Seat suspension
First Claim
1. A seat support mechanism that is adapted to constrain motion of a bottom of a seat relative to a floor as the seat bottom moves up and down relative to the floor, where the seat has a seat back, and where the seat is constructed and arranged to support an occupant thereof above the floor, wherein the seat bottom has a front edge, and wherein the seat bottom supports the occupant'"'"'s thighs with the knees in front of the front edge of the seat bottom, the seat support mechanism comprising:
- mechanical structure that is constructed and arranged such that as the seat bottom is moved up and down, the seat bottom is caused to pivot about a virtual lateral horizontal pivot axis located in front of the front edge of the seat bottom, while the seat back remains at a relatively constant angle to the floor;
wherein the mechanical structure comprises;
a seat back support structure that mechanically supports the seat back;
a scissor mechanism mechanically coupled to the seat back support structure and the floor;
wherein the scissor mechanism comprises first and second structural members;
wherein the first structural member comprises a first end that is fixed in height relative to the floor and is arranged to pivot about a first pivot axis, and a second end that can move up and down relative to the floor and is pivotably coupled to the seat back support structure; and
wherein the second structural member comprises a first end, and a second end that can move up and down relative to the floor and is pivotably coupled to the seat back support structure; and
wherein the first and second structural members are pivotably coupled together at a location between their respective first and second ends; and
a seat bottom support member with a first end that supports the seat bottom and a second end that is coupled to the scissor mechanism.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A seat support mechanism that is adapted to constrain motion of a bottom of a seat relative to a floor as the seat bottom moves up and down relative to the floor, where the seat has a seat back, and where the seat is constructed and arranged to support an occupant thereof above the floor, wherein the seat bottom has a front edge, and wherein the seat bottom supports the occupant'"'"'s thighs with the knees in front of the front edge of the seat bottom. The seat support mechanism is constructed and arranged such that as the seat bottom is moved up and down, the seat support mechanism causes the seat bottom to pivot about a virtual lateral horizontal pivot axis located farther from the front edge of the seat bottom than the occupant'"'"'s knees. The seat support mechanism is further constructed and arranged such that the back of the seat remains at a relatively constant angle to the floor as the seat bottom moves up and down and pivots.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A seat support mechanism that is adapted to constrain motion of a bottom of a seat relative to a floor as the seat bottom moves up and down relative to the floor, where the seat has a seat back, and where the seat is constructed and arranged to support an occupant thereof above the floor, wherein the seat bottom has a front edge, and wherein the seat bottom supports the occupant'"'"'s thighs with the knees in front of the front edge of the seat bottom, the seat support mechanism comprising:
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mechanical structure that is constructed and arranged such that as the seat bottom is moved up and down, the seat bottom is caused to pivot about a virtual lateral horizontal pivot axis located in front of the front edge of the seat bottom, while the seat back remains at a relatively constant angle to the floor; wherein the mechanical structure comprises; a seat back support structure that mechanically supports the seat back; a scissor mechanism mechanically coupled to the seat back support structure and the floor;
wherein the scissor mechanism comprises first and second structural members;
wherein the first structural member comprises a first end that is fixed in height relative to the floor and is arranged to pivot about a first pivot axis, and a second end that can move up and down relative to the floor and is pivotably coupled to the seat back support structure; and
wherein the second structural member comprises a first end, and a second end that can move up and down relative to the floor and is pivotably coupled to the seat back support structure; and
wherein the first and second structural members are pivotably coupled together at a location between their respective first and second ends; anda seat bottom support member with a first end that supports the seat bottom and a second end that is coupled to the scissor mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A seat support mechanism that is adapted to constrain motion of a bottom of a seat relative to a floor as the seat bottom moves up and down relative to the floor, where the seat has a seat back, and where the seat is constructed and arranged to support an occupant thereof above the floor, wherein the seat bottom has a front edge, and wherein the seat bottom supports the occupant'"'"'s thighs with the knees in front of the front edge of the seat bottom, the seat support mechanism comprising:
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mechanical structure that is constructed and arranged such that as the seat bottom is moved up and down, the seat bottom is caused to pivot about a virtual lateral horizontal pivot axis located in front of the front edge of the seat bottom, while the seat back remains at a relatively constant angle to the floor; wherein the mechanical structure comprises; a seat back support structure that mechanically supports the seat back; a scissor mechanism mechanically coupled to the seat back support structure and the floor;
wherein the scissor mechanism comprises first and second structural members;
wherein the first structural member comprises a first end that is fixed in height relative to the floor and is arranged to pivot about a first pivot axis, and a second end that can move up and down relative to the floor and is indirectly connected to the seat back support structure by a link that is pivotably coupled to both the second end of the first structural member and the seat back support structure; and
wherein the second structural member comprises a first end, and a second end that can move up and down relative to the floor and is pivotably coupled to the seat back support structure; and
wherein the first and second structural members are pivotably coupled together at a location between their respective first and second ends; anda seat bottom support member with a first end that is coupled to the seat bottom at an adjustable angle, and a second end that is coupled to the scissor mechanism.
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17. A seat support mechanism that is adapted to, constrain motion of a bottom of a seat relative to a floor as the seat bottom moves up and down relative to the floor, where the seat has a seat back, and where the seat is constructed and arranged to support an occupant thereof above the floor, wherein the seat bottom has a front edge, and wherein the seat bottom supports the occupant'"'"'s thighs with the knees in front of the front edge of the seat bottom, the seat support mechanism comprising:
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mechanical structure that is constructed and arranged such that as the seat bottom is moved up and down, the seat bottom is caused to pivot about a virtual lateral horizontal pivot axis located in front of the front edge of the seat bottom, while the seat back remains at a relatively constant angle to the floor; wherein the mechanical structure comprises; a seat back support structure that mechanically supports the seat back; a scissor mechanism mechanically coupled to the seat back support structure and the floor;
wherein the scissor mechanism comprises first and second structural members;
wherein the first structural member comprises a first end that is fixed in height relative to the floor and is arranged to pivot about a first pivot axis, and a second end that can move up and down relative to the floor and is indirectly connected to the seat back support structure by a link that is pivotably coupled to both the second end of the first structural member and the seat back support structure; and
wherein the second structural member comprises a first end, and a second end that can move up and down relative to the floor and is pivotably coupled to the seat back support structure; and
wherein the first and second structural members are pivotably coupled together at a location between their respective first and second ends;a fixed support member that is coupled to the floor, and wherein the first end of the first structural member of the scissor mechanism is pivotably coupled to the fixed support member; a link that is pivotably coupled to both the fixed support member and the first end of the second structural member of the scissor mechanism; and a seat bottom support member with a first end that is pivotably coupled to the seat bottom at an adjustable angle, and a second end that is pivotably coupled to the scissor mechanism.
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Specification