Michael L Rhoads

US Patent:

58269460, Oct 27, 1998

Filed:

Oct 30, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/961337

Inventors:

Bryon R. Matthews - Grand Blanc MI
Ed Dishner - Davison MI
Michael E. Rhoads - Shelby Township MI

Assignee:

Lear Corp. - Southfield MI

International Classification:

A47C 702

US Classification:

29745257

Abstract:

A vehicle seat assembly having a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back includes a rigid frame supporting a resilient foam cushion encased by a trim cover material. The seat back has a cutaway section defining a void space in the foam cushion and two apertures in the trim cover material. A rigid support panel is secured to a corner of the seat back frame. The panel is seated in the cutaway section of the seat back frame to fill the void space in the foam cushion between the trim cover material and the seat back frame. The support panel has first and second openings for providing rigid passageways through the two apertures in the trim cover material. The first opening extends along a first axis for supporting a seat belt tower to the seat back frame. The second opening extends along a second axis traverse to the first axis for supporting a side impact air bag on the seat back frame. The support panel occupies a portion of the seat back's contour and provides a rigid surface and aperture for receiving and supporting the two components on the seat back frame.