US-12617326-B2 - Vehicle seat component including integrated assist handle

Abstract

A seat component includes a body having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface. The first side surface and the second side surface extend between and connect the first surface and the second surface. A recess is formed in one of the first side surface and the second side surface. An assist handle is secured to the seat component at the recess.

Inventors

• James Logan, Jr.
• Stefano A. Moraccini
• Jeff E. Nasca
• Michael Apone

Assignees

• GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20230525

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A seat component for a vehicle comprising: a body having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, the first side surface and the second side surface extending between and connecting the first surface and the second surface; a recess formed in one of the first side surface and the second side surface; and an assist handle secured to the seat component at the recess, wherein the recess includes a base surface surrounded by a perimetrical surface including an upper surface portion, a lower surface portion, a first side surface portion, and a second side surface portion, the assist handle being fixedly connected to the perimetrical surface, and wherein the assist handle includes a first end extending through the upper surface portion and a second end extending through the base surface.
2. 2 . The seat component according to claim 1 , wherein the recess includes a perimetrical surface element defining the assist handle.
3. 3 . The seat component according to claim 2 , wherein the recess includes a first recess including a first perimetrical surface element mounted in the first side surface and a second recess including a second perimetrical surface element mounted in the second side surface, the first perimetrical surface element forming a first assist handle and the second perimetrical surface element forming a second assist handle.
4. 4 . The seat component according to claim 3 , wherein the first assist handle is fixedly connected to the second assist handle through the body.
5. 5 . The seat component according to claim 1 , wherein the recess includes a base surface surrounded by a perimetrical surface including an upper surface portion, a lower surface portion, a first side surface portion, and a second side surface portion, the assist handle being connected to the base surface.
6. 6 . The seat component according to claim 1 , wherein the body defines a headrest.
7. 7 . A vehicle comprising: a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment; and a seat arranged in the passenger compartment, the seat including the seat component according to claim 1 .
8. 8 . The vehicle according to claim 7 , wherein the recess includes a perimetrical surface element defining the assist handle.
9. 9 . The vehicle according to claim 8 , wherein the recess includes a first recess including a first perimetrical surface element mounted in the first side surface and a second recess including a second perimetrical surface element mounted in the second side surface, the first perimetrical surface element forming a first assist handle and the second perimetrical surface element forming a second assist handle.
10. 10 . The vehicle according to claim 9 , wherein the first assist handle is fixedly connected to the second assist handle through the body.
11. 11 . The vehicle according to claim 7 , wherein the recess includes a base surface surrounded by a perimetrical surface including an upper surface portion, a lower surface portion, a first side surface portion, and a second side surface portion, the assist handle being connected to the base surface.
12. 12 . The vehicle according to claim 7 , wherein the seat component defines a headrest.
13. 13 . A seat component for a vehicle comprising: a body having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, the first side surface and the second side surface extending between and connecting the first surface and the second surface; a recess formed in one of the first side surface and the second side surface; and an assist handle secured to the seat component at the recess, wherein the recess includes a base surface surrounded by a perimetrical surface including an upper surface portion, a lower surface portion, a first side surface portion, and a second side surface portion, the assist handle being fixedly connected to the perimetrical surface, and wherein the assist handle is spaced from the base surface, the first side surface portion, and the second side surface portion.
14. 14 . The seat component according to claim 13 , wherein the recess includes a base surface surrounded by a perimetrical surface including an upper surface portion, a lower surface portion, a first side surface portion, and a second side surface portion, the assist handle being fixedly connected to the perimetrical surface.
15. 15 . The seat component according to claim 14 , wherein the assist handle includes a first end extending through the upper surface portion and a second end extending through the base surface.
16. 16 . A vehicle comprising: a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment; and a seat arranged in the passenger compartment, the seat including the seat component according to claim 13 .
17. 17 . The vehicle according to claim 12 , wherein the recess includes a base surface surrounded by a perimetrical surface including an upper surface portion, a lower surface portion, a first side surface portion, and a second side surface portion, the assist handle being fixedly connected to the perimetrical surface.
18. 18 . The vehicle according to claim 13 , wherein the assist handle includes a first end extending through the upper surface portion and a second end extending through the base surface.
19. 19 . A seat component for a vehicle comprising: a body having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, the first side surface and the second side surface extending between and connecting the first surface and the second surface; a recess formed in one of the first side surface and the second side surface; and an assist handle secured to the seat component at the recess, wherein the recess includes a base surface surrounded by a perimetrical surface including an upper surface portion, a lower surface portion, a first side surface portion, and a second side surface portion, the assist handle being connected to the base surface, and wherein the assist handle is pivotally mounted to the base surface.
20. 20 . A vehicle comprising: a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment; and a seat arranged in the passenger compartment, the seat including the seat component according to claim 19 .

Description

INTRODUCTION The subject disclosure relates to the art of seat components and, more particularly, to a seat component for a vehicle having an integrated assist handle. Most passenger vehicles include fixed assist handles that may be used by passengers to aide in getting into and out of the vehicle. The handles are typically mounted along a door frame. The location of the assist handle(s) varies and may depend on various factors including seat configuration, door frame structure, vehicle trim level, and the like. In addition to factory mounted assist handles which are fixedly mounted to the vehicle, there exist after-market assist handles that interact with door latch features. After the door is opened, the after-market assist handle is temporarily inserted into the door latch feature and provides a support surface that may aid a passenger in egressing from the vehicle. Unfortunately, many users find the position of the assist handle to be impractical for their particular needs. The handle may be too far forward, may not be arranged to help someone from a rear seat, or may be otherwise out of reach. If not in a convenient location for the user, the assist handle may not be utilized. In such a case, the user may find it difficult to get into or out from the vehicle. When existing assist or grab handles are inconvenient, many users will pull on a seatback or a headrest to assist with alighting from the vehicle. Seatbacks and headrests are not designed to withstand use as a handle. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an assist handle that is built into and attached to load bearing structure of a seat component designed to withstand such stresses and be used by passengers as an aid in alighting from the vehicle. SUMMARY A seat component, in accordance with a non-limiting example, includes a body having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface. The first side surface and the second side surface extend between and connect the first surface and the second surface. A recess is formed in one of the first side surface and the second side surface. An assist handle is secured to the seat component at the recess. In addition to one or more of the features described herein the recess includes a perimetrical surface element defining the assist handle. In addition to one or more of the features described herein the recess includes a first recess including a first perimetrical surface element mounted in the first side surface and a second recess including a second perimetrical surface element mounted in the second side surface, the first perimetrical surface element forming a first assist handle and the second perimetrical surface element forming a second assist handle. In addition to one or more of the features described herein the first assist handle is fixedly connected to the second assist handle through the body. In addition to one or more of the features described herein the recess includes a base surface surrounded by a perimetrical surface including an upper surface portion, a lower surface portion, a first side surface portion, and a second side surface portion, the assist handle being fixedly connected to the perimetrical surface. In addition to one or more of the features described herein the assist handle includes a first end extending through the upper surface portion and a second end extending through the base surface. In addition to one or more of the features described herein the assist handle is spaced from the base surface, the first side surface portion, and the second side surface portion. In addition to one or more of the features described herein the recess includes a base surface surrounded by a perimetrical surface including an upper surface portion, a lower surface portion, a first side surface portion, and a second side surface portion, the assist handle being connected to the base surface. In addition to one or more of the features described herein the assist handle is pivotally mounted to the base surface. In addition to one or more of the features described herein the body defines a headrest. A vehicle, in accordance with a non-limiting example, includes a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment and a seat arranged in the passenger compartment. The seat includes a seat component including a body having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface. The first side surface and the second side surface extend between and connect the first surface and the second surface. A recess is formed in one of the first side surface and the second side surface. An assist handle secured to the seat component at the recess. In addition to one or more of the features described herein the recess includes a perimetrical surface element defining the assist handle. In addition to one or more of the features described herein the recess includes a first recess including a first pe