Magna Interior Systems Inc.

Sean Persha

Manoj Srivastava

Philip W Hadley

Gary Kopec

Scott Fileccia

An automotive seat assembly is provided with an integrated side impact airbag. The seat assembly comprises a seat cushion and a seat back mounted to the seat cushion. A seat cushion trim cover material covers the seat cushion and a seat back trim a cover material covers the seat back. The seat assembly is characterized by a tear seam integrally formed within a bolster section of the seat back trim cover material. The tear seam defines a frangible line of weakness within the trim cover material wherein the airbag will tear through the tear seam when the airbag is deployed and inflated to a position outside of the seat assembly. The subject invention also includes a manufacturing apparatus for forming the tear seam in the trim cover material. The apparatus comprises a template ( ) supporting the trim cover material ( ). A C-shaped raised ridge ( ) extends upwardly from the template to abut the inside surface of the trim cover material ( ). A welder ( ) is disposed adjacent the outside surface of the trim cover material ( ) such that the trim cover material is wedged between the template ( ) and the welder ( ). The welder is aligned with the raised ridge to form the tear seam within the trim cover material.

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Farmington, MI, United States of America

Sean Persha