FLEXIBLE SEATBACK SYSTEM

• US 20140203603A1
• Filed: 01/24/2013
• Published: 07/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2013
• 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, Ferretti, Daniel, Jaranson, John W., Compton, Grant A., Harper, Kendrick Alden, VanNieulande, Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 9,409,504 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/218.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2222 the back-rest having two or more parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/427 Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4279 electric or electronic triggering
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/64 Back-rests or cushions B60N2/2222 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/643 shape of the back-rests B60N2/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7005 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7094 Upholstery springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/986 Side-rests B60N2/2872, B60N2/885 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/99 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/022 the seat or seat part turning about or moving along a vertical axis

Abstract

A vehicle seat suspension system includes first and second side supports defining a seatback structure. An upper component and a lower component are provided, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members. A passenger support includes a periphery operably coupled to distal ends of the flex members. An external peripheral gap is defined between the passenger support and the seatback structure.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat suspension system comprising:

first and second side supports defining a seatback structure;

an upper component and a lower component, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members;

a passenger support having a periphery operably coupled to distal ends of the flex members; and

an external peripheral gap defined between the passenger support and the seatback structure.

2. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1, wherein the upper component is operably coupled to an upper segment of the passenger support and is translatable between a forward position and a rearward position.

3. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 2, wherein the upper component is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper segment between the forward and rearward positions.

4. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1, wherein the lower component includes a first side portion and a second side portion, and wherein the first side portion is distinct and separate from the second side portion.

5. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 4, wherein an upper segment of the passenger support is pivotal about a pivot bar, and wherein the pivot bar is rotatably coupled to the first side portion and the second side portion.

6. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 4, wherein the first side portion is connected to a first side support by a first base portion and the second side portion is connected to a second side support by a second base portion.

7. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1, wherein the upper component and the first and second side portions are each independently flexible under the weight of a passenger.

8. A vehicle seat suspension system comprising:

first and second side supports defining a seatback structure;

an upper component and a lower component, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members;

a passenger support having a periphery operably coupled to distal ends of the flex members;

a removable cover stock disposed over the upper and lower components; and

an external peripheral gap defined between the passenger support and the first and second side supports.

9. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 8, wherein the cover stock includes a securing rim that secures the cover stock to the passenger support.

10. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 8, wherein the upper component includes a first flex member, a second flex member, and a central body disposed therebetween.

11. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 8, wherein the upper component is operably coupled to an upper segment of the passenger support operable between a forward position and a rearward position.

12. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 11, wherein the upper segment is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper segment between the forward and rearward positions.

13. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 8, wherein the lower component includes a first side portion that is distinct and separate from a second side portion.

14. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 13, wherein the first side portion and the second side portion each include a base portion with an outwardly extending flex member.

15. A seat suspension system comprising:

a seatback including first and second side supports;

a suspension assembly having outwardly extending flex members;

a passenger support operably coupled with the suspension assembly; and

an external peripheral gap defined between the passenger support and the first and second side supports.

16. The seat suspension system of claim 15, further comprising:

an upper component and a lower component, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members, and wherein the upper component includes a first flex member, a second flex member, and a central body disposed therebetween.

17. The seat suspension system of claim 16, wherein the upper component is operably coupled to an upper segment of the passenger support translatable between a forward position and a rearward position, and wherein the lower component includes a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein the first side portion is distinct and separate from the second side portion.

18. The seat suspension system of claim 17, wherein the upper component is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper segment between the forward and rearward positions, and wherein the upper segment is pivotal about a pivot bar, wherein the pivot bar is rotatably coupled to the first side portion and the second side portion, each of the first and second side portions including a base portion with at least two outwardly extending flex members.

19. The seat suspension system of claim 17, wherein the first side portion is connected to a first side support by a first base portion and the second side portion is connected to a second side support by a second base portion.

20. The seat suspension system of claim 16, further comprising:

a cover stock disposed over the upper and lower components, wherein the cover stock includes a securing rim on an edge portion of the cover stock that secures the cover stock to the passenger support.