Cushion lift for seat assembly

• US 7,140,589 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2003
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Orchid Automation, LLC
• Original Assignee: Orchid Automation, LLC
• Inventors: Lamb, William D, Woodard, Craig B
• Primary Examiner(s): King, Anita M.
• Application Number:
  US10/732,548
• Publication Number:
  US 20050127250A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 248/157, 248/422, 248/421, 248/424, 248/561, 297/331, 297/336, 297/344.11, 297/344.13, 297/237, 296/65.05, 296/65.06
• US Class Current: 248/421
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1615 Parallelogram-like structure

Abstract

A cushion lift assembly for raising and lowering the front and rear portions of an automobile seat independently and/or simultaneously. The cushion lift assembly includes mounting members and a pair of connecting members interconnecting the mounting members. The connecting members are formed from three stamped members including a first elongated stamped member and two bracket members mounted near opposite ends of the first stamped member. Each of the stamped members includes a rib formed therein. The ribs cooperate to define an annular opening in which a pivot member is received.

Claims

1. A cushion lift assembly for use in an adjustable vehicle seat, said assembly comprising:

a plurality of elongate mounting members formed from substantially planar sheet stock material;

a plurality of elongate connecting members formed from substantially planar sheet stock material, said connecting members pivotally connected to said mounting members;

a plurality of pivot members secured to said connecting members for pivotally mounting said cushion lift assembly to a track; and

a plurality of brackets, each one of said brackets and one of said connecting members defining apertures therebetween into which one said pivot member is disposed to thereby secure said pivot members to said connecting members.

2. The assembly of claim 1 and further comprising a plurality of links securing said mounting members to said connecting members.

3. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said connecting members include ribs which extend substantially along the entire length of said connecting members, said ribs and said brackets defining said apertures.

4. The assembly according to claim 3 wherein said pivot members, said brackets, and said connecting members are secured together by means of a pin.

5. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said pivot members are adapted to pivotally support a said vehicle seat.

6. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said pivot members are substantially cylindrical and include an insertion portion for inserting into said apertures, and a pivoting portion for pivotally supporting said vehicle seat.

7. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said connecting members are substantially U-shaped.

8. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein said brackets and said connecting members each include a rib, each said rib in one said bracket and one said associated connecting member rib defining said aperture.

9. A cushion lift assembly for use in an adjustable vehicle seat, said assembly comprising:

a plurality of elongate mounting members formed from substantially planar sheet stock material;

a plurality of elongate connecting members formed from substantially planar sheet stock material;

a plurality of links interconnecting said connecting members and mounting members;

a plurality of pivot members secured to said connecting members for pivotally mounting said cushion lift assembly to a track; and

a plurality of brackets, each one of said brackets and one of said connecting members defining an aperture therebetween into which one said pivot member is disposed to thereby secure said pivot members to said connecting members.

10. The assembly according to claim 9 wherein said connecting members include ribs which extend substantially along the entire length of said connecting members, said ribs and said brackets defining said apertures.

11. The assembly according to claim 10 wherein said pivot members, said brackets, and said connecting members are secured together by means of a pin.

12. The assembly according to claim 11 wherein said pivot members are substantially cylindrical and include an insertion portion for inserting into said apertures and a pivoting portion for pivotally supporting said cushion lift.

13. A cushion lift assembly for use in an adjustable vehicle seat, said assembly comprising:

a plurality of elongate mounting members formed from substantially planar sheet stock material;

a plurality of elongate connecting members formed from substantially planar sheet stock material, each said connecting members including ribs which extend substantially along the entire length of said connecting members;

a plurality of links interconnecting said mounting members to said connecting members;

a plurality of brackets, said brackets and said connecting members defining apertures; and

a plurality of pivot members disposed in said apertures for pivotally mounting said cushion lift assembly to a track.

14. The assembly according to claim 13 wherein one said pivot member, one said bracket, and one said connecting member are secured together by means of a pin.

15. The assembly according to claim 13 wherein said pivot members are adapted to pivotally support said vehicle seat.

16. The assembly according to claim 13 wherein said connecting members are substantially U-shaped.