Trim seam reinforcement

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12552303-B2
Application number	US-202318243961-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 8, 2023
Priority date	Dec 27, 2022
Publication date	Feb 17, 2026
Grant date	Feb 17, 2026

Abstract

Trim covers with reinforcing assemblies for providing straight seams and smooth/symmetrical trim surfaces along one or more seams. For example, the trim covers may employ one or more wires arranged along or proximate the one or more seams such that the seams are straight and not wavy. In one or more embodiments, the trim cover may also employ one or more elastic members to provide tension to the surface such that it does not wrinkle and/or sag.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A trim cover, comprising:
a trim material comprising an outer surface configured to contact an occupant, an inner surface opposite the outer surface configured to contact a cushion assembly defining an occupant support surface, and the trim material defining a seam positioned to extend over a gap defined by the cushion assembly; a flap comprising a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the flap is attached to the inner surface of the trim material at the first end; a rigid member positioned at the second end of the flap proximate to the seam, providing stress on the trim material when arranged on a seat assembly; an elastic member comprising a primary end and a secondary end, such that the elastic member is coupled with the second end of the flap and the rigid member at the primary end; and a retainer coupled to the rigid member via the elastic member at the secondary end of the elastic member and secured to a seat frame, wherein the trim material has a first position and a second position, and the rigid member, coupled with the elastic member and the retainer, is configured to reinforce the seam by tensioning the trim material in the first position and the second position.

2 . The trim cover of claim 1 , wherein the elastic member is coupled to the seat assembly and configured to apply tension to the trim material via the rigid member.

3 . The trim cover of claim 2 , wherein the retainer comprising a J-hook structure is positioned opposite the rigid member with the elastic member disposed therebetween, such that the retainer is coupled to the seat frame of the seat assembly and the elastic member extends through the gap when the trim material is arranged on the seat assembly.

4 . The trim cover of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of retainers cooperating with the inner surface of the trim material such that the retainer of the plurality of retainers cooperates with the rigid member when arranged on the seat assembly to apply tension to the trim material proximate the gap.

5 . The trim cover of claim 1 , wherein the rigid member is disposed on or in the trim material.

6 . The trim cover of claim 1 , wherein the rigid member is a wire, and the rigid member has a length greater than a length of the elastic member.

7 . A seat assembly comprising a seat frame supporting the cushion assembly with the trim cover of claim 1 covering the cushion assembly.

8 . A seat assembly comprising a seat frame supporting the cushion assembly with the trim cover of claim 1 covering the cushion assembly and a heat mat bridging the gap.

9 . A seat assembly, comprising:
a frame; a cushion assembly supported by the frame and defining a gap; and a trim cover disposed over the cushion assembly and defining a seam disposed proximate the gap, the trim cover comprising:
a flap comprising a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the flap is attached to the trim cover at the first end;
a rigid member positioned at the second end of the flap extending along the seam such that tension is applied to support the seam when the trim cover is in a first position and a second position;
an elastic member comprising a primary end and a secondary end, such that the elastic member is coupled with the second end of the flap and the rigid member at the primary end; and
a retainer coupled to the rigid member via the elastic member at the secondary end of the elastic member and coupled to the frame, wherein the rigid member, coupled with the elastic member and the retainer, is configured to reinforce the seam by tensioning the trim cover in the first position and the second position.

10 . The seat assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a massaging assembly disposed below the trim cover and extending through the gap or a heat mat disposed below the trim cover and bridging the gap.

11 . The seat assembly of claim 9 , wherein the first position includes one or more inflated bladders cooperating with the trim cover or an extended position where the gap is expanded, and the second position includes one or more deflated bladders cooperating with the trim cover or a retracted position where the gap is reduced.

12 . The seat assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first position of the trim cover accommodates an extended leg support position of the cushion assembly, and the second position of the trim cover accommodates a retracted leg support position of the cushion assembly.

13 . The seat assembly of claim 9 , further comprising the elastic member cooperating with the rigid member and the frame to apply the tension such that the trim cover remains unwrinkled in the first and second position.

14 . The seat assembly of claim 9 , wherein the gap is defined by a center cushion and a bolster cushion of the cushion assembly.

15 . The seat assembly of claim 9 , wherein the trim cover includes a connector extended adjacent the gap in the first position and withdrawn into the gap in the second position.

16 . The seat assembly of claim 9 , wherein the seat assembly is disposed in a vehicle.

17 . A trim assembly, comprising:
a trim defining a seam, the trim comprising an outer surface to contact an occupant and an inner surface to contact a cushion assembly defining a gap to facilitate movement from a first position to a second position, trim cover being positioned such that it bridges the gap when covering the cushion assembly and the seam is disposed along the gap; a flap comprising a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, wherein the flap is attached to the inner surface of the trim at the first end; a rigid member positioned at the second end of the flap proximate to the seam to provide stress on the trim when arranged on a seat assembly; an elastic member comprising a primary end and a secondary end, such that the elastic member is coupled with the second end of the flap and the rigid member at the primary end; and a plurality of retainers coupled to the rigid member via the elastic member at the secondary end of the elastic member and secured to a seat frame, wherein the rigid member, coupled with the elastic member and the plurality of retainer, is configured to reinforce the seam by providing tension along the seam.

18 . The trim assembly of claim 17 , wherein the elastic member is formed of an elastic fabric and the plurality of retainers is formed of a polymeric material, and wherein the plurality of retainers engages with the seat frame and cooperate with a elongated wires via one or more elastic members disposed therebetween when the trim is arranged on a seat assembly.

19 . The trim assembly of claim 18 , wherein the trim comprises an outer layer and a subordinate layer that cooperates with the outer layer and the plurality of retainers to provide the tension along the seam.

20 . The trim assembly of claim 19 , wherein the plurality of retainers cooperates with the seat frame when arranged on the seat assembly.

Assignees

• Lear Corp

Inventors

• Wang Qichao
• Simha Chandrashekar
• Yang Yong
• Li Jiajun
• Ni Jie
• Yang Wenjuan
• Weng Haipeng

Classifications

• B60N2/99

  adjustable · CPC title

• B60N2/58

  Seat coverings · CPC title

• B60N2002/0288

  Adjustable seat width · CPC title

• B60N2/0284

  Adjustable seat-cushion length (B60N2/0224 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60N2/5858

  by elastic means · CPC title