Flexible seatback system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9707870-B2
Application number	US-201615216047-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 21, 2016
Priority date	Jan 24, 2013
Publication date	Jul 18, 2017
Grant date	Jul 18, 2017

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 seat suspension assembly comprising:
a seatback structure;
an upper component and a lower component pivotally coupled with the upper component, each component including at least two outwardly extending flex members having distal ends with forwardly-extending connection features;
a flexible support having a periphery operably coupled to the connection features; and
an external peripheral gap defined between the flexible support and the seatback structure.

2. The seat suspension assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
snap-fit features disposed on a rear side of the flexible support that releasably engage the connection features of the upper component and the lower component.

3. The seat suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper component is operably coupled to an upper segment of the flexible support and is translatable between a forward position and a rearward position.

4. The seat suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper component is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper component between the forward and rearward positions.

5. The seat suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper component is pivotal about a pivot bar, and wherein the pivot bar is rotatably coupled to a first side portion and a second side portion.

6. The seat suspension assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
an exposed trim piece disposed between a frame and the upper component.

7. The seat suspension assembly of claim 1 , wherein the upper component and the lower component are each independently flexible under the weight of a passenger.

8. A seat suspension assembly comprising:
first and second side supports defining a seatback frame;
an upper component and a lower component, each including an outwardly extending flex member;
a support having snap-fit engagement features operably coupled to distal ends of the flex member;
an exposed trim piece disposed between the seatback frame and the upper component; and
an external peripheral gap defined between sides of the support and the first and second side supports.

9. The seat suspension assembly of claim 8 , further comprising:
a removable cover stock disposed over the upper and lower components.

10. The seat suspension assembly of claim 8 , wherein the cover stock includes a securing rim that secures the cover stock to the support.

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

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

13. The seat suspension assembly of claim 8 , wherein the upper component is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper component between the forward and rearward positions.

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

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

16. The seat suspension assembly of claim 15 , further comprising:
a lower component including at least two outwardly extending flex members.

17. The seat suspension assembly of claim 16 , 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 assembly of claim 15 , wherein the upper component includes a first flex member, a second flex member, and a central body disposed therebetween.

19. The seat suspension assembly of claim 18 , wherein the upper component is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper component between forward and rearward positions, and wherein the upper component is pivotal about a pivot bar that is rotatably coupled to a first side portion and a second side portion.

20. The seat suspension assembly of claim 15 , 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 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

• B60N2/64

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

• B60N2/2222

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

• B60N2/7005

  detachable · CPC title

• B60N2/4279

  electric or electronic triggering · CPC title