Deployable Bolster for a Vehicle Seat

• US 20100052388A1
• Filed: 09/12/2007
• Published: 03/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intier Automotive, Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Intier Automotive, Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Holdampf, Carl J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,066,325 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/284.900
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/206 to a position in which it can be used as a support for objects, e.g. as a tray
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/22 the back-rest being adjustable B60N2/2878 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3011 the back-rest being hinged on the cushion, e.g. "portefeuille movement"
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3065 in a longitudinal-vertical plane
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3075 stowed in recess B60N2/3079 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/986 Side-rests B60N2/2872, B60N2/885 take precedence

Abstract

A seat assembly includes a seat back frame pivotally coupled to a seat cushion for movement between a plurality of reclined seating positions and a fold flat position. A linkage includes first and second links having proximal ends pivotally coupled by a link pin. The first link includes a distal end pivotally coupled to the seat back frame. A control link is coupled at a first end to the link pin and at a second end to the seat cushion. A side bolster is pivotally coupled at an upper end to the seat back frame and at a lower end to a distal end of the second link. Pivoting of the seat back frame between the seating and fold flat positions urges the side bolster between a deployed position extending away from the seat back frame and a retracted position adjacent the seat back

Claims

1. A seat assembly for supporting an occupant in an automotive vehicle above a floor, said seat assembly comprising:

a seat cushion;

a seat back pivotally coupled to said seat cushion for selective movement between a generally upright seating position, a range of reclined seating positions, and a forward fold flat position overlying said seat cushion;

a pair of side bolsters, each of said pair of side bolsters extending between an upper end pivotally coupled to said seat back and a lower end, said lower end being linkably coupled to said seat back and to said seat cushion, whereby as said seat back pivots between said generally upright seating position and said fold flat position said lower end moves between an extended deployed position and a retracted position.

2. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said side bolsters is linkably connected to said seat back and said seat cushion by a common link pin.

3. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein each said linkable connection comprises a first link pivotally extending between one of said pair of side bolsters and said common link pin, a second link pivotally extending between said seat back and said common link pin, and a control link pivotally extending between said seat cushion and said common link pin.

4. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said linkable connections are configured to maintain said side bolster in said deployed position as said seat back pivots through said range of reclined positions.

5. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said seat cushion has two connecting brackets, each connecting bracket having a portion that extends parallel to an axis of rotation of said seat back and a respective one of said control links is pivotally mounted to said portion of connecting bracket.

6. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said portion of said connecting bracket is positioned behind said first and second links.

7. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said seat back comprises a frame having two spaced apart side frame members connected by an upper cross member and a lower cross member, each of said pair of side bolsters being pivotally connected to one of said side frame members and each of said second links being pivotally connected to a respective one of said side frame members.

8. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said range of reclined seating positions is about twenty-five degrees of rearward recline.

9. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said seat back comprises a frame having two spaced apart side frame members connected by an upper cross member and a lower cross member, each of said pair of side bolsters being pivotally connected to one of said side frame members.

10. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein each of said side bolsters is linkably connected to said seat back frame and said seat cushion by a common link pin.

11. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein each of said linkable connections comprises a first link pivotally extending between one of said pair of side bolsters and said common link pin, a second link pivotally extending between said seat back frame and said common link pin, and a control link pivotally extending between said seat cushion and said common link pin.

12. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said linkable connections are configured to maintain said side bolster in said deployed position as said seat back pivots through said range of reclined positions.

13. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said seat cushion has two connecting brackets, each connecting bracket having a portion that extends parallel to an axis of rotation of said seat back and a respective one of said control links is pivotally mounted to said portion of connecting bracket.

14. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said portion of said connecting bracket is positioned behind said first and second links.

15. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said range of reclined seating positions is about twenty-five degrees of rearward recline.