Compliant edge frame bolster for suspension seating

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11667223-B2
Application number	US-201917265464-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 1, 2019
Priority date	Aug 3, 2018
Publication date	Jun 6, 2023
Grant date	Jun 6, 2023

Abstract

A vehicle seat includes a support structure, a seat surface ( 14 ) and a molded polymeric frame ( 18 ). The frame has an edge region and the seat surface ( 14 ) is mounted to the frame ( 18 ) and the frame is mounted to the support structure. At least a portion of the edge region is flexible.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle seat, comprising:
a support structure;
a seat surface; and
a molded polymeric frame, the frame having a flange having a series of slits, each including a greatest length, an edge region having a perimeter and formed at an outer end of the flange, and a compliant edge bolster formed outwardly of the edge region,
wherein the flange extends away from the seat surface,
wherein the seat surface is mounted to the frame,
wherein the frame is mounted to the support structure,
wherein the greatest length of each slit extends parallel to the perimeter,
wherein at least a portion of the edge region is flexible, and
wherein the series of slits is located between the support structure and the compliant edge bolster.

2. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the flange extends inwardly from the seat surface.

3. The vehicle seat of claim 2 , wherein the flange has an arcuate shape.

4. The vehicle seat of claim 2 , wherein the series of slits are elongated in shape and are formed in an outer surface of the flange, wherein the series of slits form flexible regions in the flange.

5. The vehicle seat of claim 4 , wherein the series of slits are formed in the flange in a direction generally transverse to the seat surface.

6. The vehicle seat of claim 4 , wherein a fill material is disposed in the series of slits, the fill material limiting an amount of flex of the flange.

7. The vehicle seat of claim 6 , wherein the fill material limits the flex of the flange in a direction and allows flex of the flange in an opposite direction.

8. The vehicle seat of claim 7 , wherein the fill material limits the amount of flex in compression.

9. The vehicle seat of claim 6 , wherein the fill material is a polymeric material.

10. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the seat surface includes a carrier on a periphery thereof and wherein the frame has a recess for receipt of the carrier.

11. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the series of slits are formed on the flange as channels formed in an inner surface thereof, the channels forming flexible regions in the flange and defining a set of wafers between the channels.

12. The vehicle seat of claim 11 , wherein contact of one of the set of wafers with an adjacent one of the set of wafers limits flex of the frame.

13. The vehicle seat of claim 12 , wherein contact of one of the set of wafers with an adjacent one of the set of wafers limits the flex of the flange in a direction and allows flex of the flange in an opposite direction.

14. The vehicle seat of claim 13 , wherein contact of one of the set of wafers with an adjacent one of the set of wafers limits the amount of flex in compression.

15. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the seat surface is a fabric.

16. The vehicle seat of claim 15 , wherein the fabric is a woven fabric formed from fibers, and wherein some of the fibers are relatively elastic and others of the fibers are relatively non-elastic.

17. A vehicle seat, comprising:
a support structure;
a seat surface having a perimeter;
a molded polymeric frame having a flange that extends inwardly and away from the seat surface; and
a flexible connecting structure coupling the frame to the support structure, the connecting structure including a flexible, undulating element that is movable between an extended position and a home position,
wherein the flange is within the perimeter,
wherein the seat surface moves closer to the support structure when the undulating element moves from the extended position to the home position, and
wherein the undulating element extends outwardly from the perimeter and away from the seat surface.

18. The vehicle seat of claim 17 , wherein the undulating element has a double-angled shape in the extended position and rolls to an undulating shape in the home position.

19. The vehicle seat of claim 17 , wherein the seat surface includes a carrier on a periphery thereof and the frame includes a recess for receipt of the carrier.

20. A method of making a vehicle seat having a support structure, a seat surface and a molded polymeric frame having an edge region, comprising:
forming the frame, the frame having a recess, a compliant edge bolster having a first point closest to the recess and a second point farthest from the recess, the frame having a plurality of slits formed therein,
flexing the frame to open the plurality of slits;
filling the plurality of slits with a polymeric material; and
mounting the seat surface to the recess,
wherein the first point moves closer to the second point when flexing the frame, and
wherein the recess is located between the plurality of slits and the compliant edge bolster.

21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the seat surface is mounted to a carrier.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the carrier is fitted into the recess to mount the seat surface to the frame.

23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the seat surface is a woven fabric formed from fibers, and wherein some of the fibers are relatively elastic and others of the fibers are relatively non-elastic.

24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the carrier is molded to the fabric.

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Oomen Craig Martin
• Smith Samuel
• Mueller Manfred
• Long Michael
• Washburn Kelly
• Bratty Robert A

Classifications

• B60N2/7094

  Upholstery springs · CPC title

• B60N2/7017

  characterised by the manufacturing process; manufacturing upholstery or upholstery springs not otherwise provided for · CPC title

• B60N2/686

  Panel like structures · CPC title

• B60N2/7011 Primary

  of substantially two-dimensional shape, e.g. hammock-like, plastic shells, fabrics · CPC title

• B60N2/72

  Attachment or adjustment thereof · CPC title