Multilayer seat
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle having a lower seating structure and a raised seatback support, wherein one of either the lower seating structure or the raised seatback support consists of a multilayer assembly comprising:
- a flexible static layer;
a flexible dynamic layer having an adjustable firmness comprising an inflatable bladder;
a suspension layer disposed beneath and juxtaposed with the flexible dynamic layer, the suspension layer comprising a frame having a first end and an opposed second end, a single uniform continuous flexible panel having a first end and an opposed second end, a first set of tunable springs disposed between the first end of the frame and the first end of the continuous flexible panel, a second set of tunable springs disposed between the second end of the single uniform continuous flexible panel and a spring attachment member operably coupled with the second end of the frame, and a rotatable sleeve operably coupled with the spring attachment member, wherein the single uniform continuous flexible panel is supported between the first set of tunable springs and the second set of the tunable springs and tension applied to the single uniform continuous flexible panel and the first set and second set of tunable springs is adjusted by rotation of the rotatable sleeve; and
a frame supported carrier within which the suspension layer is cradled.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vehicle seat includes a lower seating structure and a raised seatback support, wherein one of either the lower seating structure or raised seatback support consists of a multilayer assembly. The multilayer assembly includes a flexible static layer, a flexible dynamic layer having an adjustable firmness, a suspension layer formed from tunable springs which support a flexible panel, and a frame supported carrier including a protective recess within which the suspension layer is cradled.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle having a lower seating structure and a raised seatback support, wherein one of either the lower seating structure or the raised seatback support consists of a multilayer assembly comprising:
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a flexible static layer; a flexible dynamic layer having an adjustable firmness comprising an inflatable bladder; a suspension layer disposed beneath and juxtaposed with the flexible dynamic layer, the suspension layer comprising a frame having a first end and an opposed second end, a single uniform continuous flexible panel having a first end and an opposed second end, a first set of tunable springs disposed between the first end of the frame and the first end of the continuous flexible panel, a second set of tunable springs disposed between the second end of the single uniform continuous flexible panel and a spring attachment member operably coupled with the second end of the frame, and a rotatable sleeve operably coupled with the spring attachment member, wherein the single uniform continuous flexible panel is supported between the first set of tunable springs and the second set of the tunable springs and tension applied to the single uniform continuous flexible panel and the first set and second set of tunable springs is adjusted by rotation of the rotatable sleeve; and a frame supported carrier within which the suspension layer is cradled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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- 10. A vehicle seating assembly comprising a multilayer assembly further comprising a suspension layer having tunable springs, a single uniform continuous flexible panel supported by the tunable springs of the suspension layer, an inflatable bladder disposed above and juxtaposed with the single uniform continuous flexible panel, a thin foam layer disposed above and juxtaposed with the inflatable bladder, and a frame supported carrier within which the suspension layer is cradled, wherein the suspension layer comprises a frame having a first end and an opposed second end, the single uniform continuous flexible panel having a first end and an opposed second end, a first set of tunable springs disposed between the first end of the frame and the first end of the single uniform continuous flexible panel, a second set of tunable springs disposed between the second end of the single uniform continuous flexible panel and a spring attachment member operably coupled with the second end of the frame, and a rotatable sleeve operably coupled with the spring attachment member and wherein the single uniform continuous flexible panel is supported between the first set of tunable springs and the second set of the tunable springs and tension applied to the continuous flexible panel and the first set and second set of tunable springs is adjusted by rotation of the rotatable sleeve.
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18. A method of assembling a vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle having a lower seating structure and a raised seatback support, wherein one of either the lower seating structure or the raised seatback support consists of a multilayer assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
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attaching a flexible static layer over a flexible dynamic layer comprising an inflatable bladder having an adjustable firmness; attaching a suspension layer formed from tunable springs which support a single uniform continuous flexible panel to the flexible dynamic layer, wherein the suspension layer comprises a frame having a first end and an opposed second end, the single uniform continuous flexible panel having a first end and an opposed second end, a first set of tunable springs disposed between the first end of the frame and the first end of the single uniform continuous flexible panel, and a second set of tunable springs disposed between the second end of the single uniform continuous flexible panel and a spring attachment member operably coupled with the second end of the frame, and a rotatable sleeve operably coupled with the spring attachment member, and wherein the the single uniform continuous flexible panel is supported between the first set of tunable springs and the second set of the tunable springs and rotating the rotatable sleeve to adjust tension applied to the single uniform continuous flexible panel and the first set and second set of tunable springs; attaching an interior trim panel to a seat frame; and attaching the seat frame to the suspension layer such that the suspension layer is cradled within a protective recess of the seat frame to create a cradling effect for a user occupying the vehicle seating assembly. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification