Manual independent thigh extensions

• US 9,365,142 B1
• Filed: 01/20/2015
• Issued: 06/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Hosbach, Christian J., Iacoban, Paul, Line, Johnathan Andrew, Nichols, Brandon W., Sidhu, Mandeep Singh
• Primary Examiner(s): White, Rodney B
• Application Number:
  US14/600,166
• Time in Patent Office: 511 Days
• Field of Search: 297/284.9, 297/284.11, 297/452.25
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0284 Adjustable seat-cushion length B60N2/0224 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/62 Thigh-rests B60N2/914 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/0288 Adjustable seat width

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base. A seatback is operably coupled to a rear of the seat base. First and second independently moveable thigh supports include a top side, a bottom side, an exterior side, and an interior side. A slide assembly is operably coupled to each of the thigh supports. Each of the thigh supports are independently laterally translatable forward relative to the seat base. A button assembly operably secures each of the thigh supports at any of a multitude of lateral positions. The button assembly is disposed on the exterior side of each thigh support. A spring assembly urges each thigh support to a fully forward lateral position. A pivot member operably couples each of the thigh supports to the seat base. Each of the thigh supports are rotatable relative to the seat base.

Claims

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat base;

a seatback operably coupled to a rear of the seat base;

first and second independently moveable thigh supports, each of the thigh supports including a top side, a bottom side, an exterior side, and an interior side;

a slide assembly operably coupled to each of the thigh supports, wherein each of the thigh supports are independently translatable forward relative to the seat base;

a button assembly operable to secure the thigh supports at any of a multitude of positions, the button assembly being disposed on the exterior side of each thigh support;

a spring assembly that urges each thigh support to a fully forward position; and

a pivot member operably coupling each of the thigh supports to the seat base, wherein each of the thigh supports are rotatable relative to the seat base.

2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the button assembly includes a lever that is spring-biased to engage a stop aperture.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 2, wherein the lever is disposed below and is integral with the slide assembly.

4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 2, wherein the stop aperture and an engagement end of the lever are disposed rearward of the button assembly.

5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the spring assembly includes a tension spring that couples a rear portion of at least one of the first and second independently moveable thigh supports with the slide assembly.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second independently moveable thigh supports includes a tension spring that couples a rear portion of one of the first and second independently moveable thigh supports with the slide assembly.

7. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat base;

first and second independently moveable thigh supports coupled to a forward portion of the seat base, each thigh support being rotatable relative to the seat base and translatable forward relative to the seat base;

a spring assembly that urges each thigh support to a fully forward position; and

a button assembly operable to secure the thigh supports at any of a multitude of positions.

8. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the button assembly includes a lever that is spring-biased to engage a stop aperture defined in a slide assembly.

9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the stop aperture and an engagement end of the lever are disposed rearward of the button assembly.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the first and second independently moveable thigh supports are spring-biased to a raised position.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the spring assembly includes a tension spring that couples a rear portion of at least one of the first and second independently moveable thigh supports with the slide assembly.

12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein each of the first and second independently moveable thigh supports includes a tension spring that couples a rear portion of one of the first and second independently moveable thigh supports with the slide assembly.

13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein each of the first and second independently moveable thigh supports includes a leg extension trim carrier.

14. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat base;

first and second thigh supports that are independently translatable forward relative to the seat base and upwardly pivotal relative to the seat base;

a spring assembly that urges each thigh support to pivot to a fully raised position; and

a button assembly operable to secure each thigh support at any of a multitude of forward positions.

15. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the button assembly includes a lever that is spring-biased to engage a stop aperture defined in a slide assembly.

16. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 15, wherein the stop aperture and an engagement end of the lever are disposed rearward of the button assembly.

17. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the first and second thigh supports are spring-biased to a raised position.

18. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the spring assembly includes a tension spring that couples a rear portion of at least one of the first and second thigh supports with the slide assembly.

19. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein each of the first and second thigh supports includes a tension spring that couples a rear portion of one of the first and second thigh supports with the slide assembly.

20. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein each of the first and second thigh supports includes a leg extension trim carrier.