Independent cushion extension and thigh support

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016304016-A1
Application number	US-201615190998-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 23, 2016
Priority date	Jan 24, 2013
Publication date	Oct 20, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A seating assembly includes a seat frame. A first leg support is pivotally coupled with a forward portion of the seat frame. The first leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A first extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the first leg support and is operable between extended and retracted positions. A second leg support is adjacent to and independent of the first leg support and is pivotally coupled with the forward portion of the seat frame. The second leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A second extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the second leg support and is operable between extended and retracted positions.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A seating assembly comprising:
a seat frame supporting a pivot rod; and first and second distinct leg supports pivotally coupled with the pivot rod, each leg support including:
a support base supporting a motor that linearly translates an extendable member forward and rearward; and
a rearward flange operably coupled to the support base, wherein the support base is rotatable about the pivot rod, and wherein the support base is biased to a raised position by an elastic member coupled with the rearward flange.

2 . The seating assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a seat base disposed over the motor of the first distinct leg support and the motor of the second distinct leg support.

3 . The seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the extendable member includes a flex member disposed thereon.

4 . The seating assembly of claim 3 , wherein the flex member includes an open matrix of flex apertures and a rounded forward portion.

5 . The seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the elastic member includes at least one tension spring that biases a body portion upwardly and the flange downwardly.

6 . The seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the motor is operably coupled with and configured to rotate a screw gear.

7 . The seating assembly of claim 6 , further comprising:
a slide block operably coupled with the extendable member and in engagement with the screw gear, the slide block configured to move linearly as the screw gear rotates.

8 . A seating assembly comprising:
a seat frame supporting a pivot rod; first and second distinct leg supports pivotally coupled with the pivot rod, each leg support including:
a support base rotatable about the pivot rod, the support base being biased to a raised position by an elastic member coupled with the support base; and
a motor disposed on the support base that linearly translates an extendable member forward and rearward over the support base.

9 . The seating assembly of claim 8 , further comprising:
a seat base disposed over the motor of the first distinct leg support and the motor of the second distinct leg support.

10 . The seating assembly of claim 8 , wherein the extendable member includes a flex member disposed thereon.

11 . The seating assembly of claim 10 , wherein the flex member includes an open matrix of flex apertures and a rounded forward portion.

12 . The seating assembly of claim 8 , wherein the elastic member includes at least one tension spring that biases a body portion upwardly and the flange downwardly.

13 . The seating assembly of claim 8 , wherein the motor is operably coupled with and configured to rotate a screw gear.

14 . The seating assembly of claim 13 , further comprising:
a slide block operably coupled with the extendable member and in engagement with the screw gear, the slide block configured to move linearly as the screw gear rotates.

15 . A seating assembly comprising:
a seat frame supporting a pivot rod; first and second distinct leg supports pivotally coupled with the pivot rod, each leg support including:
a support base rotatable about the pivot rod, the support base being biased to a raised position by an elastic member coupled with the support base; and
a motor disposed on the support base that linearly translates an extendable member having an open matrix of flex apertures.

16 . The seating assembly of claim 15 , further comprising:
a seat base disposed over the motor of the first distinct leg support and the motor of the second distinct leg support.

17 . The seating assembly of claim 15 , wherein the extendable member includes a flex member disposed thereon having an open matrix of flex apertures and a rounded forward portion.

18 . The seating assembly of claim 15 , wherein the elastic member includes at least one tension spring that biases a body portion upwardly and the flange downwardly.

19 . The seating assembly of claim 15 , wherein the motor is operably coupled with and configured to rotate a screw gear.

20 . The seating assembly of claim 19 , further comprising:
a slide block operably coupled with the extendable member and in engagement with the screw gear, the slide block configured to move linearly as the screw gear rotates.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Line Johnathan Andrew
• Kondrad Marc
• Jaranson John W
• Harper Kendrick Alden
• Ferretti Daniel
• Kolich Michael
• Lovelace Lorne Joseph
• Vannieulande Kevin
• Compton Grant A

Classifications

• B60N2/995

  Lower-leg-rests, e.g. calf-rests · CPC title

• B60N2002/924

  using electric or hydraulic energy · CPC title

• B60N2/933

  rotatable · CPC title

• B60N2/929

  linear · CPC title

• B60N2/62 Primary

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