Chairs and seats – Having detachably interfitting parts or components; i.e.,...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-19
2001-09-04
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3624)
Chairs and seats
Having detachably interfitting parts or components; i.e.,...
C297S218100, C297S452600
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283552
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to fasteners and, more specifically, to fasteners having a series of hook members for securing a bolster to a seating surface made of woven fibers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
To increase the available interior space and to reduce the weight of a vehicle, many automotive manufacturers are turning towards alternative seat assemblies of their vehicles. One of these alternatives includes utilizing a seating surface made of woven fibers, which is stretched over and secured to a seat frame. The seating surface, also known as a direct suspension seating surface, supports an occupant and dampens the impact or vibration imparted through the vehicle to the occupant, without the use of traditional cloth covered foam cushions over a seat pan or springs.
The direct suspension seat configuration is lighter in weight and requires less interior volume than the traditional seat assembly, and can therefor increase the fuel economy, improve performance, and provide greater interior space without increasing the size of the vehicle. Although very promising, several issues, most notably comfort and to some extent design expectation, have arisen with direct suspension seating surfaces.
Generally, a two-dimensional shape is formed since the direct suspension seating surface is stretched over the seat frame. The two-dimensional shape is obviously different from so-called bucket seats, to which occupants of a vehicle have grown accustomed. Bucket seats have gained popularity over the years because the seat shape tends to support an occupant against the centrifugal forces exerted on the occupant during a turn. Until this time, direct suspension seating surfaces could not provide such support.
Therefore, a need exists for a seat assembly with the weight and dimensional advantages of the direct suspension seating surface, but with the cushioning and the support provided by more traditional seat configurations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, this invention provides for a seat assembly that overcomes the problems and disadvantages of the conventional techniques in the art. The present invention also provides for a seat assembly with a seat frame, a direct suspension seating surface, a bolster to provide increased support for the occupant, and a fastener to attach the bolster to the seating surface. The present invention further provides for a fastener that attaches a bolster to a direct suspension seating surface of a seat assembly.
Briefly, the seat assembly of the present invention includes a seat frame, a seating surface which is secured to the seat frame and which has spaced apart, generally parallel first fibers and spaced apart second fibers transverse to the first fibers, a bolster, and a fastener. The fastener has an attachment member securable to the bolster and a series of hook members extending from the attachment member which are insertable between the first fibers and the second fibers of the seating surface. The hook members have a barb portion extending from the hook members to provide retention of the fastener to the first fibers, thereby securing the bolster to the seating surface.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5582463 (1996-12-01), Linder et al.
Halse Larry E.
Koester Daniel J.
Krsteski John
Larsen Lance E.
Schowalter Jean-Paul
Cuomo Peter M.
Foley & Lardner
Johnson Controls Technology Company
Vu Stephen
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