Seating system and method of forming same

Abstract

The present invention discloses a seating system that includes a seat back ( 20 ) with one or more plastic panels ( 22 ) that extend across a lateral distance of the seat back ( 20 ). The seat back ( 20 ) preferably includes one or more reinforcements ( 30 ) attached to the plastic panels ( 22 ).

1 - 28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . An automotive panel system, comprising: 
 a first panel having a main wall with an outer periphery;    a reinforcement attached to the first panel and extending along the main wall, the reinforcement substantially continuously opposing the main wall, wherein: 
 i) the first panel is formed of a plastic material, the first panel having at least one corresponding surface; and  
 ii) the reinforcement is formed of a secondary material different from the plastic material, the reinforcement having at least one corresponding surface;  
   wherein the corresponding surface of the reinforcement is adhered to the corresponding surface of the first panel with an adhesive; and    wherein the first panel is configured to be part of an automotive vehicle; and    wherein the reinforcement extends substantially from side to side along and across the main wall or    
   
   
       30 . A system as in  claim 29  wherein the reinforcement extends substantially from top to bottom along and across the main wall.  
   
   
       31 . A system as in  claim 29  wherein the reinforcement and its corresponding surface is made of a metal selected from steel, aluminum or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       32 . A system as in  claim 31  wherein the at least one corresponding surface of the first panel is formed of the plastic material and the plastic material is either polypropylene or polyamide.  
   
   
       33 . A system as in  claim 32  wherein the reinforcement extends substantially from top to bottom along and across the main wall.  
   
   
       34 . A system as in  claim 29  wherein the corresponding surface of the reinforcement defines one or more contours corresponding to one or more contours defined by the corresponding surface of the panel.  
   
   
       35 . A system as in  claim 34  wherein the one or more contours of the reinforcement are at least partially defined by ribs or cavities and the one or more contours of the panel are defined by ribs or cavities.  
   
   
       36 . A system as in  claim 29  wherein at least one of the corresponding surface of the reinforcement and the corresponding surface of the first panel is a low energy surface and wherein the adhesive is capable of bonding to a low energy surface and wherein the low energy surface is a plastic having a surface energy of less than 45 mJ/m 2 .  
   
   
       37 . A system as in  claim 29  wherein the adhesive is a polyurethane.  
   
   
       38 . An automotive panel system, comprising: 
 a first panel having a main wall with an outer periphery, the main wall being generally continuous it spans to the outer periphery;    a reinforcement attached to the first panel and extending along the main wall, the reinforcement being a panel substantially continuously opposing the main wall, wherein: 
 i) the first panel is formed of a plastic material in which the plastic material comprises a polymer selected from a polypropylene, a polystyrene, a polyamide, a polybutylene terephthalate, an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a polycarbonate or a combination thereof, the first panel having at least one corresponding surface; and  
 ii) the reinforcement is formed of a secondary material different from the plastic material, the secondary material being a metal, the reinforcement having at least one corresponding surface;  
   wherein the corresponding surface of the reinforcement is adhered to the corresponding surface of the first panel with an adhesive; and    wherein the first panel is configured to be located within an automotive vehicle as part of an adjustable seat back; and    wherein the reinforcement extends substantially from side to side along and across the main wall and extends substantially from top to bottom along and across the main wall.    
   
   
       39 . A panel system as in  claim 38  wherein the corresponding surface is made of the metal and the metal is selected from steel, aluminum or a combination thereof and the plastic is selected from polypropylene or polyamide.  
   
   
       40 . A system as in  claim 38  wherein the corresponding surface of the reinforcement defines one or more contours corresponding to one or more contours defined by the corresponding surface of the panel.  
   
   
       41 . A system as in  claim 38  wherein the one or more contours of the reinforcement are at least partially defined by ribs or cavities and the one or more contours of the panel are defined by ribs or cavities.  
   
   
       42 . A system as in  claim 41  wherein the adhesive comprises an organoborane/amine complex and one or more of monomers, oligomers or polymers having olefinic unsaturation which is capable of polymerization by free radical polymerization.  
   
   
       43 . A system as in  claim 38  wherein the adhesive is a polyurethane.  
   
   
       44 . An automotive panel system, comprising: 
 a first panel having a main wall with an outer periphery, the main wall being generally continuous and flat as it spans to the outer periphery;    a reinforcement attached to the first panel and extending along the main wall, the reinforcement being a generally flat or contoured panel and substantially continuously opposing the main wall, wherein: 
 i) the first panel is formed of a plastic material in which the plastic material comprises a polymer selected from a polypropylene, a polystyrene, a polyamide, a polybutylene terephthalate, an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a polycarbonate or a combination thereof, the first panel having at least one corresponding surface; and  
 ii) the reinforcement is formed of a secondary material different from the plastic material, the secondary material being a steel or aluminum, the reinforcement having at least one corresponding surface;  
   wherein the corresponding surface of the reinforcement is adhered to the corresponding surface of the first panel with an adhesive; and    wherein the first panel is located within an automotive vehicle as part of an adjustable seat back; and    wherein the reinforcement extends substantially from side to side along and across the main wall and substantially from top to bottom along and across the main wall.    
   
   
       45 . A system as in  claim 44  wherein the corresponding surface of the reinforcement defines one or more contours corresponding to one or more contours defined by the corresponding surface of the panel.  
   
   
       46 . A system as in  claim 45  wherein the one or more contours of the reinforcement are at least partially defined by ribs or cavities and the one or more contours of the panel are defined by ribs or cavities.  
   
   
       47 . A system as in  claim 44  wherein the adhesive comprises an organoborane/amine complex and one or more of monomers, oligomers or polymers having olefinic unsaturation which is capable of polymerization by free radical polymerization.  
   
   
       48 . A system as in  claim 44  wherein the adhesive is a polyurethane.