Thoracic region comfort seating system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018078043-A1
Application number	US-201715822641-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 27, 2017
Priority date	Aug 23, 2012
Publication date	Mar 22, 2018
Grant date	—

Abstract

A thoracic support for a seatback of a seat is provided. The thoracic support has a center portion extending in an upright direction and adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine and having a first hardness. A pair of side portions are each disposed on opposing lateral sides of the center portion. The side portions have a second hardness less than the first hardness of the center portion. The pair of side portions and the center portion to define a smooth forward support surface.

First claim

1 .- 20 . (canceled)

21 . A seat comprising:
a seatback; a seat bottom; a support structure positioned along the seatback spaced above the seat bottom to support to at least a portion of a thoracic region of a user's spine: a center portion extending in an upright direction and adapted to be positioned adjacent align with the user's spine along the thoracic region, the center portion formed of a first foam material having a first hardness; and a pair of side portions each disposed adjacent to and connected with the center portion, the side portions formed of a second foam material having a second hardness, wherein the pair of side portions and the center portion to define a smooth forward support surface adjacent the user. the first hardness is greater than the second hardness so that the center portion provides support to at least a portion of the thoracic region of the user's spine.

22 . The seat according to 21 wherein the side portions and center portion define a convex profile in a transverse direction from a first outer lateral edge to a second outer lateral edge of the support, wherein an apex of the transverse convex profile is defined along the center portion.

23 . The thoracic support of claim 21 wherein the pair of side portions abut the center portion along opposing lateral sides of the center portion.

24 . The seat according to 21 wherein the seatback is formed of a foam material having a third hardness being less than the hardness of the side portions.

25 . The seat according to 21 wherein the first foam material has a first density being denser than a second density of the second foam material.

26 . The seat according 21 wherein the seatback is formed of a mesh material having a third density being less than the second density of the side portions.

27 . The seat according to 21 wherein the support is embedded in the seatback so that the support is retained in the seatback and stationary relative to the seatback.

28 . The seat according to 21 wherein the seatback is connected to a seat frame adapted for mounting in a vehicle.

29 . The seat according to 21 wherein the seatback is connected to a base of an office chair.

30 . A thoracic support for a seatback of a seat, the thoracic support comprising:
a high-pressure centroid region formed of a first foam material having a first hardness; and a pair of softer side portions connected to the high-pressure centroid region along opposing sides, each of the side portions formed of a second foam material having a second hardness being softer than the first hardness, wherein a support surface defined by the centroid region and the pair of side portions has a smooth contour to define a smooth pressure integral along the support surface.

31 . The thoracic support of claim 30 wherein side portions abut the center portion along opposing lateral sides of the center portion.

32 . The thoracic support of claim 30 wherein the center portion has a constant width extending in the upright direction, and the side portions have a width that narrows from a top to a bottom thereby defining a trapezoidal thoracic support.

33 . The thoracic support of claim 30 wherein the side portions and center portion define a convex profile in a transverse direction from a first edge to a second edge of the support, wherein an apex of the transverse convex profile is defined along the center portion.

34 . A thoracic support for a seatback of a seat, the thoracic support comprising:
a center portion extending in an upright direction and adapted to be positioned adjacent the seatback to align adjacent a thoracic region a user's spine, the center portion having a first hardness; and a pair of side portions each disposed on opposing lateral sides of the center portion, the side portions having a second hardness less than the first hardness of the center portion, wherein the pair of side portions and the center portion to define a smooth forward support surface.

35 . The thoracic support of claim 34 wherein the pair of side portions abut the center portion along opposing lateral sides of the center portion.

36 . The thoracic support of claim 34 wherein the side portions and center portion define a convex profile in a transverse direction from a first outer lateral edge to a second outer lateral edge of the pair of side portions, wherein an apex of the transverse convex profile is defined along the center portion.

37 . The thoracic support of claim 34 wherein the center portion includes a convex profile in the upright direction along a support surface.

38 . The thoracic support of claim 34 wherein the center portion is formed of a first foam material having a first density and the side portions are formed of a second foam material having a second density, wherein the first density is greater than the second density.

39 . The thoracic support of claim 34 further comprising at least one fastener adapted to secured the thoracic support to at least one of a forward surface or a surface rearward of the seatback in a stationary position relative to the seatback.

40 . The thoracic support of claim 34 wherein the support is embedded in the seatback so that the support is retained in the seatback and stationary relative to the seatback.

Assignees

• Zouzal Winsen C
• Lear Corp

Inventors

• Zouzal Winsen C
• Galbreath Ashford Allen
• Ali Asad S
• O'Bannon Terry
• Locke Gerald Steven
• Badgley Jennifer
• Hicks Thomas S
• Cichocki Walter T

Classifications

• B60N2/665

  using inflatable bladders · CPC title

• A47C7/425

  Supplementary back-rests to be positioned on a back-rest or the like · CPC title

• A47C7/402

  adjustable in height · CPC title

• B60N2/643

  shape of the back-rests (B60N2/66 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A47C7/40

  for the back · CPC title