Vehicle seat having valve controlled air spring
First Claim
1. In a vehicle seat suspension mechanism for vertically, adjustably, and resiliently supporting a vehicle seat, the combination comprising;
- a base frame, a seat frame, means mounting said seat frame on said base frame for vertical shifting of the seat frame relative to the base frame, an air spring mounted between said seat frame and said base frame, an air valve mounted on said base frame and having a conduit connection with said air spring for conducting flow of air to and from said air spring, said air valve having means for connection to a source of air presssure;
said valve also having a shiftable valve element which is shiftable between a neutral position, air spring pressurizing position, and an air spring exhaust position;
a control handle mounted on said seat frame, and linkage means between said handle and said shiftable valve element;
said linkage means including a floating link, a lost motion connection between said handle and one end of said floating link, said link being connected to said shiftable valve element intermediate the length of said floating link, said floating link having a pivot point at its other end, and means for mounting said pivot point of said floating link and permitting said pivot point to shift from a normal position when said seat frame assumes an extreme position in either an upper or downward direction to thereby render said valve inoperative when said seat frame is in said extreme positions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An adjustable seat suspension system for a vehicle seat for a tractor, earth working equipment, or the like, and in which the seat is resiliently supported by a pressurizable air bag. The seat suspension system provides a manually settable lever by means of which the operator can infinitely vary the height adjustment of the seat for a normal operating position, depending on his size. The seat suspension adjusting mechanism includes a valve for regulating the flow of pressurized air to or from the air bag. The arrangement is such that for any vertical height position selected by the operator, the air controlling mechanism permits the seat to oscillate up and down through a given range of movement, say for example six and one-half inches. In addition to a normal operating oscillation range for any selected height adjustment, the seat suspension control system of the present invention includes a floating pivot point in the control linkage which can shift from its normal operating position to thereby in effect disconnect the control valve and protect it when the seat movement exceeds the limits of the valve spool, which limits are small compared to overall linkage movement requirements.
40 Citations
10 Claims
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1. In a vehicle seat suspension mechanism for vertically, adjustably, and resiliently supporting a vehicle seat, the combination comprising;
- a base frame, a seat frame, means mounting said seat frame on said base frame for vertical shifting of the seat frame relative to the base frame, an air spring mounted between said seat frame and said base frame, an air valve mounted on said base frame and having a conduit connection with said air spring for conducting flow of air to and from said air spring, said air valve having means for connection to a source of air presssure;
said valve also having a shiftable valve element which is shiftable between a neutral position, air spring pressurizing position, and an air spring exhaust position;
a control handle mounted on said seat frame, and linkage means between said handle and said shiftable valve element;
said linkage means including a floating link, a lost motion connection between said handle and one end of said floating link, said link being connected to said shiftable valve element intermediate the length of said floating link, said floating link having a pivot point at its other end, and means for mounting said pivot point of said floating link and permitting said pivot point to shift from a normal position when said seat frame assumes an extreme position in either an upper or downward direction to thereby render said valve inoperative when said seat frame is in said extreme positions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
- a base frame, a seat frame, means mounting said seat frame on said base frame for vertical shifting of the seat frame relative to the base frame, an air spring mounted between said seat frame and said base frame, an air valve mounted on said base frame and having a conduit connection with said air spring for conducting flow of air to and from said air spring, said air valve having means for connection to a source of air presssure;
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5. A vehicle seat suspension mechanism for supporting a vehicle seat and comprising;
- a base frame, a seat frame, means mounting said seat frame on said base frame for vertical shifting of the seat frame relative to the base frame, an air spring mounted between said seat frame and said base frame, an air valve having a conduit connection with said air spring for conducting air pressure to and from said air spring, said valve having means for connection to a source of air pressure and also having a shiftable valve element, a control handle mounted on said seat frame, and linkage means between said handle and said shiftable valve element;
said linkage means including a floating link having a pivot point at one end, said link being connected to said shiftable valve element, and means for mounting said pivot point of said floating link and permitting said pivot point to shift from a normal position when said seat frame assumes an extreme position in either an upper or downward direction to thereby render said valve inoperative. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
- a base frame, a seat frame, means mounting said seat frame on said base frame for vertical shifting of the seat frame relative to the base frame, an air spring mounted between said seat frame and said base frame, an air valve having a conduit connection with said air spring for conducting air pressure to and from said air spring, said valve having means for connection to a source of air pressure and also having a shiftable valve element, a control handle mounted on said seat frame, and linkage means between said handle and said shiftable valve element;
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9. In a vehicle seat suspension mechanism for vertically, adjustably, and resiliently supporting a vehicle seat, the combination comprising;
- a base frame, a seat frame, means mounting said seat frame on said base frame for vertical shifting of the seat frame relative to the base frame, an air spring mounted between said seat frame and said base frame, an air valve mounted on said base frame and having a conduit connection with said air spring for conducting air pressure to and from said air spring, said air valve having means for connection to a source of air pressure;
said valve also having a shiftable valve element which is shiftable between a neutral position, air spring pressurizing position, and an air spring exhaust position;
a control handle mounted on said seat frame, and linkage means between said handle and said shiftable valve element;
said linkage means including a floating link, a strut having a pin and slot connection with one end of said floating link and with said handle, and also including a spring between said handle and link, said floating link being connected to said shiftable valve element intermediate the length of said floating link, said floating link having a pivot point at its other end, and a bracket pivotally mounted on said base frame and having a notch for receiving said pivot point in a normal position, said bracket also having a surface adjoining each of opposite sides of said notch, so that said pivot point can shift from said normal position to either of said surfaces when said seat frame assumes an extreme position in either an upper or downward direction to thereby render said valve inoperative when said seat frame is in said extreme positions, a spring connected between said floating link and said bracket for resiliently urging said pivot point in said notch in said normal position of said pivot point.
- a base frame, a seat frame, means mounting said seat frame on said base frame for vertical shifting of the seat frame relative to the base frame, an air spring mounted between said seat frame and said base frame, an air valve mounted on said base frame and having a conduit connection with said air spring for conducting air pressure to and from said air spring, said air valve having means for connection to a source of air pressure;
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10. A vehicle seat suspension mechanism for supporting a vehicle seat and comprising;
- a base frame, a seat frame, means mounting said seat frame on said base frame for vertical shifting of the seat frame relative to the base frame, an air spring mounted between said seat frame and said base frame, an air valve having a conduit connection with said air spring for conducting air pressure to and from said air spring, said valve having means for connection to a source of air pressure and also having a shiftable valve element, a control handle mounted on said seat frame, and linkage means between said handle and said shiftable valve element;
said linkage means including a floating link having a pivot point at one end, said link being connected to said shiftable valve element, a bracket pivotally mounted on said base frame and having a central notch for the reception of said pivot point when the latter is in a normal position, said bracket also having a surface adjoining each of opposite sides of said notch, said pivot point adapted to shift from said notch and bear against either of said surfaces in extreme up or down seat frame positions to thereby prevent said valve element from excessive movement, a strut connected between said handle and said floating link and having a pin and slot connection with said floating link and with said handle, and a spring connected between said handle and said floating link.
- a base frame, a seat frame, means mounting said seat frame on said base frame for vertical shifting of the seat frame relative to the base frame, an air spring mounted between said seat frame and said base frame, an air valve having a conduit connection with said air spring for conducting air pressure to and from said air spring, said valve having means for connection to a source of air pressure and also having a shiftable valve element, a control handle mounted on said seat frame, and linkage means between said handle and said shiftable valve element;
Specification