Seat with side airbag guide chute
A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a back frame, and a foam cushion assembly positioned adjacent the back frame. A trim cover is secured over the foam cushion assembly. The trim cover includes a first edge and a second edge sewn together to define a tear seam. A side airbag module is attached to the back frame. The side airbag module includes an airbag that is deployable through the tear seam. A guide chute includes a first strap end attached to the trim cover adjacent the tear seam, and a second strap end attached to a component of the seat assembly other than the back frame, such as the foam cushion assembly.
1. A seat assembly for a vehicle, the seat assembly comprising:
a back frame;
a foam cushion assembly positioned adjacent the back frame, and including a foam pad and a wire rod disposed within the foam pad;
a trim cover secured over the foam cushion assembly and including a first edge and a second edge sewn together to define a tear seam;
a side airbag module attached to the back frame, and including an airbag that is deployable through the tear seam; and
a guide chute having a first strap end attached to the trim cover adjacent the tear seam, and a second strap end directly attached to the foam pad of the foam cushion assembly;
wherein the second strap end of the guide chute is not attached to the wire rod.
2. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 characterized by the absence of a direct attachment between the guide chute and the back frame.
3. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second strap end of the guide chute is attached to a non-occupant side of the foam pad.
4. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the foam pad defines a slit with the guide chute extending through the slit.
5. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the guide chute is disposed between the airbag module and a non-occupant side of the foam pad.
6. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a mechanical attachment mechanism interconnecting the second strap end of the guide chute and the foam pad of the foam cushion assembly.
7. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein the mechanical attachment mechanism includes a hook and loop fastening system.
8. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein the mechanical attachment mechanism includes a clip assembly having a female clip half attached to one of the foam pad of the foam cushion assembly and the second strap end of the guide chute, and a male clip half attached to the other of the foam pad of the foam cushion assembly and the second strap end of the guide chute.
9. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein at least a portion of the mechanical attachment mechanism is molded into the foam pad.
10. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a bar code assembly attached to the guide chute.