Pneumatic seat valve having a rapid exhaust mode
First Claim
1. A pneumatic valve, suitable for use in a pneumatic seat, the valve comprising:
- (a) a housing having an inlet port, a seat air inlet/outlet port, and at least a first exhaust port; and
(b) a slide member supported by the housing for reciprocating movement relative to the housing to selectively control airflow therethrough, the slide member having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface having a cammed portion to selectively and automatically permit rapid exhaustion of air from within the seat air inlet/outlet port, wherein the cammed portion further comprises a detent notch to selectively lock the slide member into a rapid exhaust position, wherein the seat air inlet/outlet port is in continuous fluid communication with the exhaust port to permit air to escape therethrough.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pneumatic valve (10) for use in a pneumatic seat (12) of a vehicle is disclosed. The pneumatic valve includes an upper housing (32) and a lower housing (38). The lower housing is slidably received within the upper housing. The lower housing has an upper surface (78) and a lower surface (79). The lower surface has an inlet stem (88), a seat air inlet/outlet stem (90), and at least a first exhaust port (94). The pneumatic valve also includes an elongate poppet (108) slidably mounted within the seat air inlet/outlet port on a first spring (106) to control air flow through the seat air inlet/outlet port. The poppet has an enlarged head portion (110) located at one end and a cam projection (113) located at the other end. A slide member (34) is supported on the upper surface of the lower housing for reciprocating movement relative to the housing to selectively control air flow therethrough. The slide member has an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface of the slide member has a cammed portion (68) to selectively and automatically permit rapid exhaustion of air from the seat air inlet/outlet port. The cam portion includes a detent notch (70) to selectively lock the slide member into continuous fluid communication with the seat air inlet/outlet port and the exhaust port to permit air to escape therethrough.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A pneumatic valve, suitable for use in a pneumatic seat, the valve comprising:
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(a) a housing having an inlet port, a seat air inlet/outlet port, and at least a first exhaust port; and (b) a slide member supported by the housing for reciprocating movement relative to the housing to selectively control airflow therethrough, the slide member having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface having a cammed portion to selectively and automatically permit rapid exhaustion of air from within the seat air inlet/outlet port, wherein the cammed portion further comprises a detent notch to selectively lock the slide member into a rapid exhaust position, wherein the seat air inlet/outlet port is in continuous fluid communication with the exhaust port to permit air to escape therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A pneumatic valve for use in a pneumatic seat of a vehicle, the pneumatic valve comprising:
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(a) a housing having an inlet port, a seat air inlet/outlet port, and at least a first exhaust port; (b) a slide member supported by the housing for reciprocating movement relative to the housing and selectively controlling airflow therethrough, the slide member having an upper surface and a lower surface; and (c) a locking member located on the lower surface of the slide member for rapidly exhausting air from within the seat by selectively locking the slide member into continuous fluid communication with the seat air inlet/outlet port and the exhaust port. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A pneumatic valve for use in a pneumatic seat of a vehicle, the pneumatic valve comprising:
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(a) an upper housing; (b) a lower housing slidably received within the upper housing, the lower housing having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface defining an inlet port, a seat air inlet/outlet port, and two exhaust ports; (c) an elongate poppet slidably mounted within the seat air inlet/outlet port on a first spring to control airflow through the seat air inlet/outlet port, the poppet having an enlarged head located at one end and a cam projection located at the other end; and (d) a slide member supported on the upper surface of the lower housing for reciprocating movement relative the housing to selectively control airflow therethrough, the slide member having an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface having a cammed portion to selectively and automatically permit rapid exhaustion of air from the seat air inlet/outlet port. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. In a pneumatic valve for use in a vehicle with a pneumatic seat having at least one airbag, the valve having a housing with an inlet port, a seat air inlet/outlet port, and at least a first exhaust port, the valve further including a slide member supported by the housing for reciprocating movement relative to the housing to selectively control airflow therethrough, the slide member having an upper surface and a lower surface, the improvement comprising:
(a) locking member located on the lower surface of the slide member for rapidly exhausting air from within the airbag of the seat by locking the slide member into continuous fluid communication with the seat air inlet/outlet port and the exhaust port. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
Specification