Patent Publication Number: US-2022212581-A1

Title: Seat back panel

Description:
FIELD 
     One embodiment of a back panel for a seat, such as for a seat in a vehicle, including but not limited to a passenger-type vehicle, like a car or truck, is disclosed. The seat may have applicability in other vehicles as well. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vehicles, including passenger-type vehicles, include seats for occupants. The seats typically have a lower cushion portion and a back portion. The back portion may have a framework that connects with a framework in the lower cushion portion; often the back portion is connected in a pivoting fashion to the lower cushion portion. The framework of the lower cushion portion may be attached to the frame of the vehicle. 
     Mechanical devices, such as mechanisms to adjust portions of the seat, including but not limited to, the bolster, headrest and/or cushions (e.g., seat tilt, seat angle, and/or seat height) may be attached to the framework of either the lower cushion portion or the back portion. 
     The frameworks of the back portion and the cushion portion may be provided, at least in part, with cushioning material to make them more comfortable to sit on. A covering, which may be a fabric material, may extend at least partially over the cushioning material to enclose it and provide the seat with an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The covering also extends over the frameworks and the mechanical devices. Often the covering is somewhat permanent in nature in that it has to be at least partially destroyed to reach the interior of the seat once the covering is in place. 
     It can be appreciated from the foregoing that enclosing the seat with fabric, or using other materials to enclose the seat, can make accessing the interior of the seat difficult such as during assembly and for repair. Zippers or the like may be used to access the interior of the seat but the zippers and/or their coverings are often unsightly and in the way of easy access to other seat back components and attachments. Some coverings also fix the profile of the seat, which can reduce available space, such as leg room space for adjacent occupants. 
     In view of the disadvantages associated with the prior art designs, it would be advantageous for a seat to have at least a partial modular construction so that portions of the seat can be easily accessed during assembly or for repair. It would also be advantageous for the modular features to attach, or connect, to existing seat structures. It would also be advantageous for at least a portion of the seat to have the option to flex into the seat to provide additional leg room for adjacent occupants. Further, it would be advantageous for the seat to provide the above features in a low cost and easy to manufacture method. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a seat back panel may have a panel having a central portion bounded by an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion may have an upper attachment member adapted to selectively receive a portion of a framework for a seat. The central portion may have a least one side attachment member adapted to selectively receive a portion of the framework. The central portion may have a concave shape. The lower portion may have a convex shape. The concave shape and the convex shape may give the panel a general S-shape. 
     In another aspect, the panel may be constructed of an elastic polymeric material. 
     In another aspect, the panel may have a thickness between approximately 1.2 to 2.5 mm. 
     In another aspect, the upper attachment member may have a mounting surface directly attached to an inner surface of the upper portion of the panel. 
     In another aspect, a flange of the upper attachment member may extend generally transverse the mounting surface. 
     In another aspect, a first rear finger may extend generally transversely from the flange, and a second forward finger may extend generally transversely from the flange, where the first rear finger and the second forward finger may be generally parallel one another. 
     In another aspect, the second forward finger may have a bend adapted to create a capture surface for the framework. 
     In another aspect, the at least one side attachment member may have a general I-shaped cross-section. 
     In another aspect, the I-shaped cross-section may be formed from an inner mounting surface, a central flange portion and a base. 
     In another aspect, the central flange portion may extend generally transversely the inner surface of the panel. 
     In another aspect, the base may have an angled interior edge portion to create a hook-like structure with the central flange portion. 
     In another aspect, the first and second side attachment members may be located on opposite sides of the central portion. 
     In another aspect, the at least one side attachment member and the upper attachment member may be adapted to elastically selectively receive and secure the framework. 
     In another aspect, the lower portion may have wing portions that are located below the central portion, the wing portions may have a greater width than the central portion. 
     In another aspect, the panel may be unitary, integrally formed and one piece. 
     In another aspect, the seat back panel may be unitary, integrally formed and one piece. 
     In another aspect, a seat back panel may have a panel having a central portion bounded by an upper portion and a lower portion. The central portion may have a least one side attachment member adapted to selectively receive a portion of the framework. The central portion may have a concave shape. The lower portion may have a convex shape. The concave shape and the convex shape may give the panel a general S-shape. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above, as well as other advantages, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of a rear perspective view of a seat with a back panel located therein; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a seat with a back panel exploded therefrom; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a back panel; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a partial cut-away side view of one embodiment of cushioning material, framework and a back panel; 
         FIG. 5  depicts a partial cut-away side view of an upper portion of a seat back and back panel; 
         FIG. 6  depicts a partial cut-away side view of a lower portion of a seat back and a back panel; 
         FIG. 7  depicts a partial cut-away top view of a seat back and a back panel; and 
         FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of a back panel. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It is to be understood that the device may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless the expressly stated otherwise. 
     Turning now to the figures, one embodiment of a seat  10 , such as a seat  10  that might be used in a vehicle, is depicted in  FIG. 1 . The seat  10  in  FIG. 1  schematically depicts a lower cushion portion  12  and a back portion  14  connected to the lower cushion portion  12 . The lower cushion portion  12  may have a framework  16 , and the back portion may have a framework  18 , which are partially and schematically depicted in  FIGS. 4-7 . The frameworks  16 ,  18  provide a relatively rigid structure for the seat  10 . In the case of the lower cushion portion  12 , its framework  16  may provide an attachment point to the vehicle. The framework  18  for the back portion  14  may be connected to the framework  16  for the lower cushion portion  12 . In some embodiments, the connections between the frameworks  16 ,  18  and/or the vehicle may allow for selective pivotal motion, or relative forward and rear motion of the seat  10 . Forward and/or rear motion may be such as along an x-axis, as shown in the figures. 
     The seat  10  may contain mechanical devices, such as mechanisms to adjust the seat. The mechanisms may be used to adjust the tilt, height, and/or position of the seat  10  and its components, and/or the operation of the seat  10 . These devices are not depicted in the figures. 
     The frameworks  16 ,  18  of the back portion  14  and the lower cushion portion  12  may be provided, at least in part, with cushioning material  20  to make them more comfortable to sit on. The cushioning material  20  may also provide shape to the seat  10 . A covering  22 , which may be a fabric material, may extend at least partially over the cushioning material  20  to enclose it and provide the seat  10  with an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The covering  22  also extends over the frameworks  16 ,  18  and the mechanical devices. The figures, such as  FIG. 7 , depict one embodiment of the cushioning material  20  and covering  22 . 
     The back portion  14  has a rear portion  24 , or a portion which faces away from a forward direction, such as long the x direction, of the vehicle in which the seat  10  is located. The rear portion  24  may be located on an opposite side of the seat  10  from where a seat occupant may reside on the seat  10 . Where an occupant may reside might be designated as a forward portion  26  of the seat  10 . The rear portion  24  may have two generally parallel side portions  28  connected at their upper portions  30  by a top portion  32 . The side portions  28  may generally have their primary extension along a y-axis. The top portion  32  may generally extend transverse the side portions  28 . The rear portion  24 , through the side portions  28  and the top portion  32 , may define a generally U-shape, as shown in  FIG. 2 . The side portions  28  and top portion  32  may further define an opening  34  that extends into an interior portion  36  of the seat  10 . 
     In some cases, the opening  34  in the seat  10  provides access to the interior  36  of the seat  10 , including the frameworks  16 ,  18  and the mechanical devices, as well as other features of the seat  10 . This access may be helpful during construction, installation and/or repair of the seat  10  and its components. 
     In some cases, the cushion portion  12  may also have a rear portion  38 , or a portion which faces away from the forward direction of the vehicle in which the seat  10  is located. In some cases, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the rear portion  38  of the lower cushion portion  12  provides access to the interior  36  of the seat  10 , including the framework and the mechanical devices, as well as other features of the seat. This access may be provided such as through an opening  34  in the rear portion  38 , similar to that described above. 
     In many cases, it may be preferred to close, or enclose, the rear portion  38  of the lower cushion portion  12  and the rear portion  24  of the back portion  14 . It may also be preferred that the closure or enclosure is done selectively, or in a non-permanent fashion, so that access the rear portions  24 ,  28  is still available. 
     A seat back panel  42 , one embodiment of which shown in the figures, may be selectively attached to the cushion portion  12  and/or back portion  14  to close or enclose any or all of the above-noted openings  34 ,  40 . 
     The seat back panel  42  may be comprised of a panel  44  and one more attachment members  46 , or other fastening devices, that may be used to attach the panel  42  to the seat  10 , such as the rear portion  24 . The attachment members  46  may include, but are not limited to, mechanical fasteners, male/female couplings, hook and loop fasteners and/or adhesives. The attachment member  46  may be attached to, or be part of, the panel  44 , thus making the seat back panel  42  modular in nature. The attachment member  46  may also be extruded from a material and then attached to the panel  44 . 
     In some embodiments, the seat back panel  42  may have a one piece, unitary and integrally formed construction. The seat back panel  42  may be constructed of a polymeric material, such as plastic, but other materials may be permissible. 
     In one embodiment, the panel  44  may be die cut from a sheet of material. This provides the advantage that the panel  44  can be created without expensive tools or molds, and the panel  44  can be produced quickly and easily. 
     In some cases, the panel  44  may have a thickness between approximately 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm. The panel  44  thickness may be constant across the entire panel  44 , or the thickness may vary in the noted range. 
     A panel  44  constructed of polymeric material in the noted thickness range may be generally flexible and elastically deformable. This is advantageous as the panel  44 , when located onto the back portion  14  of the seat  10 , can be selectively flexed into the opening(s)  34  and/or  40 , such as by the knees of a rear occupant, in order to provide additional leg/knee room. The elastic nature of the panel  44  permits it to rebound into its original shape and position when a flexing force is removed from the panel  44 . 
     The panel  44  may have a central portion  48  bounded by an upper portion  50  and a lower portion  52 . First and second side portions  54 ,  56 , extending generally transverse the upper and lower portions  50 ,  52 , may further bound the panel  44 . The upper, central and/or side portions  50 ,  48 ,  54 ,  56  may have a generally concave shape, such as extending in the x direction, which can be appreciated from  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     In some embodiments, the upper portion  50  may have an upper attachment member  58  attached to an inner surface  60  of the panel  44 , such as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The upper attachment member  58  may be attached to the panel  44  such as through mechanical fasteners, male/female couplings, hook and loop fasteners and/or adhesives. The upper attachment member  58  may also be one piece, integrally formed and unitary with the panel  44 . 
     The upper attachment member  58  may have a mounting surface  62  that attaches, or connects, directly with the inner surface  60 . The upper attachment member  58  may also have a flange  64  that may extend at an angle, such as generally perpendicularly, to the mounting surface  62 . The flange  64  extends away from the inner surface  60 . 
     In some embodiments, two fingers may extend downwardly from the flange  64 . A first, rear finger  66  may extend at an angle, such as generally perpendicularly, to the flange  64  so that it extends generally parallel the inner surface  60  of the panel  44 . A second, forward finger  68  may extend at an angle from the flange  64  so it is also generally parallel the inner surface  60  and the first, rear finger  66 . A portion of the second, forward finger  68 , however, may have a bend  70  in it. The bend  70  may create a capture surface  72  adapted to selectively capture and retain a framework  18  member of the back portion  14  therein, which may be appreciated from the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . In some embodiments, the framework  18  of the back portion  14  may be located between the second, forward finger  68  and the first, rear finger  66  with the bend  70  helping to at least initially capture the framework  18  by providing a wider opening compared with the space between the two fingers  66 ,  68 . 
     In other embodiments, the upper attachment member  58  may be such as a strap, tie, hook and/or other similar structure to connect the panel  44  with the framework  18 . These upper attachment members  58  may be used with the above-mentioned structure, or on their own. In other embodiments, the panel  44  may not have any upper attachment member, as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     One or more side attachment members  74  may be attached to the side portions  54 ,  56  of the panel  44 , one embodiment of which is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In some embodiments, each side attachment member  74  may have a generally I-shaped cross section formed by an inner mounting surface  76 , a central flange portion  78  and a base  80 . The inner mounting surface  76  may attach, or connect, directly to the inner surface  60  of the panel  44 . The inner mounting surface  76  may be connected to the panel  44  such as through mechanical fasteners, male/female couplings, hook and loop fasteners and/or adhesives. The inner mounting surface  76  may be generally planar and/or parallel with the inner surface  60  of the panel  44 . 
     The central flange portion  78  may extend at an angle, such as generally perpendicularly, substantially along the inner mounting surface  76 . The base  80  may extend generally parallel to the inner mounting surface  76  substantially along the central flange portion  78 . An interior edge portion  82  of the base  80  may be curved or angled, such as in an outward or outboard direction (which is in the z direction), to create a hook-like structure  84  with the central flange portion  78 . The hook-like structures  84  are designed to selectively capture and retain the framework  18  of the back portion  14 , one embodiment of which is shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     The side attachment members  74  may have portions  86  removed therefrom to accommodate seat structures and/or framework  18  of the back portion  18 . The portions  86  may be such as rectangular shaped areas where material has been removed from the side attachment members  74 . 
     The side attachment members  74  may be substantially the same as one another, or they may be different from one another. The side attachment members  74  may extend generally transverse the upper attachment member  58  on the seat back panel  42 . 
     The upper attachment member  58  and the side attachment members  74  may be such as clip-like devices that selectively secure to the framework  18  of the back portion  14 . The attachment members  58 ,  74  may be elastically deformable to achieve the clip-like function and/or they may be biased, such as through springs (e.g., leaf and/or coil type springs), to achieve the clip-like function. In some embodiments, the above-noted features of the individual attachment members  58 ,  74  may pressed or pinched together about any of the above-mentioned framework to secure the panel  44  to the framework  18 . In such a case, when the attachment member features are released from being pinched/pressed, they maintain the pinched/pressed position to retain the framework  18 . 
     It is permissible to use a cushioning material (not shown), such as foam, between the attachment members  58 ,  74  and the seat  10  to reduce relative movement of the attachment members  58 ,  74  and/or panel  44  with respect to the seat  10  and to reduce the potential for rattling. 
     In some embodiments, the sides of the panel  44  below the side attachment member  74  may widen to cover portions of the back portion  18  or the lower cushion portion  16  as needed, as shown in  FIG. 3 . These wing portions  88 , compared with the rest of the panel  44 , may have a greater outward dimension (or z direction) compared with the rest of the panel  44 . In addition, as may be appreciated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the wing portions  88 , including the portion of the panel  44  between them, may have a generally convex shape, such as extending in the x-direction. 
     The lower portion  52  of the panel  44 , which may be part of the wing portions  88 , may form a toe-kick-like feature for the panel  44  and seat  10 , which can be appreciated from at least  FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 . The lower portion  52  of the panel  44  may extend from the central portion  48 , which is generally positioned along the back portion  14  of the seat  10 , so that the lower portion  52  wraps under the back portion  14  in a continuous curved fashion, and may extend to, or even under, a portion of the lower cushion portion  12 . In this embodiment, the panel  44  selectively encloses the back portion  18  and the lower cushion portion  12  with a single piece, which eliminates the prior art structure of a separate toe kick structure and its attachment hardware. The lower portion  52  of the panel  44  prevents objects, including the feet/toes of rear passengers, from contacting the internal structures of the back portion  18  and the lower cushion portion  12 . 
     The forward extending direction, or x direction, of the lower portion  52  of the panel  44 , coupled with the convex wing portions  88  and the concave central portion  48 , may provide the panel  44  with a general S-shape appearance such as when viewed from the side. 
     The panel  44  may start as flat stock material that has been die cut to the desired shape and size. The material may be such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The S-shape may be achieved before or after die cutting such as with thermos-forming. 
     In some embodiments, a covering (not shown) may be selectively located at least partially over an external surface of the panel. The covering may be to assist with the aesthetics of the panel and/or the covering may be functional in nature. For example, the covering may be in the form of one or more pockets on the panel so that items can be stored therein. By way of further example, the covering may be carpeting, and/or a film with design, decoration or color thereon/therein. 
     From the above and the figures, it can be appreciated that the panel can be selectively and easily attached to and removed from the seat back portion as an entire module. In the installed condition, it provides an aesthetically pleasing closure, or covering, to the seat, while being highly cost effective. The panel can be removed to provide easy and quick access to the interior of the seat back portion and the seat cushion during manufacturing, assembly and/or later repair. 
     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present device has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.