Flexible seatback system

• US 9,415,713 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2015
• Issued: 08/16/2016
• 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, Ferretti, Daniel, VanNieulande, Kevin, Kondrad, Marc Silva, Jaranson, John W., Harper, Kendrick Alden, Compton, Grant A.
• Primary Examiner(s): ING, MATTHEW W
• Application Number:
  US14/609,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20150145303A1
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 297/284.1, 297/284.3, 297/284.9, 297/452.34, 297/452.36
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02 the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable adjustable arm-rests B60N2/75; adjustable head-rests B60N2/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/028 Elastically mounted back-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2222 the back-rest having two or more parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/503 attached to the backrest B60N2/504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5825 by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/643 shape of the back-rests B60N2/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/68 Seat frames
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/686 Panel like structures
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/70 Upholstery springs ; Upholstery
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7005 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/986 Side-rests B60N2/2872, B60N2/885 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2205/30 Seat or seat parts characterised by comprising plural parts or pieces

Abstract

A vehicle seat suspension system includes first and second side supports that define a seatback frame. A front trim piece is coupled between the first and second side supports. A suspension component is coupled with a central area of the front trim piece and has flexible members protruding forward and outward therefrom. A passenger support panel has a periphery coupled to distal ends of the flexible members and suspended away from the seatback frame.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat suspension system, comprising:

a seatback frame;

a front trim piece coupled with the seatback frame and having an exposed peripheral edge;

a suspension component positioned vehicle forward of the front trim piece and having elongate flexible members protruding outwardly therefrom; and

a passenger support having a periphery coupled to distal ends of the elongate flexible members and suspended away from the seatback frame.

2. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1, wherein lateral portions of the passenger support are independently compliant rearward upon deflection of the suspension component.

3. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1, wherein the suspension component is integrally formed with the front trim piece.

4. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1, further comprising:

a pair of bolster members coupled with lower lateral sections of the front trim piece and extending forward to couple with a lower segment of the passenger support.

5. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 4, wherein the passenger support includes a unitary piece extending vertically between the suspension component and the pair of bolster members for supporting an upper and lower back of an occupant, respectively.

6. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1, wherein lower ends of first and second side supports pivotally couple with a recliner bracket for pivoting the seatback frame.

7. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1, wherein the passenger support is snap-fit to the distal ends of the elongate flexible members and includes a cover stock defining a back support surface.

8. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1, further comprising:

an external peripheral gap defined between the passenger support and the seatback frame.

9. A vehicle seating assembly, comprising:

a seatback frame;

a trim piece with an exposed peripheral edge and operably coupled with the seatback frame;

an upper-back suspension component coupled with the trim piece and having elongate flexible members protruding therefrom; and

a passenger support having lateral portions coupled to the flexible members and spaced from the seatback frame for resiliently moving rearward upon deflection of the suspension component.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, wherein a periphery of the passenger support is attached to distal ends of the elongate flexible members and is suspended away from front edges of side supports by the suspension component.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, wherein the suspension component is fixedly attached to the front trim piece, and wherein the passenger support includes a cover stock defining a back support surface.

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

a lower-back suspension component having a pair of bolster members coupled with lower sections of the side supports and extending forward to couple with the passenger support.

13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, wherein lower ends of the side supports are pivotally coupled to a seat.

14. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, wherein the upper-back suspension component includes a central body coupled with the trim piece and first and second flexible members protruding from opposing lateral sides of the central body.

15. A seat suspension system, comprising:

an exposed trim piece coupled between side supports of a seatback frame;

a suspension component coupled with the exposed trim piece and having elongate flexible members protruding forward and outward therefrom; and

a passenger support having a periphery coupled to distal ends of the elongate flexible members, and flexible rearward upon resilient deflection of the suspension component, a rear of the passenger support being partially exposed.

16. The seat suspension system of claim 15, wherein lateral portions of the passenger support are independently compliant rearward under the weight of an occupant.

17. The seat suspension system of claim 15, wherein the suspension component is integrally formed with the exposed trim piece.

18. The seat suspension system of claim 15, further comprising:

a pair of bolster members coupled with lower lateral sections of the exposed trim piece and extending forward to couple with a lower segment of the passenger support.

19. The seat suspension system of claim 18, wherein the passenger support includes a unitary panel extending vertically between the suspension component and the pair of bolster members for supporting an upper and lower back of an occupant, respectively.

20. The seat suspension system of claim 15, wherein the passenger support includes a panel that is snap-fit to the distal ends of the elongate flexible members and includes a cover stock defining a back support surface.