Seat assembly with deployable belt member

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12311869-B2
Application number	US-202217844883-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 21, 2022
Priority date	Jun 21, 2022
Publication date	May 27, 2025
Grant date	May 27, 2025

Abstract

A seat assembly includes a seat portion having a frame assembly, a carrier assembly and a displaceable platform operably coupled to the carrier assembly. The displaceable platform is operable between a use position and a deployed position. A retraction mechanism includes a first bracket operably coupled to the frame assembly, and a second bracket operably coupled to the displaceable platform. The first and second brackets are interconnected by an actuator that is operable between at-rest and actuated positions. The second bracket moves from a first position to a second position as the actuator moves from the at-rest position to the actuated position. At least one tether member is operably coupled to the first bracket and includes a body portion interlaced between the first and second brackets of the retraction mechanism.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A seat assembly, comprising:
a seat portion having a carrier assembly and a displaceable platform operably coupled to the carrier assembly, wherein the displaceable platform is configured to be displaced from a use position to a deployed position;
a first bracket and a second bracket interconnected by an actuator, wherein the actuator is operable between at-rest and actuated positions, wherein the second bracket moves away from the first bracket as the actuator moves from the at-rest position to the actuated position, and further wherein the actuator comprises a pyrotechnic device for generating gas pressure that urges the second bracket away from the first bracket, and the displaceable platform to the deployed position from the at-rest position; and
a linkage system having first and second links pivotally coupled to one another, wherein the first link is operably coupled to the second bracket and the second link is operably coupled to the displaceable platform, wherein the displaceable platform is displaced by the linkage system from the use position to the deployed position as the actuator moves from the at-rest position to the actuated position.

2. The seat assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second link includes first and second arms.

3. The seat assembly of claim 2 , wherein the displaceable platform includes first and second support members downwardly extending from an underside of the displaceable platform through the carrier assembly.

4. The seat assembly of claim 3 , wherein the first and second support members of the displaceable platform are operably coupled to the first and second arms of the second link.

5. A seat assembly, comprising:
a seat portion having a frame assembly;
a retraction mechanism having first and second brackets, wherein the first and second brackets are interconnected by an actuator that is operable between at-rest and actuated positions, wherein the first bracket is operably coupled to the frame assembly, and further wherein the second bracket moves from a first position to a second position as the actuator moves from the at-rest position to the actuated position;
a first tether member having first and second ends with a body portion disposed therebetween, wherein the second end of the first tether member is operably coupled to the first bracket of the retraction mechanism, and further wherein the body portion of the first tether member is interlaced between the first and second brackets of the retraction mechanism;
a second tether member having first and second ends with a body portion disposed therebetween, wherein the second end of the second tether member is operably coupled to the first bracket of the retraction mechanism, and further wherein the body portion of the second tether member is interlaced between the first and second brackets of the retraction mechanism; and
a belt member having first and second ends and a body portion disposed therebetween, wherein the first end of the belt member is coupled to the first end of the first tether member, wherein the second end of the belt member is coupled to the first end of the second tether member, and further wherein the belt member is retracted by the retraction mechanism as the second bracket of the retraction mechanism moves from the first position to the second position.

6. The seat assembly of claim 5 , wherein the first tether member is operably coupled to a first side of the retraction mechanism.

7. The seat assembly of claim 6 , wherein the second tether member is operably coupled to a second side of the retraction mechanism, and further wherein the second side of the retraction mechanism is an opposed side of the retraction mechanism relative to the first side of the retraction mechanism.

8. The seat assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first bracket includes first and second connection assemblies, the first and second connection assemblies each having upper and lower tabs spaced-apart from one another to define respective first and second receiving spaces therebetween.

9. The seat assembly of claim 8 , including:
first and second routing column assemblies respectively received in the first and second receiving spaces of the first bracket, wherein the first and second routing column assemblies interconnect the respective upper and lowers tabs of the first and second connection assemblies.

10. The seat assembly of claim 9 , wherein the second bracket includes first and second connection assemblies disposed along a first side of the second bracket and first and second connection assemblies disposed along a second side of the second bracket.

11. The seat assembly of claim 10 , including:
first and second routing column assemblies received in the first and second connection assemblies disposed along the first side of the second bracket; and
first and second routing column assemblies received in the first and second connection assemblies disposed along the second side of the second bracket.

12. The seat assembly of claim 11 , wherein the body portion of the first tether member is routed from the first routing column assembly of the first side of the second bracket to the first routing column assembly of the first bracket, and from the first routing column assembly of the first bracket to the second routing column assembly of the first side of the second bracket.

13. The seat assembly of claim 12 , wherein the body portion of the second tether member is routed from the first routing column assembly of the second side of the second bracket to the second routing column assembly of the first bracket, and from the second routing column assembly of the first bracket to the second routing column assembly of the second side of the second bracket.

14. A seat assembly, comprising:
a seat portion having a frame assembly, a carrier assembly and a displaceable platform operably coupled to the carrier assembly, wherein the displaceable platform is configured to be displaced from a use position to a deployed position;
a retraction mechanism having a first bracket operably coupled to the frame assembly, and a second bracket operably coupled to the displaceable platform, wherein the first and second brackets are interconnected by an actuator that is operable between at-rest and actuated positions, wherein the second bracket moves from a first position to a second position as the actuator moves from the at-rest position to the actuated position, wherein the first bracket includes opposed first and second sides, wherein the opposed first and second sides each include upper and lower connection arms that are vertically spaced-apart from one another, and further wherein the upper and lower connection arms of the first side of the first bracket are operably coupled to a first frame member of the frame assembly at upper and lower portions thereof; and
at least one tether member operably coupled to the first bracket and having a body portion interlaced between the first and second brackets of the retraction mechanism, wherein the at least one tether member is retracted by the retraction mechanism as the actuator moves from the at-rest position to the actuated position.

15. The seat assembly of claim 14 , wherein the upper and lower connection arms of the second side of the first bracket are operably coupled to a second frame member of the frame assembly at upper and lower portions thereof.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Line Johnathan Andrew
• Kish Joseph Michael
• Aktas Macit
• Yilma Benjamin
• Board Derek
• Pline Kevin Michael
• El-Jawahri Raed
• Paddock Jeff Charles
• Chascsa Ii James Robert
• Kondrad Marcos Silva
• Demerly Rachel
• Mcbride Robyne

Classifications

• B60N2/62

  Thigh-rests {(B60N2/914 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60N2/42763

  with anti-submarining systems · CPC title

• B60R22/1955

  Linear actuators · CPC title

• B60R22/26 Primary

  secured to the seat · CPC title

• B60N2/02

  the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable (adjustable arm-rests B60N2/75; adjustable head-rests B60N2/806) · CPC title