Shock absorbing platform with dampening means

• US 7,413,158 B1
• Filed: 11/08/2004
• Issued: 08/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Peter J. Burer
• Original Assignee: Peter J. Burer
• Inventors: Burer, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): WUJCIAK, ALFRED J
• Application Number:
  US10/904,395
• Time in Patent Office: 1,380 Days
• Field of Search: 248/421, 248/424, 248/419, 248/564, 248/565, 248/566, 248/584, 248/585, 248/588, 267/131, 267/133, 267/142, 267/143, 267/182, 108/145, 108/136, 297/344.15, 297/329, 297/340
• US Class Current: 248/564
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42736 of the whole seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/508 Scissors-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/525 using gas
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/546 Leaf- or flexion springs
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 15/022 using dampers and springs in combination

Abstract

A shock-absorbing platform includes a bottom plate and a top plate joined to one another along at least two sides by elongate rigid links that enable the plates to remain in parallel relation to one another as the plates are displaced responsive to externally-imparted forces. An air spring resists relative vertical motion between the bottom and top plates as external forces are applied to the platform. A shock-absorbing damper damps the natural oscillation of the air spring. The resistance presented by the air spring is adjustable through an inlet and outlet port in fluid communication with a remote source of air under pressure. In a second embodiment, a seat bottom includes arched leaf springs that supplant the air spring to increase the range of relative movement between the top and bottom plates and to lower the profile of the seat bottom.

Claims

1. A seat bottom that absorbs shocks, said seat bottom adapted to be mounted in a vehicle that subjects its occupants to severe shocks, comprising:

a bottom plate having a predetermined geometric configuration;

a top plate having a predetermined geometric configuration, said top plate disposed in vertically spaced, parallel relation to said bottom plate;

at least two pairs of elongate rigid links positioned on any two preselected sides of in interconnecting relation to said bottom and top plates;

each pair of elongate rigid links being disposed in a scissors configuration so that said bottom plate and top plate remain in said parallel relation to one another when said vertical distance between said bottom and top plates is abruptly changed by application of an external force to said platform;

a bias member positioned in sandwiched relation between said top plate and said bottom plate;

said bias member having sufficient bias to return said top plate and said bottom plate to a position of equilibrium after said external force has been applied to said seat bottom;

a damper member disposed in sandwiched relation between said top plate and said bottom plate, said damper member being effective to damp oscillation of said bias member;

said bias member including at least one arched leaf spring;

said at least one arched leaf spring having opposite ends secured to said top plate and said at least one arched leaf spring being connected at its mid-point to said bottom plate;

said damper member having a first end secured to said top plate and a second end secured to said bottom plate;

said damper member being substantially horizontally disposed when said top plate and bottom plate are in a fully compressed configuration so that said damper member does not interfere with said top and bottom plate when said top and bottom plates are in said fully compressed configuration.

2. The seat bottom of claim 1, further comprising:

a leg roll formed in said top plate;

said leg roll including a hump that accommodates said damper means.