Independent cushion extension and thigh support

• US 9,399,418 B2
• Filed: 01/24/2013
• Issued: 07/26/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Line, Johnathan Andrew, Kondrad, Marc, Jaranson, John W., Harper, Kendrick Alden, Ferretti, Daniel, Kolich, Michael, Lovelace, Lorne Joseph, VanNieulande, Kevin, Compton, Grant A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, David R
• Assistant Examiner(s): GIACOMAN, YOLANDA G.
• Application Number:
  US13/748,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20140203617A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,279 Days
• Field of Search: 297/284.11, 297/284.3, 297/423.36
• 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 2/929 linear
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/933 rotatable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/995 Lower-leg-rests, e.g. calf-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/924 using electric or hydraulic energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2205/30 Seat or seat parts characterised by comprising plural parts or pieces
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2205/35 Seat, bench or back-rests being split laterally in two or more parts

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame. A first leg support is pivotally coupled with a forward portion of the seat frame. The first leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A first extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the first leg support and is operable between extended and retracted positions. A second leg support is adjacent to and independent of the first leg support and is pivotally coupled with the forward portion of the seat frame. The second leg support is operable between raised and lowered positions. A second extendable member is disposed on a top portion of the second leg support and is operable between extended and refracted positions.

Claims

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat frame;

a first support base pivotal about a forward portion of the seat frame and including a first portion of a forward seating surface, the first support base being operable between raised and lowered positions;

a first extendable member disposed on a top portion of the first support base;

a first motor disposed on the first support base and operable to move the first extendable member between extended and retracted positions;

a second support base adjacent to and independent of the first support base and pivotal about the forward portion of the seat frame and including a second portion of the forward seating surface, the second support base being operable between raised and lowered positions;

a second extendable member disposed on a top portion of the second support base and operable between extended and retracted positions;

a second motor disposed on the second support base and operable to move the second extendable member between extended and retracted positions.

2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a first leg support operably coupled to the first support base by a first slide assembly, and a second leg support operably coupled to the second support base by a second slide assembly.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a pivot rod that pivotally couples each of the first and second support bases to the seat frame.

4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 3, wherein the first and second motors include screw gears operably coupled with the first and second extended members, respectively, which translate the first and second extendable members between the extended and retracted positions.

5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second support bases are spring-biased to the raised position.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first support base includes a rearwardly extending flange coupled with a tension spring that biases the first support base to the raised position.

7. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second extendable members include a support body and a flex member disposed over the support body.

8. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a seat base disposed behind the first and second support bases.

9. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat frame;

first and second support bases pivotal about a forward portion of the seat frame and including first and second extendable members, respectively, each extendable member having a flex member supporting a cushion thereon; and

first and second motors disposed on the first and second support bases, respectively, the first and second motors coupled with and configured to extend and retract the first and second extendable members.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

a first slide assembly that couples a first leg support to the first support base and a second slide assembly that couples a second leg support to the second support base.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

a pivot rod extending behind the first and second support bases, the pivot rod pivotally coupling each of the first and second support bases to the seat frame.

12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

a seat base disposed behind the first and second support bases.

13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, wherein the first and second support bases are spring-biased to the raised position.

14. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second support bases includes a rearwardly extending flange coupled with a tension spring that biases the first and second support bases to the raised position.