Automotive seat with active back
First Claim
1. A vehicle seat for use by an occupant in a vehicle including a support structure, the vehicle seat comprising:
- a seat base coupled to the support structure of the vehicle;
a back frame including an upper transverse member, a first side member and a second side member, wherein the upper transverse member interconnects each of the side members at an upper end of the back frame, the back frame further includes a second transverse member coupled to the first and second side members a spaced distance from the first transverse member, wherein the first and second side members each have a lower end pivotally coupled to the seat base; and
a compliant back operably connected at an upper portion to the second transverse member and operably connected at a lower portion proximate the lower ends of the first and second side members,wherein the compliant back is coupled to the second transverse member by at least one pivot member such that the upper portion of the compliant back extends in a cantilevered fashion over the upper end of the back frame and a spaced distance from the back frame, wherein when the occupant in the seat leans into the upper portion of the compliant back, the upper portion can flex about the pivot until contacting the upper end of the back frame.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle seat for use by an occupant in a vehicle, for example an automobile. The vehicle seat comprises a seat base (12) coupled to a support structure (6) of the vehicle. A back frame (40) including side members (41, 43), the back frame further includes a second transverse member (46) coupled to the first and second side members, wherein the side members each have a lower end pivotably coupled to the seat base. A compliant back (60) is operably connected at an upper end to the second transverse member (46) and operably connected at a lower portion proximate the lower ends of the side members, and may include a biasing mechanism. The seat may also include a tuberosity pivot (54) coupled to the back frame (40) and the seat base (12), which pivot may be motorized.
119 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A vehicle seat for use by an occupant in a vehicle including a support structure, the vehicle seat comprising:
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a seat base coupled to the support structure of the vehicle; a back frame including an upper transverse member, a first side member and a second side member, wherein the upper transverse member interconnects each of the side members at an upper end of the back frame, the back frame further includes a second transverse member coupled to the first and second side members a spaced distance from the first transverse member, wherein the first and second side members each have a lower end pivotally coupled to the seat base; and a compliant back operably connected at an upper portion to the second transverse member and operably connected at a lower portion proximate the lower ends of the first and second side members, wherein the compliant back is coupled to the second transverse member by at least one pivot member such that the upper portion of the compliant back extends in a cantilevered fashion over the upper end of the back frame and a spaced distance from the back frame, wherein when the occupant in the seat leans into the upper portion of the compliant back, the upper portion can flex about the pivot until contacting the upper end of the back frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An automotive seat for use in an automobile having a support structure, the automotive seat comprising:
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a base coupled to the support structure of the automobile; a seat supported by the base; a back frame including an upper transverse member, a first side member and a second side member, wherein the upper transverse member interconnects each of the side members at an upper end of the back frame, the back frame further includes a second transverse member coupled to the first and second side members a spaced distance from the first transverse member, wherein the first and second side members each have a lower end pivotally coupled to the seat; and a compliant back operably connected at an upper portion to the second transverse member and operably connected at a lower portion proximate the lower ends of the first and second side members, wherein the compliant back is coupled to the second transverse member by at least one pivot member such that the upper portion of the compliant back extends in a cantilevered fashion over the upper end of the back frame and a spaced distance from the back frame, wherein when an occupant in the automotive seat leans into the upper portion of the compliant back, the upper portion can flex about the pivot until contacting the upper end of the back frame. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. An automotive seat in an automobile having a support structure comprising:
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a base coupled to the support structure of the automobile; a seat supported by the base; a back frame including an upper transverse member, a first side member and a second side member, wherein the upper transverse member interconnects each of the side members at an upper end of the back frame, the back frame further includes a second transverse member coupled to the first and second side members a spaced distance from the first transverse member, wherein the first and second side members each have a lower end pivotally coupled to the seat; and a compliant back operably connected at an upper portion to the second transverse member by at least one pivot member such that the upper portion of the compliant back extends in a cantilevered fashion over the upper end of the back frame and a spaced distance from the back frame and operably connected at a lower portion proximate the lower ends of the first and second side members, wherein when an occupant in the automotive seat leans into the upper portion of the compliant back, the upper portion can flex about the pivot until contacting the upper end of the back frame and upon flexure of the occupant'"'"'s spine and lower back, the compliant back is configured to flex sympathetically and follow flexure of the seated occupant'"'"'s back and spine. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification