Independent cushion thigh support

• US 9,994,135 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2016
• Issued: 06/12/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2016
• 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, Ferretti, Daniel, Jaranson, John Wayne, Kolich, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US15/085,696
• Publication Number:
  US 20170282768A1
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 29728411, 29745225
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/22 the back-rest being adjustable B60N2/2878 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/62 Thigh-rests B60N2/914 takes precedence

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly includes a base seat defining a seating surface configured to position an H-point of an occupant at a predetermined location. The base seat includes first and second sides. First and second seat bolsters are disposed at the first and second sides, respectively, of the base seat. First and second thigh supports are disposed forward of the base seat. The first and second thigh supports define a cushion split. A transverse seam extends across a forward edge of the base seat. The transverse seam is forward of the H-point a predetermined distance. The first and second thigh supports are pivotable about an axis disposed at the predetermined distance forward of the H-point.

Claims

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a base seat defining a seating surface configured to position an H-point of an occupant at a predetermined location, the base seat including first and second sides;

first and second seat bolsters disposed at the first and second sides, respectively, of the base seat;

a transverse seam extending across a forward edge of the base seat; and

first and second independently adjustable thigh supports disposed forward of the base seat, the first and second independently adjustable thigh supports defining a cushion split of the transverse seam, wherein the distance from the H-point to the cushion split is between 130 mm and 170 mm, and further wherein the first and second independently adjustable thigh supports are pivotable about an axis disposed at a predetermined distance forward of the H-point coinciding with the forward edge of the base seat.

2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the distance from the H-point to the cushion split is about 148 mm.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second independently adjustable thigh supports are configured to rotate in unison only.

4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 3, wherein the first and second independently adjustable thigh supports are independently rotatable.

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

a motor configured to pivot the first and second independently adjustable thigh supports about the axis.

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

a seatback that is independently adjustable relative to the base seat.

7. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a base seat;

first and second bolsters on each side of the base seat; and

first and second independently adjustable thigh supports disposed forward of the base seat, and defining a cushion split extending from a predetermined distance forward of an occupant H-point to a forward edge of said vehicle seating assembly, the thigh supports being pivotable about a transverse axis disposed directly below a front of the base seat.

8. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the distance from the H-point to the cushion split is between about 130 mm and 170 mm.

9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the distance from the H-point to the cushion split is about 148 mm.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the first and second independently adjustable thigh supports are configured to rotate in unison only.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 10, wherein the first and second independently adjustable thigh supports independently rotatable.

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

a motor configured to pivot the first and second independently adjustable thigh supports about the axis.

13. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a base seat; and

first and second thigh supports disposed forward of the base seat, and defining a cushion split at a predetermined distance forward of an H-point, wherein the first and second thigh supports are pivotable about an axis disposed at the predetermined distance forward of the H-point coinciding with a forward edge of the base seat.

14. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 13, wherein the distance from the H-point to the cushion split is between about 130 mm and 170 mm.

15. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 13, wherein the distance from the H-point to the cushion split is about 148 mm.

16. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 13, wherein the first and second thigh supports are configured to rotate in unison only.

17. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 16, wherein the first and second thigh supports are independently rotatable.

18. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

a motor configured to pivot the first and second thigh supports about the axis.

19. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 13, further comprising:

thigh bolsters maintaining a fixed position relative to the base seat.