WO2019079027A1 - Seat cover with heater for concave surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

A seat (10) with a seat cushion (28) and a preferably a seat back (27). A trim cover (13) is attached to a concave surface (14) of the seat cushion (28) or seat back (27) through layers of touch fasteners (15, 16), such as hook and loop fasteners in a preferred embodiment, and/or hook and pile fasteners, which can be repetitively attachable and detachable from each other. A type of this hook/loop material is known by the trade name Velcro or Dual Lock. Touch/(hook and loop) fasteners are considered generic terms for two part fastening arrangements where the surfaces of the fasteners (15, 16) are shaped to mechanically engaged/interlock with each other when pressed together. Instead of actual hooks and loops, other surface shapes are possible, such as a plurality of stalks with enlarged heads, or mushroom shaped elements.

Description

SEAT COVER WITH HEATER FOR CONCAVE SURFACES

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application

62/573,248, filed October 17, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a seat with a cover, and in particular to a vehicle seat with a replaceable cover over a foam base.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Many seats, especially vehicle seats, have a seat cushion which has a generally horizontal top surface for providing mostly vertical support for a lower portion of the occupant/passenger. Many seats have a seat back with a generally vertical surface for providing horizontal support to an upper portion of the occupant/passenger. Such seats can have a foam type base for the seat cushion and another foam type base for the seat back. Either or both of these foam bases can have a cover over the respective base. The base usually supplies comfortable support for the weight of the occupant, and the cover provides a pleasing surface both in appearance and in feel for the occupant.

[0004] When applying a cover over a base, one of the factors to consider is how the cover will stay in contact with the base, especially during movement of the occupant with respect to the base. As the occupant moves around in the seat, the cover will be forced or pushed by the occupant and this could move the cover relative to the seat base. This is especially true due to forces applied to the occupant during movement of the vehicle in which the seat is located. For example, a vehicle seat will apply lateral force to the act during turning motions of the vehicle, especially high speed turns. Movement of the cover with respect to the base could make the seat uncomfortable and aesthetically undesirable. This is especially true, when the seat as a whole has many different contours to support the different parts of the occupant. It is desirable both for comfort and aesthetically, to have the cover match the contours of the seat base. When the cover moves relative to the seat base, the cover no longer matches of the seat base, and this is uncomfortable and an aesthetically undesirable. Vehicle seats usually have bolsters on the lateral sides of the seat which extend upward and forward more than a center part of the seat. This gives the seat some of its larger contours, which especially cause large concave surfaces on the seat. Contours are also added to a seat in order to give the seat a more pleasing appearance.

[0005] To give the seat these contours, the seat base is shaped to have these contours, and the cover is also shaped to conform to the contours of the seat base. The cover is then applied to the seat base and must be sufficiently fixed to the seat base so that it does not shift relative to the seat base when the occupant moves in the seat. If the cover moves with respect to the seat base, the cover will not fit properly, wrinkles can form in the cover, and the seat becomes uncomfortable and aesthetically unpleasing. The larger the contours, especially the larger the depth of the concave surfaces, the harder, and more important, it becomes to keep the cover fastened to the base.

[0006] One common connection between the cover and the base, is adhesive. Many seat bases are formed of foam to provide comfortable support to the occupant. Many foam seat bases are formed by molding the seat base into the desired shape. In particular a mold is made, and liquid foam is injected into the mold and allowed to fill/expand into the shape of the mold. It is convenient to place the seat cover into the mold prior to injection, and then inject the liquid foam with the seat cover being between the liquid foam and the inside surface of the mold. As the foam fills the mold, the seat cover and liquid foam is forced into the proper shape. The liquid of the foam adheres to the inside of the cover, and as the liquid foam solidifies, the seat cover becomes sufficiently attached to the seat base. This results in a seat cover and seat base structure as shown in Figure 1, with the solidifying/curing foam at the cover forming the adhesive.

[0007] This type of connection between the cover and the base has many advantages in that it can be fast and secure. A disadvantage is that the cover, for all practical purposes, is permanently attached to the base, and it is not practical to remove the cover from the base to install a new cover onto the base. When a seat cover becomes damaged, it is not practical to remove the seat cover and replace it with a new seat cover. Removing such a seat cover, often requires significantly damaging the seat base and cover which makes it impractical to reuse the seat.

[0008] Sometimes covers can be sufficiently attached to a base by stretching the cover tightly across the base. This works best when the base has surfaces which are either fiat or convex. When the base has concave surfaces, the stretching of the cover across the concave surface will cause the cover to not be in contact with the concave surface of the base, and instead the cover will bridge across the concave surface and create a cavity/airspace between the cover and the concave surface of the base, as shown in Figure 2. This is undesirable, because it can give the occupant an uncomfortable feel when sitting in the seat. The bridging of the cover over the concave surfaces hides the aesthetically desired appearance of the contours of the seat. Also, the cover may still tend to shift during movement of the occupant relative to the seat, since the cover is not very securely fastened.

[0009] What is desired, is a connection between the seat cover and the seat base that holds the seat cover in position during movement of the occupant, that follows the contours of the seat, especially the concave surfaces, and also allows the cover to be practically repetitively removable from, and replaceable onto, the seat base without damaging the seat base. This allows the seat cover to be cleaned/repaired, or to have an old seat cover replaced with a new seat cover to give the seat a different appearance or feel depending on the desires of the occupant. For example, warmer seat covers in the winter and cooler covers in the summer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention accomplishes the above desires by applying a layer of hook tape sheet to a concave surface on the base of the seat cushion and/or the seat back. The base being preferably foam. A layer of loop scrim is laminated to the back side of the cover/trim. The cover/trim usually includes a heater mat that is often part of the trim cover assembly. The "A" surface of the cover/trim is the surface that is visible after the seat is completely trimmed. The "B" surface is the backing side of any material or assembly forming the cover/trim. The "A" and "B" surfaces are on diametrically opposite sides of the cover/trim. The "A" surface material is material that forms the "A" surface. The heater mat with loop scrim is laminated to the trim cover "A" surface material to create an assembly of individual panels, but on a side of the "A" surface material that is opposite to the "A surface". These individual panels with their individual heater mats are connected by bridge wires of the heater mat prior to a join sew process. Consequently, after the seat cover is trimmed, the trim cover loop scrim located on the back side of the heater mat and/or trim panels will engage to hook tape located on concave surface of the foam of the seat base. The connecting of the loop scrim to the hook tape transfers the concave appearance of the concave surface of the seat base to the "A" surface of the trim cover.

[0011] The use of hook and loop tape/layers allows the trim cover as to provide concave surfaces that would meet the same appearance achieved using pour in place/mold technology but at lower cost.

[0012] The invention allows heated and non heated trim covers to perfectly fit concave surfaces on automotive/aircraft seats foam pads by laminating loop scrim to the back side of the heater assembly then, laminating the heater assembly to the trim cover "A" surface material prior to sewing all parts together. The complete seat foam pad concave surface is covered with a layer of hook tape which the trim cover assembly with the loop tape on the "B" surface will engage forming the concave appearance to the "A" surface of the trim cover. [0013] Key features:

1 - "A" surface trim cover material is laminated to heaters before the sewing process.

2 - To insure that heater bridges can be moved away from the secondary sewing process, extensions of heater bridges are covered with non-sticky tape in positions and areas where the heater bridges should not be adhered to the "A" surface trim cover material. By extending the bridges and covering it with a non-sticky tape, the sewing operator is able to fold or move the heater bridges over during the sewing process to clear the heater wires from the sewing route, preventing the sewing machine needle from damaging the heater wires.

3 - The concave surfaces of the foam pads/cushion are covered with hook tape to engage to the loop material on the back side of the trim cover assembly ("A" surface material & heater). Convex surfaces may not need a adhesive/fastener structure because stretching the trim cover tightly across a convex surface can form a sufficient fastening. Hooked and loop type fasteners can be used over the entire trim cover/seat base interface if desired.

[0014] Cost Advantages:

1 - Process is cheaper than Pour-in-Place process

2 - Trim covers and foam pads/bases can be serviced as stand alone components.

When compared to Pour-in-Place process where once the trim cover and foam/base are attached, they cannot be serviced separately, the fastening of the present invention is a great advantage.

3 - Non-conforming material scrap cost is lower when compared to Pour-in-Place process, once Trim Covers and Foam pads are stand alone commodities.

4 - Tooling cost is lower than Pour-in-Place

[0015] The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a cross sectional schematic view of the layers on a prior art seat;

[0017] Figure 2 is a cross sectional schematic view of a seat cover spanning or bridging across a concave surface;

[0018] Figure 3 is a cross sectional schematic view of one embodiment of the layers of the present invention arranged on a seat base;

[0019] Figure 4 is a cross sectional schematic view of another embodiment where the trim cover assembly includes a heater mat;

[0020] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a seat showing concave surfaces;

[0021] Figures 6 A and 6B are views of opposite sides of a heater assembly for a seat back;

[0022] Figures 7 A and 7B are views of opposite sides of a heater assembly for a seat cushion;

[0023] Figure 8 is a cross sectional schematic view of the trim cover assembly before the joining of the panels;

[0024] Figure 9 is a cross sectional schematic view of the trim cover assembly during the joining of the panels;

[0025] Figure 10 is a cross sectional schematic view of the trim cover assembly after the joining of the panels;

[0026] Figure 11 is a view of the relative dimensions of the non-laminating layer/non-stick tape with respect to the other dimensions of the trim panel; and

[0027] Figure 12 is a view of the relative dimensions of the length "a" of the bridge between adjacent trim panels with respect to other dimensions of the adjacent trim panels.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Referring to the drawings in particular, Figure 1 shows a seat base 1 with a concave surface 4. On the concave surface 4 is an adhesive 2 which is used to attach the trim cover 3. The adhesive/adhesion 2 attaches/unites the trim cover 3 to the concave surface 4 so that the trim cover 3 follows, conforms to, the concave surface 4, and prevents the trim cover 3 from moving relative to the seat base 1 when the occupant moves relative to the seat 10, Figure 5.

[0029] The adhesive/adhesion 2 can be formed during the creation of the seat base 1.

The seat base 1 is often a foam, and formed by injecting a liquid foam into a mold. The trim cover 3 is placed between the liquid foam and the inside surface of the mold. The liquid foam expands to fill the mold, and presses the trim cover 3 against the mold causing the mold to shape the trim cover and the seat base 1 into the proper shape. When the liquid foam contacts the trim cover 3, the nature of the chosen liquid foam is such that the liquid foam adheres to the trim cover 3 as the liquid foam solidifies/cures. When the liquid foam solidifies into the seat base 1, the solidification of the liquid foam sufficiently fixes the trim cover 3 to the seat base 1. Other adhesives for sufficiently connecting the trim cover 3 to the seat base 1 are also possible. These adhesives create the adhesion and cohesion connection by chemical bonds and intermolecular forces. Many of these adhesives 2 do not allow the trim cover 3 to be practically removed from the seat base 1 without damaging the seat base 1, and rendering the seat 10 impractical to be recovered with a repaired or new trim cover 3.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, it is possible to attach a trim cover 5 to a seat base 1 by wrapping or stretching the trim cover 5 around the seat base 1. However, if the seat base 1 has a concave surface 4, the trim cover 5 will stretch across or bridge the concave surface 4 and create a cavity or airspace 6. This can also happen in the embodiment of Figure 1, if the adhesive 2 is not sufficiently strong enough, or the concave surface 4 is sufficiently deep so that the adhesive 2 cannot keep the trim cover fully attached to the concave surface 4. This can occur over long periods of time making older seats less desirable, and possibly causing the expense of replacing older seats. The bridging or stretching of the trim cover 5 cross the concave surface 4, and the resulting cavity/airspace 6 is disadvantageous, because the trim cover 5 can cause an uncomfortable feeling for the occupant. The bridging or stretching of the trim cover 5 can also hide the concave surface 4, and give the overall seat 10 a much less desirable physical appearance. The lack of an adhesive or an insufficient adhesive/adhesion can also cause the trim cover 3, 5 to move relative to the seat base 1 causing an

uncomfortable feel to the occupant and an undesirable appearance.

[0031] In the embodiment of the present invention as shown in Figure 3, there is a seat base 11 with a concave surface 14. The seat base 11 shown in Figure 3 is only a portion of the entire seat 10, is not drawn to scale, and is shown to emphasize the concave surface 14. In an actual seat 10, there can be a plurality of concave surfaces 14, and Figure 3 schematically represents one of those plurality of concave surfaces. Figure 3 is especially not drawn to scale with regard to the thicknesses of the different layers. The present invention attaches the trim cover 13 to the concave surface 14 through layers of touch fasteners 15, 16, such as hook and loop fasteners in a preferred embodiment, and/or hook and pile fasteners, which can be repetitively attachable and detachable from each other. A type of this hook/loop material is known by the trade name Velcro or Dual Lock. Touch/(hook and loop) fasteners are considered generic terms for two part fastening arrangements where the surfaces of the fasteners 15, 16 are shaped to mechanically engaged/interlock with each other when pressed together. Instead of actual hooks and loops, other surface shapes are possible, such as a plurality of stalks with enlarged heads, or mushroom shaped elements.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, a hook and loop arrangement is used where one of the fastening layers 15, 16 has a plurality of loops, and the other of the fastening layers 16, 15 has a plurality of hooks. For simplicity, (Figure 4) the present invention will consider fastening layer 15 to have a plurality of hooks, and fastening layer 16 to have a plurality of loops. When the plurality of hooks are brought into contact with the plurality of loops, the hooks engage with the loops and form a fastening mechanical type connection. This connection is repetitively detachable because when the hook and loop layers are forced apart, the material of the hooks is stretched so that the hooks straighten out and release the engaged loop. The hooks are formed of a resilient material so that after the hooks release their respective loop by the hook being straightened, the straightened hooks return to their hooked shape. The hooks can then be selectively reengaged with the loops when the hook is put back into contact with the loops. In other types of fasteners 15, 16 with a plurality of stalks with enlarged heads, the stalks and heads are made of elastic material so they deform when the fastening layers 15, 16 are pulled apart. After the fastening layers 15, 16 are pulled apart, the stalks and heads return to their previous shape.

[0033] In the embodiment of Figure 3, the hook fastening layer 15 is attached to the seat base 11 by an adhesive 12, which can be formed during the molding of the foam so that as the foam solidifies the hook fastening layer 15 is fixed to the seat base 11. A separately applied adhesive 12 is also possible. The trim cover 13 is attached to the loop fastening layer 16 by an adhesive 17. By selecting the proper materials and sizes for the hooks and loops of fastening layers 15, 16, the trim cover 13 can be repetitively attachable and detachable from the seat base 11, and the trim cover 13 can be sufficiently attached to the concave surface 14, so that the trim cover 13 does not bridge over the concave surface 14. Relative movement between the trim cover 13 and the seat base 11 are further prevented. This avoids the uncomfortable and unsightly formation of any cavities/airspaces between the trim cover 13 and the seat base 11. Furthermore, by the use of hook/loop fastening layers 15, 16, the weight of the occupant in the seat 10 will further force the hook and loop fastening layers 15, 16 into contact with each other and increase the fixing of the hook and loop fastening layers 15 and 16 to each other.

[0034] The hook and loop fastening layers 15, 16 can be used over an entire contact surface between the trim cover 13 and the seat base 11. The hook and loop fastening layers 15, 16 can also be used only in those areas of the seat 10 where there are concave surfaces 14.

[0035] One particular advantageous adhesive 17 is a laminating adhesive. The loop fastening layer 16 is provided in the form of a sheet, where one side has a plurality of loops, and the other side is an adhesive side. The trim cover 13 has an occupant side 18, and a diametrically opposite adhesive side 19. The adhesive side 19 of the trim cover 13 is attached to the adhesive side 20 of the loop fastening layer 16 by laminating the two together with a laminating adhesive 17. This combines the trim cover 13 and the fastening loop layer 16 into a trim cover assembly 21 which can then be repetitively attached and detached from hook fastening layer 15 on the seat base 11.

[0036] The seat base 11 with the hook fastening layer 15 can be formed by providing the hook fastening layer 15 as sheet material with a hook side 22 and an adhesive side 23. The adhesive side 23 of the hook layer 15 is connected to the seat base 11 by an adhesive 12, such as a contact adhesive. Other adhesive is are also possible, such as thermal adhesives, air drying adhesives and adhesion caused by the solidifying of liquid foam. The combination of the seat base 11, adhesive 12 and hook layer 15 then form a seat base assembly 24. The trim cover assembly 21 can then be repetitively attached, and removed from the seat base assembly 24 by pressing the trim cover assembly 21 against the seat base assembly, and pulling the trim cover assembly 21 away from the seat base assembly 24. [0037] The removing of the trim cover assembly 21 from the seat basis assembly 24 can be done to replace the trim cover assembly 21 with a new and different trim cover assembly. The new trim cover assembly 21 can have a different color, appearance or surface feel according to personal desires and customization. A new trim cover assembly 21 can be used to repair a seat 10 that has an old damaged trim cover assembly 21. [0038] It is often desirable to place heating elements in seats 10 for the comfort of the occupant when the seat 10 is kept in a cold environment. These heating elements are beneficially located near the seating surface/occupant side 18, so that they can quickly warm the occupant. The heating elements are preferably mat/sheet-like structures 25 being primarily two-dimensional. The heat is preferably formed from electric resistance heating elements, but other elements such as passages for flowing a heating medium are also possible. Repetitive seating of the occupant, as well as vehicle movement, can cause the heating mats to flex very often. This repetitive flexing can damage the heating mat 25. For all of these reasons, it is desirable to have the heater mat 25 arranged between the trim cover 13 and the hook and loop fastening layers 15, 16. This places the heater mat 25 close to the occupant, and also allows the trim cover assembly with the heater mat to be removed from, and replaced onto, the seat base 11 without damaging the seat base 11. [0039] Figure 4 shows an embodiment with the heater mat 25. The heater mat 25 is connected to the trim cover 13 by an adhesive 17 B. The heater mat 25 is connected to the one of the hook and loop fastening layers 15, 16. In embodiment of Figures 4, the heater mat 25 is connected to loop fastening layer 16 by an adhesive 17A. In a preferred embodiment, both the adhesives 17A and 17B are thermal adhesives. In one particular embodiment, it is desirable to laminate one side of the heater mat 25 to the loop fastening layer 16 with a laminating adhesive, and then laminate the trim cover 13 to the other side of the heater mat 25 with a laminating adhesive. This then forms a trim cover assembly 21 A that includes the heater mat 25, and the entire trim cover assembly 21 A can then be repetitively attached to, and detached from, the seat assembly base 24. [0040] In Figure 5, a seat 10 is shown with a plurality of concave surfaces 14. While only three concave surfaces are shown in Figure 5, numerous other concave surfaces are possible. The seat 10 has a seat back 27 and a seat cushion 28. Each of the seat back 27 and seat cushion 28 can have its own trim cover 13 and concave surfaces 14. Often it is desirable for the trim cover 13 to be formed from a plurality of separate panels such as panels 26A-D. These panels 26 are sewn together to provide the proper shape for the trim cover, and often to provide a pleasing design. The individual panels 26 can also be individually shaped to have the proper surface contours. The edges of the individual panels 26 can be shaped so that when the panels are joined together, they also form a concave surface. [0041] Attaching the trim cover 13 to the hook loop layer 16, and to the heater mat

25 if desired, can be performed by laminating. Laminating works well when the sheets to be laminated have flat non-contoured surfaces. When the individual panels 26 are fiat, they are each separately laminated to its respective hook/loop fastening layer 16. Alternately, a large sheet of trim cover 13 can be laminated to a large hook/loop layer 16, and then the individual panels cut out of the large laminate. The individual panels 26 with the respective loop fastening layer 16 are then sewn together. If individual panels 26 are separately laminated to their respective hook/loop fastening layer 16, the respective hook/loop layer 16 can be made smaller than the respective panel 26 with the excess size of the panel 26 being used to form the seam 33 between adjacent panels 26.

[0042] As shown in Figure 8, if a heating mat 25 is desired in the seat 10, a plurality of heating panels 25 A can be provided, with each heating panel 25 A being associated with a different trim panel 26A, 26B, etc. In order to reduce the complexity of connecting the heating panels 25A to a heat source, such as an electrical power source, individual heater panels 25 A can be electrically connected to adjacent heater panels 25a by bridge wires 29.

[0043] When the heater mat 25 is arranged at concave surfaces 14 of the seat 10, the heater mat 25 will be attached to a hook/loop fastening layer 16. A preferred method of forming the trim cover assembly 21 is to first arrange of the plurality of heater panels 25a on a flat surface with adjacent heater panels 25A being connected by bridge wires 29. Panels 16A of hook/loop fastening layer 16 are then placed on top of the heater panels 25 A. The hook/loop fastening layer panels 16A are then laminated to their respective heater panels 25 A by a laminating adhesive 17A. This results in a heater loop assembly 30 for the seat back 27 as shown in Figures 6A and 6B.

[0044] Not all concave surfaces 14 of a trim cover assembly 31 may be desired to have a heater mat 25, for example concave surface 14A of the seat cushion 28 in Figures 5 and 7A, 7B. The heater panels 25 A are attached to their respective trim panels 26A. The concave surface 14A which does not have a heater panel has the fastening layer 16 attached directly to the corresponding trim panel 26A in a manner similar to the embodiment of Figure 3, even though bridge wires 29 may transverse the trim panel 26A of the concave surface 14A in order to provide heating power to the other heater panels 25 A of the trim cover assembly.

[0045] As is shown in Figure 8, the heater loop assemblies 31 are placed on top of respective trim panel 26A, 26B. There are an uncovered portions 32 of the trim panels 26A, 26B which are not covered by the respective portion of the heater loop assemblies 31. This uncovered portion 32 is for forming a seam 33 between adjacent trim panels 26A and 26B. Non-laminating layers or sheets 34A, 34B are placed between the uncovered portions 32 and the bridge wires 29. The non-laminating layers 34A, 34B prevent the bridge wires 29 from becoming laminated to the respective trim panels 26A, 26B. The combination of the hook/loop panels 16A, 16B heater panels 25 A, 25B, non-laminating layers 34A, 34B and trim panels 26A, 26B are then all laminated together so that the heater loop assemblies 31 are laminated to the respective trim panels 26A, 26B. The length of the bridge wires 29 is longer than the space between the heater panels 25, and even longer than the distance between edges of the trim panels 26. This gives room for the uncovered portions 32 to be sewn together at the seam 33.

[0046] As shown in Figure 9, the uncovered portions 32 are placed into contact with each other so that they can be sewn together at seam 33. The extra length of the bridge wires 29 provides sufficient room above the uncovered portions 32 so that the bridge wires 29 can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the seam 33.

[0047] In the view of Figure 9, the longitudinal direction of the seam 33 is in and out of the paper. In one example, the bridge wires 29 can be moved beyond the plane of Figure 9, and the seam 33 can be sewn all the way downwards until just before the seam contacts the bridge wire 29. The bridge wire 29 can then be lifted out of the plane of Figure 9, and the sewing of the seam 33 continues downward or further into the plane. Once the seam 33 has been sewn, the trim panels 26 can be arranged as shown in Figure 10. In this way, trim covers assemblies can be provided with heater panels 25 and hook/loop layers 16 even when seams are required, especially in areas of the seat 10 that have concave surfaces 14. Furthermore, the trim cover assemblies can be assembled from its constituent parts by laminating.

[0048] If the bridge wires 29 do not need to connect to an adjacent heater panel laminated to an adjacent trim panel, then only the non-laminating layer 34 on the trim panel with the heater panel needs to be present. The bridge wires 29 can then be moved out of the way so that an adjacent trim panel without a heater panel can be easily sewn onto the trim panel with the heater panel.

[0049] Figure 11 shows the relative dimensions of the non-laminating layer/non-stick tape 34/c with respect to the other dimensions of the respective trim panel 26. Dimension "a" is the outside perimeter (cutting contour) of a panel 26, "b" is a join sew path, the Seam Width is the distance between outside perimeter "a" and join sew path "b", and the non-stick tape is indicated by "c" which prevents the bridge wires 29 from being attached to the panel 26 and thus giving room/slack so the seam 33 can be sewn around the bridge wires. In a preferred embodiment, the nonstick tape/non-laminating layer 34 is dimensioned with a width "W" >= 2 * Seam Width, and with a length "L" = Bridge Width that is preferably about 40mm. The bridge width can be longer or shorter depending on the sizes of the bridge wires 29 and the individual trim panels 26, as well as the machines used to sew the seam.

[0050] Figure 12 shows the relative dimensions of the length "a" of the bridge 29 between adjacent trim panels 26 with respect to other dimensions of the adjacent trim panels 26. In Figure 12 dimension "a" is the Bridge Length, and is preferably "a" >= 2b, where dimension

"b" is the distance from furthest point on the respective trim panel/pattern 26 that the bridge needs to reach for join sewing feasibility purposes. Dimension "c" is the Bridge Width which depends on the heater manufacturer requirements. In this example, the heater manufacturer has requested at least a 40 mm wide bridge.

[0051] The drawings shown in this application are not drawn to scale, and are schematic, in order to emphasize the relationships between the various parts of the seat 10. Furthermore, while adhesive is shown in Figures 1, 3, 4, the adhesive is to be assumed in the remaining figures, and is not shown in the remaining figures for ease in understanding the drawings.

[0052] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

1 seat base

2 adhesive

3 trim cover

4 concave surface

5 trim cover wrap

6 cavity/air space

10 seat

11 seat base

12 adhesive

13 trim cover

14 concave surface

15 hook/loop layer

16 hook/loop layer

17 adhesive

18 occupant side

19 adhesive side

20 adhesive side

21 trim cover assembly

22 hook side

23 adhesive side

24 seat base assembly

25 heater mat

26 trim panel

27 seat back

28 seat cushion

29 bridge wires

30 heater loop assembly

31 trim cover assembly

32 uncovered portion

33 seam

34 non-laminating layer

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A seat for an occupant, the seat comprising:

a seat base formed of a material, and shaped, to provide support to the occupant; a touch fastener arrangement comprising a first layer and a second layer, said first layer having a fastening side with a plurality of fastening elements, said first layer having a diametrically opposite adhesive side, said second layer having a fastening side with a plurality of fastening elements, said second layer having a diametrically opposite adhesive side, said plurality of fastening elements of said first and second sides shaped to be repetitively attachable and detachable from each other when pressed into engagement with each other, said adhesive side of one of said first and second layers layer being attached to said seat base by a first adhesive;

a trim cover layer shaped to conform to a shape of said seat base, said trim cover layer being attached to an other of said first and second layers by a second adhesive.

2. A seat in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said first layer is a hook layer having a hook side with a plurality of hooks, said second layer is a loop layer having a loop side with a plurality of loops, said plurality of hooks and said plurality of loops being configured to be repetitively attachable and detachable from each other.

3. A seat in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said seat base has a concave surface;

said adhesive side of one of said first layer and said second layer is attached to said concave surface of said seat base;

said touch fastener arrangement shapes said trim cover layer to have a concave surface corresponding to said concave surface of seat base.

4. A seat in accordance with claim 1, further comprising:

a heater mat arranged between said trim cover layer and said touch fastener arrangement, said heater mat being configured to provide heat to the occupant.

5. A seat in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said shape of said trim cover layer has a convex surface;

said adhesive side of one of said first layer and said second layer is attached to said convex surface of said trim cover layer.

6. A seat in accordance with claim 1, wherein:

said trim cover layer has an occupant side configured to contact the occupant, said trim cover layer has an adhesive side diametrically opposite said occupant side, said adhesive side being of said trim cover layer being attached to said adhesive side of said one of said first layer and said second layer.

7. A seat in accordance with claim 6, further comprising:

a heater mat with a plurality of heater panels and bridge wires electrically connecting said heater panels;

a laminating adhesive on said heater mat;

a plurality of trim panels being configured to be joined together to form said trim cover layer, said trim panels being arranged on said heater mat and laminated to said heater mat;

non-laminating sheets arranged between said bridge wires and said trim panels, said non-laminating sheets being configured to block said bridge wires from being laminated to said trim panels.

8. A seat in accordance with claim 7, wherein:

said bridge wires electrically connect edges of adjacent said heater panels;

said bridge wires and said non-laminating sheets have a length greater than a distance between said edges when said trim panels are sewn together.

9. A seat in accordance with claim 8, wherein:

said length of said bridge wires is of a magnitude configured to allow said bridge wires to be moved clear of sewing operations on said trim panels.

10. A seat in accordance with claim 7, wherein:

said plurality of trim panels are joined to adjacent said trim panels by sewing at edges of said trim panels.

11. A seat in accordance with claim 7, wherein:

said plurality of trim panels are joined to adjacent said trim panels by a joint seam sewn on said adhesive side of said trim cover layer.

12. A seat for an occupant, the seat comprising:

a seat base formed of a material, and shaped, to provide support to the occupant; one layer of a touch fastener arrangement comprising a first layer and a second layer, said first layer having a fastening side with a plurality of fastening elements, said first layer having a diametrically opposite adhesive side, said second layer having a fastening side with a plurality of fastening elements, said second layer having a diametrically opposite adhesive side, said plurality of fastening elements of said first and second sides shaped to be repetitively attachable and detachable from each other when pressed into engagement with each other, said adhesive side of said one layer being attached to said seat base by an adhesive.

13. A seat in accordance with claim 12, wherein:

said seat base has a concave surface;

said adhesive side of said one layer is attached to said concave surface of said seat base.

14. A seat in accordance with claim 12, wherein:

said first layer is a hook layer having a hook side with a plurality of hooks, said second layer is a loop layer having a loop side with a plurality of loops, said plurality of hooks and said plurality of loops being configured to be repetitively attachable and detachable from each other.

15. A seat for an occupant, the seat comprising: a trim cover layer shaped to conform to a shape providing support to the occupant, one layer of a touch fastener arrangement comprising a first layer and a second layer, said first layer having a fastening side with a plurality of fastening elements, said first layer having a diametrically opposite adhesive side, said second layer having a fastening side with a plurality of fastening elements, said second layer having a diametrically opposite adhesive side, said plurality of fastening elements of said first and second sides shaped to be repetitively attachable and detachable from each other when pressed into engagement with each other, said adhesive side of said one layer being attached to said trim cover by an adhesive.

16. A seat in accordance with claim 15, wherein:

said shape of said trim cover layer has a convex surface;

said adhesive side of said one layer is attached to said convex surface of said trim cover layer.

17. A seat in accordance with claim 15, wherein:

said trim cover layer has an occupant side configured to contact the occupant, said trim cover layer has an adhesive side diametrically opposite said occupant side, said adhesive side of said trim cover letter is attached to said adhesive side of said one layer of said touch fastener arrangement.

18. A seat in accordance with claim 15, further comprising:

a heater mat arranged between said trim cover layer and said one layer, said heater mat being configured to provide heat to the occupant.

19. A seat in accordance with claim 15, wherein:

said first layer is a hook layer having a hook side with a plurality of hooks, said second layer is a loop layer having a loop side with a plurality of loops, said plurality of hooks and said plurality of loops being configured to be repetitively attachable and detachable from each other.