| Seat assembly having an air plenum member -> Monitor Keywords |
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Seat assembly having an air plenum memberSeat assembly having an air plenum member description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070040421, Seat assembly having an air plenum member. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates to a seat assembly having an air plenum member, and to a method of making such a seat assembly. [0003] 2. Background Art [0004] A seat assembly may be provided with an air distribution system for routing air through the seat assembly. For example, one known seat assembly includes an air plenum positioned in a foam seat cushion. The air plenum has a top polyester scrim layer adhesively attached to a bottom foam base. The scrim layer includes a polyester mesh attached to a polyester film, and adhesive material for attaching the scrim layer to the foam base. The scrim layer further has multiple apertures for allowing air to pass through the scrim layer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] Under the invention, a seat assembly for use with a motor vehicle is provided. In one embodiment, the seat assembly includes a seat cushion having a recess, and an air plenum member disposed in the recess for routing air through at least a portion of the seat cushion. The air plenum member has a first portion that comprises foam, and a second portion that is attached to the first portion and that comprises a polyolefin sheet. The seat assembly further includes a cover layer covering the air plenum member and the seat cushion. [0006] In another embodiment, the seat assembly includes a seat cushion having a recess, and an air plenum member disposed in the recess for routing air through at least a portion of the seat cushion. The air plenum member has a first portion that comprises foam, and a second portion that comprises a plastic sheet heat staked to the first portion such that the second portion is fused with the first portion, thereby forming a seal along at least a portion of a junction of the first and second portions. The seat assembly further includes a cover layer covering the air plenum member and the seat cushion. [0007] Further under the invention, a method of making a seat assembly is provided. The method includes the steps of positioning together first and second portions of an air plenum member, the first portion comprising foam and the second portion comprising a plastic sheet; heat bonding the second portion to the first portion such that a seal is formed along at least a portion of a junction of the first and second portions; positioning the air plenum member in a recess of a seat cushion; and positioning a cover layer over the air plenum member and the seat cushion. Moreover, the air plenum member is configured to route air through at least a portion of the seat cushion. [0008] While exemplary embodiments in accordance with the invention are illustrated and disclosed, such disclosure should not be construed to limit the claims. It is anticipated that various modifications and alternative designs may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat assembly according to the invention, wherein the seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back pivotally attached to the seat bottom; [0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the seat bottom showing a support member, a seat cushion having a recess, an air plenum member that is disposable in the recess, and a trim cover for covering the seat cushion and air plenum member; [0011] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the seat bottom taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 and viewed in the direction of the arrows; [0012] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the air plenum member; and [0013] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross-section view of the air plenum member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0014] FIG. 1 shows a seat assembly 10 according to the invention for use with a motor vehicle. The seat assembly 10 includes a seat bottom 12 and a seat back 14 pivotally connected to the seat bottom 12. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the seat bottom 12 and seat back 14 are each provided with an air plenum member 16. Alternatively, the seat assembly 10 may be provided with a single air plenum member 16 positioned in either the seat bottom 12 or seat back 14. [0015] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a detailed description of the seat bottom 12 will now be provided, with the understanding that the seat back 14 may have the same or similar construction. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the seat bottom 12 includes a support member 18, such as a seat pan and/or seat frame, a seat cushion 20 supported by the support member 18 and configured to receive the air plenum member 16, and a cover layer or trim cover 22 covering the air plenum member 16, support member 18 and seat cushion 20. [0016] The seat cushion 20 may be made of any suitable material, such as foam, and includes a recess 24 formed therein for receiving the air plenum member 16. While the recess 24 may have any suitable configuration that corresponds to the configuration of the air plenum member 16, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the recess 24 includes multiple trenches or channels 26. The seat cushion 18 may further include a duct or passage 28 through which air may pass. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the passage 28 extends from the recess 24 to a lower surface 30 of the seat cushion 20. [0017] The air plenum member 16 is disposed in the recess 24 and is configured to route air through at least a portion of the seat cushion 20. For example, the air plenum member 16 may route temperature conditioned air and/or ambient air toward or away from the cover layer 22. As such, the air plenum member 16 may function as an air distribution device or an air collection device. [0018] The air plenum member 16 may have any suitable configuration for routing air through the seat cushion 20. For example, the air plenum member 16 may have one or more legs or branches 32 that define one or more passages or channels 34 for directing air through the seat cushion 20. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air plenum member 16 of the seat bottom 12 has a generally H-shaped configuration having multiple branches 32 extending from a main body 35. As other examples, the air plenum member 16 may have a generally U-shaped or X-shaped configuration. [0019] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the air plenum member 16 includes a foam first portion 36, such as a base or bottom portion, and a second portion 38, such as a cover or top portion, that comprises a flexible plastic sheet attached to the first portion 36 to form an air plenum or chamber. The first portion 36 may comprise any suitable foam, such as polyurethane foam or an expanded plastic, and the second portion 38 may comprise any suitable plastic sheet, such as a non-expanded polyolefin plastic sheet. In one embodiment, the second portion 38 comprises a plastic film, such as a polypropylene film having a thickness in the range of 0.1 to 0.4 inches. In another embodiment, the second portion 38 comprises a nonwoven plastic layer, such as a polypropylene nonwoven scrim layer having a thickness in the range of 0.005 to 0.01 inches. The second portion 38 also includes multiple apertures 39 for allowing air to pass through the second portion 38, which may be otherwise air-impermeable. [0020] While the second portion 38 may be attached to the first portion 36 in any suitable manner, such as with an adhesive, in one embodiment, the second portion 38 is heat staked or heat bonded to the first portion 36. For example, the second portion 38 may be vibration welded, sonic welded, or otherwise heat fused to a connection area, such as flange 40, of the first portion 36. Such an attachment means may provide a durable airtight seal along the entire junction, or at least a portion thereof, between the portions 36 and 38. Continue reading about Seat assembly having an air plenum member... Full patent description for Seat assembly having an air plenum member Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Seat assembly having an air plenum member patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Seat assembly having an air plenum member or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Foldable structure of highchair Next Patent Application: Canopy chair Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Seat assembly having an air plenum member patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.15693 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf 174 |
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