The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 25, 2003
Filed:
Nov. 21, 2000
Gary Kopec, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Sean Persha, Farmington, MI (US);
Scott Fileccia, New Hudson, MI (US);
Manoj Srivastava, Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Philip W. Hadley, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Magna Interior Systems Inc., Aurora, CA;
Abstract
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.