Reinforced seat cover

A vehicle seat assembly comprising:

• a frame;
• an air bag connected to the frame;
• and
• a trim cover surrounding the frame and the air bag, the trim cover including:
• an outer layer including a front portion having first and second ends, the outer layer further including first and second bolster portions connected to the first and second ends, respectively, and an intermediate portion connected to the first and second bolster portions at first and second bolster seams, respectively, wherein the first bolster seam is configured to rupture upon deployment of the air bag;
• a first reinforcement panel positioned adjacent the first bolster portion, the first reinforcement panel having a first end portion connected to the outer layer proximate the first end of the front portion, and a second end portion connected to the outer layer proximate the first bolster seam;
• and
• a second reinforcement panel positioned adjacent the intermediate portion, the second reinforcement panel having one end portion connected to the outer layer proximate the first bolster seam, and an opposite end portion connected to the outer layer proximate the second bolster seam;
• wherein the reinforcement panels reinforce the outer layer during deployment of the air bag so that the air bag deploys through the first bolster seam.

A vehicle seat assembly comprising:

• a frame;
• an air bag connected to the frame;
• and
• a trim cover connected to the frame and surrounding the frame and the air bag, the trim cover including:
• an outer layer having a front portion, first and second bolster portions connected to the front portion at first and second front seams, respectively, first and second side portions connected to the first and second bolster portions, respectively, at first and second bolster seams, respectively, and a back portion connected to the first and second side portions at first and second back seams, respectively,
• wherein the first bolster seam is configured to rupture upon deployment of the air bag;
• a first reinforcement panel positioned adjacent the first bolster portion, the first reinforcement panel having one end portion connected to the outer layer proximate the first front seam, and an opposite end portion connected to the outer layer proximate the first bolster seam;
• a second reinforcement panel positioned adjacent the side portions and the back portion, the second reinforcement panel having one end portion connected to the outer layer proximate the first bolster seam, and an opposite end portion connected to the outer layer proximate the second bolster seam, the second reinforcement panel further having first and second intermediate sections connected to the outer layer proximate the first and second back seams, respectively;
• and
• a third reinforcement panel positioned adjacent the second bolster portion, the third reinforcement panel having one end portion connected to the outer layer proximate the second front seam, and an opposite end portion connected to the outer layer proximate the second bolster seam.
• wherein the reinforcement panels reinforce the outer layer during deployment of the air bag so that the air bag deploys through the first bolster seam.