Alternating pressure pad car seat

• US 5,029,939 A
• Filed: 10/05/1989
• Issued: 07/09/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Hoying, John F., Smith, Jack E.
• Primary Examiner(s): ASCHENBRENNER, PETER
• Application Number:
  US07/417,529
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 297/284, 297/DIG. 3, 297/DIG. 8, 297/452, 5/455, 5/456, 5/457, 5/453, 128/33
• US Class Current: 297/284.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 7/05776 with at least two groups of alternately inflated chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7035 Cushions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/90 Details or parts not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/08 Inflatable bellows

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle seat construction and method of utilization of the same. The inventive vehicle seat construction alternately supports the vehicle seat occupant upon different portions of the vehicle occupant'"'"'s body. The above massaging effect relieves the vehicle seat occupant of possible discomfort realized after extended driving periods. Additionally, the inventive seat structure provides the alternating support feature while allowing the vehicle seat to function normally in the absence of the power to the pneumatic system which energizes the alternating suport feature.

Claims

1. A seat construction for supporting the occupant of a vehicle, said seat construction in combination comprising:

a tri-leveled base having noncomingled first, second and third fluid passages for said respective levels, said first level having apertures for a controlled leakage;

a plurality of first compliant cushion cells connected with said base for supporting said seat occupant away from said base, said first cells being placed adjacent said third level with a connection fitting allowing fluid communication between said first cell interior and first level;

a second plurality of second cushion cells for supporting said seat occupant away from said base independently from said first cushion cells, said second cells being substantially identical to said first cushion cells locationally intermingled with said first cushion cells in a set pattern and being adjacent said third level with connecting fitting allowing fluid communication with said second level; and

an air permeable pad for supporting said seat occupant above said first and second cells;

means to alternately create a pressure differential between said first and second level cells by applying pressurized air to one of said levels and a vacuum to said other cushion levels whereby said seat occupant is alternately supported away from said base along different locations of said seat occupant and means to supply pressurized air to said third level.

2. A seat construction for supporting an occupant of a vehicle, said seat construction in combination comprising:

a base;

a plurality of first polymeric bellow cushion cells having a void interior, said first cells being connected with said base and being of a compliant material for supporting said seat occupant away from said base in a free state, said first cells having a pneumatically sealed exterior and said first cells having a first fluid line connected with the interior of said cells, said first cells also having valving means to prevent fluid communication with said first fluid line when said seat is unoccupied;

a plurality of second polymeric bellow cushion cells having a void interior, said second cells being connected with said base and said second cushion cells being made from a compliant material for supporting said seat occupant away from said base in a free state independently of said first cushion cells, and said second cells being locationally intermingled with said first said cells, said second cushion cells having a pneumatically sealed exterior and an interior connected to a second fluid line, said second cells also having valving means to prevent fluid communication with said second fluid line when said seat is unoccupied; and

means connected with said first and second fluid lines to alternately create a pressure differential between said first and second cells whereby the pressure placed against said seat occupant forming one of said first or second cells is alternately greater than the pressure placed against said seat occupant by the other said cells and said seat occupant is supported on different locations of said seat.