# US 10,246,022 B2 · Map pocket assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,022 B2 - Document ID: US10246022B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/668,576 - Filed: 2017-08-03 - Published: 2018-05-17 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-17 - Assignees: Lear Corporation - Applicants: Lear Corporation - Inventors: Philippe Perrin; Florian Diefenthaler; Leonard Levy - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246022B2 ## CPC - B60R 7/005: {Nets or elastic pockets tensioned against walls or backrests} - B60N 2/64: Back-rests {or cushions (B60N2/2222 takes precedence)} - B60N 2/90: Details or parts not otherwise provided for - B60R 7/00: Stowing or holding appliances inside vehicle primarily intended for personal property smaller than suit-cases, e.g. travelling articles, or maps (for radio sets, television sets, telephones or the like, mounting of cameras operative during drive, tools, or spare parts B60R11/00; for receptacles for refuse, food, beverages, cigarettes B60N) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A map pocket assembly is provided with a seat back panel adapted to attach to a seat back, a map pocket panel coupled to the seat back panel and moveable between a closed position and an open position relative to the seat back panel to define a pocket opening therebetween, and a spring arm coupling the seat back panel to the map pocket panel to bias the map pocket panel to the closed position. The spring arm has first and second spring fingers extending from a spring base coupled to one of the seat back panel and the map pocket panel. The first and second spring fingers are moved to a spring angle relative to each other when the map pocket panel is moved to the open position that is greater than the spring angle when the map pocket panel is in the closed position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A map pocket assembly comprising: a seat back panel adapted to attach to a seat back; a map pocket panel coupled to the seat back panel and moveable between a closed position and an open position relative to the seat back panel to define a pocket opening therebetween; and a pair of spring arms coupling the seat back panel to the map pocket panel to bias the map pocket panel to the closed position, each spring arm having first and second spring fingers extending from a spring base, the spring base coupled to one of the seat back panel and the map pocket panel, a free end of the first spring finger coupled to the seat back panel and a free end of the second spring finger coupled to the map pocket panel, wherein the free ends of the first and second spring fingers of each spring arm are spaced from each other in a lateral direction and are moved to an open spring angle in a fore-aft direction relative to each other when the map pocket panel is moved to the open position, wherein the open spring angle is greater than a closed spring angle when the map pocket panel is in the closed position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The map pocket assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring base is coupled to the map pocket panel such that the spring base travels a fore-aft distance with the map pocket panel between the closed and open positions, and the first spring finger is preformed to define a first finger arc to bias one of a top and bottom portion of the map pocket panel to the closed position such that the spring base applies a first force to one of the top and bottom portions of the seat back panel in the closed position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The map pocket assembly of claim 2, wherein the free end of the second spring finger opposite the spring base applies a second force to the other of the top and bottom portions of the seat back panel in the closed position and moves independently of the free end of the first spring finger opposite the spring base in the open position, the free end of the first spring finger being coupled to the seat back panel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The map pocket assembly of claim 2, wherein the second spring finger is preformed to define a second finger arc to bias the other of the top and bottom portion of the map pocket panel to the closed position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The map pocket assembly of claim 2, wherein in the closed position, the first spring finger conforms to a profile of the seat back panel, and in the open position, the first spring finger is curved in a direction opposite of the first finger arc. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The map pocket assembly of claim 1, wherein a height of the second spring finger is less than a height of the first spring finger. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The map pocket assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring arm further comprises a third spring finger hinged together at the spring base with the first and second spring fingers, thereby defining a pair of outer spring fingers and a center spring finger, wherein the third spring finger prevents twisting of the spring base relative to the map pocket panel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The map pocket assembly of claim 7, wherein the third spring finger is coupled to the seat back panel, and wherein the third spring finger is preformed to define a third finger arc to bias the map pocket panel to the closed position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The map pocket assembly of claim 7, wherein the third spring finger is preformed to define a third finger arc to bias the map pocket panel to the closed position, wherein the first, second, and third spring fingers are spaced from one another in the lateral direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The map pocket assembly of claim 1, wherein the free end of the first spring arm is coupled to a top portion of the map pocket panel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A vehicle seat comprising: a seat back; and the map pocket assembly of claim 1. ### Claim 12 A vehicle seat comprising: a seat back panel; a map pocket panel coupled to the seat back panel and moveable between a closed position and an open position; and a first spring arm hinged to the seat back panel at a hinge end and coupled to the map pocket panel at a free end such that the free end moves with the map pocket panel between the closed and open positions, the first spring arm being preformed to define a first spring arm arc thereby biasing the map pocket panel to the closed position, wherein in the closed position the first spring arm conforms to a profile of the seat back panel, and wherein in the open position, the first spring arm is curved in a direction opposite of the first spring arm arc. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The vehicle seat of claim 12, wherein the free end of the first spring arm applies a first force to the seat back panel in the closed position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The vehicle seat of claim 12, wherein the free end of the first spring arm is coupled to a top portion of the map pocket panel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The vehicle seat of claim 14, further comprising a second spring arm disposed proximate the first spring arm, wherein the second spring arm is hinged to the seat back panel at a hinge end and coupled to a bottom portion of the map pocket panel at a free end such that the free end of the second spring arm moves with the bottom portion of the map pocket panel between the closed and open positions, and the second spring arm is preformed to define a second spring arm arc thereby biasing the map pocket panel to the closed position and applying a second force to the seat back panel in the closed position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The vehicle seat of claim 12, further comprising a second spring arm spaced apart in a lateral direction from the first spring arm. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The vehicle seat of claim 12, wherein the hinge end of the first spring arm is disposed proximate a bottom portion of the map pocket panel. ### Claim 18 A vehicle seat comprising: a seat back panel; a map pocket panel coupled to the seat back panel and having a top edge and a bottom edge each moveable between a closed position and an open position relative to the seat back panel to define a map pocket opening therebetween; and a support arm coupled to the seat back panel at a first end and coupled to the map pocket panel at a second end to maintain a fore-aft opening distance of the bottom edge of the map pocket panel generally perpendicular to the seat back panel when the bottom edge is in the open position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The vehicle seat of claim 18, further comprising a first elastic member connected between the seat back panel and the map pocket panel adjacent the top edge thereby biasing the top edge of the map pocket panel to the closed position. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The vehicle seat of claim 19, further comprising a second elastic member connected between the seat back panel and the map pocket panel adjacent the bottom edge thereby biasing the bottom edge of the map pocket panel to the closed position, wherein each of the first and second elastic members are disposed along opposite lateral sides of the map pocket panel.