Abstract:
The vehicle seat cover assembly covers a portion of a vehicle seat back. The vehicle seat cover assembly comprises a base member including a first portion and a second portion. The base member includes at least one connecting component to permit interlocking engagement therewith, a covering configured to be connected to the base member to cover a portion of the base member, and, a fastening member including at least one fastening component configure to attach the covering to the base member. The covering is positioned intermediate to the fastening member and the base member such that the fastening component of the fastening member engages the connecting component of the base member thereby attaching the covering to the base member.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a vehicle seat covering member, and more particularly relates to an easy to manufacture and assemble vehicle seat back cover member for covering a back portion of the vehicle seat. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Seat members, and particularly vehicle seat members, generally include a back support member operatively connected to a cushion member. The back support member can be adjusted between an upright position and lowered position by mechanical and electrical components located generally at the lower back portion of the vehicle seat. Without any covering, these components, as well as, the space located below the back support, are exposed to passengers in the vehicle. Exposure of these components is generally aesthetically undesirable and additionally can leave the components susceptible to damage. 
     To cover the lower portion of the back of a vehicle seat, standard seat arrangements are provided a covering, such as fabric or carpet. To attach the covering to the lower portion of the backside of the vehicle seat, it is presently standard practice to sew the covering to the backside of the vehicle seat to cover the backside. 
     SUMMARY 
     In light of the present need for a vehicle seat covering assembly for covering the back portion of a vehicle seat, a brief summary of various exemplary embodiments is presented. Some simplifications and omissions may be made in the following summary, which is intended to highlight and introduce some aspects of the various exemplary embodiments, but not to limit the scope of the invention. Detailed descriptions of a preferred exemplary embodiment adequate to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the inventive concepts will follow in later sections. 
     In summary, the vehicle seat cover assembly comprises a base member including a first portion and a second portion and at least one connecting component to permit interlocking engagement therewith. The vehicle seat cover assembly further includes a covering configured to be connected to the base member to cover a portion of the base member. The covering includes at least one opening formed therein configured to receive at least one fastening component therethrough. The vehicle seat cover assembly further includes a fastening member including at least one fastening component configured to attach the covering to the base member. The covering is positioned intermediate to the fastening member and the base member, such that the fastening component of the fastening member engages the connecting component of the base member, thereby attaching the covering to the base member. 
     In an embodiment of the vehicle cover assembly, the connecting component of the base member includes at least one opening configured to receive the respective at least one fastening component of the fastening member. The fastening member is configured to operatively engage the respective outer portions of the covering and the base member to form an attachment between the covering and base member about the respective outer portions. The at least one fastening component of the fastening member includes a tab member configured to be inserted into the respective at least one opening of the base member. The tab member of the fastening component includes a flexible stem and an abutment formed at an end portion of the stem, such that when the flexible stem is inserted into the at least one opening of the base member, the abutment engages an inner portion of the base member providing a snap-fit connection. 
     In another embodiment of the vehicle cover assembly, the at least one fastening member is integrally formed with the base member. As such, the at least one fastening member is operatively connected to the base member by an at least one flexible living hinge. Accordingly, the at least one fastening member includes a first fastening member operatively connected to one side of the base member, a second fastening member operatively connected to an opposing side of the base member, and a third fastening member operatively connected to a lower side of the base member. 
     The at least one connecting component of the base member includes an opening defining an extension, the extension is configured for insertion into the at least one opening formed in the covering to facilitate attachment of the covering to the base member. The connecting components of the base member each include openings formed in the base member, defining extensions provided along the outer portion of the base member to receive respective openings formed in the covering. 
     In another embodiment, of the vehicle seat cover assembly, the at least first fastening member is a unitary member having a first portion configured to cooperatively engage one edge of the covering and base member, and a second portion configured to cooperatively engage an opposing edge of the covering and base member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to better understand various exemplary embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental perspective view of a vehicle seat in a lowered position illustrating a vehicle seat cover assembly mounted to the rear lower portion of the vehicle seat in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the vehicle seat cover assembly of  FIG. 1 , illustrated in an integral configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle seat cover assembly of  FIG. 2 , illustrating connecting features of the vehicle seat cover assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view illustrating an example of the vehicle seat cover assembly fastening features, taken in the direction of the arrows along the section line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view of an example of the vehicle seat cover assembly fastening features, taken in the direction of the arrows along the section line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of another example of the vehicle seat cover assembly fastening features of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the vehicle seat cover assembly shown in  FIG. 6 , taken in the direction of the arrows along the section line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the vehicle seat cover assembly illustrating connecting features of the vehicle seat cover assembly; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the vehicle seat cover assembly illustrating a living hinge connecting feature for attaching a cover member to a base member; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of the vehicle seat cover assembly of  FIG. 9 , illustrating the connecting features. 
         FIG. 11  is a sectional view of the locking features of the vehicle seat cover assembly of  FIG. 9 , taken in the direction of the arrows along the section line  11 - 11 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view of the locking features of the vehicle seat cover assembly of  FIG. 9  taken in the direction of the arrows along the section line  12 - 12 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a sectional view of the locking features of the vehicle seat cover assembly of  FIG. 9 , taken in the direction of the arrows along the section line  13 - 13 . 
     
    
    
     To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used to designate elements having substantially the same or similar structure and/or substantially the same or similar function 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The process of sewing the covering to the seat back can be labor intensive, and accordingly costly to manufacture. Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a vehicle seat cover assembly suitable for covering the back portion of a seat arrangement that is easy to manufacture and assemble. It is desirable that the vehicle seat cover assembly is durable enough to protect the user from accessing the lower back portion of the vehicle seat and components, and furthermore, attractive to complement the vehicle&#39;s interior design. 
     The foregoing advantages of the invention are illustrative of those that can be achieved by the various exemplary embodiments and are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the possible advantages which can be realized. Thus, these and other advantages of the various exemplary embodiments will be apparent from the description herein or can be learned from practicing the various exemplary embodiments, both as embodied herein or as modified in view of any variation that may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention resides in the novel methods, arrangements, combinations, and improvements herein shown and described in various exemplary embodiments. 
     The vehicle seat cover assembly can be connected to the back side of a vehicle seat member to cover a gap and/or components located proximate to a lower back portion of the seat member. As such, the vehicle seat cover assembly can provide an aesthetic appearance to the rear portion of the seat member, as well as protect the mechanical and/or electrical components located at the lower portion of the vehicle seat member, when the vehicle seat member is in an upright position, as well as a folded position. 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein the illustrations are for purposes of describing one or more embodiments and not for the purposes of limiting the same,  FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the vehicle seat cover assembly generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . As shown, the vehicle seat cover assembly  10  can be connected to a generally back portion of a vehicle seat member  12 , to cover parts and/or components  14  generally located below the back portion of the seat member  12 . Notably, it is contemplated that the vehicle seat cover assembly  10  is not only limited to use in conjunction with seats for vehicles, and accordingly the vehicle seat cover assembly  10  may be used in cooperation with virtually any type of seat member arrangement, including seat members used in airplanes, trains, theaters and other seating venues, for example. 
     The vehicle seat cover assembly  10  is configured to cover the vehicle seat back  12 , when the vehicle seat member  12  is in an upright position, as well as a lowered position. Continuing now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the vehicle seat cover assembly  10  generally includes a base member  22  configured to provide a structural foundation to the vehicle seat cover assembly  10 , a covering  24 , configured to provide cover to the base member  22 , and further connect to the back side of the seat member  12 , and a fastening member  26 , configured to fasten the covering  24  to the base member  22 . The base member  22  and fastening member  26  may be thermoplastic components formable using manufacturing processes such as injection molding, for example. 
     As shown, the base member  22  provides a generally rigid base, anchoring the vehicle seat cover assembly  10  to provide cover to the generally lower back portion  14  of the vehicle seat member  12 . The base member  22  generally includes a first portion  28  and a second portion  30 , configured to cover the generally lower portion  14  of the vehicle seat back  12 . The base member  22  may have a generally planar outer surface  34  to receive the covering  24 . 
     As shown, the first portion  28  and second portion  30  of the base member  22  may be contiguously formed and connected via a joint member  36 . The joint member  36  may be flexible, thereby permitting flexible movement of the first portion  28  relative to the second portion  30  when the vehicle seat covering assembly  10  is moved between a lowered position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and upright position. Notably, it is further contemplated that the base member  22  may be formed with a flexible material, permitting the base member  22  itself to flex or bend, when the vehicle seat member  12  is moved between an upright position and lowered position. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the locking features used to connect the covering  24  to the base member  22 , in cooperation with fastening member  26 . As shown, the base member  22 , covering  24  and fastening member  26  each include one or more locking features configured to operatively engage each other. As shown, the base member  22  generally includes a plurality of connecting components, and/or various slots or openings  38   a - f ,  40   a - c . The connecting components  38   a - f  and  40   a - c  may be selectively located about the outer portion  43  or perimeter of the base member  22  as desired, to facilitate connection of the base member  22  with the covering  24  and fastening member  26  at the selected locations. Notably, while  FIGS. 2-3  show the connecting components  38   a - f  and  40   a - c , located generally about the outer portion  43 , it is contemplated that the locking connecting components  38   a - f  and  40   a - c  can be provided at virtually any location to facilitate connection to the covering  24  and fastening member  26 . 
     As shown, the connecting components may include slot openings  38   a - f  configured to receive respective fastening components  48   a - f  from the fastening member  26  and a portion of the covering  24  therein. The connecting components  40   a - c  slot or opening configurations define extensions and/or abutments  42   a - c , which are configured for insertion into openings  46   a - c  formed in the covering  24 , which will be further described later and illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     The covering  24  is configured for attachment to the outer surface  34  of the base member  22 , in cooperation with the fastening member  26 , to cover to the base member  22  and provide an aesthetically appealing appearance to the vehicle seat cover assembly  10 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the covering  24  includes one or more openings  44   a - f  and  46   a - c . The openings  44   a - f  are selectively positioned in alignment with the respective connecting components  38   a - f  of the base member  22 , and receive the fastening components  48   a - f  of the fastening member  26 . 
     It is contemplated that the covering  24  may be comprised of any type of fabric or material suitable for providing an aesthetic appearance complementing the interior design of the vehicle, such as carpet, leather or synthetic, for example. The covering  24  may be configured to flex and bend in cooperation with movement of the base member  22 . As shown, the covering member  24  generally can be affixed to a generally upper portion of vehicle seat member  12  by processes generally known in the art, such as sewing for example. 
     The fastening member  26  is adapted to fasten a portion of the covering member  24  to the base member  22 . In an embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 , the fastening member  26  may be separate component removably attachable to the covering  24  and base member  22 . As shown, the fastening member  26  may have a generally U-shaped contiguous configuration including a first portion  50 , a second portion  52  provided opposite to the first portion  50 , and a lower or third portion  54 . As such, the fastening member  26  is configured to engage the generally outer perimeter  29  of the base member  22  and outer perimeter  73  of the covering  24 . As shown, the fastening member  26  includes one or more fastening components  48   a - f  adapted for operative engagement with the base member  22 . 
     As shown, the fastening member  26  further includes generally flexible portions  56   a  and  56   b  permitting the fastening member  26  to flex or bend in cooperation with the base member  22  and covering  24 . Continuing now to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , there is shown a more detailed illustration of an example of the fastening connections of the base member  22 , fastening member  26 , and covering  24 . As illustrated, the fastening member  26  provides an abutting edge  58  generally located proximate to the inner surface  60  of the fastening member  26  and generally about the outer periphery of the fastening member  26 . As such, the edge  58  provides cooperative locking engagement with an inner surface  62  of the base member  22 , which will be illustrated in further detail later herein. 
     As shown, the one or more fastening components  48   a - f  of the fastening member  26  are configured for cooperative fastening engagement with the respective openings  44   a - f  of the covering  24  and  38   a - f  of the base member  26 . The fastening member  26  provides an inner abutting edge  58  about the inner surface  60  to provide a fastening force to a portion of the outer surface  72  of the covering  24 . The fastening components  48   a - f  further each include a tab member  64  configured for insertion into the respective covering  24  openings  44   a - f  and base member  22  openings  38   a - f.    
     As shown in detail in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the tab member  64  generally includes a flexible projection  66  configured to extend through respective openings  44   a - f  formed in the respective covering member  24  and openings  38   a - f  formed in the base member  22 . The tab member  64  includes head portion  68  having a relatively rigid body for snapping or locking engagement with the inner surface  70  of the base member  22  providing a snap-fit connection. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a similar connection between the fastening member components  48   a - f , and openings  44   a - f  formed on an opposing side of the covering  24 . Notably, the aforementioned snap-fit connection arrangement can be provided at various selected locations about the perimeter of the vehicle seat covering  24 , base member  22  and fastening member  26 , without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     In addition to the above-mentioned snap-fit connection, the vehicle seat cover assembly may be connected in cooperation with a slot or opening connection as illustrated in  FIG. 2  and in more detail in  FIG. 6  As shown, slot openings  40   a - c  are provided along the lower portion base member  22 , defining respective extensions or abutments  42   a - c . As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the respective openings  46   a - c  of the covering  24  are configured to receive the abutment  42   a - c  therein such that a portion of the outer surface  72  of the covering  24  engages an inner surface  80  of the respective extension  42   a - c . The inner lip  74  of the fastening member  26  operatively engages the inner portion  82  of the covering  24  and the inner edge  78  of the lower portion of the fastening member  26  also cooperatively engages the outer portion  72  of the covering  24 . The inner lip  74  of the fastening member  26  provides a connection to inner portion  82  of the covering  24  and inner portion of the base member  22 . 
     Notably it is contemplated that in the alternative, locking features, similar to the fastening components  48   a - f  shown in the fastening member  26  can also be provided on the base member  22  to facilitate locking engagement with the fastening member  26 , without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is further contemplated that connecting components  38   a - f , such as shown on the base member  22  can be provided on the fastening member  26  to cooperatively receive fastening components located on the base member  22 . 
     In an embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , it is contemplated that the vehicle seat cover assembly  10  may also include one or more fastening components  90   a - f  provided as external components, separate from the fastening member  26 , such as a screw, thumb-snap fastener, or rivet, for example. In this arrangement, the fasteners  90   a - f  may operatively engage respective openings  84   a - f  formed in the fastening member  26 , and respective openings  88   a - f  formed in the base member  22 , passing through the respective members  22  and  26 , thereby attaching the fastening member  26  to the base member  22 . It is further contemplated, that the external fastener may also engage the covering  24  and respective covering openings  86   a - f , further attaching covering  24  to the base member  22 . The fasteners  90   a - f  may operate separately, or in conjunction with the fastening components  48   a - f  provided on the fastening member  26 . 
     In an embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the vehicle seat cover assembly  100  is configured to cover the space  14  and/or gap generally located at the lower back portion of the vehicle seat  12 . Similar to the aforementioned embodiment, the vehicle seat cover assembly  100  includes a covering  124 , a base member  122  dimensioned to receive the covering  124 , and one or more fastening members  126   a ,  126   b  and  126   c , which may be integrally formed with the base member  122  to fasten the covering  124  to the base member  122 . The base member  122  has a first portion  128  and second portion  130 . 
     The base member  122  may include outer portions  129   a ,  129   b  provided on opposing ends, and  129   c  provided along the lower portion of the assembly  100 . As shown, respective fastening members  126   a ,  126   b  and  126   c  may be provided about the respective outer portions  129   a - c  of the base member  122  by one or more respective living hinge members  131   a - c . Each respective living hinge member  131   a - c  may be a generally thin flexible hinge member generally made from the same material as the two rigid pieces it connects, which in this case are the fastening members  126   a - c  and the base member  122 . In general, the hinge member  131   a - c  may be thinned or cut to allow the respective fastening member  126   a - c  to bend along the line of the hinge  131   a - c.    
     The respective fastening members  126   a ,  126   b , and  126   c , each provide one or more fastening components  148   a - f  disposed about the inner surfaces  139   a - c  of the respective fastening members  126   a - c  and configured for coupling engagement with the respective openings of the base member  138   a - f  and openings of the covering  144   a - f.    
       FIG. 10  shows an exploded view of the vehicle seat cover assembly  100 . As shown the base member  126  generally includes a plurality of connecting components  138   a - f  and  140   a - c , which can be defined as slots or openings configured to cooperatively engage the respective fastening components  148   a - f  of the fastening members  126   a ,  126   b  and  126   c  and openings  144   a - f  of the covering. As previously disclosed the components  138   a - f  and  140   a - c  may be provided generally about the respective outer portions  129   a ,  129   b  and  129   c  of the base member  122 , to facilitate connection with the covering  124  and fastening member  126  at the selected positions. As further illustrated, the respective slot or opening configurations  140   a - c  may further define an extension and/or abutment  142   a - c  adapted to be inserted in respective openings formed in the covering  124 , which will be further described herein later. 
     Similar to the covering  24 , previously described in  FIG. 3 , the covering  124  is configured for attachment with to the base member  122 , and in cooperation with the fastening members  126   a - c . As shown, the covering  124  may provide one or more openings  144   a - f  and  146   a - c , selectively located to cooperatively engage the respective connecting components  138   a - f  and  142   a - c  of the base member  122  and respective fastening components  148   a - f  of the fastening members  126   a - c , which will be further described later herein. 
       FIGS. 11-13  provide a more detailed illustration of an example of the fastening connections provided by the fastening components of the respective base member  122 , fastening member  126  and covering  124 . As illustrated, one or more fastening components  148   a - c  of the fastening member  126  are configured for cooperative fastening engagement with the covering  124  and base member  126 . The fastening components  142   a - c  further include a tab member  164  configured for insertion into the respective covering  124  and base member  122  openings  40   a - c  and  40   c.    
     As shown in detail in  FIGS. 11-12 , the tab member  164  generally includes a flexible projection  166  configured to extend through respective openings  138   a - f  the base member  122  and openings  144   a - f  of the covering  124 . The tab member  164  has head portion  168  having a relatively rigid body for snapping or locking engagement with the inner surface  170  of the base member  122  providing a snap-fit connection. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a similar connection between the fastening member  126  components in an opposing direction. As illustrated, the aforementioned snap-fit connection can be provided at various locations about the perimeter of the vehicle seat covering  124  to provide connection of the covering  124  to the base member  122  at various locations, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     In addition to the above-mentioned snap-fit connection, the vehicle seat cover assembly  100  may be connected in cooperation with a slot or opening connection as illustrated in  FIG. 9  and in more detail in  FIG. 13 . As shown, slot openings  140   a - c  are provided along the lower portion base member  122 , defining respective abutments  142   a - c . As shown, the respective openings  146   a - c  of the covering  124  are configured to receive the abutment  142   a - c  therein such that a portion of the outer surface  172  of the covering  124  engages an inner surface  170  of the respective abutment  142   a - c . The inner lip  174  of the fastening member  122  operatively engages the inner portion  182  of the covering  124  and the inner edge  178  of the lower portion of the fastening member  126  also cooperatively engages the outer portion  172  of the covering  124 . The inner lip  174  of the fastening member  126  provides a connection to the covering  124  and inner portion of the base member  122 . 
     In operation, the respective fastening member  126   a - c  bends along the living hinge  131   a - c  from a first open position to a closed position. As such, the abutment edge  158  and tab member  164  cooperatively engages the covering  124  and base member  122  on opposing sides, thus securing the covering  124  to the base  122 . As illustrated, the aforementioned connection can be provided at various locations the vehicle seat covering assembly to selectively provide connection of the covering to the base member at various locations. 
     The method of covering a back portion of a vehicle seat  12  via a vehicle seat cover assembly  10  generally comprises providing a base member  22  having at least one connecting component. Then providing a fastening member  26  having at least one fastening component  48  formed therein and configured to operatively engage a respective connecting component of a base member  22 . Thereafter the method steps include providing a covering member  24  having at least one opening  44  formed therein, the opening  44  being configured to receive a fastening component  48  of the fastening member  26 . 
     The method of covering a back portion further comprises placing a portion of the covering  24  on or about a generally outer surface  34  of the base member  22 , such that the at least one connecting component  38  of the base member  22  is aligned with the opening  44  formed in the covering  24 . Thereafter, the fastening member  26  is placed in engagement with the covering  24  such that the fastening component  48  is aligned with the opening  44  of the covering  24  and is aligned with the connecting component  38  of the base member  22 . Further the opening  40  and extension  42  of the base member  22  is aligned with the respective openings  46  formed in the covering  24 . Accordingly, the fastening component  48  is inserted into the respective opening  44  and connection component  38 . Further, the extension  42  is inserted into the opening  46  formed in the covering  24 . As such, a snap-fit engagement is formed between the fastening member  26  and the base member  22  with a portion of the covering  24  attached therebetween. 
     As shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 9-13 , the fastening member  126  may be integrally formed with the base member  122  and connected by a living hinge  131  or a separate member configured to be removably connected to the base member  122 . 
     Although the various exemplary embodiments have been described in detail with particular reference to certain exemplary aspects thereof, it should be understood that the invention is capable of other embodiments and its details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects. As is readily apparent to those skilled in the art, variations and modifications can be affected while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure, description, and figures are for illustrative purposes only and do not in any way limit the invention, which is defined only by the claims.