Claims:1. A seat structure (100) for a vehicle, the seat structure (100) comprising;
a frame (101), including a plurality of support members (102);
a cushioning component (103), positioned on one side of the frame (101);
a damper (104), positioned to surround an outer surface of at least one location of the plurality of support members (102) of the frame (101); and
at least one clip (105), wherein the at least one clip (105) is configured to pierce into the cushioning component (103) from another side of the plurality of support members (102) around the damper (104), to connect the frame (101) and the cushioning component (103);
wherein the damper (104), facilitates in preventing contact of the cushioning component (103) and the at least one clip, with the frame (101).
2. The seat structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of support members (102) in the frame (101) are arranged to extend in both a vertical and a horizontal direction.

3. The seat structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the damper (104) is at least one of felt, leather and polymeric material.

4. The seat structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the damper (104) is bonded to the plurality of support members (102) in at least one location, using at least one of adhesives and adhesive tape.

5. The seat structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cushioning component (103) is made of at least one of a foam, cotton and fiber glass.

6. The seat structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one clip (105) is a hogger clip.

7. The seat structure (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the hogger clip is in U-shape configuration.

8. A method of assembling a seat structure (100), the method comprising:
positioning, a damper (104) to surround an outer surface of the support member in at least one location of a plurality of support members (102) of a frame (101);
placing, a cushioning component (103) on one side of the frame (101); and
piercing, at least one clip (105) into the cushioning component (103) from another side of the plurality of support members (102), around the damper (104), to connect the cushioning component (103) and the frame (101);
wherein the damper (104), facilitates in preventing contact of the at least one clip (105) and the cushioning component (103), with the frame (101).
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, comprises bonding the damper (104) with the plurality of support members (102) in at least one location, by at least one of adhesives and adhesives tape.
10. A vehicle comprising a seat structure (100) as claimed in claim 1.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

Present disclosure generally relates to a seat structure. Particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to the seat structure for use in vehicles. Further, embodiments of the disclosure relates to the seat structure with a noise dampening arrangement.

BACKGROUND

Seats equipped in passenger and commercial vehicles are subjected to prolonged usage. Some of these seats, after several usage cycles tend to produce noise which may not be desirable in view of occupant’s comfort. More particularly, seat structures equipped in vehicles are subjected to vibration and stresses. Usually, the seat structure in vehicles comprises a base portion, a backrest portion and a head rest portion. In order to, cater necessary comfort to the passengers, the base portion, the backrest portion and head rest portion are provided with cushioning component such as foam, fiber glass, cotton and the like. These components assists in providing a soft feel to the occupants seated on the seat structure. Though, providing cushioning component in the seat structure aids in improving comfort of the passenger, undesirable noises such as flapping noise, buzz and squeaks may be generated due to rubbing or contact of the cushioning component with the frame, having metallic components.

Considering the above, various techniques are adapted to integrate or join the cushioning component firmly with the frame of the seat structure. One such technique, includes using of adhesives such as glue, for joining the cushioning component and the frame. This technique of using adhesive to join the cushioning component and the frame, has a short service life. Since the bonding strength of the adhesive degrades over time, the bonded joints may give way for generation of undesirable noises. Moreover, adhesive bonding of the cushioning component with the frame requires skilled operator, since improper laying of adhesives may result improper joining or bonding of the cushioning component and the frame. This, may also lead to generation of flapping or rattle noise due to contact and rubbing of the cushioning component and the frame, which is undesirable. Further, using adhesives to join the cushioning and the frame is a cumbersome process and relying solely on the skill of an operator, to obtain a quality joint or bond between the cushioning component and the frame, may not be feasible.

Several conventional systems also utilize spacers between the frame and the cushioning component. These spacers form part of the frame in order to provide a gap between the cushioning component and the frame. However, these spacers are additional components that are integrated into the frame which increases the complexity and cost of the entire seat structure.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the conventional arts.

SUMMARY

One or more shortcomings of the conventional seat structures are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a seat structure for a vehicle is disclosed. The seat structure comprises a frame, which includes a plurality of support members. A cushioning component is positioned on one side of the frame. Further, the seat structure comprises a damper, which is positioned to surround an outer surface of at least one location of the plurality of support members of the frame. Additionally, the seat structure comprises at least one clip. The at least one clip is configured to pierce into the cushioning component from another side of the plurality of support members around the damper, to connect the frame and the cushioning component. The damper, facilitates in preventing contact of the cushioning component and the clip, with the frame.

In an embodiment, the plurality of support members in the frame are arranged to extend in both a vertical and a horizontal direction.

In an embodiment, the damper is at least one of felt, leather and polymeric material.

In an embodiment, the damper is bonded to the plurality of support members using at least one of adhesives and adhesive tapes.

In an embodiment, the cushioning component is made of at least one of a foam, cotton and fiber glass.

In an embodiment, the at least one clip is a hogger clip, and is in U-shape configuration.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of assembling the seat structure is disclosed. The method includes, positioning a damper to surround an outer surface of the support member in at least one location of a support member of a frame. Further, the method includes placing a cushioning component on one side of the frame. Furthermore, the method includes piercing, at least one clip into the cushioning component from another side of the support members, around the damper on the support member, to connect the cushioning component and the frame.

In an embodiment, the method comprises bonding the damper with the plurality of support members in at least one location, by at least one of adhesives and adhesives tape.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of seat structure and/or methods of assembling in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a seat structure, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Figure. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the seat structure, with a cushioning component connected to a frame, in accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 3 illustrates magnified view of portion ‘A’ of Figure. 2.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

Embodiments of the disclosure, discloses a seat structure for a vehicle. Generally, the seat structure is equipped with cushioning components, to cater comfort and convenience to the passengers or occupants. The seat structures in general, adapt various techniques to connect (i.e. join) the cushioning component and a frame of the seat structure. One such technique for connecting the cushioning component and frame is by using adhesives such as glue and adhesive tapes. However, such techniques of connecting depends on the skill sets of the operators in the assembly line. Inappropriate laying or usage of the adhesives may lead to improper bonding of the cushioning structure with the frame. This, may lead to generation of squeaks, flapping or rattling noise, due to contact or rubbing of the cushioning component with the frame or vice versa, which is undesirable.

The seat structure of the present disclosure may broadly include a frame, and a cushioning component, which may be positioned on one side of the frame. The frame includes a plurality of support members, which may be arranged to extend in a vertical and horizontal direction. Further, the seat structure comprises a damper, which may be positioned on at least one location of the plurality of support members, such that the damper surrounds an outer surface of the plurality of support members at the at least one location. Furthermore, the seat structure includes at least one clip, which may be configured to pierce into the cushioning component around the damper from another side of the plurality of support members [thus, the frame], to connect the cushioning component and the frame. The damper facilitates in preventing contact of the clip and cushioning component with the frame, and thus mitigates generation of any noise.

In the following detailed description, embodiments of the disclosure are explained with reference of accompanying figures that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Figure. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a seat structure (100), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in Figure. 1, the seat structure (100) may broadly include a frame (101) and a cushioning component (103). In an embodiment, the frame (101) acts as a support for the cushioning component (103) of the seat structure (100). The frame (101) may include a plurality of support members (102). The plurality of support members (102) may be arranged to extend in a vertical and a horizontal direction to resemble a grid formation. Further, the plurality of support members (102) may extend in a zig-zag configuration or any other suitable configuration in order to support the cushioning component (103). The support members (102) are formed so as to impart structural strength to the seat structure (100). The frame (101) may be considered as a skeleton which is designed to support the cushioning component (103). The support members (102) may be joined at predetermined locations as they crisscross in any one of the horizontal or vertical directions in the frame (101) to form a rigid structure. As an example, the plurality of support members (102) may be joined by any of the joining process such as but not limiting to welding, brazing and the like. In an embodiment, the plurality of support members (102) may be made of metallic materials such as but not limiting to iron, steel and the like.

Further, the cushioning component (103) may be positioned on one side of the frame (101) and may be firmly secured to the frame (101) using suitable means. The cushioning component (103) may include a base, a back rest and a head rest, in order to cater comfortable riding experience to a passenger or occupant. The cushioning component (103) may be covered with a cloth or water-resistant materials such as leather, vinyl rubber and the like. As an example, the cushioning component (103) may be but not limiting to at least one of a foam, cotton, fiber glass and the like.

Figure. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the seat structure (100) with the cushioning component (103) connected to the frame (101). In an illustrated embodiment, the cushioning component (103) and the plurality of support members (102) [thus, the frame (101)] may be connected by connecting means. The connecting means include at least one clip (105) and a damper (104).

As apparent from Figure. 2, the seat structure (100) comprises a damper (104), which may be positioned on at least one location of the plurality of support members (102). In an alternative embodiment, the damper (104) may be positioned at a plurality of locations on the support members (102). In an embodiment, the damper (104) positioned in at least one location of the plurality of support members (102), surrounds an outer surface of at least one location of the plurality of support members (102) i.e. the damper (104) is positioned such that, the damper (104) wraps the outer surface of the plurality of support members (102) at that location. As an example, the damper (104) may be bonded to the support members (102) using adhesives, adhesive tapes and the like. In an embodiment the damper (104) may be any of the dampening material possessing dampening properties, such as but not limiting to felt, leather and any polymeric material.

Now referring to Figure. 3, the seat structure (100), further comprises at least one clip (105), which may be configured to pierce into the cushioning component (103) from another side of the plurality of support members (102) (i.e. from a side opposite to the side in which the cushioning component (103) is positioned), to connect the cushioning component (103) and the plurality of support members (102) [thus, the frame (101)]. In an embodiment, the at least one clip (105) may be, but not limiting to a hogger clip. The hogger clip may include a U-shape configuration, which facilitates the clip (105) to pierce into the cushioning component (103), and also securely bind the support members (102) with the cushioning component (103). In an illustrated embodiment, the at least one clip (105) is configured to pierce into the cushioning component (103) from another side of the plurality of support members (102) [thus, the frame (101)], around the damper (104) positioned at predetermined locations on the plurality of support members (102) to connect the cushioning component (103) and the frame (101). This configuration of the seat structure (100), in which the clip (105) pierces i.e. extends into the cushioning component (103) around the damper (104), from another side of the plurality of support members (102), may facilitate in preventing contact of the cushioning component (103) and the clip (105) with the plurality of support members (102) [thus, the frame (101)]. In other words, the damper (104) surrounding the outer surface of the at least one location of the plurality of support members (102), prevents the contact of the cushioning component (103) and the clip (105) with the plurality of support members (102) [thus, the frame (101)]. In an embodiment, preventing contact between the above-mentioned components may facilitate in mitigating squeaks, rattle and other noises, which may cause inconvenience to the passenger.

In an embodiment, during assembling of the seat structure (100) i.e. connecting the plurality of support members (102) [thus, the frame (101)], and the cushioning component (103), the damper (104) may be positioned in at least one location or a plurality of predetermined locations on the plurality of support members (102). The damper (104) positioned in at least one location of the plurality of support members (102) may be configured to surround the outer surface of the at least one location of the plurality of support members (102). In an embodiment, the damper (1040 may be bonded with the plurality of support members (102) in at least one location using adhesives or adhesive tapes. Once the damper (104) is positioned in at least one location of the plurality of support members (102), the cushioning component (103) may be positioned on one side of the frame (101), in a close contact. Upon placing the cushioning component (103) at one side of the frame (101) [thus, the support members (102)], the at least one clip (105) may be pierced into the cushioning component (103) from another side of the support members (102) (i.e. from a side opposite to the side in which the cushioning component (103) is positioned), around the damper (104). This configuration of positioning the damper (104) on the plurality of support members (102), and piercing the clip (105) into the cushioning component (103) around the damper (104) facilitates in preventing contact of the cushioning component (102) and the clip (105) with the frame (101), and thus mitigates noise and other undesirable phenomena, which may cause inconvenience to the passenger or occupant residing on the seat structure (100).

In an embodiment, adapting the dampers (104) and clip (105) arrangement to connect the frame (101) and the cushioning component (103) of a back rest of the seat structure (100), may not be constructed as a limitation, as the arrangement i.e. damper (104) and the clip (105), may be adapted to connect the frame and the cushioning component of a base of the seat structure (100).

In an embodiment, the damper (104) and the clip (105) arrangement, provides a robust connection between the frame (101) and the cushioning component (103), and also eliminates contact between the frame (101) and the cushioning component (103), to mitigate noise and vibrations.

Equivalents:

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances, where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:

Reference Number Description
100 Seat structure
101 Frame
102 Plurality of support members
103 Cushioning component
104 Damper
105 Clip