Suspension seat back and cushion system having an inner suspension panel

• US 10,046,683 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2016
• Issued: 08/14/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Line, Johnathan Andrew, Kolich, Michael, Ferretti, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US15/062,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20160185266A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/504 attached to the base and the backrest
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/54 using mechanical springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/542 made of rubber or other material having high internal friction, e.g. polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/548 Torsion springs, e.g. torsion helicoidal springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/62 Thigh-rests B60N2/914 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/64 Back-rests or cushions B60N2/2222 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/686 Panel like structures
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7094 Upholstery springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/72 Attachment or adjustment thereof

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.

Claims

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

an inner suspension panel coupled to a frame and including frame and cushion suspension members, each having a tab biased away from the inner suspension panel and operable between extended and compressed positions; and

a cushion having a tab receptacle that receives the tab of the cushion suspension member, and wherein a plurality of comfort positions of the cushion are defined by positions of the frame and cushion suspension members.

2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the frame suspension member and the cushion suspension member each include a biasing member, wherein the biasing member includes at least one of a foam biasing member and a rubberized biasing member.

3. 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.

4. 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 and cushion suspension members are attached to the inner suspension panel at the perimetrical frame.

5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 4, further comprising:

a seat, wherein the inner suspension panel and the cushion define independently operable right and left leg supports of the seat.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the frame and cushion 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 frame suspension members and each of the cushion suspension members to the inner suspension panel, wherein the compressed position is defined by the corresponding tab being positioned proximate the inner suspension panel, and wherein the extended position is defined by the corresponding tab being positioned distal from the inner suspension panel.

7. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 6, wherein each of the frame and cushion suspension members includes a biasing member disposed proximate the suspension pin between the coupling member and the tab, wherein the biasing member biases the coupling member toward the extended position.

8. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the biasing member is a foam biasing member.

9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein each suspension member includes a flexible gasket positioned proximate the foam biasing member between the coupling member and the tab.

10. A vehicle seat comprising:

outwardly-biased suspension members, each extending to a corresponding tab end from an inner panel having a central aperture; and

a cushion having independently-operable leg supports engaged with at least one corresponding tab end and operable between a rest position, wherein the corresponding tab ends are in an extended position, and a comfort position, wherein at least one suspension member is in a compressed position distal from the extended position.

11. The vehicle seat of claim 10, wherein each suspension member includes a foam biasing member that is compressible to define the compressed position.

12. The vehicle seat of claim 11, wherein each suspension member includes a flexible gasket positioned proximate the foam biasing member.

13. The vehicle seat of claim 11, wherein the independently-operable leg supports extend from the cushion, and wherein the cushion and the independently-operable leg supports are biased away from the inner panel by at least one suspension member.

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

15. The vehicle seat of claim 11, further wherein each suspension member includes a suspension pin that includes a coupling member that engages the inner panel, wherein the suspension pin slidably engages the inner panel to define the extended and compressed positions of the suspension members.

16. The vehicle seat of claim 11, wherein the inner panel includes a perimetrical frame, wherein an outer edge of the central aperture defines the perimetrical frame of the inner panel.

17. The vehicle seat of claim 16, further comprising:

a plurality of attachment members that attach the inner panel to a seat frame, wherein the plurality of attachment members are disposed proximate the perimetrical frame.

18. The vehicle seat of claim 10, wherein each suspension member includes a rubberized biasing member that is compressible to define the compressed position.

19. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

an inner panel having a perimetrical frame and an inner aperture defined by the perimetrical frame;

a plurality of suspension members proximate the perimetrical frame and outwardly biased substantially perpendicular from the inner panel to respective tab ends; and

a cushion having tab receptacles for receiving a portion of respective tab ends, wherein each suspension member includes a foam biasing member that biases the suspension member away from a seat frame.

20. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 19, wherein each suspension member includes an extended position defined by the respective tab end of the suspension member being fully biased away from the frame, and a compressed position defined by the respective tab end of the suspension member being distal from the extended position.