Suspension seat back and cushion system having an inner suspension panel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9315131-B2
Application number	US-201414162072-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 23, 2014
Priority date	Jan 23, 2014
Publication date	Apr 19, 2016
Grant date	Apr 19, 2016

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame and an inner suspension panel coupled to the frame. A plurality of suspension members attach the frame to the inner suspension panel. Each suspension member has a tab that is biased away from the inner suspension panel and is operable between extended and compressed positions. A cushion is coupled to at least one of the tabs. The cushion includes a plurality of comfort positions defined by the position of each of the tabs.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:
a frame;
an inner suspension panel coupled to the frame and including a plurality of suspension members, each suspension member having a tab that is biased away from the inner suspension panel and operable between extended and compressed positions; and
a cushion coupled to at least a portion of the tabs, wherein the cushion includes a plurality of comfort positions defined by the position of each of the tabs, wherein the plurality of suspension members include frame suspension members and cushion suspension members, wherein the tabs of the frame suspension members are coupled to the frame and the tabs of the cushion suspension members are coupled to the cushion, and wherein the plurality of comfort positions are defined by the position of each of the frame suspension members and cushion suspension members, and wherein the cushion includes a plurality of tab receptacles, wherein each of the tab receptacles receives a corresponding tab of at least one of the cushion suspension members.

2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of attachment members that attach the frame to the inner suspension panel, wherein the plurality of attachment members are disposed proximate a perimetrical frame of the inner suspension panel.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inner suspension panel defines a central aperture and a perimetrical frame defining an outer edge of the central aperture, wherein the frame suspension members and cushion suspension members are attached to the inner suspension panel at the perimetrical frame.

4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 3 , further comprising:
a seat, wherein the inner suspension panel and the cushion define independently operable right and left leg supports of the seat.

5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of suspension members includes a suspension pin that extends from the inner suspension panel to a corresponding tab, wherein each suspension pin includes a coupling member that connects each of the plurality of suspension members to the inner suspension panel, wherein the compressed position is defined by the tab being positioned proximate the inner suspension panel, and wherein the extended position is defined by the tab being positioned distal from the inner suspension panel.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 5 , wherein each suspension member includes a spring disposed proximate the suspension pin between the coupling member and the tab, wherein the spring biases the coupling member toward the extended position.

7. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 6 , wherein each suspension member includes a flexible gasket positioned proximate the spring between the coupling member and the tab.

8. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:
a plurality of outwardly biased suspension members each extending substantially perpendicular from an inner panel, each suspension member being operable between extended and compressed positions and having a tab end distal from the inner panel;
a cushion engaged with at least one tab end and operable between a comfort position, defined by at least one suspension member being moved to the compressed position, and a rest position, wherein the rest position of the cushion is defined by the tab ends being fully biased away from the inner panel in the extended position, and wherein the compressed position is defined by at least one tab end being distal from the extended position, and wherein the inner panel defines a central aperture and a perimetrical frame defining an outer edge of the central aperture, wherein the plurality of suspension members are attached to the inner panel at the perimetrical frame; and
a seat, wherein the cushion disposed on the seat includes independently operable right and left leg supports, wherein each of the right and left leg supports are biased away from the perimetrical frame by at least one suspension member.

9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8 , further comprising:
a plurality of attachment members that attach the inner panel to a frame, wherein the plurality of attachment members are disposed proximate the perimetrical frame.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8 , further wherein each suspension member includes a suspension pin that includes a coupling member that engages the perimetrical frame, wherein the suspension pin slidably engages the inner frame to define the extended and compressed positions of the suspension members.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 10 , wherein each suspension member includes a spring disposed proximate the suspension pin between the coupling member and the tab end of the respective suspension pin, wherein the spring biases the suspension member toward the extended position.

12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 11 , wherein the cushion includes a plurality of receptacles that each receive at least one corresponding tab end of the plurality of suspension members.

13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 11 , wherein each suspension member includes a flexible gasket positioned proximate the spring.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Line Johnathan Andrew
• Kolich Michael
• Ferretti Daniel

Classifications

• B60N2/72

  Attachment or adjustment thereof · CPC title

• B60N2/686

  Panel like structures · CPC title

• B60N2/7094 Primary

  Upholstery springs · CPC title

• B60N2/54 Primary

  using mechanical springs · CPC title

• B60N2/504 Primary

  attached to the base and the backrest · CPC title