Mechanism supporting a thigh-rest cushion

• US 5,366,272 A
• Filed: 12/19/1991
• Issued: 11/22/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bertrand Faure Automobile
• Original Assignee: Bertrand Faure Automobile
• Inventors: Lebrun, Jean
• Primary Examiner(s): Dorner, Kenneth J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Allred, David E.
• Application Number:
  US07/908,343
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 297/429, 297/423, 297/284.11, 297/430, 297/337, 297/423.1, 297/423.19, 297/423.2
• US Class Current: 297/284.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/62 Thigh-rests B60N2/914 takes precedence

Abstract

A lower member is connected to a sitting portion of a vehicle seat and has side portions with cutouts for guiding pins rigidly connected to a chassis. The chassis is placed above the frame member and carries a thigh-rest cushion. An adjusting element is provided for displacement of the chassis relative to the frame member.

Claims

1. A mechanism, supporting a thigh-rest cushion located at a front of a vehicle seat, for displacing said thigh-rest cushion back and forth in a plane of a sitting portion of said seat;

said mechanism comprising;

a lower frame member fixedly connected to said sitting portion of said seat, said lower frame member having a U-shape with upwardly bent side portions each having a respective cutout;

a chassis arranged above said lower frame member, said chassis having a U-shaped frame with downwardly bent side portions, wherein said downwardly bent side portions are positioned outwardly of said upwardly bent side portions and wherein said chassis has connected to a top portion thereof said thigh-rest cushion;

guiding pins fixedly connected to said downwardly bent side portions of said chassis and engaging said cutouts of said lower frame member; and

an adjusting means, connected to said frame member and cooperating with said chassis, for displacing said chassis relative to said frame member so as to adapt to a morphology of a passenger sitting in said seat.

2. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment means further comprises:

a toothed rack connected to an upper end of each one of said upwardly bent side portions;

projections connected to an underside of said chassis and cooperating with said toothed racks;

a U-shaped resilient element, with free ends thereof being connected to said chassis, for assisting displacement of said chassis;

rollers fixedly connected to said frame member, with said resilient element being guided about said rollers at an end opposite said free ends;

a U-shaped spring, connected with a center portion thereof to said chassis, for forcing said chassis in a downward direction towards said frame member and thereby forcing said projections into engagement with said toothed racks.

4. A mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said adjustment means further comprises:

a guide nut connected to the chassis;

a threaded spindle guided in said guide nut;

a motor connected to said frame member; and

a gear reducing unit mounted between said motor and said threaded spindle, said motor driving said threaded spindle via said reducing unit for displacing said chassis relative to said frame member.

5. A mechanism according to claim 4, wherein said motor is selected from the group consisting of electric, pneumatic and hydraulic motors.

6. A mechanism according to claim 4, further comprising a control means for activating said motor.

3. A mechanism, supporting a thigh-rest cushion located at a front of a vehicle seat, for displacing said thigh-rest cushion back and forth in a plane of a sitting portion of said seat;

said mechanism comprising;

a lower frame member connected to said sitting portion of said seat, having upwardly bent side portions each having a respective cutout;

a chassis arranged above said lower frame member, said chassis having connected to a top portion thereof said thigh-rest cushion;

guiding pins fixedly connected to said chassis and engaging said cutouts of said lower frame member; and

an adjusting means, connected to said frame member and cooperating with said chassis, for displacing said chassis relative to said frame member so as to adapt to a morphology of a passenger; and

wherein said adjustment means further comprises;

a) a toothed rack connected to an upper end of each one of said side portions;

b) projections connected to an underside of said chassis and cooperating with said toothed racks;

c) a U-shaped resilient element, with free ends thereof being connected to said frame member, for assisting displacement of said chassis;

d) rollers fixedly connected to said underside of said chassis, with said resilient element being guided about said rollers at an end opposite said free ends; and

e) a U-shaped spring, connected with a center portion thereof to said chassis, for forcing said chassis in a downward direction towards said frame member and thereby forcing said projections into engagement with said toothed racks.