Modular comfort assembly for occupant support

• US 7,147,279 B2
• Filed: 04/28/2005
• Issued: 12/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/05/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGB Automotive Limited (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: IGB Automotive Limited (Lear Corporation)
• Inventors: Brady, Benson J., Bevan, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Peter R.
• Application Number:
  US11/116,524
• Publication Number:
  US 20050200179A1
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 2971801-18015, 297/284.5, 297/284.6
• US Class Current: 297/180.12
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/425 Supplementary back-rests to be positioned on a back-rest or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/467 adjustable by fluid means
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/74 for ventilation, heating or cooling actuated by rocking the chair A47C3/02
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/748 for heating
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5628 coming from the vehicle ventilation system, e.g. air-conditioning system
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5657 blown towards the seat surface
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5685 Resistance
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/66 Lumbar supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/665 using inflatable bladders
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/666 vertically adjustable

Abstract

A method of installing a modular comfort assembly within an occupant support includes the step of providing a modular comfort assembly including a heating element and at least one of a ventilation diffuser bag and a lumbar support system, the heating element, the diffuser bag, and the lumbar support system being modularly attachable to each other on sides thereof. The occupant support includes an outer cover, an internal foam bun, and a frame. The method further includes the step of mounting the modular comfort assembly onto a surface of the foam bun beneath the outer cover.

Claims

1. A method of installing a modular comfort assembly within an occupant support having an internal foam bun and a frame, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a modular comfort assembly comprising a heating element, a ventilation diffuser bag and a lumbar support system, said heating element, said diffuser bag and said lumbar support system being releasably attachable to each other on sides thereof; and

mounting the modular comfort assembly onto a surface of the foam bun.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

mounting a diffuser bag blower to a backside of the foam bun.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

mounting a diffuser bag blower to the frame of the occupant support.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

mounting an air pump connected to the lumbar support system onto the frame of the occupant support.

5. A method of installing a modular comfort assembly within an occupant support having an internal foam bun and a frame, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a modular comfort assembly comprising a heating element and a ventilation diffuser bag that are releasably attachable to each other on sides thereof; and

mounting the modular comfort assembly onto a surface of the foam bun.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of:

mounting a diffuser bag blower to a backside of the foam bun.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of:

mounting a diffuser bag blower to the frame of the occupant support.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein said diffuser bag includes a side surface having perforations therein and an opposite non-perforated side, said non-perforated side being supported on the surface of the foam bun and said perforated side being releasably attachable to said heating element.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of providing a modular comfort assembly includes providing a modular comfort assembly further comprising a lumbar support system releasably attachable to a side of said diffuser bag.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

mounting an air pump connected to the lumbar support system onto the frame of the occupant support.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein said modular comfort assembly is mounted onto the surface of the foam bun by one of a pressure sensitive adhesive and a hook-and-loop fastening means.

12. A method of installing a modular comfort assembly within an occupant support having an internal foam bun and a frame, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a modular comfort assembly comprising a heating element and a lumbar support system that are releasably attachable to each other on sides thereof; and

mounting the modular comfort assembly onto a surface of the foam bun.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

mounting an air pump connected to the lumbar support onto the frame of the occupant support.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of providing a modular comfort assembly includes providing a modular comfort assembly further comprising a ventilation diffuser bag releasably attachable to sides of said heating element and said lumbar support system.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of:

mounting a diffuser bag blower to a backside of the foam bun.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of:

mounting a diffuser bag blower to the frame of the occupant support.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein said diffuser bag includes a side surface having perforations therein and an opposite non-perforated side, said non-perforated side being supported on the surface of the foam bun and said perforated side being releasably attachable to said heating element.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein said modular comfort assembly is mounted onto the surface of the foam bun by one of a pressure sensitive adhesive and hook-and-loop fastening means.