Torsion bar upper seatback support assembly

• US 9,776,533 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2014
• Issued: 10/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2014
• 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, Marcos Silva, Casey, Carol Diane, Billardello, Nicholas Alphonse, Brinker, Rodney Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Islam, Syed A
• Application Number:
  US14/505,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20160096448A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,096 Days
• Field of Search: 29735411, 2972843, 29721613, 29721614
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/405 with double backrests
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/46 with special, e.g. adjustable , lumbar region support profile; "Ackerblom" profile chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/462 adjustable by mechanical means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0224 Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2222 the back-rest having two or more parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/224 Stepwise movement mechanisms, e.g. ratchets
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42709 involving residual deformation or fracture of the structure

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly including a lower seatback. An upper seatback is operably coupled to the lower seatback. The upper seatback is pivotally mounted to the lower seatback at a pivot axis. An arcuate back support bar is disposed in the upper seatback and is configured to rotate the upper seatback between forward and rearward positions. The arcuate support bar includes first and second generally linear members and an arcuate intermediate portion disposed between the first and second generally linear members. An articulation assembly operably couples the lower seatback with the upper seatback.

Claims

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a lower seatback;

an upper seatback operably coupled to the lower seatback, wherein the upper seatback is pivotally mounted to the lower seatback at a pivot axis;

an arcuate back support bar disposed in the upper seatback and configured to rotate the upper seatback between forward and rearward positions, the arcuate back support bar including first and second generally lateral linear members and an arcuate intermediate portion extending across the upper seatback between the first generally lateral linear member and the second generally lateral linear member;

a support basket operably coupled with the arcuate back support bar and defining upper and lower central recesses and having connecting features on a forward side thereof; and

an articulation assembly operably coupling the lower seatback with the upper seatback.

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

a support basket operably coupled to the arcuate intermediate portion.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 2, wherein the support basket is overmolded onto the arcuate intermediate portion.

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

brackets that extend forward relative to first and second generally lateral linear members, and wherein the upper seatback rotates about a forward portion of the brackets.

5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the articulation assembly is a manually adjustable device that is disposed between the lower seatback with the upper seatback and configured to temporarily lock the upper seatback at one of a plurality of angled positions relative to the lower seatback.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the articulation assembly is operably coupled with a motor that is disposed proximate the lower seatback.

7. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

an upper seatback pivotally mounted to a lower seatback;

a support bar having an arcuate portion extending across a central portion of the upper seatback and rotatable between forward and rearward positions;

a support basket operably coupled with the support bar and defining a lower arcuate recess;

flanges extending radially outward from the arcuate recess; and

an articulation assembly operably coupling the support bar with the lower seatback.

8. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the support basket is operably coupled to an arcuate intermediate portion.

9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

a seatback frame, wherein a cavity is defined between the upper seatback and the seatback frame.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the support basket is overmolded onto the arcuate intermediate portion.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

brackets that extend forward relative to first and second generally linear members, and wherein the upper seatback rotates about a forward portion of the brackets.

12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the articulation assembly is a manually adjustable device that is disposed between the lower seatback with the upper seatback and configured to temporarily lock the upper seatback at one of a plurality of angled positions relative to the lower seatback.

13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the articulation assembly is operably coupled with a motor that is disposed proximate the lower seatback.

14. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a lower seatback;

an upper seatback including a support basket defining upper and lower centrally located arcuate recesses;

a lockable manual articulation assembly coupling the lower seatback with the upper seatback and configured to temporarily lock the upper seatback at one of a plurality of angled positions relative to the lower seatback; and

an upper seatback support, wherein a peripheral gap is defined between the upper seatback and the upper seatback support.

15. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the upper seatback includes the support basket configured to support the back of a passenger.

16. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 15, wherein the support basket is overmolded onto an arcuate intermediate portion.

17. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, further comprising:

brackets that extend forward relative to first and second generally linear members, and wherein the upper seatback rotates about a forward portion of the brackets.

18. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the articulation assembly is a manually adjustable device that is disposed between the lower seatback and the upper seatback and configured to temporarily lock the upper seatback at one of a plurality of angled positions relative to the lower seatback.

19. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the articulation assembly is operably coupled with a motor that is disposed proximate the lower seatback.

20. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, further comprising:

a back support bar that has a generally U-shaped construction.