Adjustable height automotive seat

• US 6,758,520 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2001
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Pehrson, Hans Olof
• Primary Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US09/755,928
• Publication Number:
  US 20020089222A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,278 Days
• Field of Search: 297/338, 297/339, 297/284.11, 297/423.19, 297/423.2, 297/423.22, 297/423.23, 297/423.24, 297/484, 297/216.11, 297/216.14, 297/216.1, 297/452.2
• US Class Current: 297/216.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3013 the back-rest being hinged on the vehicle frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3086 Disappearing in a recess of the cushion
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/309 rods

Abstract

An adjustable height automotive seat (10) is provided, including a backrest portion (12) and a seat portion (14), the seat portion (14) capable of being vertically displaced in relation to the backrest portion (12) and thereby accommodating shorter passengers.

Claims

1. An adjustable height automotive seat comprising:

a backrest portion;

a seat portion vertically adjustable in relation to said backrest portion; and

at least one one-way collapsible bracket, said bracket intended to mount the seat within an automotive vehicle, said bracket having lesser compressive than tensile strength in order to facilitate energy absorption by said bracket in a rear-end collision with said vehicle while retaining strength to prevent said seat from moving forward during a front-end collision with said vehicle.

2. An adjustable height automotive seat as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

a rotatable threaded portion in communication with said seat portion, whereby rotation of said threaded portion causes vertical displacement of said seat portion.

3. An adjustable height automotive seat as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one submarine tube element positioned within a front portion of said seat portion to provide rigidity to reduce sinking of an occupant seated in said seat portion during collision of a vehicle in which said seat is mounted.

4. An adjustable height automotive seat as recited in claim 1, wherein said one-way bracket includes a plurality of openings formed in a body portion thereof to help absorb forces transferred to the seat in the event of a rear-end collision with said vehicle.

5. An adjustable height automotive seat comprising:

a backrest portion;

a seat portion, including a rear portion and a front portion, said front portion rotatably attached to said rear portion such that said front portion may be folded down from said rear portion; and

at least one submarine tube element positioned within a front portion of said seat portion to provide rigidity to reduce sinking of an occupant seated in said seat portion during collision of a vehicle in which said seat is mounted.

6. An adjustable height automotive seat as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

at least one one-way collapsible bracket, said bracket intended to mount the seat within an automotive vehicle, said bracket having lesser compressive than tensile strength in order to facilitate energy absorption by said bracket in a rear-end collision with said vehicle while retaining strength to prevent said seat from moving forward during a front-end collision with said vehicle.

7. An adjustable height automotive seat as recited in claim 6, wherein said one-way bracket includes a plurality of openings formed in a body portion thereof to help absorb forces transferred to the seat in the event of a rear-end collision with said vehicle.

8. An adjustable height automotive seat as recited in claim 5, further comprising:

a rotatable threaded portion in communication with said seat portion whereby rotation of said threaded portion causes vertical displacement of said seat portion.

9. An adjustable height automotive seat comprising:

a backrest portion;

a seat portion, including a rear portion and a front portion, said front portion rotatably attached to said rear portion such that said front portion may be folded down from said rear portion; and

at least one one-way collapsible bracket, said bracket intended to mount the seat within an automotive vehicle, said bracket having lesser compressive than tensile strength in order to facilitate energy absorption by said bracket in a rear-end collision with said vehicle while retaining strength to prevent said seat from moving forward during a front-end collision with said vehicle.

10. An adjustable height automotive seat as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

at least one submarine tube element positioned within a front portion of said seat portion to provide rigidity to reduce sinking of an occupant seated in said seat portion during collision of a vehicle in which said seat is mounted.

11. An adjustable height automotive seat recited in claim 9, further comprising:

a rotatable threaded portion in communication with said seat portion, whereby rotation of said threaded portion causes vertical displacement of said seat portion.

12. An adjustable height automotive seat as recited in claim 9, wherein said one-way bracket includes a plurality of openings formed in a body portion thereof to help absorb forces transferred to the seat in the event of a rear-end collision with said vehicle.

13. An adjustable height automotive seat comprising:

a backrest portion;

a seat portion vertically adjustable in relation to said backrest portion; and

at least one submarine tube element positioned within a front portion of said seat portion to provide rigidity to reduce sinking of an occupant seated in said seat portion during collision of a vehicle in which said seat is mounted;

at least one one-way collapsible bracket, said bracket intended to mount the seat within an automotive vehicle, said bracket having lesser compressive than tensile strength in order to facilitate energy absorption by said bracket in a rear-end collision with said vehicle while retaining strength to prevent said seat from moving forward during a front end collision with said vehicle.

14. An adjustable height automotive seat as recited in claim 13 wherein said one-way bracket includes a plurality of openings formed in a body portion thereof to help absorb forces transferred to the seat in the event of a rear-end collision with said vehicle.

15. An adjustable height automotive seat as recited in claim 13, further comprising:

a rotatable threaded portion in communication with said seat portion, whereby rotation of said threaded portion causes vertical displacement of said seat portion.