Seat suspension
First Claim
1. A vehicle seat comprising:
- a) a backrest portion;
b) a seat portion connected to the backrest portion and having a suspension base and a seat frame; and
c) a suspension disposed within one of the backrest portion or the seat portion, the suspension comprising;
i) an actuating mechanism engaged with the seat;
ii) a first force-supplying member connected between the actuating mechanism and a first anchor spaced from the actuating mechanism;
iii) a transfer link connected to the actuating mechanism;
iv) a second force-supplying member connected between the transfer link and a second anchor; and
v) an adjustment mechanism moveably connected to the transfer link between the actuating mechanism and the second force-supplying member, the adjustment mechanism including a pivot pin engaged with the transfer link and moveable along the transfer link to vary the position of the pivot pin with regard to the transfer link.
26 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A suspension for a seat that varies the preload, spring rate and damping rate of the suspension in direct proportion to the suspended weight of an occupant of the seat to provide the same effective vibration isolation for any occupant. The suspension includes an actuating mechanism engaged with a first spring and a pivotal transfer link that is engaged with a second spring and a non-adjustable rate damper that are each fixedly attached to the seat opposite the transfer link. The transfer link is engaged with a weight adjustment mechanism which operates to adjust the position of a pivot pin for the transfer link with respect to the transfer link, such that the preload, spring rate and damping rate of the suspension are adjusted in proportion to the weight of the occupant of the seat to provide similar ride dynamics to any occupant of the seat.
55 Citations
40 Claims
-
1. A vehicle seat comprising:
-
a) a backrest portion;
b) a seat portion connected to the backrest portion and having a suspension base and a seat frame; and
c) a suspension disposed within one of the backrest portion or the seat portion, the suspension comprising;
i) an actuating mechanism engaged with the seat;
ii) a first force-supplying member connected between the actuating mechanism and a first anchor spaced from the actuating mechanism;
iii) a transfer link connected to the actuating mechanism;
iv) a second force-supplying member connected between the transfer link and a second anchor; and
v) an adjustment mechanism moveably connected to the transfer link between the actuating mechanism and the second force-supplying member, the adjustment mechanism including a pivot pin engaged with the transfer link and moveable along the transfer link to vary the position of the pivot pin with regard to the transfer link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
-
32. A vehicle seat comprising:
-
a) a backrest portion;
b) a seat portion connected to the backrest portion and having a suspension base and a seat frame; and
c) a suspension disposed within one of the backrest portion or the seat portion, the suspension comprising;
i) an actuating mechanism secured to the seat pan and engaged with the frame of the seat portion;
ii) a first spring connected between the actuating mechanism and a first anchor spaced from the actuating mechanism;
iii) a transfer link connected to the actuating mechanism;
iv) a second spring connected between the transfer link and a second anchor;
v) an adjustment mechanism moveably connected to the transfer link between the actuating mechanism and the second spring, the adjustment mechanism including a pivot pin engaged with the transfer link and moveable along the transfer link to vary the position of the pivot pin with regard to the transfer link; and
vi) a non-adjustable rate damper connected between the transfer link and the adjustment mechanism, wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises a handle disposed on the exterior of the seat, and a weight adjust arm connected to the handle and the pivot pin opposite the handle. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34)
-
-
35. A suspension for a seat capable of varying the spring preload, the spring rate and the damping rate of the suspension in proportion to a suspended mass on the seat, the suspension comprising:
-
i) an actuating mechanism engageable with a seat portion or backrest portion of the seat;
ii) a first spring connectable between the actuating mechanism and the seat;
iii) a transfer link connected at one end to the actuating mechanism;
iv) a second spring connectable to the transfer link opposite the actuating mechanism and to the seat;
v) an adjustment mechanism movably connectable to the seat and engageable with the transfer link between the actuating mechanism and the second spring, the adjustment mechanism including a pivot pin engaged with the transfer link and movable along the transfer link to vary the position of the pivot pin with regard to the transfer link; and
vi) a non-adjustable rate damper having a first end connected to the transfer link and a second end connected to the adjustment mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
-
Specification