Abstract:
A recliner cover assembly for enclosing a recliner mechanism of an automotive seat wherein the recliner mechanism includes an upper arm pivotally coupled to a lower arm. The recliner cover assembly comprises a housing defined by facing first and second molded members forming a cavity therebetween for encasing at least a portion of the recliner mechanism and a separate shingle cover slidably coupled between the first and second molded members wherein the shingle cover is coupled to the upper arm of the recliner mechanism for movement concomitantly therewith to continuously cover the recliner mechanism encased with the housing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to a recliner cover, and more particularly to a recliner cover for enclosing and protecting a seat recliner mechanism. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Automotive seat assemblies generally include a seat cushion connected to a seat back. The seat back is normally pivotally adjustable relative to the seat cushion to provide for a plurality of positions of the seat back. In this manner, a user can adjust the seat back to a desired inclined seating position or a stowed position overlying the seat cushion. 
   Recliner mechanisms generally couple the seat back to the seat cushion and allow for pivotal movement of the seat back relative to the seat cushion. The recliner mechanisms generally comprise pair of pivotally interconnected metal components or hinge members fixedly secured to and between the seat cushion and seat back. The recliner mechanism is generally not exposed, thereby preventing contamination by foreign particles, as well as concealing “pinch point” areas where a user may interact with the mechanism. 
   Various attempts have been made in the prior art to provide barriers for recliner mechanisms including brushes or bristle-like members applied to an area of a molded trim piece, or a cover, that overlaps the recliner mechanism. The brushes require an additional operation to heat stake or overmold the brushes to the molded trim piece. Also, the brushes provide for limited coverage of the mechanisms, not completely protecting a user from “pinch point” conditions. Often, the bristles may get caught in the mechanisms jamming the recliner and preventing the ability to adjust the seat back relative to the seat cushion. 
   Thermal plastic elastomer members have been also been used in the art to cover a recliner mechanism. The thermal plastic members are very costly to produce, requiring complex tooling and expensive raw materials. The elastomer material is also prone to wear, resulting in the breakdown of the article, which can bind the recliner mechanism, as well. The elastomer members also have the disadvantage of not staying in place as they are often just pulled over the recliner mechanism as a boot, thereby allowing gaps for possible “pinch point” conditions. 
   There is therefore a need in the art for a recliner cover that prevents exposure of the recliner mechanism to a user, as well as is easy to manufacture at a reasonable cost and is aesthetically pleasing. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a recliner cover assembly for enclosing a recliner mechanism of an automotive seat wherein the recliner mechanism includes an upper arm pivotally coupled to a lower arm. The recliner cover assembly comprises a housing defined by facing first and second molded members forming a cavity therebetween for encasing at least a portion of the recliner mechanism and a separate shingle cover slidably coupled between the first and second molded members wherein the shingle cover is adapted to be coupled to the upper arm of the recliner mechanism for movement concomitantly therewith to continuously cover the recliner mechanism encased with the housing. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the recliner cover assembly of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the recliner cover assembly of the present invention; 
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  are assembled perspective views of the first embodiment of the recliner cover assembly; and 
       FIGS. 3C and 3D  are assembled perspective view of the second embodiment of the recliner cover assembly. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a first embodiment of a recliner cover assembly  5  according to the present invention for use. The recliner cover assembly  5  includes a housing  10  and a moveable shingle cover  15  disposed within the housing  10 . The recliner cover assembly  5  encloses a recliner mechanism  20  which is adapted to be secured between a seat back and seat cushion of an automotive seat assembly for pivoting the seat back between a plurality of positions relative to the seat cushion. 
   With respect to the first embodiment, the housing  10  preferably comprises two pieces including inner and outer molded members  25 ,  30 . In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the inner and outer molded members  25 ,  30  comprise a polymer material and even more preferably a rigid polymer material such as polypropylene. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the recliner mechanism  20  is disposed within a cavity  35  formed by the mating of the inner and outer molded members  25 ,  30 . More specifically, the recliner mechanism  20  includes a lower arm  26  adapted to be fixedly secured to the seat cushion and an upper arm  27  adapted to be fixedly secured to the seat back. The upper arm  27  is pivotally interconnected to the lower arm  26  by a pivot joint  28 . The inner and outer molded members  25 ,  30  enclose the lower arm  26 , pivot joint  28  and part of the upper arm  27  within the cavity  35 . In a preferred aspect, the inner and outer molded members  25 ,  30  include snap tabs  40  that are received within slots  45  of the opposing inner or outer members  25 ,  30 . The snap tabs  40  provide a simple mechanism to connect the inner and outer molded members  25 ,  30 . The inner and outer molded members  25 ,  30  are connected to the recliner mechanism  20  using appropriate fasteners. In a preferred aspect, screws  50  are disposed in apertures  55  formed in the outer molded member  30  and are used to connect the inner and outer molded members  25 ,  30  with the recliner mechanism  20 . 
   Again referring to  FIG. 1 , the moveable shingle cover  15  is separately or independently disposed within the housing  10 . The shingle cover  15  includes an elongated slot  17  formed therein for receiving the upper arm  27  of the recliner mechanism  20  therethrough. The shingle cover  15  preferably comprises a flexible polymer material allowing it to bend around the contours of the housing  10 , as will be discussed in more detail below. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the shingle cover  15  comprises a polyester blend. 
   The moveable shingle cover  15  is disposed within the housing  10  and slidably guided along a channel or track  60  formed by a plurality ribs  65  disposed on the inner surfaces  70  of the inner and outer molded members  25 ,  30 . The ribs  65  define a travel path of the moveable shingle cover  15 . The moveable shingle cover  15  travels freely along the channel or track  60  relative to the stationary housing  10  as the upper arm  27  of the recliner mechanism  20  pivots relative to the lower arm  26 . In this manner all “pinch points” of the recliner mechanism are protected and concealed for access, and the recliner mechanism  20  is isolated or enclosed such that foreign materials cannot bind the recliner mechanism  20 . 
   In use, as the upper arm  27  pivots about the pivot joint  28  relative to the lower arm  26 , it moves within the slot  17  formed in the moveable shingle cover  15  thereby concomitantly moving the shingle cover  15  with the upper arm  27  such that the recliner mechanism  20 , particularly the pivot joint  28 , is isolated or covered at all times. As the upper arm  27  moves, the shingle cover  15  travels along the path of the channel or track  60  defined by the ribs  65  formed on the inner and outer molded members  25 ,  30 . The flexible properties of the shingle cover  15  allows for movement along the curvaceous path without binding with the housing  10 . Additionally, the independent or separate shingle cover  15  is free to slide along the channel or track  60  between the mating inner and outer molded members  25 ,  30  in response to pivotal movement of the upper arm  27  relative to the lower arm  26  of the recliner mechanism  20 . 
     FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate the housing  10  and moveable shingle cover  15  without the recliner mechanism  20 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 C and  3 D there is shown a second embodiment of a recliner cover assembly  5  according to the present invention. The second embodiment may be utilized when a split bench or other seating arrangement is used requiring a center recliner mechanism  120 . As with the previously described first embodiment, the second embodiment of the recliner cover assembly  5  includes a housing  100  and a moveable shingle cover  115  independently an and slidably disposed within the housing  100 . A recliner mechanism  120  is enclosed within the housing  100  and includes an upper arm  127  and a lower arm  126  pivotally interconnected by a pivot joint  128  and moveable to a plurality of positions. However, due to the use of the second embodiment, with a center recliner mechanism  120 , the housing  110  comprises forward and rear molded members  130 ,  125 , as opposed to inner and outer molded members  25 ,  30 , as described with respect to the first embodiment. As with the previously described first embodiment, the moveable shingle cover  115  is slidably disposed within the housing  110  and travels on a track or path defined by ribs  165  formed on inner surfaces  170  of the front and rear molded members  130 ,  125 . As with the previously described first embodiment, the shingle cover  115  includes an elongated slot  117  that receives the upper arm  127  of the recliner mechanism  120  such that the recliner mechanism  120  and moveable shingle cover  115  move concomitantly and relative to the housing  100 . 
   Again, snap tabs  140  are used to mate the front  130  and rear  125  molded members, as with the previously described first embodiment. The preferred materials of the previously described first embodiment are utilized by the second embodiment, as well. 
   The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. 
   Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.