Adjustable Seat Bolster for Easy Access

• US 20080255733A1
• Filed: 07/15/2005
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Leggett & Platt Canada Co. (Leggett & Platt Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Schukra North America Limited (Schukra)
• Inventors: McMillen, Robert J., Rosli, Isa
• Granted Patent: US 8,126,615 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0252 with relations between different adjustments, e.g. height of headrest following longitudinal position of seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/986 Side-rests B60N2/2872, B60N2/885 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/99 adjustable

Abstract

An ergonomic device for an automobile seat includes a pressure surface oriented proximate to a seat cushion so that the pressure surface may deploy to support a seat occupant. A mount fixes it to a frame of the automobile seat. A linkage between the pressure surface and said mount allows the pressure surface to be selectively positionable between a first position disposed to extend for support of a seat occupant and a second position that is retracted. A power actuator is in operative communication with the linkage such that the power actuator mediates travel of the pressure surface between the first and second positions. The power actuator is in electric communication with a use anticipation indicator such that the actuator is engaged to place the pressure surface in the second, retracted position upon a signal from the use anticipation indicator.

Claims

1. An ergonomic device (10, 110) for a vehicle seat comprising:

a pressure surface (106, 206) oriented toward a seat cushion such that said pressure surface deploys to support a seat occupant;

a mounting bracket (102, 202, 302) adapted to be connected to a frame of the vehicle seat;

a linkage (112, 114, 116) between said pressure surface and said mounting bracket such that said pressure surface is selectively positionable between a first position disposed to extend for support of a seat occupant and a second position that is retracted;

a power actuator (20, 130) in operative communication with said linkage such that said power actuator (20, 130) mediates travel of said pressure surface between said first and second position;

said power actuator (20, 130) being in operative communication with a use anticipation indicator (40) such that said power actuator is engaged to place said pressure surface in said second, retracted position upon a signal from said use anticipation indicator.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said use anticipation indicator (40) is a position of a key relative to an ignition (41).

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said use anticipation indicator (40) is a door sensor (44).

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said use anticipation indicator (40) is a parking brake sensor (43).

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said use anticipation indicator (40) is a transmission position sensor (42).

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said use anticipation indicator is a user operated switch.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein said linkage is comprised of:

a hinge bar (112,212) pivotably attached to the mounting bracket (102,202);

a bolster wire (116, 216) pivotably attached to a slider (108, 208) and pivotably attached to said hinge bar (112,212); and

said slider being slidingly engaged with said bracket.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said power actuator is comprised of:

a motor (130, 230);

a gear and spindle (136, 236), being in driveable operative engagement with said motor; and

a traction cable (138, 238) having a first end and a second end, said first end being in operative communication with said gear and spindle and said second end being disposed to apply a tractive force to said linkage.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said traction cable (138, 238) is oriented at said second end to be generally aligned with a slide (108, 208) on a bracket (106, 206).

10. The device of claim 1 further comprising said power actuator (20) being in operative communication with the use anticipation indicator (40) such that said actuator is engaged to place said pressure surface in said first, extended position upon receiving a second signal from said use anticipation indicator (40).

11. The device of claim 1 further comprising a spring (128, 228), said spring being in operative communication with said linkage in order to bias said pressure surface (106, 206).

12. The device of claim 11 wherein said spring is a compression spring (362).

13. The device of claim 11 wherein said spring is a tension spring.

14. The device of claim 11 wherein said spring is a torsion spring (364).

15. The device of claim 11 wherein said spring is generally aligned with a slot on a bracket.

16. The device of claim 11 wherein said spring (128, 228) is operatively engaged at a first end to a medial aspect of a bolster wire (116, 216, 316) and operatively engaged at a second end of said spring to a hinge bar.

17. The device of claim 1 wherein said pressure surface is biased towards an extended position.

18. The device of claim 1 wherein said ergonomic device is a bolster.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said bolster is a seat back bolster.

20. The device of claim 18 wherein said bolster is a seat bottom bolster.

21. A method of controlling extension and retraction of an ergonomic bolster device (10, 110) for a vehicle seat comprising:

orienting a pressure surface (106, 206) proximate to a seat cushion such that said pressure surface may deploy to support a seat occupant;

mounting by a bracket (102, 202) said pressure surface onto a frame of the vehicle seat;

linking said pressure surface to said mounting bracket such that said pressure surface is selectively positionable between a first position deployed to extend for support of a seat occupant and a second position that is retracted;

engaging a power actuator (20, 130) in operative communication with said linkage such that said power actuator mediates travel of said pressure surface between said first position and said second position; and

connecting said power actuator (20, 130) to a communicator with a use anticipation indicator (40) such that said power actuator is engaged to place said pressure surface in said second, retracted position upon a first signal from said use anticipation indicator.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising connecting said power actuator (20, 130) with a use anticipation indicator (40) such that said actuator is engaged to place said pressure surface in said first, extended position upon a second signal from said use anticipation indicator.