Automobile seat and vehicle equipped with such a seat.

Abstract

A car seat 1 comprising a seat structure 40 and a backrest structure 50 connected by a joint 20 having a pivot axis 30, the backrest being fitted with a cover 60 covering padding, the seat back cover 60 being fixed to said backrest structure, the backrest cover 60 comprising at least one separate protective piece 10 attached to the cover 60 by a seam 80 made parallel to the pivot axis 30, the at least one protective piece being folded over the joint 20 in order to provide protection for said joint 20. Fig 5 to be published

Description

Title of the invention: Automobile seat and vehicle equipped with such a seat.

[0001] The present invention relates to an automobile seat, an automobile seat cover, and a vehicle equipped with such a seat. In particular, it relates to a bench seat with a cover in the field of traditional upholstery.

[0002] Typically, a car seat comprises a frame, padding generally made of polyurethane foam, and a cover over the padding. This cover can be made of various materials, such as fabric, leather, etc. The cover is usually attached to the padding and the frame using fastening and securing means, in a manner known per se. The seat frame includes a seat structure and a backrest structure connected on each side by a joint allowing the backrest to be tilted relative to the seat.

[0003] The joint generally comprises a pivot axis around which the seat and backrest can pivot. For optimal joint function, durability, and aesthetic reasons, the joint needs protection. Simple protection provided by the stretched backrest cover positioned over the joint has the disadvantage of causing premature wear of the cover due to repeated friction on the joint during seat use, particularly when the user sits down or gets up from the seat. Therefore, it is necessary to provide durable and robust protection for the joint.

[0004] To this end, the present invention proposes an automobile seat comprising a seat and backrest structure connected by a joint having a pivot axis, the backrest being provided with a cover covering padding, the seat backrest cover being fixed to said backrest structure, characterized in that the backrest cover comprises at least one separate protective piece attached to the cover by a seam made parallel to the pivot axis, the at least one protective piece being folded over the joint in order to ensure the protection of said joint.

[0005] The stitching method advantageously allows for simple attachment of the protective piece to the seat cover before the latter is folded down towards the center of the seat back. Folding the cover down advantageously ensures protection of the joint without the protective piece coming into contact with the joint, thus preventing friction that could cause wear on the protective piece.

[0006] In preferred embodiments of the invention, one and / or the other of the following arrangements are further used, alone or in combination: - The at least protective piece includes a main longitudinal extension and a secondary longitudinal extension, said extensions extending in the same direction parallel to the seam, each extension in a direction opposite to the other extension, the main longitudinal extension being folded back towards the center of the seat, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of articulation so as to place the secondary longitudinal extension above the axis of articulation. - The main longitudinal extension of the at least protective piece is folded inside the cap. - The at least one protective piece is attached inside the cap to the cap by hook and loop fasteners. - At least one protective piece is made of flexible material.

[0007] Advantageously, the flexibility of the part allows it to be folded inside the cap. - The at least protective piece has a thickness of approximately 1 to 5 mm.

[0008] Such a thickness allows it to be both sufficiently rigid to maintain its position relative to the joint and sufficiently flexible to achieve the necessary folding. - The seat includes a cover with two protective pieces arranged on each lateral seat joint.

[0009] The invention also relates to a method for upholstering an automobile seat comprising the following steps: - Supply of a seat structure with a joint having a joint axis, padding, a seat back cover with at least one protective piece assembled by a seam, said protective piece comprising a main longitudinal extension and a secondary longitudinal extension, said main and secondary longitudinal extensions extending in the same direction parallel to the seam. - Attaching the cover enveloping the padding to the seat structure. - Folding down the main longitudinal extension of the protective piece inside the cap, along an axis substantially orthogonal to the axis of articulation, so as to position the secondary longitudinal extension above the articulation.

[0010] The invention also relates to a vehicle comprising at least one automobile seat according to the preceding characteristics.

[0011] Finally, the invention also relates to a seat back cover provided with at least one protective piece assembled by a seam, characterized in that said protective piece comprises a main longitudinal extension and a secondary longitudinal extension, said main and secondary longitudinal extensions extending in the same direction parallel to the seam, said protective piece being intended to cover a seat joint by folding down.

[0012] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of several embodiments thereof, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0013] Fig. 1 is a truncated perspective view of folded-down rear bench seats seen from the rear of a vehicle interior.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a detail view of two protective pieces according to the invention.

[0015] Fig. 3 is a detail view of a headdress onto which two pieces of protection.

[0016] Fig. 4 is a detail view of the seat back cover with the protective piece being folded down.

[0017] Fig. 5 is a rear view of a bench seat comprising two seats according to the invention.

[0018] In the context of this application, the terms "front", "rear", "left", "right", "upper", "lower" are understood to refer to a common reference frame of motor vehicles comprising a first longitudinal axis X, horizontal and oriented from front to rear, a transverse axis Y and a vertical axis Z directed from bottom to top, with a seat arranged in the vehicle, the seat back being in the position of use.

[0019] Moreover, in the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

[0020] Figure 1 is a truncated perspective view of a rear bench seat composed of seats capable of implementing the invention. More specifically, the seats 1 composing the bench seat comprise a seat structure 40 and a backrest structure 50 connected by a joint 20 comprising a pivot axis 30, around which the backrest pivots, and a cover 60 covering padding. The pivot axis 30 is substantially oriented horizontally along the Y-axis. As can be seen in Figure 1, the joints 20 are exposed, and it is desired to cover them, by means of the cover, with a durable solution that avoids friction on the joint 20.

[0021] Figure 2 shows the protective element 10 before it is attached to the cap 60 by a seam 80. The protective element 10 comprises a main longitudinal extension 12 and a secondary longitudinal extension 13, which extend along a in the same direction, substantially parallel to seam 80, each extension in the opposite direction to the other extension. For a seat back, two protective elements are provided, one for each lateral hinge of the backrest. The two protective elements for the same seat are symmetrical and have a length Ll.

[0022] Figure 3 is a detailed view of a seat back cover, surrounding and covering a seat back cushion. This is the first step in upholstering the seat. Two protective pieces 10 were attached to the cover by a seam 80 before being turned inside out and folded back inside the seat back cover 60. As can be seen in Figure 3, the two protective pieces 10 comprise a main longitudinal extension 12 and a secondary longitudinal extension 13, which extend along the same direction parallel to the seam 80. The protective piece 10 has a length L1 along the extension direction and a substantially triangular shape, with the seam 80 located near the apex opposite the longest length, in an area situated in the second quarter of the length L1 from the edge of the secondary longitudinal extension 13.The extensions 12, 13 extend in the same direction parallel to the seam 80, each extension in a direction opposite to the other extension, the main longitudinal extension 12 being oriented towards the center of the seat back 50.

[0023] Figure 4 shows a detailed view of the rear of a seat back of Figure 3 with the protective piece 10 being folded down, specifically in a folding step successive to the step shown in Figure 3. The protective piece 10 has been turned over and then slightly rotated so as to position the main longitudinal extension 12 always towards the center of the backrest, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the hinge axis 30. In position in the vehicle, the seam 80 and the hinge axis 30 are oriented along the transverse axis Y. Positioning the main longitudinal extension 12 in a direction substantially orthogonal to the hinge axis 30 results in the secondary longitudinal extension 13 being positioned above the hinge 20, i.e., in a position protecting the hinge.

[0024] The main longitudinal extension 12 is positioned to be subsequently engaged inside the seat back cover 60. As seen in [Fig. 4], the upper face of the inverted protective piece 10 has a self-gripping fastening device 15 for attaching the main longitudinal extension 12 inside the cover, on an inner portion of the seat back cover 60, which allows the protective piece 10 to be held in position above the joint 20.

[0025] The protective piece 10 has a thickness of approximately 1 to 5 mm, and preferably 2 to 3 mm, and is advantageously made of a flexible material, for example non-woven fabric, or more generally of an elastic material such as an elastomer, which notably reduces noise in the event of contact, for example with the metal of the joint. It may optionally incorporate an internal reinforcement, which increases its rigidity and enhances its function of protecting the joint 20.

[0026] Fig. 5 shows a seat bench comprising two rear seat backs, each back comprising on either side a hinge 20. As can be seen in Fig. 5, the protective pieces are arranged above each hinge 20, the protective pieces 10 arranged laterally are symmetrical as shown in Fig. 2 and 3.

[0027] The upholstery process is carried out as follows: firstly, a seat structure with a joint 20 having a joint axis 30 is provided, a padding, a seat back cover 60 with at least one protective piece 10 assembled by a seam 80, the protective piece 10 comprising a main longitudinal extension 12 and a secondary longitudinal extension 13, the main and secondary longitudinal extensions extending in the same direction parallel to the seam 80.

[0028] Next, the cover 60, which encloses the padding, is attached to the seat structure. Finally, the main longitudinal extension 12 of the protective piece is folded inside the cover 60, along an axis substantially orthogonal to the axis of articulation 30, so as to position the secondary longitudinal extension 13 above the articulation 20. The secondary longitudinal extension 13 thus provides protection for the articulation 20. The secondary longitudinal extension 13 is therefore not under tension above the articulation, as a cover might be, which advantageously prevents contact and enhances the durability of the articulation protection.

[0029] The invention thus provides a simple, effective, durable, and inexpensive means of protecting the joint, suitable for vehicles using traditional protective covers. The invention also protects the user by preventing them from coming into contact with the metallic portions of the joint that could be abrasive to the vehicle occupant. The invention is not limited to the embodiment presented.

Claims

Demands

1. A car seat (1) comprising a seat structure (40) and a backrest structure (50) connected by a joint (20) having a joint axis (30), the backrest being provided with a cover (60) covering padding, the seat back cover (60) being fixed to said backrest structure, characterized in that the backrest cover (60) comprises at least one separate protective piece (10) attached to the cover (60) by a seam (80) made parallel to the joint axis (30), the at least one protective piece comprising a main longitudinal extension (12) and a secondary longitudinal extension (13), said extensions (12, 13) extending in the same direction parallel to the seam (80), the at least one protective piece being folded over the joint (20) in order to provide protection for said joint.

2. A car seat (1) according to the preceding claim in which at least one protective piece (10) comprises a main longitudinal extension (12) and a secondary longitudinal extension (13), said extensions (12, 13) extending in the same direction parallel to the seam (80), each extension in a direction opposite to the other extension, the main longitudinal extension (12) being folded towards the center of the seat, in a direction substantially orthogonal to the axis of articulation (30) so as to place the secondary longitudinal extension (13) above the axis of articulation (30).

3. Car seat (1) according to the preceding claim wherein the main longitudinal extension (12) of at least one protective piece (10) is folded inside the headrest (60).

4. Car seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one protective piece (10) is attached inside the headrest (60) to the headrest (60) by hook and loop fastener.

5. Car seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one protective piece (10) is made of flexible material.

6. Car seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein at least one protective piece (10) has a thickness of about 1 to 5 mm.

7. Motor car seat (1) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a cover (60) having two protective pieces (10) arranged on each lateral seat joint (20).

8. A method for upholstering an automobile seat comprising the following steps: a. Providing a seat structure having a hinge (20) with a hinge axis (30), padding, and a seat back cover (60) having at least one protective piece (10) assembled by a seam (80), said protective piece (10) comprising a primary longitudinal extension (12) and a secondary longitudinal extension (13), said primary and secondary longitudinal extensions extending in the same direction parallel to the seam (80), which is parallel to the hinge axis. b. Attaching the seat back cover (60) enclosing the padding to the seat structure. c.Folding down the main longitudinal extension (12) of the protective piece inside the cap (60), along an axis substantially orthogonal to the axis of articulation (30), so as to position the secondary longitudinal extension (13) above the articulation (20).

9. Vehicle comprising at least one automobile seat (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7

10. Seat back cover (60) comprising a hinge, the cover being provided with at least one protective piece (10) assembled by a seam (80) characterized in that said protective piece (10) comprises a main longitudinal extension (12) and a secondary longitudinal extension (13), said main and secondary longitudinal extensions extending in the same direction parallel to the seam (80) made parallel to the hinge axis, said at least one protective piece (10) being intended to cover the seat hinge by folding down.

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