Vehicle seat assembly having movable bolsters

• US 20070200405A1
• Filed: 02/13/2007
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Andersson, Christer, Fischer, Harald, Andersson, Torbjorn, Rager, Bernd, Walk, Hansjorg
• Granted Patent: US 8,123,296 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/254
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7005 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/757 in a recess of the back-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/99 adjustable

Abstract

A vehicle bench seat assembly includes a seat bottom including a first seat portion having a seating surface, a second seat portion having a seating surface, and a third seat portion having a seating surface. The seat assembly further includes a seat back including a first back portion, a second back portion, and a third back portion located between the first and second portions. The third seat portion is movable between a first position, wherein the seating surface of the third seat portion is generally flush with the seating surfaces of the first and second seat portions, and a second position, wherein the seating surface of the third seat portion extends in a non-flush position relative to the seating surfaces of the first and second seat portions.

Claims

1. A vehicle bench seat assembly comprising:

a seat bottom including a first seat portion having a seating surface, a second seat portion having a seating surface, and a third seat portion having a seating surface; and

a seat back including a first back portion, a second back portion, and a third back portion;

wherein said third seat portion is movable between a first position, wherein said seating surface of said third seat portion is generally flush with said seating surfaces of said first and second seat portions, and a second position, wherein said seating surface of said third seat portion extends in a non-flush position relative to said seating surfaces of said first and second seat portions.

2. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein said third seat portion is located between said first and second side seat positions.

3. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein when said third seat portion is in said second position, said seating surface of said third portion extends above said seating surfaces of said first and second seat portions.

4. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein when said third seat portion is in said second position, said seating surface of said third portion extends below said seating surfaces of said first and second seat portions.

5. The seat assembly of claim 1 further including a fourth seat portion having a seating surface and is movable between a first position, wherein said seating surface of said fourth seat portion is generally flush with said seating surfaces of said first and second seat portions, and a second position, wherein said seating surface of said third seat portion extends in a non-flush position relative to said seating surfaces of said first and second seat portions.

6. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein said seat bottom further includes a first bolster movably mounted relative to said first seat portion, said first bolster has a seating surface and is movable between a retracted position, wherein said seating surface of said first bolster is generally flush with said seating surface of said first seat portion, and an extended position, wherein said seating surface of said first bolster extends in a non-flush position relative to said seating surface of said first seat portion.

7. The seat assembly of claim 6 wherein said seat bottom further includes a second bolster movably mounted relative to said second seat portion, said second bolster has a seating surface and is movable between a retracted position, wherein said seating surface of said second bolster is generally flush with said seating surface of said second seat portion, and an extended position, wherein said seating surface of said second bolster extends in a non-flush position relative to said seating surface of said second seat portion.

8. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein said seat back further includes a third bolster movably mounted relative to said first back portion, said third bolster has a seating surface and is movable between a retracted position, wherein said seating surface of said third bolster is generally flush with said seating surface of said first back portion, and an extended position, wherein said seating surface of said third bolster extends in a non-flush position relative to said seating surface of said first back portion.

9. The seat assembly of claim 8 wherein said seat back further includes a fourth bolster movably mounted relative to said second back portion, said fourth bolster has a seating surface and is movable between a retracted position, wherein said seating surface of said fourth bolster is generally flush with said seating surface of said second back portion, and an extended position, wherein said seating surface of said fourth bolster extends in a non-flush position relative to said seating surface of said second back portion.

10. The seat assembly of claim 1 further including an actuator connected to said third seat portion for moving said third seat portion between said first and second positions.

11. The seat assembly of claim 10 wherein said actuator is manually operable to move said third seat portion between said first and second positions.

12. The seat assembly of claim 10 wherein said actuator includes an air bladder.

13. The seat assembly of claim 10 wherein said actuator is connected to a sensor, and wherein in response to a signal from said sensor said actuator moves said third seat portion between said first and second positions.

14. The seat assembly of claim 13 wherein said sensor detects a lateral acceleration force.

15. The seat assembly of claim 13 wherein said sensor detects the presence of an occupant seated on said seat assembly.

16. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein said seat assembly includes a recess formed therein, said seat assembly further including an armrest movably mounted relative to said third portion, said armrest movable between a retracted position within said recess and an extended position such that a portion of said armrest extends outwardly from said recess.

17. The seat assembly of claim 16 wherein movement of said armrest between said retracted and extended positions causes movement of said third portion between its first and second positions.

18. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein said first bolster is pivotally mounted relative to said first portion.