Flexible seatback system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9873360-B2
Application number	US-201715651237-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 17, 2017
Priority date	Jan 24, 2013
Publication date	Jan 23, 2018
Grant date	Jan 23, 2018

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 rotatably coupled with a seat;
an upper component rotatably coupled with the seatback structure and including at least two outwardly extending flex members having distal ends with forwardly-extending connection features; and
an upper passenger support having a periphery operably coupled to the forwardly-extending connection features.

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 configured to pivot laterally relative to the seatback structure.

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 forward and rearward positions.

4. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a lower component having 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 the upper passenger support includes a trim carrier, a cushion, and a cover stock.

6. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 5 , wherein the lower component includes a trim carrier, a cushion, and a cover stock, which are distinct from the trim carrier, the cushion, and the cover stock of the upper component.

7. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1 , wherein a periphery of the upper passenger support snap-fit engages the forwardly-extending connection features.

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; and
a passenger support having a periphery operably coupled to distal ends of the flex members and an outer edge removably coupled with a cover stock.

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 11 , wherein the upper component is operably coupled to the upper segment of the passenger support and is configured to pivot laterally relative to the seatback structure.

15. A seat suspension system comprising:
a seatback including first and second side supports;
a suspension assembly rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis and having outwardly extending flex members; and
a passenger support operably coupled with the suspension assembly, wherein the passenger support is also laterally pivotal.

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

• B60N2/2222

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

• B60N2/64

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

• B60N2/0232

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• B60N2/4492

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic

• B60N2/449

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic