Adjustable seat cushion thigh support system and method

• US 20060061167A1
• Filed: 09/23/2004
• Published: 03/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Saberan, Mohammad, Adragna, Vincent, Beaulieu, Eric, Wier, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,192,087 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/284.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/62 Thigh-rests B60N2/914 takes precedence

Abstract

An adjustable seat cushion thigh support system 10 for the use of a seat and method for providing same. The seat has a cushion pan 12 that is fixed in relation to a vehicle. A pair of side rails 14 and a rear cross member 16 form the fixed cushion pan 12. The thigh support system 10 has fixed anchor brackets 18 that extend inwardly from side rails 14. Slider brackets 20 are adapted to move forwardly and rearwardly in relation to the anchor brackets 18. A cushion ramp 22 is supported by the slider brackets 20 so as to permit forward and rearward motion of the cushion ramp 22 when the slider brackets 20 move in relation to the cushion pan 12. The cushion ramp 22 underlies the seat cushion thigh support.

Claims

1. An adjustable seat cushion thigh support system for use in a seat having a cushion pan in a vehicle, the cushion pan having a pair of side rails, the thigh support system comprising:

a one or more anchor brackets affixed to and extending inwardly from the side rails;

a one or more slider brackets adapted to move forwardly and rearwardly in relation to the anchor brackets;

a movable cushion ramp supported by the slider brackets that permit forward and rearward motion of the cushion ramp when the slider brackets move in relation to the cushion pan; and

drive means for moving the cushion ramp forwardly and rearwardly.

2. The adjustable seat cushion thigh support support system of claim 1, wherein the drive means includes:

a motor supported by the cushion pan;

a linkage mechanism adapted to deliver rotary motion from the motor;

a pair of leadscrews rotatable in response to the motor and the linkage mechanism;

a pair of drive nuts affixed to the slider brackets, the drive nuts being threadingly engaged with the leadscrews so that as the leadscrews rotate, the slider brackets move linearly in response thereto.

3. The adjustable seat cushion thigh support system of claim 2, further including:

a pair of bushings extending inwardly from each anchor bracket;

a pair of oval slots defined by the slider brackets, each one of the pair apertures being adapted to receive an associated bushing that engages therewith.

4. The adjustable seat cushion thigh support system of claim 1, further including:

a fixed ramp supported by the cushion pan, the fixed ramp lying below the cushion ramp.

5. The adjustable seat cushion thigh support system of claim 1, wherein the drive means includes:

a grasp handle attached to and extending forwardly from the cushion ramp so that the cushion ramp may be moved manually forwardly and rearwardly.

6. An adjustable seat cushion thigh support system for use in a seat having a cushion pan with a pair of side rails, the thigh support system comprising:

a movable cushion ramp supported by the side rails that permit forward and rearward motion of the ramp in relation to the side rails; and

a drive means for moving the cushion ramp, the drive means being supported by a drive means support, the drive means being operatively connected to cushion ramp for forward and rearward movement thereof.

11. The adjustable seat cushion thigh support system of claim 6, further including:

a grasp handle attached to and extending forwardly from the cushion ramp.

7. The adjustable sear cushion thigh support system of claim, wherein the drive means includes:

a motor supported between the rails;

a linkage mechanism extending from the motor;

a pair of gear boxes, each having a driving side that receives the linkage mechanism and a driven side;

a pair of leadscrews extending from the driven sides of the gear boxes, the leadscrews rotating in response to rotation of the linkage mechanism;

a pair of drive nuts affixed to the slider brackets, the drive nuts having threaded apertures that are threadingly engaged with the leadscrews so that as the leadscrews rotate, the slider brackets move linearly in response thereto.

8. The adjustable seat cushion thigh support system of claim 7, further including:

a fixed ramp extending between the side rails, the fixed ramp lying below the cushion ramp.

9. The adjustable seat cushion thigh support system of claim 7, further including:

a pair of bushing extending inwardly from each anchor bracket;

a pair of oval apertures defined by the slider brackets, each pair of apertures associated with a slider bracket being adapted to receive a pair of associated bushings that extend at least partially therethrough.

10. (canceled)

12. A method for providing an adjustable seat cushion thigh support system for use with a seat cushion pan that is fixed in relation to a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

mounting fixed anchor brackets that fixed to and extend inwardly from the cushion pan;

adapting slider brackets so that they move forwardly and rearwardly in relation to the anchor brackets; and

attaching an anti-submarine cushion ramp to the slider brackets so as to permit forward and rearward motion of the ramp when the slider brackets move in relation to the cushion pan.