, in particular in order to optimize their behavior in the event of an impact against the seat or the vehicle in which the seat is installed.

[0025] The padding 4 is mounted on the frame 2, more particularly on the internal face 14 thereof, and is arranged to form a support surface for an occupant of the seat, for example a support surface for the back of the occupant in the case of a support element 1 forming a seat back. The padding 4 extends in the elevation direction Z between a lower edge 24 and an upper edge 26. The padding 4 is applied against the internal face of the frame 2 so that its lower edge 24 extends substantially opposite or in the vicinity of the lower crosspiece 8 and its upper edge extends substantially opposite or in the vicinity of the upper crosspiece 10, the padding advantageously covering at least the entire internal face 14 of the frame 2 so that the latter is not visible from the outside of the support element 1 when it is observed from the side of the padding 2.According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the lower edge 24 further covers the lower crosspiece 8 and the upper edge 26 covers the upper crosspiece 10.

[0026] The padding 4 mainly comprises a layer of foam 28 and, according to one embodiment, a cover 30 covering the layer of foam 28.

[0027] The foam layer 28 extends, in the longitudinal direction L, between an external surface 32 and an internal surface 34, forming the internal surface of the padding 2.

[0028] The external surface 32 is shaped to accommodate an occupant of the seat comfortably, the occupant leaning on the padding 2, and therefore on the foam layer 28, when seated on the seat. According to one embodiment, the external surface 32 of the foam layer 28 is covered by the cover 30 which therefore forms the external surface of the support element 1 intended to receive the occupant of the seat.

[0029] The internal surface 34 of the foam layer 28 is applied against the internal face 14 of the frame 2 and is held against the latter by the fixing of the padding. 4 on the frame 2, in particular at the level of the lower crosspiece 8 of the frame 2, as will now be described.

[0030] The padding 4 comprises at least one fixing element 36 for fixing to the lower crosspiece 8 of the frame 2. The fixing element 36 projects from the internal surface 34 of the padding 2 towards the lower crosspiece 8 of the frame 2. In other words, the fixing element 36 projects from the internal surface 34 of the padding 2 in the longitudinal direction L in the direction going from the internal face 14 to the external face 16 of the frame 2, as more particularly visible in Figs. 2 and 3. The fixing element 36 extends more particularly in projection from an area of ​​the internal surface 34 adjacent to the lower edge 24 of the padding 4 so that the fixing element 36 extends opposite the lower crosspiece 8 of the frame 2 and can cooperate with the latter to fix the padding 2 to the lower crosspiece 8 of the frame 2.

[0031] The fixing element 36 comprises at least one clipping element 38 arranged to cooperate with a complementary fixing element 40 of the lower crosspiece 8 of the frame 2. More particularly, the fixing element 36 comprises a tab 42 extending projecting from the internal surface 34 of the padding 4 and carrying, at its free end, the clipping element 38 which extends projecting from the tab 42 in the elevation direction Z. The clipping element 38 forms with the tab 42 a hook capable of being retained by the complementary fixing element 40 of the lower crosspiece 8 in particular in the longitudinal direction L, as will be described in more detail later.

[0032] The tab 42 is elastically deformable so that the clipping element 38 cooperates with the complementary fixing element 40 of the lower crosspiece 8 thanks to the elastic nature of the fixing element 36 to ensure the fixing of the fixing element 36 on the lower crosspiece 8 of the frame 2. The tab 42 is in particular elastically deformable between an engagement position, in which the fixing element 36 can be engaged around at least a portion of the lower crosspiece 8, and a fixing position, shown in Figs. 2 and 3, in which the clipping element 38 cooperates with the complementary fixing element 40.

[0033] In the engagement position, the tab 42 is deformed in the elevation direction Z so that the clipping element 38 can slide under the lower wall 18 of the lower crosspiece 8 until it reaches the complementary fixing element 40. For this purpose, the clipping element 38 comprises for example a suitable shape, for example triangular seen in section, making it possible to deform the tab 42 towards the engagement position when the fixing element 36 is moved in the longitudinal direction L and comes into contact with the internal wall 20 of the lower crosspiece 8.

[0034] When the clipping element 38 is opposite the complementary fixing element 40, the tab 42 returns to the fixing position due to its elasticity. Indeed, the fixing element 36 is forced towards the fixing position so that in the absence of stress tending to deform it towards the engagement position, the fixing element 36 returns to its fixing position.

[0035] According to the embodiment shown in [Fig. 2], the complementary fixing element 40 is formed by an orifice passing through the lower wall 18 of the lower crosspiece 8. When the clipping element 38 is placed opposite this orifice, it engages in it due to the elasticity of the fixing element 36 and is retained in it to fix the padding 4 on the frame 2.

[0036] According to the embodiment shown in [Fig. 3], the complementary fixing element 40 is formed by the profile of the lower crosspiece 8, that is to say that the clipping element 38 cooperates with the external contour of the lower crosspiece 8 to block the padding 4 on the frame 2. More particularly, in the fixing position, the clipping element 38 cooperates with the external wall 22 of the lower crosspiece 8, the tab 42 being applied against the lower wall 18 of the lower crosspiece 8.

[0037] According to an embodiment not shown, the fixing element 36 comprises two clipping elements, one cooperating with an orifice passing through the lower wall 18 of the lower crosspiece 8 and the other cooperating with the external wall 22 of the lower crosspiece 8.

[0038] According to the embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the fixing element 36 further comprises a support section 43 extending between the foam layer 28 and the lower crosspiece 8 when the foam layer 28 is applied against the frame 2. The support section 43 extends against the internal surface 34 of the foam layer 28 in the vicinity of the lower edge 24 thereof. This support section 43 is applied against the internal wall 20 of the lower crosspiece 8 when the clipping element 38 cooperates with the complementary fixing element 40. For this purpose, the support section 43 has, for example, a shape substantially complementary to the internal wall 20 of the lower crosspiece 8.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the support section 43 comprises an additional clipping element 45 extending in projection from the support section 43 at one end thereof opposite the tab 42. This additional clipping element 45 is arranged to cooperate with an upper end of the internal wall 20, opposite the lower wall 18 of the lower crosspiece 8, when the clipping element 38 cooperates with the complementary fixing element 40. Thus, when the fixing element 36 is fixed on the lower crosspiece 8, the fixing element 36 surrounds a part of the lower crosspiece 8 and is fixed thereto on either side of the crosspiece lower 8 in the elevation direction Z, which ensures a robust fixing of the lower part of the padding 4 on the lower crosspiece 8.

[0040] The fixing element 36 is fixed to the foam layer 28, for example by overmolding the foam layer 28 onto the fixing element 36, which makes it possible to ensure robust fixing of the fixing element 36 to the foam layer 28.

[0041] The attachment of the padding 4 to the lower cross member 8 is thus particularly robust and in particular makes it possible to offer satisfactory resistance to tearing in the event of an impact on the seat or on the vehicle. Tearing is a force tending to separate the padding 4 from the lower cross member 8 of the frame 2 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0042] This attachment, however, remains easily reversible, for example by means of a tool by moving the attachment element 36 from the attachment position to the engagement position. This allows access to the frame 2, for example for the replacement and / or maintenance of functional elements attached thereto, such as an airbag, a seat belt anchorage or the like.

[0043] The padding 4 can furthermore be fixed to the upper crosspiece 10 of the frame 8. For this purpose, the cover 30 comprises for example a cuff extending from the upper edge 26 of the padding 4, this cuff being arranged to be fitted around the upper crosspiece 10 of the frame 2.

[0044] The mounting of the padding 4 on the frame 2 is therefore particularly simple and can be carried out in a single step, firstly by fitting the back of the cap 30 onto the upper crosspiece 10 of the frame 2 in the elevation direction Z and then by fixing the fixing element 36 on the lower crosspiece 8 by pressing on the lower part of the padding 4 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0045] When the support element comprises a shell 6, the latter is fixed to the external face 16 of the frame 8. A wall 44 of the shell 6 is more particularly applied against the external face 16 of the frame 8 and fixed thereto, for example by clipping elements 46 so that the wall 44 forms the back of the support element 1. The shell 6 is for example arranged to cover the external face 18 of the frame 2 so that the latter is not visible from the outside of the support element 1 when it is observed from the side of the shell 6.

[0046] Advantageously, the shell 6 further comprises a lower edge 48 covering at least a portion of the fixing element 36 of the padding 4 and the lower crosspiece 8 of the frame 2. More particularly, the lower edge 48 extends under the tab 42 of the fixing element 36 and the lower wall 18 of the lower crosspiece 8, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The lower edge 48 makes it possible to prevent any involuntary movement of the fixing element 36 from the fixing position to the engagement position and thus improve the robustness of the fixing of the padding 2 on the lower crosspiece 8 of the frame 2.

Claims

Claims

1. Seat support element (1) comprising a frame (2), extending in an elevation direction (Z) between a lower crosspiece (8) and an upper crosspiece (10), and padding (4) comprising an internal surface (34) applied against the frame (2) and an external surface, opposite the internal surface (34) and forming a support surface for an occupant of the seat, said padding (4) comprising at least one fixing element (36) of the padding (4) on the frame (2), characterized in that the fixing element (36) extends projecting from the internal surface (34) of the padding (4) towards the frame (2), the fixing element (36) comprising at least one clipping element (38), the lower crosspiece (8) of the frame (2) comprising at least one complementary fixing element (40) of said clipping element (38),said clipping element (38) cooperating by clipping with the complementary fixing element (40) to fix the padding (4) on the lower crosspiece (8) of the frame (2).,

2. Support element according to claim 1, in which the padding (4) is applied against an internal face (14) of the frame (2), a shell (6) being applied against an external face (16) of the frame (2), opposite the internal face (14) of the frame (2).

3. Support element according to claim 2, wherein the shell (6) comprises a lower edge (48), said lower edge (48) covering at least a part of the fixing element (36) of the padding (4) and of the lower crosspiece (8) of the frame (2).

4. Support element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the fixing element (36) comprises a tab (42) extending projecting from the internal surface (34) of the padding (4) towards the frame (2), the clipping element (38) extending projecting from the tab (42) in the elevation direction (Z).

5. Support element according to claim 4, in which the tab (42) is elastically deformable between an engagement position, in which the fixing element (36) can engage around at least a portion of the lower crosspiece (8), and a fixing position, in which the clipping element (38) cooperates with the complementary fixing element (40).

6. Support element according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the complementary fixing element (40) is formed by an orifice passing through a lower wall (18) of the lower crosspiece (8), the clipping element (38) penetrating into said opening to fix the padding (4) on the lower crosspiece (8) of the frame (2).

7. Support element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the complementary fixing element (40) is formed by the profile of the lower crosspiece (8), the fixing element (36) extending around a part of the lower crosspiece (8) and the clipping element (38) cooperating with an external wall (22) of the lower crosspiece (8), opposite an internal wall (20) of the lower crosspiece (8) against which the padding (4) is applied, to fix the padding (4) on the lower crosspiece (8) of the frame (2).

8. Support element according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the padding (4) comprises a layer of foam (28) extending against the frame (2) from the lower crosspiece (8) to the upper crosspiece (10), the fixing element (36) comprising a support section (43) extending between said layer of foam (28) and the lower crosspiece (8) when the layer of foam (28) is applied against the frame (2).

9. A support element according to claim 8, wherein the fixing element (36) is overmolded by the foam layer (28) to secure said fixing element (36) to said foam layer (28).

10. A support element according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the padding comprises a cap (30), forming the external surface of the padding (4), said cap (30) comprising a cuff extending from an upper edge (26) of the padding (4), said cuff being fitted onto the upper cross member (10) of the frame (2) to fix the padding (4) to the upper cross member (10) of the frame (2).

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