Apparatus and method for configurable seating

• US 20070063560A1
• Filed: 09/08/2005
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schukra North America Limited (Schukra)
• Original Assignee: Schukra North America Limited (Schukra)
• Inventors: Preiss, Thomas, Swan, David, McMillen, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,562,934 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/284.600
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/99 adjustable

Abstract

A configurable vehicle seat having at least two configurations is disclosed. The configurable vehicle seat has a seat base, a seat bottom supported by the seat base, and a seat back coupled to the seat base. The seat back or seat bottom has one or more adjustable profile members, wherein the adjustable profile members may be adjusted such that the seat is adjusted from at least a first configuration to a second configuration.

Claims

1. An adjustable profile member assembly for a bench-type vehicle seat, comprising:

a. a first adjustable profile member having a flat profile configuration and a non-flat profile configuration;

b. a second adjustable profile member spaced apart from said first adjustable profile member and having a flat profile configuration and a non-flat profile configuration;

c. at least one actuating mechanism operatively connected to said first adjustable profile member and said second adjustable profile member;

d. a master activation mechanism electrically connected to said at least one actuating mechanism for activating at least one of said first adjustable profile member and said second adjustable profile member to one of said flat profile configuration and said non-flat profile configuration.

2. The adjustable profile member assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one actuating mechanism is an actuator.

3. The adjustable profile member assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first adjustable profile member and said second adjustable profile member each include an air bladder.

4. The adjustable profile member assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first adjustable profile member is located on a first side of the bench-type vehicle seat and said second adjustable profile member is located on a second side of the bench-type vehicle seat.

5. The adjustable profile member assembly according to claim 1, wherein said seat further comprises at least one other adjustable profile member located between said first adjustable profile member and said second adjustable profile member.

6. The adjustable profile member assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a first support and a second support, wherein at least a portion of said second support overlies said first support.

7. The adjustable profile member assembly according to claim 1, wherein said at least one actuating mechanism is an air compressor.

8. The adjustable profile member assembly according to claim 7, wherein said air compressor further comprises a dump valve.

9. The adjustable profile member assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first adjustable profile member and said second adjustable profile member each comprise a pad, a support, and a displacement member.

10. The adjustable profile member assembly according to claim 9, further comprising an actuator mechanism connected to said displacement member and operatively connected to said at least one actuating mechanism.

11. The adjustable profile member assembly according to claim 9, wherein said actuator mechanism is a cable.

12. The adjustable profile member assembly according to claim 1, further comprising at least one support in between said first profile member and said second profile member.

13. The adjustable profile member assembly according to claim 12, wherein said at least one support is a lumbar support.

14. The adjustable profile member assembly according to claim 12, wherein said at least one support is an upper back support.

15. A configurable bench-type vehicle seat having at least two configurations, the configurable bench-type vehicle seat comprising:

a. a seat base;

b. a seat bottom supported by said seat base;

c. a seat back coupled to said seat base, said seat back adapted to pivot from a stowed position to a deployed position; and

d. at least one adjustable profile member mounted within said seat bottom or said seat back, wherein said at least one adjustable profile member may be adjusted such that the vehicle seat is adjusted from at least a first configuration to a second configuration when said seat back is in said deployed position.

16. The configurable vehicle seat according to claim 15, wherein said seat back further comprises at least one other adjustable profile member.

17. The configurable vehicle seat according to claim 15, wherein said at least one adjustable profile member comprises a pad, a support, and a displacement member.

18. The configurable vehicle seat according to claim 15, wherein said at least one adjustable profile member includes an air bladder.

19. The configurable vehicle seat according to claim 15, further comprising at least one actuating mechanism operatively connected to said at least one adjustable profile member and a master activation mechanism electrically connected to said at least one actuating mechanism.

20. The configurable vehicle seat according to claim 15, wherein said at least one actuating mechanism is selected from the group consisting of an actuator and an air compressor.

21. The configurable vehicle seat according to claim 15, wherein said seat back further comprises at least one support.

22. The configurable vehicle seat according to claim 15, further comprising a headrest operatively connected to said seat back.

23. The configurable vehicle seat according to claim 22, wherein said headrest includes an adjustable profile member.