Independent thigh extension and support trim carrier

• US 9,707,877 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2015
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• 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: Soyka, Jr., Richard J., Line, Johnathan Andrew, Kondrad, Marcos Silva, Brinker, Rodney Charles, Gagnier, Todd
• Primary Examiner(s): Islam, Syed A
• Application Number:
  US14/600,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20160207433A1
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• Field of Search: 29728411, 297312, 2972849, 29745225
• 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 2/62 Thigh-rests B60N2/914 takes precedence

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 bolsters each include a top side, a forward side, a bottom side, an exterior side, and an interior side. A slide assembly is operably coupled to each of the first and second thigh bolsters. Each of the thigh bolsters are independently laterally translatable forward relative to the seat base. First and second flexible trim carriers are configured to wrap around the first and second independently moveable thigh bolsters, respectively. A spring assembly urges each thigh bolster to a fully forward lateral position. A pivot member operably couples each of the thigh bolsters to the seat base. Each of the thigh bolsters 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 bolsters, each of the thigh bolsters including a top side, a forward side, a bottom side, an exterior side, and an interior side;

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

first and second flexible trim carriers configured to wrap around the first and second independently moveable thigh bolsters, respectively;

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

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

2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second flexible trim carriers each include a corrugated body portion.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 2, wherein the first and second flexible trim carriers each include a rear engagement flange that is operably coupled with the top side of the first and second independently moveable thigh bolsters, respectively.

4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 2, wherein the first and second flexible trim carriers each include a peripheral trim attachment feature that secures a coverstock over the first and second flexible trim carriers.

5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second flexible trim carriers wrap around the first and second independently moveable thigh bolsters.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 5, wherein the first and second flexible trim carriers are in abutting contact with the top side, the forward side, and the bottom side of the first and second independently moveable thigh bolsters, respectively.

7. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat base;

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

a flexible corrugated trim carrier extending over each thigh bolster; and

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

8. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the flexible corrugated trim carrier includes a rear engagement flange that is operably coupled with the top side of the first and second independently moveable thigh bolsters, respectively.

9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the rear engagement flange includes a plurality of attachment features configured to secure the flexible corrugated trim carrier to the top side of at least one of the first and second independently moveable thigh bolsters.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the flexible corrugated trim carrier includes a peripheral trim attachment feature that secures a coverstock over the flexible corrugated trim carrier.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the flexible corrugated trim carrier defines a plurality of apertures configured to provide additional flexure to the flexible corrugated trim carrier.

12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the flexible corrugated trim carrier wraps around the first and second independently moveable thigh bolsters.

13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 10, wherein the flexible corrugated trim carrier is in abutting contact with the top side, the forward side, and the bottom side of the first and second independently moveable thigh bolsters, respectively.

14. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat base;

first and second thigh bolsters 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 bolster to pivot to a fully raised position; and

a flexible trim carrier including a plurality of equally spaced apertures extending over each thigh bolster.

15. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the flexible trim carrier includes a corrugated body portion defining a plurality of alternating ridges and grooves that extend in a direction that is transverse to the direction of translation of the first and second thigh bolsters.

16. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the flexible trim carrier includes a rear engagement flange having a plurality of attachment features configured to secure the flexible trim carrier to the top side of at least one of the first and second thigh bolsters.

17. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the flexible trim carrier includes a peripheral trim attachment feature that secures a coverstock over the flexible trim carrier.

18. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the flexible trim carrier wraps around the first and second thigh bolsters.

19. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the flexible trim carrier defines a plurality of apertures configured to provide additional flexure to the flexible trim carrier.

20. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the flexible trim carrier slides over a top side of the first and second thigh bolsters, respectively.