Automotive vehicle seat for disabled persons

• US 5,567,001 A
• Filed: 04/07/1994
• Issued: 10/22/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Enhancements Unlimited Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Enhancements Unlimited Incorporated
• Inventors: Zalewski, Wojciech
• Primary Examiner(s): PAPE, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US08/224,259
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 296/65.1, 296/68.1, 414/462, 297/337, 297/338, 297/345, 297/346, 297/DIG. 10
• US Class Current: 296/65.16
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/245 for handicapped persons
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/10 Occupant-arising assist

Abstract

An improved seat for a disabled driver or passenger of an automotive vehicle, is disclosed. The seat comprises a seat cushion including a stationary cushion component and a transport cushion component, the transport cushion component being constrained for movement in a path between a retracted position and an extended position. The transport cushion component is controlled by an operational system that includes a member having an extension member telescopically extendable from an end thereof and cable-drive means for moving the component between the retracted position and the extended position when under constant manual control. The manual actuator is accessible to constant manual control at the transport cushion and is recessed therein.

Claims

1. A seat only for a single driver or single passenger of an automotive vehicle, said seat comprising:

(a) a back cushion presenting a geometrical contour only for said single driver or single passenger;

(b) a seat cushion presenting a geometrical contour only for said single driver or single passenger;

(c) electromechanical means;

(d) operational means coupled to said electromechanical means;

(e) said seat cushion including a primary stationary portion and an auxiliary transport portion;

(f) a driven component attached to said transport portion;

(g) said driven component being constrained for movement in a path between a retracted position and an extended position when actuated by said operational means;

(h) said operational means including manual actuating means for maintaining movement between said retracted position and said extended position when under constant manual control;

(i) said actuating means being accessible to constant manual control in close proximity to said transport portion; and

(j) said transport portion being immovably affixed to said driven component.

2. The seat of claim 1 wherein said electromechanical means comprises an electric motor and circuitry for coupling said motor to a battery of said vehicle.

3. The seat of claim 2 wherein said electromechanical means further includes rotational drive means operatively connected to said motor.

4. The seat of claim 1 wherein said transport portion changes orientation solely by reason of movement of said driven component.