OCCUPANT SUPPORT DEVICE FOR A SEAT

• US 20180281648A1
• Filed: 04/02/2018
• Published: 10/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tangerine Limited
• Original Assignee: Direction and Design Limited
• Inventors: Darbyshire, Martin Richard, Loewy, Adam James Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 10,604,046 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 1/024 the parts, being the back-rest, or the back-rest and seat unit, having adjustable and lockable inclination
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/462 adjustable by mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/01 Arrangement of seats relative to one another
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/22 the back-rest being adjustable B60N2/2878 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/242 Bus seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7011 of substantially two-dimensional shape, e.g. hammock-like, plastic shells, fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/72 Attachment or adjustment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B61D 33/0035 Cushions or the like; Covers
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/064 Adjustable inclination or position of seats
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0647 Seats characterised by special upholstery or cushioning features

Abstract

An occupant support device (OSD) for a seat, comprises a flexible membrane having a first end and a second end. The flexible membrane is coupleable to a seat proximate the first end and the second end of the flexible membrane. The OSD further comprises at least one stiffening member for stiffening the flexible membrane. The at least one stiffening member is positionable so that the flexible membrane is generally stiffer in a longitudinal direction than in a transverse direction. A seat comprising the OSD, an array of seats comprising the OSD and an aircraft comprising the OSD are also provided.

Claims

1. An occupant support device for a seat, comprising:

—

a flexible membrane having a first end and a second end;

the flexible membrane being coupleable to a seat proximate the first end and the second end of the flexible membrane; and

at least one stiffening member for stiffening the flexible membrane;

wherein the at least one stiffening member is positionable so that the flexible membrane is generally stiffer in a longitudinal direction than in a transverse direction.

2. The occupant support device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane is coupleable to a seat only proximate the first end and the second end of the flexible membrane so that a portion of the flexible membrane between the first end and the second end is moveable relative to a seat.

3. The occupant support device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane comprises a backrest portion, a seat base portion and an intermediate portion, and wherein the backrest portion, seat base portion and intermediate portion are coupled so that the flexible membrane is pre-formed with a three-dimensional profile.

4. The occupant support device according to claim 3, wherein the flexible membrane is configured so that the three-dimensional profile is complementary with that of a prospective occupant.

5. The occupant support device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane is provided with at least one pocket into which the at least one stiffening member is insertable.

6. The occupant support device according to claim 5, wherein the flexible membrane is provided with a plurality of pockets into which a plurality of stiffening members is insertable.

7. The occupant support device according to claim 6, wherein the flexible membrane is provided with a plurality of pockets substantially over the whole of an area of the membrane into which a plurality of stiffening members is insertable.

8. The occupant support device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one pocket or the plurality of pockets is provided on a side opposite an occupant-engaging side of the flexible membrane.

9. The occupant support device according to claim 6, wherein at least two of the stiffening members are arranged in a staggered arrangement so that at least one pair of transversely adjacent stiffening members only partially overlap in a longitudinal direction.

10. The occupant support device according to claim 6, wherein one or the more of the plurality of stiffening members is arranged to extend from the backrest portion of the flexible membrane around the intermediate portion and onto the seat base portion of the flexible membrane, either continuously or through a series of stiffening members positioned end to end.

11. The occupant support device according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of pockets is configured so the at least one stiffening member positionable in pockets in the backrest portion of the flexible membrane is longer than at least one stiffening member positionable in pockets in the seat base portion of the flexible membrane.

12. The occupant support device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one stiffening member comprises a phenolic resin or fibre-reinforced polymer.

15. The occupant support device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane comprises a poly cotton fabric.

16. The occupant support device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible membrane is removably coupleable to a seat.

17. The occupant support device according to claim 16, wherein at least one end of the flexible membrane extends around a first end and/or a second end of a seat and is removably coupleable to a seat on a side opposite to an occupant-engaging side of a seat.

18. The occupant support device according to claim 16, wherein the flexible membrane is removably coupleable to a seat using at least one quick release fastener.

19. The occupant support device according to claim 16, wherein the flexible membrane is removably coupleable to a seat by a combination of press studs and zip fasteners.

20. The occupant support device according to claim 1, further comprising a padded topper.

21. A seat for a vehicle, comprising the occupant support device of claim 1.

22. A seat for a vehicle, comprising:

—

a backrest portion, a seat base portion, an articulation between the backrest portion and the seat base portion so that the backrest is reclinable;

a seat base adjustment mechanism configured to permit movement of the seat base portion; and

an occupant support device according to claim 1.

23. The seat for a vehicle according to claim 22, wherein the seat base adjustment mechanism permits both sliding and tilting movement of the seat.

24. An array of seats comprising an occupant support device according to claim 1.

25. A vehicle comprising an occupant support device according to claim 1.

13. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

26-27. -27. (canceled)