Flexible seatback system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9873362-B2
Application number	US-201715651249-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 that define a seatback frame. A front trim piece is coupled between the first and second side supports. A suspension component is coupled with a central area of the front trim piece and has flexible members protruding forward and outward therefrom. A passenger support panel has a periphery coupled to distal ends of the flexible members and suspended away from the seatback frame.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A seat suspension system, comprising:
a seatback frame;
a front trim piece operably coupled with a back trim panel to at least partially enclose the seatback frame;
a suspension component coupled rotatably with the seatback frame and having a plurality of flexible members protruding outward therefrom, the suspension component disposed in front of the front trim piece; and
a support operably coupled with the suspension component.

2. The seat suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the suspension component is configured to nest within the front trim piece.

3. The seat suspension system of claim 2 , wherein the suspension component includes a recessed region configured to accommodate a head restraint.

4. The seat suspension system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a pair of bolster members coupled with lower lateral sections of the front trim piece and extending forward to couple with a lower segment of the support.

5. The seat suspension system of claim 4 , wherein the support includes a unitary piece extending vertically between the suspension component and the pair of bolster members for supporting an upper and lower back of an occupant, respectively.

6. The seat suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the support includes upper and lower segments coupled by a living hinge.

7. The seat suspension system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an external peripheral gap defined between the support and the front trim piece.

8. A seating assembly, comprising:
a seatback frame;
a trim piece with an exposed peripheral edge disposed between the seatback frame and an upper-back suspension component, which is coupled with the seatback frame and includes a flexible member protruding laterally therefrom; and
a cushion operably coupled to an outer edge of a carrier, the carrier including upper and lower segments coupled by a living hinge.

9. The seating assembly of claim 8 , wherein a periphery of the cushion is attached to a distal end of the flexible member and is suspended away from the trim piece by the upper-back suspension component.

10. The seating assembly of claim 8 , wherein the cushion includes a cover stock defining a back support surface.

11. The seating assembly of claim 8 , further comprising:
a lower-back suspension component having a pair of bolster members coupled with the lower segments of the carrier and extending forward to couple with the cushion.

12. The seating assembly of claim 8 , wherein the upper-back suspension component is configured to nest against the trim piece.

13. A seat suspension system, comprising:
a suspension component coupled with a seatback frame and having a flexible member protruding forward and outward therefrom; and
a front trim panel disposed between side supports of the seatback frame and operably coupled with a back trim panel;
a support having a periphery removably coupled to a peripheral edge of the flexible member, the support including a first static portion and a second portion that moves pivotally with the flexible member of the suspension component.

14. The seat suspension system of claim 13 , wherein lateral portions of the support are independently compliant rearward under the weight of an occupant.

15. The seat suspension system of claim 13 , further comprising:
an external peripheral gap defined between the support and the front trim panel.

16. The seat suspension system of claim 13 , further comprising:
a pair of bolster members coupled with lower lateral sections of the front trim panel and extending forward to couple with a lower segment of the support.

17. The seat suspension system of claim 16 , wherein the support includes a unitary panel extending vertically between the suspension component and the pair of bolster members for supporting an upper and lower back of an occupant, respectively.

18. The seat suspension system of claim 13 , wherein the support includes upper and lower segments coupled by a living hinge.

19. The seat suspension system of claim 13 , wherein the suspension component includes a recessed region configured to accommodate a head restraint.

20. The seat suspension system of claim 13 , wherein the suspension component is configured to nest within the front trim panel.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

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

Classifications

• B60N2/5825

  by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like · CPC title

• B60N2205/30

  Seat or seat parts characterised by comprising plural parts or pieces · CPC title

• B60N2/028

  Elastically mounted back-rests · CPC title

• B60N2/68

  Seat frames · CPC title

• B60N2/2222

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