# US 11,440,450 B2 · Thigh support and seat > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,440,450 B2 - Document ID: US11440450B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/018,217 - Filed: 2020-09-11 - Published: 2021-03-11 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2019-09-11 - Assignees: Adient US LLC - Applicants: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH - Inventors: Kurt Seibold - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11440450B2 ## CPC - B60N 2/62: Thigh-rests {(B60N2/914 takes precedence)} - B60N 2/0284: {Adjustable seat-cushion length (B60N2/0224 takes precedence)} - A47C 1/023: the parts being horizontally-adjustable seats - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - A47C: CHAIRS; SOFAS; BEDS ## Abstract A seat comprises a backrest, a seat support coupled to the backrest; and a thigh support coupled to the seat support. The thigh support includes a thigh support structure having a thigh extension, wherein the thigh extension is movably adjustable between a retracted position and a fully extended position. The thigh extension may include at least one elastically deformable element. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A thigh support for a seat comprising: a thigh support structure; and a thigh extension formed on the thigh support structure, wherein the thigh extension is configured as at least one elastically deformable element, wherein the thigh extension is movably adjustable between a retracted position and a fully extended position, wherein the at least one elastically deformable element includes a first leaf spring and a second leaf spring, and wherein the first leaf spring has a first end and a second end, and the second leaf spring abuts a lower surface side of the first leaf spring. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The thigh support according to claim 1, wherein the at least one elastically deformable element is made of spring steel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The thigh support according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the first leaf spring is a free end and the second end of the first leaf spring is connectable to at least one seat component. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The thigh support according to claim 1, wherein the thigh support structure includes a junction having at least two members each forming a flank side and limiting a receiving space of the junction for coupling of the thigh support structure to at least one seat component. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The thigh support according to claim 1, further comprising at least one retaining element for retaining tension on the at least one elastically deformable element, wherein the at least one retaining element is configured to move the at least one elastically deformable element from the fully extended position to at least one of the retracted position and a position between the fully extended position and the retracted position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The thigh support according to claim 1, wherein the at least one elastically deformable element includes at least one preformed bend point parallel to a front of the thigh extension, wherein the at least one elastically deformable element is configured to deform at the at least one preformed bend point during the movement of the thigh extension between the fully extended position and the retracted position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The thigh support according to claim 1, wherein the first leaf spring is biased upward toward the fully extended position in a free state. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The thigh support according to claim 1, wherein the second leaf spring is biased upward toward the fully extended position in a free state. ### Claim 9 A seat, comprising: a backrest; a seat support coupled to the backrest; and a thigh support coupled to the seat support, the thigh support including a thigh support structure having a thigh extension, wherein the thigh extension is movably adjustable between a retracted position and a fully extended position, wherein the thigh extension is configured as at least one elastically deformable element, wherein the at least one elastically deformable element includes a first leaf spring and a second leaf spring, and wherein the first leaf spring has a first end and a second end, and the second leaf spring abuts a lower surface side of the first leaf spring. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The seat according to claim 9, wherein the backrest is pivotably coupled to the seat support. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The seat according to claim 9, further comprising a seat base for supporting the seat support. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The seat according to claim 11, wherein the thigh support is at least one of longitudinally and pivotably adjusted relative to at least one of the seat support and the seat base. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The seat according to claim 9, wherein the at least one elastically deformable element has at least one preformed bend point parallel to a front of the thigh extension, and wherein the at least one elastically deformable element is configured to deform at the at least one preformed bend point during the movement of the thigh extension between the retracted position and the fully extended position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The seat according to claim 9, wherein the first end of the first leaf spring is a free end and the second end of the first leaf spring is connectable to the seat support. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The seat according to claim 9, further comprising at least one retaining element for retaining tension on the at least one elastically deformable element, wherein the at least one retaining element is configured to move the elastically deformable element from the fully extended position to at least one of the retracted position and a position between the fully extended position and the retracted position. ### Claim 16 A thigh support for a seat comprising: a thigh support structure; and a thigh extension formed on the thigh support structure, wherein the thigh extension is movably adjustable between a retracted position and a fully extended position, wherein the thigh extension is configured as at least one elastically deformable element, wherein the at least one elastically deformable element includes a first leaf spring and a second leaf spring, wherein a first end of the first leaf spring is a free end and a second end of the first leaf spring is connectable to a seat support, and wherein the first leaf spring is biased upward toward the fully extended position in a free state.