Flexible seatback system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9409504-B2
Application number	US-201313749561-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 24, 2013
Priority date	Jan 24, 2013
Publication date	Aug 9, 2016
Grant date	Aug 9, 2016

Abstract

A vehicle seat suspension system includes first and second side supports defining a seatback structure. An upper component and a lower component are provided, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members. A passenger support includes a periphery operably coupled to distal ends of the flex members. An external peripheral gap is defined between the passenger support and the seatback structure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle seat suspension system comprising:
first and second side supports defining a seatback structure;
an upper component and a lower component, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members having distal ends with forwardly-extending connection features;
a passenger support having a periphery operably coupled to the connection features; and
an external peripheral gap defined between the passenger support and the seatback structure.

2. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the upper component is operably coupled to an upper segment of the passenger support and is translatable between a forward position and a rearward position.

3. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 2 , wherein the upper component is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper segment between the forward and rearward positions.

4. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the lower component includes a first side portion and a second side portion, and wherein the first side portion is distinct and separate from the second side portion.

5. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 4 , wherein an upper segment of the passenger support is pivotal about a pivot bar, and wherein the pivot bar is rotatably coupled to the first side portion and the second side portion.

6. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 4 , wherein the first side portion is connected to the first side support by a first base portion and the second side portion is connected to the second side support by a second base portion.

7. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the upper component and the first and second side portions are each independently flexible under the weight of a passenger.

8. A vehicle seat suspension system comprising:
first and second side supports defining a seatback structure;
an upper component and a lower component, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members;
a passenger support having a periphery operably coupled to distal ends of the flex members;
a removable cover stock disposed over the upper and lower components; and
an external peripheral gap defined between the passenger support and the first and second side supports.

9. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 8 , wherein the cover stock includes a securing rim that secures the cover stock to the passenger support.

10. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 8 , wherein the upper component includes a first flex member, a second flex member, and a central body disposed therebetween.

11. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 8 , wherein the upper component is operably coupled to an upper segment of the passenger support operable between a forward position and a rearward position.

12. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 11 , wherein the upper segment is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper segment between the forward and rearward positions.

13. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 8 , wherein the lower component includes a first side portion that is distinct and separate from a second side portion.

14. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 13 , wherein the first side portion and the second side portion each include a base portion with an outwardly extending flex member.

15. A seat suspension system comprising:
a seatback including first and second side supports;
a suspension assembly having outwardly extending flex members;
a passenger support operably coupled with the suspension assembly; and
an external peripheral gap defined between the passenger support and the first and second side supports.

16. The seat suspension system of claim 15 , further comprising:
an upper component and a lower component, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members, and wherein the upper component includes a first flex member, a second flex member, and a central body disposed therebetween.

17. The seat suspension system of claim 16 , wherein the upper component is operably coupled to an upper segment of the passenger support translatable between a forward position and a rearward position, and wherein the lower component includes a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein the first side portion is distinct and separate from the second side portion.

18. The seat suspension system of claim 17 , wherein the upper component is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper segment between the forward and rearward positions, and wherein the upper segment is pivotal about a pivot bar, wherein the pivot bar is rotatably coupled to the first side portion and the second side portion, each of the first and second side portions including a base portion with at least two outwardly extending flex members.

19. The seat suspension system of claim 17 , wherein the first side portion is connected to the first side support by a first base portion and the second side portion is connected to the second side support by a second base portion.

20. The seat suspension system of claim 16 , further comprising:
a cover stock disposed over the upper and lower components, wherein the cover stock includes a securing rim on an edge portion of the cover stock that secures the cover stock to the passenger support.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Line Johnathan Andrew
• Ferretti Daniel
• Jaranson John W
• Compton Grant A
• Harper Kendrick Alden
• Vannieulande Kevin

Classifications

• B60N2/449

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• B60N2/2222

  the back-rest having two or more parts · CPC title

• B60N2/64 Primary

  Back-rests {or cushions (B60N2/2222 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60N2/7005

  detachable · CPC title

• B60N2/0232

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic