Lightweight seat frame for vehicles

• US 4,582,361 A
• Filed: 11/30/1983
• Issued: 04/15/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hoover Universal Incorporated (Adient plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Service Company
• Inventors: Kennel, Stephen W.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/556,483
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 248/429, 248/430, 297/DIG. 1, 297/DIG. 2, 297/452, 297/455
• US Class Current: 297/452.56
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5825 by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/01 Foam
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/02 Molded

Abstract

A vehicle seat frame having "Z" section side rails which form part of a rigid cubic section. Each of the side rails has an upright web formed at its upper end with an integral outboard extending upper flange and at its lower end with an integral inboard extending lower flange. This arrangement provides for a load bearing surface for seating loads of increased width and frame mounting flanges that are closer together to enhance structural strength.

Claims

1. In a vehicle seat, a frame having a cushion portion and a back portion, said cushion portion including a pair of generally parallel side rails having front and rear ends, a front rail secured to and extending between the front end of said side rails and a rear rail secured to and extending between the rear ends of the said side rails, each of said side rails being of substantially Z-shape having an upright web with an outwardly extending flange at the upper end thereof and an inwardly extending flange at the lower end thereof and means supported on said upper flanges and extending therebetween for supporting seating loads, said front rail also being of Z-shape having an upright web and flanges which extend in opposite directions from the upper and lower ends of the web.

2. In a vehicle seat, a frame having a cushion portion and a back portion, said cushion portion including a pair of generally parallel side rails having front and rear ends, a front rail secured to and extending between the front ends of said side rails and a rear rail secured to and extending between the rear ends of the said side rails, each of said side rails being of substantially Z-shape having an upright web with an outwardly extending flange at the upper end thereof and an inwardly extending flange at the lower end thereof, and a load bearing web extending between and supported on said upper side rail flanges, and means secured to said web and arranged in an interfitting relation which said top side rail flanges for maintaining said web in a pre-stretched condition.

3. In a vehicle seat, a frame having a cushion portion and a back portion, said cushion portion including a pair of generally parallel side rails having front and rear ends, a front rail secured to and extending between the front ends of said side rails and a rear rail secured to and extending between the rear ends of the said side rails, each of said side rails being of substantially Z-shape having an upright web with an outwardly extending flange at the upper end thereof and an inwardly extending flange at the lower end thereof and means supported on said upper flanges and extending therebetween for supporting seating loads, and means supporting said frame comprising slide means arranged in a supporting relation with at least one of the lower flanges on said side rails.