Seating trim attachment retainer for EPP/EPS and polyurethane foam

1. A trim attachment retainer comprising:

a body portion having a proximal end and an engagement end;

at least one cross member integral with and substantially orthogonal to the body portion;

first and second barbs vertically aligned on and extending from the engagement end, the first and second barbs having a base and a distal end, wherein the distal end is closer than the base to the at least one cross member; and

a slot disposed proximate the intersection of the at least one cross member and one of the proximal end and the engagement end, the slot defining a living hinge.

2. The trim attachment retainer of claim 1 , wherein the at least one cross member includes a first cross member disposed on a first side of the body portion and a second cross member disposed on a second side of the body portion.

3. The trim attachment retainer of claim 1 , wherein the proximal end is operably coupled with a coverstock material.

4. A trim attachment structure for a vehicle seat, comprising:

a coverstock material;

a retainer operably connected to the coverstock material, the retainer including a body portion with a proximal end and an engagement end having first and second barbs and integrally connected with a cross member by a living hinge; and

a salvage trench disposed in said vehicle seat, wherein the salvage trench includes an inner recess adapted to receive the engagement end.

5. The trim attachment structure for a vehicle seat of claim 4 , further comprising:

a first barb protruding from a first side of the engagement end and a second barb extending from a second side of the engagement end.

6. The trim attachment structure for a vehicle seat of claim 4 , wherein the cross member includes a first cross member disposed on a first side of the body portion and a second cross member disposed on a second side of the body portion.

7. The trim attachment structure for a vehicle seat of claim 4 , further comprising:

a slot disposed proximate the intersection of the cross member and the proximal end, wherein the slot defines the living hinge.

8. The trim attachment structure for a vehicle seat of claim 4 , further comprising:

a slot disposed proximate the intersection of the cross member and the engagement end, wherein the slot defines the living hinge.

9. A method of securing a coverstock to a vehicle seat comprising:

forming a salvage trench in a vehicle seat structure;

forming a retainer having a body portion with a proximal end, an engagement end with a barb, and a cross member;

forming a living hinge between the cross member and the body portion;

connecting a coverstock material to the proximal end; and

inserting the engagement end of the retainer into the salvage trench.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

forming an inner slot in the salvage trench adapted to receive the engagement end of the body portion of the retainer.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of forming a living hinge further comprises:

forming a slot at an intersection of the cross member and the engagement end of the body, the slot defining the living hinge.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the step of forming a living hinge further comprises:

forming a slot at an intersection of the cross member and the proximal end of the body, the slot defining the living hinge.