US 12,213,592 B2
Apparatus and method for manufacturing a fabric suspension seat structure
Craig Martin Oomen, Lowell, MI (US); Samuel Smith, Allendale, MI (US); Robert A. Bratty, Stanton, MI (US); Michael Long, Sparta, MI (US); and Kelly Washburn, Middleville, MI (US)
Assigned to Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed by ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC., Glenview, IL (US)
Filed on May 25, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/202,044.
Application 18/202,044 is a division of application No. 17/380,094, filed on Jul. 20, 2021, granted, now 11,690,454.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/062,002, filed on Aug. 6, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0292923 A1, Sep. 21, 2023
Int. Cl. B29C 45/14 (2006.01); A47C 1/032 (2006.01); A47C 7/16 (2006.01); A47C 7/28 (2006.01)
CPC A47C 1/03261 (2013.01) [A47C 7/16 (2013.01); A47C 7/282 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of manufacturing a seat assembly, the method comprising:
tensioning a fabric component; and
molding a thermoplastic material over the fabric component to form a frame having an inner segment that is directly molded to the fabric component and a skirt that is coupled to the inner segment by a living hinge, the inner segment having a flexural resistance that is greater than a flexural resistance of the skirt.