Posture seat

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016311536-A1
Application number	US-201415037380-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 24, 2014
Priority date	Nov 22, 2013
Publication date	Oct 27, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Dynamic support systems ( 10 ) include a plurality of support members ( 12 ), a base material ( 14 ), and a support layer ( 18 ). Each support member ( 12 ) has an upper support surface ( 20 ) extending from a first end of a stud ( 22 ), and a spherical member ( 28 ) extending from a second end of the stud. The base material ( 14 ) includes a plurality of receptacles ( 40 ) having a socket ( 42 ) with a recessed area ( 52 ) for positioning a spring ( 56 ). The support layer ( 18 ) also includes a plurality of apertures ( 64 ) that are positioned over the receptacles ( 40 ) and allow the studs ( 22 ) to extend there through.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A dynamic support system comprising:
a plurality of support members, each support member comprising:
an upper support surface extending from a first end of a stud; and
a spherical member extending from a second end of the stud;
a base material comprising a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle comprising:
a socket shaped to receive the spherical member of one of the plurality of support members, the socket comprising a recessed area; and
a spring positioned within the recessed area of the socket and configured to contact a surface of the spherical member of one of the plurality of support members positioned within the socket;
a support layer positioned above the base material, wherein the support layer comprises a plurality of apertures, each aperture being shaped to allow the stud of one of the plurality of support members to extend there through.

2 . The dynamic support system of claim 1 , further comprising a locking layer coupled to the base material, wherein the locking layer comprises a plurality of apertures, each aperture being shaped to allow the stud of one of the plurality of support members to extend there through and retain the spherical member of one of the plurality of support members within the socket.

3 . The dynamic support system of claim 1 , wherein the spring is configured to position the spherical member of one of the plurality of support members in a neutral position adjacent inner walls of one of the plurality of apertures of the locking layer.

4 . The dynamic support system of claim 3 , wherein the spring is configured to compress within the recessed area when the support member is in a recessed position adjacent a curved bottom of the socket.

5 . The dynamic support system of claim 4 , wherein a distance between the neutral position and the recessed position is approximately 1 inch.

6 . The dynamic support system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of support members is configured to longitudinally translate between a neutral position and a recessed position within the socket, angularly translate in any direction between an upright position and an angled position within the surrounding aperture of the support layer, and laterally rotate within the socket.

7 . The dynamic support system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of support members are positioned so that each upper support surface interlocks with adjacent upper support surfaces so as to form a dynamic surface with minimal gaps between the adjacent upper support surfaces.

8 . The dynamic support system of claim 7 , wherein each upper support surface of the plurality of support members has a square or hexagonal outer perimeter shape.

9 . The dynamic support system of claim 1 , wherein at least one connection member extends from the upper support surface to the first end of the stud.

10 . The dynamic support system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one connection member comprises a plurality of prongs that extend from a central core, wherein the central core supports a central portion of the upper support surface, and the plurality of prongs extend to each corner or edge of the upper support surface.

11 . The dynamic support system of claim 1 , wherein the support layer comprises a grid design comprising a plurality of intersecting grid lines with the plurality of apertures positioned at intersections of at least some of the grid lines.

12 . A passenger seat comprising:
a seat pan and a seat back, wherein at least one of the seat pan and the seat back are substantially covered by a dynamic support system comprising:
a plurality of support members, each support member comprising:
a flexible upper support surface extending from a first end of a stud; and
a spherical member extending from a second end of the stud;

a base material comprising a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle comprising:
a socket shaped to receive the spherical member, the socket comprising a recessed area; and
a spring positioned within the recessed area and configured to contact a surface of the spherical member positioned within the socket;

a locking layer coupled to the base material, wherein the locking layer comprises a plurality of apertures, each aperture being shaped to allow the stud of each support member to extend there through and retain the spherical member within the socket; and
a support layer positioned above the locking layer, wherein the support layer comprises a plurality of apertures, each aperture being shaped to allow the stud of each support member to extend there through.

13 . The passenger seat of claim 12 , further comprising
a first portion of the plurality of support members, wherein each of the first portion comprises flexible upper support surfaces having an outer surface with at least one of a length dimension and a width dimension less than approximately 1 inch; and a second portion of the plurality of support members, wherein each of the second portion comprises flexible upper support surfaces having an outer surface with at least one of a length dimension and a width dimension greater than approximately 2 inches.

14 . The passenger seat of claim 13 , wherein the first portion is positioned on at least one of the seat pan and the seat back in at least one area where a portion of a passenger's body seated in the passenger seat that contacts the first portion of the plurality of support members is substantially contoured.

15 . The passenger seat of claim 13 , wherein the second portion is positioned on at least one of the seat pan and the seat back in at least one area where a portion of a passenger's body seated in the passenger seat that contacts the first portion of the plurality of support members is not substantially contoured.

16 . The passenger seat of claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of support members is configured to longitudinally translate between a neutral position and a recessed position within the socket, angularly translate in any direction between an upright position and an angled position within the surrounding aperture of the support layer, and laterally rotate within the socket.

17 . The passenger seat of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of support members are positioned so that each upper support surface interlocks with adjacent upper support surfaces so as to form a dynamic surface with minimal gaps between the adjacent upper support surfaces.

18 . A method of assembling a dynamic support system comprising a base material comprising a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle comprising a socket, a support layer comprising a plurality of apertures, and a plurality of support members, each support member comprising an upper support surface extending from a first end of a stud and a spherical member extending from a second end of the stud, the method comprising:
inserting the spherical member of each support member into the socket of one of the plurality of receptacles in the base material; and positioning the support layer over the locking layer so that the stud of each support member extends through one of the plurality of apertures of the support layer.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising coupling the upper support surface to the first end of each stud.

20 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising positioning a cushion layer over the upper support surfaces of the plurality of support members.

Assignees

• Zodiac Seats Us Llc

Inventors

• Schultheis Udo W
• Le Foek (Phuc) Nguyen Tien

Classifications

• A47C7/14

  of adjustable shape; elastically mounted {; adaptable to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions (movably-coupled seat and backrests with elastic adjustment means A47C1/03261)} · CPC title

• A47C7/029

  of non-adjustable shape adapted to a user contour or ergonomic seating positions · CPC title

• B64D11/0647

  Seats characterised by special upholstery or cushioning features · CPC title

• B64D11/0639 Primary

  with features for adjustment or converting of seats · CPC title

• B60N2/7005

  detachable · CPC title