Structure for anatomical support with frame and convex cushioned plate for back, headrest and seat, for seating in general, especially seats in motor vehicles, with manual and motor-driven adaption of cushioned plate covexity and position

• US 7,270,374 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2003
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Resal S.r.l.
• Original Assignee: Resal S.r.l.
• Inventors: Moriggi, Attilio Luigi
• Primary Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US10/542,826
• Publication Number:
  US 20060131938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,629 Days
• Field of Search: 297/284.4, 297/284.7
• US Class Current: 297/284.4
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0228 Hand-activated mechanical switches B60N2/0229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/666 vertically adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/667 having flexible support member bowed by applied forces
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/6671 with cable actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/865 providing a fore-and-aft movement with respect to the occupant's head

Abstract

Structure for anatomical support for the back, headrest and seat components of chairs in general and especially seats in motor vehicles comprising a frame, a convex cushioned plate fitted with sliding means in relation to the frame and pull-push cables, the first end of which is fixed to one or other end of the cushioned plate, freely sliding inside a sheath whose first end is fixed, on the frame, to one or other of the ends of the cushioned plate, while the second end of said push-pull cable and of said sheath is fixed to control devices for adjusting the position of the cushioned plate if the first end of the sheath is fixed to the frame, or for adjusting convexity of the cushioned plate if the first end of the sheath is fixed to said plate.

Claims

1. A structure for anatomical support in a back, headrest and seat components of seating, comprising a frame;

a convex cushioned plate provided with means that slide in relation to said frame;

a push-pull cable having first and second ends with said first end fixed to an end of said cushion plate;

a sheath in which said cable freely slides and which has first and second ends with said first end of said sheath fixed to said frame and to one end of said cushioned plate;

a control device to which said second end of said push-pull cable and of said sheath is fixed, said control device being configured to determine, by moving said push-pull cable in one direction and in another direction, adjustment of a position of said cushioned plate of said frame, or adjustment of convexity of said cushion plate if said first end of said sheath is fixed to said plate, wherein the movement of said push-pull cable in both directions inside said sheath is obtained by a cylindrical slider sliding in a tubular body which is rotatable by said control device to cause the movement of said push-pull cable in said directions.

2. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said ends of said sheath are respectively fixed to said cushioned plate, to said frame and to said control device by an anchoring device comprising the tubular body with a partial elastic end into which the end of said sheath is pressed and a safety ring transferable to an area of said tubular body into which said end of said sheath is pressed to hold it stable.

7. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said control device has two control units provided at sides of said back, said headrest and said seat for respectively adjusting a position or convexity of said cushioned plate in each of said back, said headrest and said sheath.

8. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said first end of said sheath is fixed to one end of said frame while said first end of said pull-push cable is fixed to one end of said cushioned plate, so that using said control device to which said second ends of said push-pull cable and of said sheath are fixed, said push-pull cable translates in relation to said sheath and a position of said cushioned plate is adjustable in relation to said frame.

10. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said first end of said sheath is fixed to said frame by;

while said first end of said push-pull cable is fixed to a free end of said cushioned plate, so that convexity of said cushioned plate is adjustable when said control device, to which said second ends of said push-pull cable and of said sheath are fixed, causes translation of said push-pull cable in relation to said sheath.

12. A structure as defined in claim 1, further comprising helical springs which join said frame to a fixed structure of the seat.

13. A structure as defined in claim 1, wherein said back and said seat each have a fixed structure including a metal band placed crosswise and shaped so as to substantially embrace a perimeter of said back and said seat.

3. A structure for anatomical support in a back, headrest and seat components of seating, comprising a frame;

a convex cushioned plate provided with means that slide in relation to said frame;

a push-pull cable having first and second ends with said first end fixed to an end of said cushion plate;

a sheath in which said cable freely slides and which has first and second ends with said first end of said sheath fixed to said frame and to one end of said cushioned plate;

a control device to which said second end of said push-pull cable and of said sheath is fixed, said control device being configured to determine, by moving said push-pull cable in one direction and in another direction, adjustment of a position of said cushioned plate of said frame, or adjustment of convexity of said cushion plate if said first end of said sheath is fixed to said plate, wherein a movement of said push-pull cable in both directions inside said sheath is obtained by a cylindrical slider having two diametral arms and a means for anchoring the end of said push-pull cable freely sliding within a tubular body having two longitudinal slits in which said diametral arms are freely slidable, said tubular body being fitted inside a sleeve with internal helical grooves of a size sufficient to allow ends of said diametral arms emerging from said sleeves to slide freely, with a device for anchoring said sheath in a bottom of a grooved sleeve, wherein the end of said push-pull cable emerging from said sheath is fixed to said slider, on causing said tubular body to rotate by said control device, wherein said slider with said arms is guided by said longitudinal slits in said tubular body and said helical grooves in said sleeve and translates in rotation to said sheath in one direction or another direction according to a direction of rotation of said tubular body, so as to adjust a position or convexity of said cushioned plate in relation to said frame.

4. A structure as defined in claim 3, wherein on concluding rotation of said tubular body, the ends of said slider arms enter said helical grooves at two ends of said longitudinal sleeve, so that stabilizing adjustment of the position or convexity of said cushioned plate is determined by the rotation of said tubular body.

5. A structure as defined in claim 3, wherein control device has a knob configured so that the rotation of said tubular body is carried out manually by said knob.

6. A structure as defined in claim 3, wherein said control device has an electric ratiomotor connected to a switch respectively on a side of said back, said headrest and said sheath to provide the rotation of said tubular body.

9. A structure for anatomical support in a back, headrest and seat components of seating, comprising a frame;

a convex cushioned plate provided with means that slide in relation to said frame;

a push-pull cable having first and second ends with said first end fixed to an end of said cushion plate;

a sheath in which said cable freely slides and which has first and second ends with said first end of said sheath fixed to said frame and to one end of said cushioned plate;

a control device to which said second end of said push-pull cable and of said sheath is fixed, said control device being configured to determine, by moving said push-pull cable in one direction and in another direction, adjustment of a position of said cushioned plate of said frame, or adjustment of convexity of said cushion plate if said first end of said sheath is fixed to said plate, wherein said frame and said cushion plate are formed of one piece with one another via a hinge formed of a same material but thinner to allow said cushioned plate to be folded back on said frame, and wherein at an end of said frame opposite to said hinge two lateral slots are provided in which short rods at a free end of said cushioned plate are inserted and freely slide.

11. A structure for anatomical support in a back, headrest and seat components of seating, comprising a frame;

a convex cushioned plate provided with means that slide in relation to said frame;

a push-pull cable having first and second ends with said first end fixed to an end of said cushion plate;

a sheath in which said cable freely slides and which has first and second ends with said first end of said sheath fixed to said frame and to one end of said cushioned plate, a control device to which said second end of said push-pull cable and of said sheath is fixed, said control device being configured to determine, by moving said push-pull cable in one direction and in another direction, adjustment of a position of said cushioned plate of said frame, or adjustment of convexity of said cushion plate if said first end of said sheath is fixed to said plate, wherein a device for multiple manual control is provided and comprises insertion around a grooved sleeve that supports a knob, of a rotating sleeve to which is fixed a triangular lever, a vertex of which projects suitably outwards from said knob, on which end is a finger knob, being fixed to a longitudinal bracket, fixed to said grooved sleeve, a device for anchoring a sheath, a second longitudinal bracket provided on a rotating sleeve and to which is fixed a head of one end of said push-pull cable sliding inside said sheath, rotation of said knob thus causing movements in both directions of said push-pull cable inside a sheath inserted in said anchoring device mounted on a tubular body at an end of said grooved sleeve, and by using said finger knob to move said triangular lever, determine movement in both directions of said push-pull cable sliding inside said sheath inserted in said anchoring device fixed to said bracket on said grooved sleeve, so that with said multiple manual control a position of said cushioned plate is adjustable in relation to said frame by using said finger knob, and its convexity is adjustable by using said knob.

14. A structure for anatomical support in a back, headrest and seat components of seating, comprising a frame;

a convex cushioned plate provided with means that slide in relation to said frame;

a push-pull cable having first and second ends with said first end fixed to an end of said cushion plate;

a sheath in which said cable freely slides and which has first and second ends with said first end of said sheath fixed to said frame and to one end of said cushioned plate;

a control device to which said second end of said push-pull cable and of said sheath is fixed, said control device being configured to determine, by moving said push-pull cable in one direction and in another direction, adjustment of a position of said cushioned plate of said frame, or adjustment of convexity of said cushion plate if said first end of said sheath is fixed to said plate, wherein said control device has an electric ratiomotor for an electric motor and connected to a switch respectively on a side of said back, said headrest and said sheath to provide rotation of said tubular body, wherein said ratiomotor for said electric motor is epicycloidal.