Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Kyle E Rosander

Robert Joseph Hazlewood

Leon Toma

Patrick J Edgar

Yi-Ru Chen Sosnowski

Christopher H DeRose

A method of reinforcing a seatback frame of a seat assembly in which the seatback frame includes a pair of first frame members. The method includes the steps of providing a reinforcement member having an insertion end and an arm at an opposite end of the reinforcement member. The arm extends generally normal to the remainder of the reinforcement member to define a generally L-shape. An aperture is formed in one of the pair of first frame members. The insertion end of the reinforcement member is inserted into the aperture. The attachment end is aligned with the other of the pair of first frame members. The reinforcement member is welded to the seatback frame to reinforce the seatback frame.

Method of reinforcing a seatback frame of a seat assembly

A seat assembly is provided having a side shield having a leading edge. The side shield adapted to cover at least a portion of the seat cushion of the seat assembly. The assembly further includes a seat cushion, the side shield positioned adjacent to the seat cushion, the seat cushion having an elongated trench adapted to receive the leading edge of the side shield so as to prevent the formation of a gap between the shield and the cushion portion thereby providing an aesthetically appealing appearance to the user. The seat cushion includes a side surface positioned adjacent to the side shield. The trench is further defined as a generally horizontal momentary discontinuous surface extending into the side surface of the seat cushion, the leading edge of the side shield resting within the trench. The side shield extends around the seat cushion to a front portion of the seat cushion and the trench adapted to accept the leading edge of the side shield at the front portion of the seat cushion. The trench further extends horizontally from the rear to the front of the seat cushion to accommodate the leading edge of the side shield.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Kyle E Rosander