Tachi-s Co., Ltd.

Nissan Motor Company Limited

Masakazu Yoshimura

Hiroyuki Yoshida

Makoto Shimada

Tatsuo Majima

A thermal pressure die for pressing and heating a trim cover assembly for automotive seat into a desired uneven configuration, the trim cover assembly having a decoratively finished outer surface with aesthetic solid or projecting decorative patterns defined thereon. A protection element of elastic and heat insulation property is provided on an uneven die surface of the die which is to be brought into pressing contact with such decoratively finished outer surface of trim cover assembly. Hence, the solid or projecting decorative patterns on the trim cover assembly outer surface are protected by the protection element against any deformation due to pressure and heating generated in the thermal pressure die.

Thermal pressure die for forming seat

Reinforcement is given in a vehicle seat with such an arrangement that a plurality of recessions and at least one decorative groove are scatteringly formed in each of two spaced-apart protuberant side support portions of the vehicle seat. A foaming is effected to create a foam padding of a predetermined shape of the seat having two spaced-apart protuberant side support portions, such as to define a plurality of first recessions and at least one first decorative groove in each of those two side support portions, after which, a trim cover assembly is pressingly bonded to the thus-formed foaming pad, thereby forcibly inserting and bonding plural points of the trim cover assembly in those first recessions and decorative groove of padding. A resulting seat is therefore provided not only with a highly enlarged area of cured and hardened adhesive layer, but also with an intensified stretched state of trim cover assembly, whereby an increased reinforcement is given to both two side support portions of the seat.

Reinforced arrangement in a vehicle seat and method for forming the same

A seat back framework of a seat which includes a main frame having two lateral frame sections, a side bracket of a channel cross-section attached to each of the two lateral frame sections, with one end thereof projecting therefrom, and a support wire member extended between the two lateral frame sections, wherein a recession or difference in level is created between that one end of side bracket and one end of the support wire member. In this seat back framework, such one end of the support wire member is welded on and along each of the two lateral frame sections in close proximity to the end of side brackets, thereby reducing or eliminating the foregoing recession or difference in level.

Seat back framework of seat

A structure of donut-like headrest or the so-called 'see-through-type headrest', wherein a headrest frame is provided, which has two spaced-apart stay portions and a head support portion larger in width than the two stay portions. Between those two stay and headrest support portions, there are defined a pair of spaced-apart slant portions. A connecting frame is connected between such pair of spaced-apart slant portions. Both of the head support portion and connecting frame are placed within a donut-like headrest body or trim cover assembly such as to surround the through-hole thereof in good proportion, with both two stay portions projecting externally from the headrest body. This allows for reducing the dimensions of headrest body uniformly towards the through-hole and in turn increasing the apparent size or diameter of through-hole in relation to the whole headrest body dimensions, thereby not only improving the aesthetic appearance of headrest, but also attaining a wide field of vision through and around the headrest body.

Headrest

A seat supporting device for a foldable seat, includes a stationary hinge bracket secured to a vehicle floor and a rotary hinge bracket which is rotatably mounted on the stationary hinge bracket and on which a seat cushion is rotatably mounted. A latch mechanism shiftable between first and second positions is provided. With the latch mechanism in the first position, the rotary hinge bracket is locked to the stationary hinge bracket. With the latch mechanism in the second position, the seat cushion is locked to the rotary hinge bracket in substantially upright state and the rotary hinge bracket with the seat cushion locked thereto is rotatable relative to the stationary hinge bracket to be displaced to a stored position substantially parallel to the vehicle floor.

Growing community of inventors

Akishima, Japan

Masakazu Yoshimura