Automotive seat with suspension device

• US 5,005,894 A
• Filed: 10/31/1989
• Issued: 04/09/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tachi-S Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Tachi-S Company Limited
• Inventors: Nagata, Kojiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Pedder, Dennis H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pike, Andrew C.
• Application Number:
  US07/429,512
• Time in Patent Office: 525 Days
• Field of Search: 296/68.1, 297/216, 297/345, 297/470, 248/421, 248/422, 248/423
• US Class Current: 296/68.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/502 attached to the base of the seat B60N2/504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/505 Adjustable suspension including height adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/508 Scissors-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/548 Torsion springs, e.g. torsion helicoidal springs

Abstract

An automotive seat with a suspension device has an X-shaped link mounted between an upper seat frame and lower floor frame. The X-shaped link is equipped with a seat belt anchor and a sublink link slideably connected between one of the link members of the X-shaped links and the lower floor frame. The sublink has an elongated hole at one of its ends which is slideably engaged to a pin on one of the link members of the X-shaped links. The other end of the sublink is pivotally connected to the lower floor frame. When a force is exerted on the seat belt anchor, it is transmitted through the sublink directly to the floor, thereby preventing damage or deformation of the suspension device. Further, when the suspension is contracted, the X-shaped link and the sublink are hidden behind the upper and the lower frames thereby creating a suspension device with a very low profile.

Claims

1. An automotive seat with a suspension device having upper and lower frames, the seat including a seat cushion on the upper frame and the lower frame engaging a floor of an automobile body, said seat comprising:

an X-shaped link means entirely interposed inwardly of the upper and lower frames;

a first pivot connecting a first link member of said X-shaped link means to the upper frame;

a second pivot connecting a second link member of said X-shaped link means to the lower frame;

a seat belt anchor;

a pin fixed on said first link midway between a cross point of said X-shaped link means and said first pivot; and

a sublink positioned inwardly of the frames having one end connected to the lower frame by said second pivot and another end thereof formed with an elongated hole in which said pin is slideably retained.

2. The automotive seat according to claim 1, wherein said X-shaped link means further comprises:

said first link member and said second link member pivotally connected in an adjustable cross at the cross point;

said first link member pivotally connected at an upper end thereof to a rearward point of the upper frame and slideably connected at a lower end thereof to the lower frame;

said second link member pivotally connected at a lower end thereof to the lower frame and slideably connected at an upper end thereof to a forward point of the upper frame; and

said seat belt anchor provided adjacent to the seat and said upper end of said first link member;

wherein said pin is provided on said first link member between said first pivot and the cross of said first and second link members.

3. The automotive seat according to claim 1, wherein said sublink is so arranged that a longitudinal axis thereof is parallel to a longitudinal axis of said seat belt anchor, when a force is exerted on said seat belt anchor that slides said pin upward as far as possible within said elongated hole.