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Vehicle seat assembly having a modular accessory system and method of making the same

Vehicle seat assembly having a modular accessory system and method of making the same description/claims

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/911,642 filed Apr. 13, 2007.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat assembly having a modular accessory system and method of making the same.

2. Background Art

Vehicle seat assemblies are known. Generally speaking, most vehicle seat assemblies include three fundamental components: (a) a frame to support the seat assembly and mount it to a vehicle body within an occupant compartment; (b) a foam cushion to cover the frame; and (c) trim material to cover the foam cushion and provide a durable surface for contact with a seat assembly occupant.

According to at least one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat assembly is provided. In at least one embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat cushion and a seat back having a top and a bottom and being connected to the seat cushion such that the seat back is extendable in a generally upright position relative to the seat cushion. The seat back comprises a seat frame, a foam pad supported by the seat frame, and a trim cover extending about the pad and the seat frame. The seat back has a front surface and an opposed rear surface. The vehicle seat assembly further comprises an accessory support structure disposed between the trim cover and the frame. The accessory support structure is secured to the seat frame and has spaced apart support members extending over at least 60 percent of the length or width of the seat back. The support members are configured to selectively receive at least one vehicle occupant accessory assembly.

In at least another embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat cushion and a seat back having a top and a bottom which is connected to the seat cushion such that the seat back is extendable in a generally upright position relative to the seat cushion. The seat back comprises a seat frame, a foam pad supported by the seat frame, and a trim cover extending about the pad and the seat frame. The vehicle seat assembly further comprises an accessory support structure secured to the seat frame between the seat frame and the trim cover. The accessory support structure has spaced apart support members that extend over at least 60 percent of the length or width of the seat back. The vehicle seat assembly further comprises at least one vehicle occupant accessory supported on the accessory support structure with the accessory assembly comprising a carrier selectively supportable on the support members and at least one vehicle occupant accessory supportable on the carrier.

According to at least another aspect of the present invention, a method of making a vehicle seat assembly is provided. In at least one embodiment, the method comprises providing a seat cushion, providing a seat back having a top and a bottom, and connecting the seat back bottom to the seat cushion such that the seat back is extendable in a generally upright position relative to the seat cushion. The seat back comprises a seat frame, a foam pad supported by the seat frame, and a trim cover extending about the pad and the seat frame. The seat back has a front surface and an opposed rear surface. The method further comprises supporting an accessory support structure on the frame such that the accessory support structure extends over at least 60 percent of the length or width of the seat back and is disposed between the trim cover and the frame. The support members is configured to selectively receive at least one vehicle occupant accessory.

In at least one embodiment, the vehicle occupant accessory is an assembly comprising a carrier having attachment members that cooperate with receiving members on the support members. In at least a further embodiment, the assembly further comprises a vehicle occupant accessory supportable on the carrier.

In yet at least a further embodiment, the support structure is capable of supporting a plurality of carriers. The carriers can be the same size and populated with a variety of differing accessories, generally of the same or similar size, but with different functionality to fit various user's needs or lifestyle activities.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating certain exemplary vehicle occupant accessories;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating components in a different position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating another embodiment of the present invention, and certain other exemplary vehicle occupant accessories;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating certain exemplary vehicle occupant accessories detached from the vehicle seat assembly;

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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