Abstract:
A cover conceals a portion of a gap formed between an adjacent pair of seat backs of a motor vehicle seat assembly. The cover includes a substantially rigid portion and a substantially flexible portion. The flexible portion of the cover has first and second flanges that extend outwardly from opposite sides of the substantially rigid portion for concealing a portion of the gap between the seat backs of the seat assembly.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to seat assemblies for motor vehicles. More particularly, the invention relates to a cover or side shield having a rigid and elastomeric portions covering a portion of a gap between adjacent seat backs of a seat assembly. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Automotive vehicles typically include rigid plastic covers for covering exposed metal, gaps or other unsightly surfaces in the vehicle interior. Seat assemblies, for example, typically a plurality of plastic injection molded side covers for covering various areas of the seat assembly, such as along a side of a cushion, ends of a track or adjustment knobs, and over or around openings. The shape of such areas to be covered, particularly on a seat assembly, can be complex and/or require multiple covers. It remains desirable to provide improved cover designs that maintain desired outer appearances while covering exposed metal, gaps or other unsightly surfaces in the vehicle interior and, at the same time, address such issues as pinching and/or discomfort felt by the occupant while sitting on the seat assembly. It also remains desirable to reduce the number of covers used in a seat assembly to reduce assembly time and overall production costs. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to one aspect of the invention, a cover is provided for concealing a portion of a gap formed between an adjacent pair of seat backs of a motor vehicle seat assembly. The cover includes a substantially rigid portion and a substantially flexible portion. The flexible portion of the cover has first and second flanges that extend outwardly from opposite sides of the substantially rigid portion for concealing a portion of the gap between the seat backs of the seat assembly. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is an enlarged partial view of a seat assembly highlighting a cover according to one embodiment of the invention for covering an area between adjacent seat backs of the seat assembly; 
       FIG. 2  is a front perspective view of a first side of the cover of  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of a second side of the cover of  FIG. 1 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a motor vehicle seat assembly according to one embodiment of the invention is generally indicated at  8 . The seat assembly  8  includes a cushion  13  for supporting an occupant above a floor. The seat assembly  8  also includes a first seat back  12  and a second seat back  14  each capable of supporting a torso of the occupant seated on the seat cushion  13 . At least one of the seat backs  12 ,  14  is pivotally coupled to the cushion  13  for movement between a plurality of back support positions and/or a forwardly folded flat position. Each seat back  12 ,  14  includes a side surface  18 ,  19 . The side surfaces  18 ,  19  of the seat backs  12 ,  14  face each other and are generally parallel to each other. A gap  16  is formed between the side surfaces  18 ,  19  of the seat backs  12 ,  14  due largely to the at least one of the seat backs  12 ,  14  being pivotally coupled to the seat cushion  13 . Described in greater detail below, the seat assembly  8  includes a side shield or cover  10  for concealing a lower area of the gap  16 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2-3 , the cover  10  includes a main wall  20  that is generally parallel with the side surfaces  18 ,  19  of the seat backs  12 ,  14 . A rib lattice  22  is integrally formed on at least one side of the main wall  20  to reinforce the cover  10 . 
   A first flange  23  extends arcuately along a leading edge  25  of the main wall  20 . The first flange  23  is generally orthogonal to the main wall  20 . The first flange  23  extends toward the side surface  18  of the first seat back  12 . A bottom portion  24  of first flange  23  is integrally formed with the main wall  20 . The main wall  20  and the bottom portion  24  of the first flange  23  are substantially rigid. The main wall  20  and the bottom portion  24  of the first flange  23  may be formed of any suitable plastic material and formed, for example, in an injection molding process. 
   An upper portion  26  of the first flange  23  is formed of a different material than the bottom portion  24  of the first flange  23 . More specifically, the upper portion  26  of the first flange  23  is formed from a flexible material. In one embodiment, the upper portion  26  is formed of an elastomeric or rubber material, so as to be flexible relative to the substantially rigid portions of the cover  10 , i.e. the main wall  20  and the bottom portion  24 . 
   A second flange  34  extends arcuately along the leading edge  25  of the main wall  20 . The second flange  34  is generally orthogonal to the main wall  20 . The second flange  34  extends toward the side surface  19  of the second seat back  14 . In one embodiment, the second flange  34  is formed of an elastomeric or rubber material, so as to be flexible relative to the bottom portion  24  of the first flange  23  and the main wall  20 . In another embodiment, the upper portion  26  of the first flange  23  and the second flange  34  are integrally formed from the same flexible material. 
   The relatively flexible portions of the cover  10 , i.e. the upper portion  26  of the first flange  23  and the second flange  34 , may be formed integrally with the substantially rigid portions  20 ,  24  of the cover  10  in a two-shot injection molding process, in which the substantially rigid portions  20 ,  24  of the cover  10  are formed in one part of an injection molding tool using a resin or plastic material and the relatively flexible portions  26 ,  34  of the cover  10  are formed in a subsequent step in the same injection molding tool using a flexible elastomeric or rubber based material. Alternatively, the rigid  20 ,  24  and flexible  26 ,  34  portions of the cover  10  may be formed separately and assembled in a subsequent assembly step, such as by fasteners or heat staking. 
   The rigid portion  20 ,  24  of the cover  10  may also include a third flange  32  extending generally orthogonally from the main wall  20 . The third flange  32  may include mounting holes  38  for mounting the cover  10  to other components of the seat assembly  10 , such as the seat cushion  13 . The cover  10  may also include ribs  36  for minimizing flexing of the third flange  32  relative to the main wall  20 . 
   By this arrangement, the first  23  and second  34  flanges conceal portions of the gap associated with respective seat backs  12 ,  14 , thereby eliminating the need for individual conventional covers that are otherwise typically used for covering the same portions of the gap. Further, the flexible portions  26 ,  34  of the cover  10  flex to prevent pinching of or uncomfortable hard points being felt by the occupant. 
   The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is, therefore, to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.