Independent cushion extension and thigh support

• US 9,649,962 B2
• Filed: 06/23/2016
• Issued: 05/16/2017
• 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: Ferretti, Daniel, Line, Johnathan Andrew, Jaranson, John W., Harper, Kendrick Alden, Kolich, Michael, Compton, Grant A., Kondrad, Marc, Lovelace, Lorne Joseph, VanNieulande, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Brindley, Timothy J
• Application Number:
  US15/190,998
• Publication Number:
  US 20160304016A1
• Time in Patent Office: 327 Days
• 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 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 retracted positions.

Claims

1. A seating assembly comprising:

a seat frame supporting a pivot rod; and

first and second distinct leg supports pivotally coupled with the pivot rod, each leg support including;

a support base supporting a motor that linearly translates an extendable member forward and rearward; and

a rearward flange operably coupled to the support base, wherein the support base is rotatable about the pivot rod, and wherein the support base is biased to a raised position by an elastic member coupled with the rearward flange.

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

a seat base disposed over the motor of the first distinct leg support and the motor of the second distinct leg support.

3. The seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the extendable member includes a flex member disposed thereon.

4. The seating assembly of claim 3, wherein the flex member includes an open matrix of flex apertures and a rounded forward portion.

5. The seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the elastic member includes at least one tension spring that biases a body portion upwardly and the rearward flange downwardly.

6. The seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the motor is operably coupled with and configured to rotate a screw gear.

7. The seating assembly of claim 6, further comprising:

a slide block operably coupled with the extendable member and in engagement with the screw gear, the slide block configured to move linearly as the screw gear rotates.

8. A seating assembly comprising:

a seat frame supporting a pivot rod;

first and second distinct leg supports pivotally coupled with the pivot rod, each leg support including;

a support base rotatable about the pivot rod, the support base being biased to a raised position by an elastic member coupled with the support base; and

a motor disposed on the support base that linearly translates an extendable member forward and rearward over the support base.

9. The seating assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

a seat base disposed over the motor of the first distinct leg support and the motor of the second distinct leg support.

10. The seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the extendable member includes a flex member disposed thereon.

11. The seating assembly of claim 10, wherein the flex member includes an open matrix of flex apertures and a rounded forward portion.

12. The seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the elastic member includes at least one tension spring that biases a body portion upwardly and a flange downwardly.

13. The seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the motor is operably coupled with and configured to rotate a screw gear.

14. The seating assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

a slide block operably coupled with the extendable member and in engagement with the screw gear, the slide block configured to move linearly as the screw gear rotates.

15. A seating assembly comprising:

a seat frame supporting a pivot rod;

first and second distinct leg supports pivotally coupled with the pivot rod, each leg support including;

a support base rotatable about the pivot rod, the support base being biased to a raised position by an elastic member coupled with the support base; and

a motor disposed on the support base that linearly translates an extendable member having an open matrix of flex apertures.

16. The seating assembly of claim 15, further comprising:

a seat base disposed over the motor of the first distinct leg support and the motor of the second distinct leg support.

17. The seating assembly of claim 15, wherein the extendable member includes a flex member disposed thereon having an open matrix of flex apertures and a rounded forward portion.

18. The seating assembly of claim 15, wherein the elastic member includes at least one tension spring that biases a body portion upwardly and a flange downwardly.

19. The seating assembly of claim 15, wherein the motor is operably coupled with and configured to rotate a screw gear.

20. The seating assembly of claim 19, further comprising:

a slide block operably coupled with the extendable member and in engagement with the screw gear, the slide block configured to move linearly as the screw gear rotates.