阅读说明：本技术 顶装式座椅座垫系统 (Top-mounted seat cushion system ) 是由 穆塔莎·扎尔扎拉 拜伦·L·布洛克 塞萨尔·阿德里安·戴维拉·加西亚 弗朗西斯科·龙基略 亚 于 2019-07-23 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开提供了“顶装式座椅座垫系统”。一种座椅总成包括线框架总成,所述线框架总成具有支撑架,所述支撑架具有至少一个侧轨以及一个或多个接合特征件。座垫支撑总成被包覆成型到所述线框架总成的一部分。所述线框架总成的所述侧轨包括未由所述座垫支撑总成覆盖的暴露部分。所述线框架总成的所述一个或多个接合特征件从所述座垫支撑总成的底表面向外延伸。装饰面板包括可释放地联接到所述线框架总成的所述侧轨的一个或多个夹子构件。至少一个支撑板包括穿过其中设置的接收孔,从而以竖直方式接收所述线框架总成的所述一个或多个接合特征件。(The present disclosure provides a "top mount seat cushion system". A seat assembly includes a wire frame assembly having a support bracket with at least one side rail and one or more engagement features. A seat support assembly is overmolded to a portion of the wire frame assembly. The side rails of the wire frame assembly include exposed portions that are not covered by the seat support assembly. The one or more engagement features of the wire frame assembly extend outwardly from a bottom surface of the seat support assembly. The trim panel includes one or more clip members releasably coupled to the side rail of the wire frame assembly. At least one support plate includes a receiving hole disposed therethrough to receive the one or more engagement features of the wire frame assembly in a vertical manner.)

1. A seat assembly, comprising:

a wire frame assembly having a support bracket with side rails and front and rear engagement features;

a seat support assembly overlying and interconnected with the support frame of the wire frame assembly;

a trim panel having one or more clip members configured to receive the side rails; and

a support plate having receiving holes configured to receive the front and rear engagement features.

2. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said side rails are vertically received in said one or more clip members.

3. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said front and rear engagement features are vertically received in said receiving aperture.

4. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said front and rear engagement features extend downwardly from a bottom surface of said seat cushion support assembly.

5. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said rear engagement feature includes a downwardly extending portion.

6. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said rear engagement feature includes a forward extending portion disposed on said downward extending portion.

7. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said rear engagement feature engages a peripheral portion of said receiving aperture of said support plate when said seat cushion support assembly is moved in a forward direction of the vehicle.

8. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said front and rear engagement features are releasably and vertically received through said receiving aperture of said at least one support plate.

9. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the one or more clip members comprise an upwardly opening clip groove.

10. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said side rail is releasably received in said upwardly opening clip channel of said trim panel.

11. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said seat cushion support assembly is linearly retained by said one or more engagement features of said wire frame assembly received through said receiving aperture.

12. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said seat cushion support assembly is laterally retained by said side rail of said wire frame assembly coupled to said trim panel.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to rear seat assemblies and, more particularly, to seat assemblies having a top-mount seat cushion support assembly.

Background

Currently, rear seat cushion assemblies are installed into vehicles using attachment features that are coupled to a mounting surface of the vehicle. These installations require cut-out features specifically in the mounting surface and often also require hand tools for engaging the attachment features with the plastic clip assembly in the mounting surface. The seating pad assembly in known systems requires access and tools to install and remove the seating pad assembly from the vehicle. There is a need for a vertically loaded seating cushion assembly that can be adequately coupled to an installed vehicle component without the need for special channels or tools to the coupled position.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a seat assembly includes a wire frame assembly having a support frame with at least one side rail and one or more engagement features. The seat support assembly is overmolded to a portion of the wire frame assembly. The side rails of the wire frame assembly include exposed portions that are not covered by the seat support assembly. One or more engagement features of a wire frame assembly extend outwardly from a bottom surface of the seat support assembly. The trim panel includes one or more clip members releasably coupled to the side rails of the wire frame assembly. At least one support plate includes a receiving hole disposed therethrough to receive one or more engagement features of the wire frame assembly in a vertical manner.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the invention may include any one or combination of the following features:

the one or more engagement features are releasably and vertically received through the receiving aperture of at least one support plate.

One or more clip members include an upwardly opening clip groove to vertically receive the side rail.

The one or more engagement features comprise a front engagement feature and a rear engagement feature.

The receiving holes comprise a front receiving hole and a rear receiving hole, and the front and rear engagement features are received in the front and rear receiving holes of the at least one support plate, respectively.

The rear engagement feature includes a hook member that engages a peripheral portion of the rear receiving aperture of the at least one support plate when the seat cushion support assembly is moved in a forward direction of the vehicle relative to the at least one support plate.

The seat cushion support assembly is linearly retained by the one or more engagement features of the wire frame assembly received through the receiving aperture, and further wherein the seat cushion support assembly is laterally retained by the side rails of the wire frame assembly releasably coupled to the trim panel.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a seat assembly includes a wire frame assembly having a support bracket with side rails and front and rear engagement features. The seat support assembly overlies and is interconnected to the support frame of the wire frame assembly. The trim panel includes one or more clip members configured to receive the side rails of the wire frame assembly. The support plate includes receiving holes configured to receive the front and rear engagement features of the wire frame assembly.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention may include any one or combination of the following features:

the side rails are vertically received in the one or more clip members.

The front and rear engagement features are vertically received in the receiving aperture.

The front and rear engagement features extend downwardly from a bottom surface of the seat support assembly.

The rear engagement feature comprises a downwardly extending portion and a forwardly extending portion.

The rear engagement feature comprises a forward extending portion provided on the downward extending portion.

The rear engagement feature engages a peripheral portion of the receiving aperture of the support plate when the seat support assembly is moved in a forward direction of the vehicle.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a seat assembly includes a wire frame assembly having an outwardly extending engagement feature. The wire frame assembly is at least partially embedded within the seat support assembly. An engagement feature of a wire frame assembly extends outwardly from a bottom surface of the seat support assembly. The one or more support plates include a receiving hole disposed therethrough, and the engagement feature of the wire frame assembly is received through the receiving hole of the one or more support plates.

Embodiments of the third aspect of the invention may include any one or combination of the following features:

the wire frame assembly includes a side rail partially embedded in the seat support assembly, the side rail having an exposed portion accessible to the exterior.

The side trim panel has a clip member disposed on an inner surface thereof, wherein the outwardly accessible exposed portion of the side rail is operatively coupled to the clip member of the side trim panel to laterally restrain the seat cushion support assembly.

The engagement feature includes a hook member extending outwardly from the rear portion of the seat support assembly.

The hook member comprises a downwardly extending portion and a forwardly extending portion.

The hook member engages a peripheral portion of the receiving hole of the one or more support plates when the wire frame assembly is moved in the forward direction of the vehicle relative to the one or more support plates.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

Drawings

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary top perspective view of a seat assembly disposed in a rear portion of a vehicle interior;

FIG. 2A is an exploded top perspective view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1 as removed from the vehicle interior;

FIG. 2B is a top perspective view of the seat support assembly positioned for installation in a vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the seat assembly of FIG. 2A in an assembled condition;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the seat assembly of FIG. 3 with the cushion material of the seat assembly shown in phantom;

FIG. 5A is a bottom plan view of the seat assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5B is a fragmented bottom perspective view of the seat assembly of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a close-up bottom perspective view of the seat assembly of FIG. 5B;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the seat assembly of FIG. 3 taken at line VIA;

FIG. 6B is a top perspective cut-away view of the seat assembly of FIG. 6A with the seating pad material removed therefrom; and is

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating steps for installing a top mount seat portion assembly to a vehicle.

Detailed Description

Referring now to FIG. 1, a seat assembly 10 is shown disposed within an interior 12A of a vehicle 12. Specifically, the seat assembly 10 is disposed within the vehicle interior 12A in a rear location of the vehicle interior 12A in fig. 1, however, it is contemplated that the seat assembly 10 or various components and features thereof may be disposed in other seat assemblies positioned in other areas of the vehicle interior 12A, such as a third row seating option. As described further below, the seat assembly 10 is operatively coupled to a vehicle body 14 and generally includes a substantially horizontal seat portion assembly 16 and a substantially vertical seat back assembly 18. It is contemplated that the seat back assembly 18 is a pivoting member configured for pivotal movement relative to the seat portion assembly 16 and may be folded down to provide an expanded cargo space within the vehicle interior 12A.

The vehicle seat assembly 10 as described herein is generally configured for use as a rear seat assembly for a vehicle. It is contemplated that the vehicle 12 may be a sport utility vehicle, a truck, an automobile, or the like. It is also contemplated that the seat assembly 10 may take on a variety of configurations and is not limited to the structures as described herein. Further, the concepts as described herein may be applied to a bench seat, 40/60 seat, or any other vehicle seating arrangement, as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

With particular reference to the seat portion assembly 16 shown in fig. 1, the seat portion assembly 16 is a multi-part assembly that includes a first seat portion 16A and a second seat portion 16B. It is also contemplated that the seat assembly 10 of the present concept may include an integral, elongated seating arrangement. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the first seat portion 16A includes a right side seat assembly 20 and the second seat portion 16B includes a left side seat assembly 22, and further includes a middle seat assembly 21 disposed between the right side seat assembly 20 and the left side seat assembly 22. The first and second seat portions 16A, 16B of the seat portion assembly 16 shown in fig. 1 are covered with upholstered seat covers 24A, 24B, respectively. The seat covers 24A, 24B cover various support and frame materials of the seat assembly 10, such as cushion support material for providing increased cushioning support to a vehicle occupant at the seat portion assembly 16. The seat covers 24A, 24B are contemplated to be constructed of a suitable natural or synthetic material, or any combination thereof, that generally covers the cushion material and frame components of the seat assembly 10. The cushion and frame materials of the seat assembly 10 are further described below.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, the seat portion assembly 16 is shown removed from the vehicle 12 of FIG. 1 in an exploded view. In the exploded view of fig. 2A, the seat portion assembly 16 is shown with the seat support assembly 30 being comprised of a first portion 30A and a second portion 30B. When assembled, the first and second portions 30A, 30B of the cushion support assembly 30 are intended to be covered by the seat covers 24A, 24B shown in fig. 1. The cushion support assembly 30 is desirably constructed of a foam material, such as, for example, polyurethane foam, that provides cushioning support for the vehicle occupant. When assembled, the seat support assembly 30 is intended to be overmolded to the wire frame assembly 50, as described further below. Together, the first portion 30A and the second portion 30B of the cushion support assembly 30 include an upper surface 32 and a bottom surface 34. The upper surface 32 is configured to provide support to a vehicle occupant for supporting the vehicle occupant seated thereon. The body portion 36 is disposed between the upper surface 32 and the bottom surface 34. The body portion 36 includes a front 38 and a rear 40 and a first side 42 and a second side 44. Seat support assembly 30 may be a unitary member or may be comprised of a first portion 30A and a second portion 30B as shown in FIG. 2A. The features and portions described above with reference to seat support assembly 30 may be applied to a unitary assembly and may also be applied individually to each portion 30A or 30B of seat support assembly 30. It is contemplated that seat support assembly 30 may include portions of varying densities to provide a foam member having the cushioning support required for comfort as well as the more rigid support required for proper positioning and support of the seat occupant.

As further shown in fig. 2A, wire frame assembly 50 is shown having a first portion 50A and a second portion 50B. Each of the first and second portions 50A, 50B includes a support bracket 52 having a front engagement feature 54 and a rear engagement feature 56. The front engagement feature 54 is disposed on the front portion 52A of the support bracket 52, while the rear engagement feature 56 is disposed on the rear portion 52B of the support bracket 52. The front engagement features 54 each include a downwardly extending portion 54A and a forwardly extending portion 54B. Similarly, the rear engagement features 56 each include a downwardly extending portion 56A and a forwardly extending portion 56B. As such, the front engagement feature 54 and the rear engagement feature 56 define hook members that extend downwardly from the wire frame assembly 50. The support frame 52 of the wire frame assembly 50 also includes first and second side rails 58, 60 interconnecting the forward and aft portions 52A, 52B of the wire frame assembly 50. The first side rail 58 and the second side rail 60 are disposed on opposite sides of the line frame assembly 50. It is contemplated that the wire frame assembly 50 may be a unitary member or may be constructed from multiple portions such as the first portion 50A and the second portion 50B shown in fig. 2A.

When assembled, wire frame assembly 50 is intended to be partially embedded within main body portion 36 of seat support assembly 30 by an overmolding or insert molding technique such that support shelf 52 of wire frame assembly 50 is substantially embedded within main body portion 36 of seat support assembly 30 and interconnected with main body portion 36 of seat support assembly 30. In this manner, the seat support assembly 30 and wire frame assembly 50 are integrated and interconnected when assembled. Thus, support bracket 52 depicts portions of a wire frame assembly that are covered by and interconnected with seat support assembly 30. With particular reference to the embodiment shown in fig. 2A, the first portion 50A of the wire frame assembly 50 is intended to be embedded within the first portion 30A of the seat cushion support assembly 30. Similarly, the second portion 50B of the wire frame assembly 50 is intended to be embedded within the second portion 30B of the seat cushion support assembly 30. The front and rear engagement features 54 and 56 of the wire frame assembly 50 are configured to have portions that extend outwardly from the bottom surface 34 of the seat support assembly 30 to engage the support plates 61, 62 and 63, as described further below. The first and second side rails 58, 60 of the wire frame assembly 50 are configured to include outwardly accessible exposed portions 58A, 60A (fig. 5A) configured to be coupled to first and second trim panels 80, 82 as further described below.

As further shown in fig. 2A, support plates 61, 62, and 63 are each shown as having a front receiving aperture 66 and a rear receiving aperture 68 disposed through a main body portion 70 thereof. The body portions 70 of the support plates 61, 62, and 63 each include a lower surface 71. The front receiving aperture 66 is shown in the form of a square slot having a peripheral portion 66A. Rear receiving aperture 68 is shown in the form of a circular aperture having a circular peripheral portion 68A. The support plates 61, 62, and 63 further include a plurality of mounting holes 72 disposed therethrough and located at various locations along the main body portion 70 for mounting the support plates 61, 62, and 63 to a seat assembly (not shown) that is ultimately coupled to the vehicle body 14. The seat sub-assembly may include a seat frame having front and rear cross members interconnected by side and intermediate members to provide a rigid structure for fixedly mounting to the vehicle body 14 for mounting the support plates 61, 62 and 63. In the embodiment of fig. 2A, three support plates 61, 62, and 63 are shown, however it is contemplated that any number of support plates may be used to couple to wire frame assembly 50 and seat support assembly 30 in a manner as further described below. With the support plates 61, 62, and 63 rigidly coupled to the vehicle body 14 by the seat sub-assembly, the support plates 61, 62, and 63 may maintain the wire frame assembly 50 and the seat cushion support assembly 30 in the proper positions as shown in fig. 1. The support plates 61, 62 and 63 also include foot features 74 shown in the form of ribs extending downwardly from the body portion 70.

As further shown in fig. 2A, trim panels 80, 82 having vertical walls 83 with interior surfaces 84 are provided. One or more clip members 86 are shown extending inwardly from the inner surface 84 of the vertical wall 83. When assembled, the clip member 86 includes an upwardly opening clip groove 89 (fig. 6A, 6B), the upwardly opening clip groove 89 being configured to vertically receive the exposed portions 58A, 60A of the first and second side rails 58, 60 of the wire frame assembly 50. When assembled, the engagement between the clip members 86 of the first and second trim panels 80, 82 and the side rails 58, 60 of the wire frame assembly 50 laterally retains the cushion support assembly 30 and the wire frame assembly 50 such that the seat portion 16 (fig. 1) does not move laterally within the vehicle interior 12A. The first and second trim panels 80, 82 further include mounting apertures 88, which mounting apertures 88 may be used to mount the first and second trim panels 80, 82 to a seat subassembly coupled to the vehicle body 14 as described above to rigidly couple the first and second trim panels 80, 82 in a spaced apart relationship as shown in fig. 2B.

As noted above, the seat support assembly 30 is intended to be constructed of a foam material overmolded to the wire frame assembly 50. Wire frame assembly 50 is expected to be constructed of rebar material formed into the structure shown in fig. 2A. Support plates 61, 62 and 63 are seat pan structures that are intended to be constructed of stamped metal material, such as steel, for providing a rigid support structure that is coupled to wire frame assembly 50 and seat cushion support assembly 30. It is contemplated that the first trim panel 80 and the second trim panel 82 will be constructed of an insert molded polymeric material to provide an integral assembly of the first trim panel 80 and the second trim panel 82.

Referring now to fig. 2B, the seat support assembly 30 is shown overmolded to a wire frame assembly 50. As coupled together, the seat support assembly 30 and the wire frame assembly 50 define an assembled seat portion assembly 16. It is contemplated that seat support assembly 30 may be compression molded around wire frame assembly 50 or wire frame assembly 50 may be used with an insert molding technique wherein wire frame assembly 50 is suspended within a mold and seat support assembly 30 is formed around wire frame assembly 50 within the mold. It is contemplated that the assembled seat portion assembly 16 will provide an integral coupling between the seat support assembly 30 and the wire frame assembly 50, with the support frame 52 (fig. 2A) of the wire frame assembly 50 being substantially embedded within the main body portion 36 of the seat support assembly 30.

As further shown in fig. 2B, trim panels 80, 82 are spaced apart from one another and coupled to a seat chair assembly (not shown) that is further coupled to body 14. The support plates 61, 62, and 63 are shown positioned in the space defined between the trim panels 80, 82. In general, the trim panels 80, 82 and the support panels 61, 62, and 63 define a receiving area 90, the receiving area 90 being positioned between the trim panels 80, 82 and further positioned above the support panels 61, 62, and 63. In fig. 2B, the receiving area 90 is shown in phantom and is located where the seat portion assembly 16 is received in the assembly in a vertical direction as indicated by arrow 92. As such, the present concept provides a top-loading seat portion assembly 16, and the seat portion assembly 16 may be positioned in a receiving area 90 to stow the seat portion assembly 16 in a plug-in manner. In fig. 2B, the wire frame assembly 50 is shown at the second side 44 of the seat support assembly 30 with the side rail 60 having an exposed portion 60A accessible outwardly for releasable coupling to the clip member 86 of the trim panel 82. Similarly, the side rail 58 (fig. 2A) includes an exposed portion 58A, much like the exposed portion 60A of the side rail 60, which is also accessible outwardly for releasable coupling to the clip member 86 of the trim panel 80. Thus, the side rails 58 and 60 are partially embedded within the body portion 36 of the seat support assembly 30 and include exposed portions 58A, 60A that are accessible for coupling to trim panels 80, 82. In this manner, the seat portion assembly 16 is releasably coupled to the trim panels 80, 82 in an upright manner. The engagement of the wire frame assembly 50 with the trim panels 80, 82 is further described below with reference to fig. 6A and 6B.

Referring now to fig. 3, the seat portion assembly 16 is shown received in the receiving area 90 (fig. 2B) such that the wire frame assembly 50 (fig. 2B) of the seat portion assembly 16 is expected to be coupled to the trim panels 80, 82 when the seat portion assembly 16 is received in the receiving area 90. Further, the front and rear engagement features 54 and 56 of the wire frame assembly 50 are expected to be received in the front and rear receiving holes 66 and 68 of the support plates 61, 62 and 63, respectively, when the seat portion assembly 16 is received in the receiving area 90.

Referring now to fig. 4, the seat support assembly 30 is shown in phantom to show the wire frame assembly 50 partially embedded within the seat support assembly 30 and interconnected with the seat support assembly 30. The wire frame assembly 50 includes front and rear engagement features 54, 56, the front and rear engagement features 54, 56 being received within front and rear receiving holes 66, 68 of support plates 61, 62, and 63, respectively. It is contemplated that front engagement feature 54 may hook into a square slot of front receiving aperture 66 such that rear portion 40 of seat support assembly 30 may be rotated downward to a fully received position (fig. 3). This rotation will cause the rear engagement feature 56 of wire frame assembly 50 (e.g., coupled to seat support assembly 30) to be received within receiving aperture 68 of support plates 61, 62 and 63. Further, it is contemplated that the entire seat portion assembly 16 may be lowered vertically into the receiving area 90 (fig. 2B) in the direction indicated by arrow 92 (fig. 2B). As the seat portion assembly 16 is lowered into the receiving area 90, the outwardly exposed portions 58A, 60A of the side rails 58, 60 of the wire frame assembly 50 will be coupled to the upwardly opening clip members 86 of the trim panels 80, 82, and the front and rear engagement features 54, 56 will be received in the front and rear receiving apertures 66, 68, respectively. As such, the front and rear engagement features 54, 56 are vertically received within the front and rear receiving holes 66, 68, respectively, while the side rails 58, 60 of the wire frame assembly 50 are vertically received in the clip members 86 of the trim panels 80, 82. The side rails 58 and 60 and engagement features 54, 56 of the wire frame assembly 50 are releasably coupled to their respective components such that the seat portion assembly 16 of the present concept is intended to be vertically removable from the receiving area 90 (fig. 2B) for servicing.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, when the seat portion assembly 16 is releasably coupled in the receiving area 90 (fig. 2B), the seat portion assembly 16 is restricted from lateral movement (as indicated by arrow 93A, fig. 3) between the trim panels 80, 82 due to the clip members 86 being clipped to the trim panels 80, 82. Further, the seat portion assembly 16 is held by the support plates 61, 62, and 63 for forward and rearward linear movement (as indicated by arrow 93B, fig. 3) within the vehicle cabin 12A (fig. 1) by engagement of the front and rear engagement features 54 and 56 of the wire frame assembly 50 with the front and rear receiving holes 66 and 68 of the support plates 61, 62, and 63, respectively. Such retention between the seat portion assembly 16 and the support plates 61, 62 and 63 provides restraint to the seat portion assembly 16 in the event of a rear impact event, wherein the seat portion assembly 16 may urge the seat portion assembly 16 (and its seat cushion support assembly 30 and wire frame assembly 50) to move in the forward direction of the vehicle under the force of the seat portion assembly 16. This retention of the seat portion assembly 16 is further described below with reference to fig. 5A and 5B. While constrained linearly and laterally, the seat portion assembly 16 of the present concept remains vertically removable due to the releasable coupling to the support plates 61, 62, and 63 and trim panels 80, 82 in the vertical direction, as further described below.

Referring now to fig. 5A, a bottom plan view of the seat portion assembly 16 illustrates the front and rear engagement features 54 and 56 of the wire frame assembly 50 as being received in the front and rear receiving holes 66 and 68 of the support plates 61, 62, and 63, respectively. The exposed portions 58A, 60A of the side rails 58, 60 are shown clipped to the clip members 86 of the trim panels 80, 82.

Referring now to fig. 5B and 5C, the rear engagement feature 56 of the wire frame assembly 50 is shown extending through the rear receiving aperture 68 of the support plate 63. As such, the rear engagement feature 56 extends outwardly from the bottom surface 34 of the seat support assembly 30 in a downward direction to be releasably received through the receiving aperture 68 of the support plate 63. With respect to the downwardly extending portion 56A and the forwardly extending portion 56B of the rear engagement feature 56, if the seat portion assembly 16 were to be moved in the forward direction of the vehicle along the path indicated by arrow 94, the downwardly extending engagement feature 56 and its hook members would engage the peripheral portion 68A of the receiving aperture 68 of the support plate 63, which support plate 63 is intended to be fixedly coupled to the frame 14 (fig. 2B) as described above. Thus, during a rear impact event, if the seat portion assembly 16 is moved in the forward direction of the vehicle relative to the trim panels 80, 82 and the support panels 61, 62 and 63, the seat portion assembly 16 will still be retained thereby.

Similarly, it is contemplated that the front engagement feature 54 of the wire frame assembly 50 extends outwardly from the bottom surface 34 of the seat support assembly 30 in a downward direction to engage and be received within the front receiving aperture 66 of the support plates 61, 62 and 63. These downwardly extending front engagement features 54 and their hook members will engage the peripheral portion 66A of the front receiving aperture 66 when the seat portion assembly 16 is moved in either the forward direction or the rearward direction of the vehicle. With further reference to fig. 5A, support plates 61, 62, and 63 are shown in abutting engagement with bottom surface 34 of seat support assembly 30, and it is further contemplated that leg features 74, as shown in fig. 5C, provide spacing between frame 14 and support plates 61, 62, and 63 to place downwardly extending engagement features 56 in receiving relationship with receiving apertures 68 of support plates 61, 62, and 63. The leg feature 74 also provides for the front engagement feature 54 of the wire frame assembly 50 to receive the desired spacing through the front receiving aperture 66 of the support plates 61, 62 and 63.

As further shown in fig. 5C, the receiving hole 68 of the support plate 63 is sized to vertically receive the rear engagement feature 56 of the wire frame assembly 50. Even though the L-shaped configuration of the hook member of the rear engagement feature 56 as defined by the downwardly extending portion 56A and the forwardly extending portion 56B. Thus, front and rear receiving apertures 66, 68 are sized to include peripheral portions 66A, 66B that may directly accommodate vertical insertion of front and rear engagement features 54, 56 regardless of the configuration of front and rear engagement features 54, 56. As such, the front and rear engagement features 54 and 56 of the wire frame assembly 50 are releasably received in the front and rear receiving holes 66 and 68 of the support plates 61, 62, and 63, respectively. Thus, the entire seat portion assembly 16 may be lifted vertically from the receiving area 90 (fig. 2B) for repair or replacement.

Referring now to fig. 6A, the seat portion assembly 16 is shown in cross-section as being coupled to a trim panel 82 via an exposed portion 60A of the side rail 60 of the wire frame assembly 50. As noted above, the exposed portion 60A of the side rail 60 of the wire frame assembly 50 extends adjacent the side portion 44 of the seat support assembly 30 and below the bottom surface 34 thereof. The exposed portion 60A of the side rail 60 is clamped into the clamp member 86 at the upwardly opening clamp groove 89 of the clamp member 86. As such, with the seat portion assembly 16 vertically received over the trim panel 82 and coupled to the trim panel 82 in the direction indicated by arrow 92 in fig. 2B, the exposed portion 60A of the side rail 60 can be vertically received in the upwardly opening clip channel 89 of the clip member 86. Thus, the seat portion assembly 16 may be vertically received to engage the front and rear engagement features 54, 56 within the receiving apertures 66, 68 of the support plates 61, 62, and 63, while the exposed portions 58A, 60A of the side rails 58, 60 are clamped to the respective trim panels 80, 82 in a vertical manner. In this way, the seat portion assembly 16 is vertically removable by being releasably coupled to the trim panels 80, 82 and releasably coupled to the support panels 61, 62 and 63 such that the seat portion assembly 16 can be lifted and removed from the vehicle for repair or replacement.

Referring now to fig. 6B, the exposed portion 60A of the side rail 60 is shown clipped to the upwardly opening clip channel 89 of the plurality of clip members 86 of the trim panel 82. In fig. 6B, the seat support assembly 30 has been removed to illustrate the engagement of the exposed portion 60A of the side rail 60 of the wire frame assembly 50 with the trim panel 82. It is contemplated that the exposed portion 58A (fig. 2A) of the wire frame assembly 50 is also coupled to a plurality of clip members 86 provided on the trim panel 80, in a manner similar to that shown in fig. 6B with respect to the exposed portion 60A of the side rail 60.

The present concept also includes a method of installing a seat assembly in a vehicle. As described above, the seat portion assembly 16 may be vertically mounted on the support plates 61, 62, and 63 and the trim panels 80, 82. Typically, the seat structure is assembled outside the vehicle and the seat cushion assembly is coupled to the seat structure along with the plastic trim component. The entire seat assembly is then installed in the vehicle. The present concept allows for the seat structure component to be installed in a vehicle and then the seat portion assembly 16 can be installed on the component. The method of constructing and installing the seat assembly includes the following steps as shown in figure 7. First, in step 100, a wire frame assembly 50 is provided and includes side rails 58, 60 and front and rear engagement features 54, 56. The seat support assembly 30 is then overmolded to the wire frame assembly 50 at step 102 such that the wire frame assembly 50 and the seat support assembly 30 are interconnected to define the seat portion assembly 16. The portions 58A and 60A of the side rails 58, 60 and the front and rear engagement features 54 and 56 are partially embedded in the body portion 36 of the seat cushion support assembly 30 such that exposed portions thereof are accessible for coupling to trim panels 80, 82 and support panels 61, 62 and 63, respectively. In step 104, the trim panels 80, 82 and the support panels 61, 62 and 63 are mounted to the seat sub-assembly, which is mounted to the vehicle body 14 to define the receiving area 90 therebetween. In step 106, the seat portion assembly 16 is vertically received in the receiving area. In step 108, the side rails 58, 60 are mounted to the trim panels 80, 82 and the front and rear engagement features 54, 56 are received in the front and rear receiving holes 66, 68 of the support plates 61, 62, and 63. In this manner, the seat portion assembly 16 is laterally and linearly retained in the receiving area 90, as described above.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

According to the present invention, there is provided a seat assembly having: a wire frame assembly having a support frame with at least one side rail and one or more engagement features; a seat cushion support assembly, wherein the support frame of the wire frame assembly is at least partially embedded in the seat cushion support assembly, and further wherein the side rails include exposed portions that are not covered by the seat cushion support assembly, and wherein the one or more engagement features extend outwardly from a bottom surface of the seat cushion support assembly; a trim panel having one or more clip members, wherein the side rails are releasably coupled to the trim panel at the one or more clip members; and at least one support plate having a receiving hole disposed therethrough, wherein the one or more engagement features are received through the receiving hole of the at least one support plate.

According to an embodiment, the one or more engagement features are releasably and vertically received through the receiving aperture of at least one support plate.

According to an embodiment, the one or more clip members comprise an upwardly opening clip groove to vertically receive the side rail.

According to an embodiment, the one or more engagement features include a front engagement feature and a rear engagement feature.

According to an embodiment, the receiving holes include a front receiving hole and a rear receiving hole, and further wherein the front and rear engagement features are received in the front and rear receiving holes of the at least one support plate, respectively.

According to an embodiment, the rear engagement feature comprises a hook member that engages a peripheral portion of the rear receiving aperture of the at least one support plate when the seat cushion support assembly is moved in a forward direction of the vehicle relative to the at least one support plate.

According to an embodiment, the seat support assembly is linearly retained by one or more engagement features of the wire frame assembly received through the receiving aperture, and further wherein the seat support assembly is laterally retained by the side rail of the wire frame assembly releasably coupled to the trim panel.

According to the present invention, there is provided a seat assembly having: a wire frame assembly having a support bracket with side rails and front and rear engagement features; a seat support assembly overlying and interconnected with the support frame of the wire frame assembly; a trim panel having one or more clip members configured to receive the side rails; and a support plate having receiving holes configured to receive the front and rear engagement features.

According to an embodiment, the side rails are vertically received in the one or more clip members.

According to an embodiment, the front and rear engagement features are vertically received in the receiving bore.

According to an embodiment, the front and rear engagement features extend downwardly from a bottom surface of the seat support assembly.

According to an embodiment, the rear engagement feature comprises a downwardly extending portion.

According to an embodiment, the rear engagement feature comprises a forward extending portion disposed on the downward extending portion.

According to an embodiment, the rear engagement feature engages a peripheral portion of the receiving aperture of the support plate when the seat support assembly is moved in a forward direction of the vehicle.

According to the present invention, there is provided a seat assembly having: a wire frame assembly having an outwardly extending engagement feature; a seat cushion support assembly, wherein the wire frame assembly is at least partially embedded in the seat cushion support assembly, and further wherein the engagement feature extends outwardly from a bottom surface of the seat cushion support assembly; and one or more support plates having a receiving hole disposed therethrough, wherein the engagement feature of the wire frame assembly is received through the receiving hole.

According to an embodiment, the wire frame assembly includes a side rail partially embedded in the seat support assembly, the side rail having an exposed portion accessible to the exterior.

According to an embodiment, the invention also features a side trim panel having a clip member disposed on an inner surface thereof, wherein the outwardly accessible exposed portion of the side rail is operatively coupled to the clip member of the side trim panel to laterally restrain the seat cushion support assembly.

According to an embodiment, the engagement feature includes a hook member extending outwardly from the rear portion of the seat support assembly.

According to an embodiment, the hook member includes a downwardly extending portion and a forwardly extending portion.

According to an embodiment, the hook member engages a peripheral portion of the receiving hole of the one or more support plates when the wire frame assembly is moved in a forward direction of the vehicle relative to the one or more support plates.