Seat having cushion height and recline adjustment mechanisms

• US 7,390,062 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2005
• Issued: 06/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seats, Inc. (Nordic Group of Cos. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Seats, Inc. (Nordic Group of Cos. Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hahn, Douglas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCPARTLIN, SARAH BURNHAM
• Application Number:
  US11/175,659
• Publication Number:
  US 20070007807A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,084 Days
• Field of Search: 297/362.13, 297/366, 297/344.13, 297/344.14, 297/344.16, 297/301.2
• US Class Current: 297/362.13
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/06 slidable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2209 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1615 Parallelogram-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1675 with weight compensating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1828 Slides only
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1896 Stepwise movement mechanisms, e.g. ratchets B60N2/1882 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/224 Stepwise movement mechanisms, e.g. ratchets
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2352 with external pawls
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/505 Adjustable suspension including height adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/507 Parallelogram-like structure

Abstract

A seat includes a base portion and an upright portion pivotable with respect to the base portion. The seat includes a reclining mechanism that includes first and second toothed members that are selectively engaged and disengaged to resist and permit, respectively, the angle of the upright portion with respect to the base portion. The first and second toothed members are engaged and disengaged through rotation of a cam mechanism. The seat also includes a bottom seat cushion height adjustment mechanism that permits raising and lowering of the bottom seat cushion with respect to a base portion of the frame. The bottom seat cushion height adjustment mechanism includes a slidable member that is slidable with respect to the base frame, and a plurality of cams that convert linear motion of the slidable member into vertical movement of the bottom seat cushion. A single biasing member biases the upright portion and bottom seat cushion toward their respective default positions in the absence of an overwhelming opposing force from an operator seated in the seat. The seat includes a seat belt assembly having all points mounted to the frame of the seat frame, and not to the vehicle in which the seat is installed. The biasing member is not a structural element of the seat, and all stress transferred to the seat through the seat belt assembly is borne by the seat frame and the first and second toothed members of the reclining mechanism.

Claims

1. A seat comprising:

a base portion including a rigid base frame and a seat bottom cushion supported by the base frame;

a generally upright portion extending up from and being pivotable with respect to the base portion and including a rigid back frame and a seat back cushion mounted to the back frame;

means for adjusting the height of the bottom cushion through a range of motion with respect to the base frame, the bottom cushion having a default height within the range of motion;

means for adjusting the angle of the upright portion of the seat through a range of motion with respect to the base portion of the seat, the upright portion having, within the range of motion, a default angle with respect to the base portion; and

a biasing member interconnected between the base portion and upright portion of the seat and actuable in one direction to bias the bottom cushion toward the default height and in a second direction to bias the upright portion of the seat toward the default angle;

wherein the biasing member includes a gas spring having one end affixed to the upright portion of the seat and the opposite end affixed to the means for adjusting the height of the bottom cushion;

wherein the gas spring is in one instance braced against the means for adjusting height and actuable in the first direction to cause pivotal movement of the upright portion to its default angle; and

wherein the gas spring is in another instance braced against the upright portion of the seat and actuable in a second direction to actuate the means for adjusting height to move the bottom seat cushion to its default height.

2. The seat of claim 1, further comprising:

a belt having opposite ends each interconnected to one of the upright and base portions of the seat;

a first buckle member interconnected with the belt; and

a second buckle member affixed to one of the upright and base portions of the seat;

wherein interconnecting the first and second buckle members causes portions of the belt to extend across the lap and chest of a person sitting in the seat.