Tuned flexible support member and flexible suspension features for comfort carriers

• US 9,789,790 B2
• Filed: 10/03/2014
• Issued: 10/17/2017
• 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: Kondrad, Marcos Silva, Berry, S. M. Akbar, Soyka, Jr., Richard Joseph, Line, Johnathan Andrew, Billardello, Nicholas Alphonse
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, David R
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARRISON, ALEXANDER SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US14/505,683
• Publication Number:
  US 20160096450A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: 29745215, 29745214, 29745111, 29745263, 29745256, 29745252, 29745253, 29745254, 297291
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/20 the back-rest being tiltable, e.g. to permit easy access B60N2/04, B60N2/22 , B60N2/3002 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2222 the back-rest having two or more parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/682 Joining means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7094 Upholstery springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/72 Attachment or adjustment thereof

Abstract

A vehicle seat support carrier includes an upper seatback panel having a flexible body portion. A first set of flexible suspension members undulate in a first direction. A second set of flexible suspension members undulate in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction. A lower seatback panel is operably coupled to the upper seatback panel. The lower seatback panel includes a border member defining a central aperture and first and second bolster supports. A central portion of each of the first and second bolster supports includes a plurality of flexible suspension members.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat support carrier comprising:

an upper seatback panel including a flexible body portion and a lower cross-member comprising;

a first set of flexible suspension members extending from the lower cross-member and undulating in a first direction; and

a second set of flexible suspension members disposed in the lower cross-member and undulating in a second direction generally perpendicular to the first direction; and

a lower seatback panel operably coupled to the upper seatback panel, the lower seatback panel comprising;

a border member defining a central aperture; and

first and second bolster supports, wherein a central portion of each of the first and second bolster supports includes an undulating flexible suspension member.

2. The vehicle seat support carrier of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of quick connect features disposed on both the upper seatback panel and the lower seatback panel.

3. The vehicle seat support carrier of claim 1, further comprising:

a third set of flexible suspension members proximate the second set of flexible suspension members.

4. The vehicle seat support carrier of claim 3, wherein the third set of flexible suspension members undulate in the second direction.

5. The vehicle seat support carrier of claim 1, wherein the upper seatback panel and the lower seatback panel are separated by a plurality of bendable connecting arches.

6. The vehicle seat support carrier of claim 5, further comprising:

a retaining clip disposed in each of the bendable connecting arches.

7. The vehicle seat support carrier of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of retaining clips extending around the first set of flexible suspension members.

8. A vehicle seat support carrier comprising:

an upper seatback panel including a first set of flexible suspension members undulating in a first direction from a cross-member and a second set of flexible suspension members undulating in a second direction in the cross-member; and

a lower seatback panel proximate the upper seatback panel and having first and second bolster supports, wherein the first and second bolster supports include undulating flexible suspension members.

9. The vehicle seat support carrier of claim 8, wherein the lower seatback panel includes a border member defining a central aperture.

10. The vehicle seat support carrier of claim 8, further comprising:

a plurality of quick connect features disposed on both the upper seatback panel and the lower seatback panel.

11. The vehicle seat support carrier of claim 8, further comprising:

a third set of flexible suspension members proximate the second set of flexible suspension members.

12. The vehicle seat support carrier of claim 11, wherein the third set of flexible suspension members undulate in the same direction as the second set of flexible members.

13. The vehicle seat support carrier of claim 8, wherein the upper seatback panel and the lower seatback panel are separated by a plurality of bendable connecting arches.

14. The vehicle seat support carrier of claim 13, further comprising:

a retaining clip disposed in each of the bendable connecting arches.

15. The vehicle seat support carrier of claim 8, further comprising:

a plurality of retaining clips extending around the first set of flexible suspension members.

16. The vehicle seat support carrier of claim 8, further comprising:

solid bolster supports disposed on the upper seatback panel.

17. A vehicle seat support carrier comprising:

an upper seatback panel including a first set of suspension members defining first undulations extending in a first direction and a second set of suspension members defining second undulations extending in a second direction normal to the first direction; and

a lower seatback panel proximate the upper seatback panel and having first and second bolster supports, each including a plurality of undulating polymeric suspension members.

18. The vehicle seat support carrier of claim 17, wherein the upper seatback panel and the lower seatback panel are separated by a plurality of bendable connecting arches.

19. The vehicle seat support carrier of claim 17, wherein the lower seatback panel includes a border member defining a central aperture.

20. The vehicle seat support carrier of claim 17, further comprising:

a plurality of quick connect features disposed on both the upper seatback panel and the lower seatback panel.