Apparatus and method for manufacturing a support frame for a seat assembly
AssigneeIllinois Tool Works Inc.
InventorsCraig Oomen, Sam Smith, Randy Sayers, Kelly Washburn
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A seat assembly includes a frame made from a first material having a first hardness, the frame including a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The seat assembly further includes a fabric component coupled to the first side of the frame, and a plurality of grooves are disposed within the second side of the frame. Each insert of a plurality of inserts are disposed within each respective groove in the plurality of grooves. Each insert of the plurality of inserts comprises a second material and the second material has a second hardness that is less than the first hardness.
Claims12
A seat assembly, comprising:
- a frame comprising a first material that defines a first hardness, the frame including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a top side, a right side that extends downward from the top side, and a left side that extends downward from the top side;
- a fabric component coupled to the first side of the frame;
- a plurality of grooves disposed within the second side of the frame, the plurality of grooves including first grooves along the right side of the frame and second grooves along the left side of the frame;
- and
- a plurality of inserts, wherein each insert of the plurality of inserts is disposed within each respective groove in the plurality of grooves,
- wherein each insert of the plurality of inserts comprises a second material, the second material defining a second hardness that is less than the first hardness,
- wherein the frame defines a linear portion that extends in a substantially parallel direction with respect to a longitudinal axis and a curved portion that extends rearwardly of the linear portion, and
- wherein a majority of inserts of the plurality of inserts are disposed within the curved portion of the frame.
A seat assembly, comprising:
- a frame defining a first length and including a first side and a second side opposite the first side;
- a fabric component coupled to the first side of the frame;
- a plurality of grooves disposed within the second side of the frame;
- and
- a plurality of inserts disposed within the plurality of grooves,
- wherein the plurality of inserts defines an insert area having a second length that is less than the first length,
- wherein the frame defines a linear portion that extends in a substantially parallel direction with respect to a longitudinal axis and a curved portion that extends rearwardly of the linear portion, and
- wherein the plurality of inserts is disposed within the curved portion of the frame.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.