Vehicle seat trim attachment

Abstract

A trim material attachment assembly for a seat includes a cushion having first and second sides and an aperture formed therethrough. A trim cover is provided for covering the first side of the seat cushion. A one-piece, integrally molded trim holder includes a central member disposed in the aperture of the cushion. The central member has first and second ends. A clip is formed at the first end of the central member and engaged with the trim cover to secure the holder to the trim cover. A leg is formed at the second end of the central member and is connected to the second end by a living hinge permitting the leg to move between an assembly position to allow the plate member to be inserted through the aperture, and a holding position to prevent the leg from being pulled through the aperture, thereby securing the trim cover to the cushion.

1 . A trim material attachment assembly for a seat comprising:
 a cushion having first and second sides and an aperture formed therethrough;   a trim cover for covering said first side of said seat cushion; and   a one-piece, integrally molded trim holder including:
 a central member disposed in said aperture of said cushion, said central member having first and second ends; 
 a clip formed at said first end of said central member and engaged with said trim cover to secure said holder to said trim cover; and 
 a leg formed at said second end of said central member and connected to said second end by a living hinge permitting said leg to move between an assembly position to allow said leg to be inserted through said aperture, and a holding position to prevent said leg from being pulled through said aperture, thereby securing said trim cover to said cushion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein in the assembly position, the leg is positioned adjacent the central member, and wherein in the holding position, the leg is adjacent the second side of the seat cushion. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said trim cover includes a bead attached thereto, and wherein said trim cover includes a trim strip extending therefrom, said bead being attached to said trim strip, and wherein said clip resiliently engages with said bead. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said leg extends from said second end of said central member in a first direction, and wherein a second leg extends from said second end of said central member in a second direction opposite the first direction. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said clip is in the form of a hook. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein said clip is in the form of an open ended hook. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said central member is an elongated strip. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said clip is made of a plastic material. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said trim cover includes a trim strip extending therefrom, and wherein said bead is attached to said trim strip. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said bead is molded onto said trim strip. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said trim strip is made of a flexible material. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein said trim cover defines a seam, and wherein said trim strip is attached to said trim cover at said seam. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said trim strip is disposed in a formed in said first side of said cushion. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said trim strip includes an opening therein adjacent said bead, and wherein said hook portion is inserted through said opening. 
     
     
         15 . A method of attaching trim cover to a seat cushion comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a cushion having first and second sides and an aperture formed therethrough;   b. providing a trim cover; and   c. providing a one piece, integrally formed trim holder including:
 a central member disposed in the aperture of the cushion, the central member having first and second ends; 
 a clip formed at the first end of the central member; and 
 a leg formed at the second end of the central member and connected to the second end by a living hinge; 
   d. attaching the clip to the trim cover;   e. pivoting the leg to an assembly position adjacent the central member;   f. inserting the leg through the aperture of the cushion;   g. pivoting the leg to an assembly position adjacent the second side of the seat cushion, thereby preventing the trim holder from being pulled through the aperture, thereby attaching the trim cover to the seat cushion.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  further providing an installation tool including:
 a holding guide for temporarily holding the trim holder;   an arm movably mounted relative to the seat cushion, wherein the holding guide is pivotally mounted on the arm; and   wherein prior to step (f) the arm and the holding guide are extended through the aperture of the cushion such that the holding guide is spaced from the first side of the cushion, and wherein the clip is resiliently, temporarily attached to the holding guide, and   wherein in step (e), the holding guide is moved to a position such that the leg is in its assembly position, and   wherein in step (f) the arm is moved through the aperture, and   wherein in step (g) the holding guide is rotated to move the leg into its holding position, and subsequently the trim holder is detached from the holding guide.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the installation tool further includes a fixture having a ramped surface facing the second side of the cushion, and wherein in step (g), the holding guide slides along the ramped surface thereby rotating the holding guide.