# US 10,118,704 B2 · Hybrid seat pan and diaphragm

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- Number: US 10,118,704 B2
- Document ID: US10118704B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/091,118
- Filed: 2016-04-05
- Published: 2016-10-13
- Granted: 2018-11-06
- Earliest claimed: 2015-04-10
- Assignees: Franklin Products, Inc.
- Applicants: Howard Velasco
- Inventors: Howard Velasco
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118704B2

## CPC

- B64D 11/0647: {Seats characterised by special upholstery or cushioning features}
- A47C 7/282: {with mesh-like supports, e.g. elastomeric membranes}
- A47C 7/285: {with metal strips or webs}
- B60N 2/7011: {of substantially two-dimensional shape, e.g. hammock-like, plastic shells, fabrics}
- B64D 11/0649: {Seats characterised by special features for reducing weight}
- Y02T 50/40: Weight reduction
- B64D: EQUIPMENT FOR FITTING IN OR TO AIRCRAFT; FLIGHT SUITS; PARACHUTES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF POWER PLANTS OR PROPULSION TRANSMISSIONS IN AIRCRAFT
- A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS
- B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

A hybrid seat pan and diaphragm apparatus includes a seat pan that has a concave portion and a diaphragm positioned at an occupant-facing side of the seat pan and stretched across the seat pan at a first distance above the concave portion of the seat pan.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A hybrid seat pan and diaphragm apparatus comprising:
a seat pan that has a concave portion; and
a diaphragm positioned at an occupant-facing side of the seat pan and stretched across the seat pan at a first distance above the concave portion of the seat pan;
wherein the seat pan restricts deflection of the diaphragm under an occupant's weight by the diaphragm coming to rest on the seat pan such that an effective weight applied to the seat pan, by contact of the occupant with the seat pan via the diaphragm, is less than the occupant's weight.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the seat pan comprises a cutout portion central to the concave portion, and an occupant's weight can deflect the diaphragm through the cutout portion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the diaphragm is stretched across the seat pan between stiffeners that are fastened to the seat pan by rivets.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein side edges of the diaphragm are wrapped around the stiffeners and stitched together to capture the stiffeners.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the seat pan is contoured to reduce contact pressure of an occupant's weight.

### Claim 6

A seat apparatus comprising:
a seat chassis that has side frames connected by a cross beam;
a seat pan above the cross beam; and
a tensioned diaphragm above the seat pan;
wherein the seat pan is contoured to reduce contact pressure of an occupant's weight; and
wherein the seat pan restricts deflection of the diaphragm under an occupant's weight by the diaphragm coming to rest on the seat pan such that an effective weight applied to the seat pan, by contact of the occupant with the seat pan via the diaphragm, is less than the occupant's weight.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the diaphragm is tensioned across the seat pan, with the seat pan and the diaphragm being removable from the seat apparatus as a subassembly.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the diaphragm is stretched across the seat pan between stiffeners that are fastened to the seat pan by rivets.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The apparatus of claim 8 wherein side edges of the diaphragm are wrapped around the stiffeners and stitched together to capture the stiffeners.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the diaphragm is tensioned across the side frames of the seat chassis.

### Claim 11 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the seat pan restricts the diaphragm from contacting the seat chassis.

### Claim 12 (depends on 6)

The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a vibration absorbing pad disposed between and in contact with the seat pan and the cross beam.

### Claim 13

A method for making a hybrid seat pan and diaphragm apparatus, comprising:
stretching a diaphragm; and
attaching the stretched diaphragm at an occupant-facing side of a seat pan and at a first distance above a concave portion of the seat pan;
wherein the seat pan restricts deflection of the diaphragm under an occupant's weight by the diaphragm coming to rest on the seat pan such that an effective weight applied to the seat pan by contact of the occupant with the seat pan, via the diaphragm, is less than the occupant's weight.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method of claim 13 further comprising attaching the seat pan and diaphragm onto a seat chassis with the seat pan between the diaphragm and a cross beam of the seat chassis.