# US 2017/0283012 A1 · Seat suspension > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0283012 A1 - Document ID: US20170283012A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/628,565 - Filed: 2017-06-20 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-14 - Inventors: Alan Bauman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170283012A1 ## CPC - B60N 2/525: {using gas} - B60N 2/14: rotatable, e.g. to permit easy access (B60N2/10 {, B60N2/2869} take precedence) - B60N 2/502: {attached to the base of the seat (B60N2/504 takes precedence)} - B60N 2/507: {Parallelogram-like structure} - B60N 2/522: {characterised by dampening means} - B63B 29/00: Accommodation for crew or passengers not otherwise provided for - B63B 29/04: Furniture peculiar to vessels (floatable furniture B63C9/30) - B63B 2029/043: {Seats; Arrangements thereof on vessels} - F16F 9/04: in a chamber with a flexible wall {(producing hollow articles of plastics, e.g. air bellows, B29D22/00)} - F16F 9/049: {multi-chamber units (F16F9/0472, F16F9/05 take precedence)} - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION ## Abstract A seat suspension includes a seat support, a base, and a suspension assembly positioned between the seat support and the base. The suspension assembly includes a compressible cushion for containing a gas; and a chamber. The chamber includes a cylindrical hollow member, a front cap at one end of the cylindrical hollow member, an end cap at another end of the cylindrical hollow member, and a piston positioned within the cylindrical hollow member between the front cap and the end cap. The front cap includes an orifice. The orifice provides fluid communication between the cushion and the chamber. When a compressive force causes movement of the seat support portion towards the base, thereby compressing the cushion, the gas from the cushion flows through the orifice into the chamber and directly forces movement of the piston away from the front cap. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A seat suspension, comprising: a seat support portion; a base; and a suspension assembly positioned between the seat support portion and the base, the suspension assembly permitting relative movement between the seat support portion and the base, the suspension assembly including: a compressible cushion for containing a gas; and a chamber including: a cylindrical hollow member; a front cap at one end of the cylindrical hollow member, the front cap including an orifice, wherein the orifice provides fluid communication between the cushion and the chamber; an end cap at another end of the cylindrical hollow member; and a piston positioned within the cylindrical hollow member between the front cap and the end cap; wherein when a compressive force causes movement of the seat support portion towards the base, thereby compressing the cushion, the gas from the cushion flows through the orifice into the chamber and directly forces movement of the piston away from the front cap. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The seat suspension of claim 1, wherein the orifice is a main orifice and the chamber further includes a multi-orifice member, the multi-orifice member including a first orifice having a first orifice size, and a second orifice having a second orifice size that is different from the first orifice size, and wherein the suspension assembly is adjustable such that the gas flows between the cushion and the chamber through the main orifice and one of the first orifice and the second orifice. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The seat suspension of claim 2, wherein the multi-orifice member includes a third orifice having a third orifice size that is different from the first orifice size and the second orifice size, and wherein the suspension assembly is adjustable such that fluid flows between the cushion and the chamber through the main orifice and one of the first orifice, the second orifice and the third orifice. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The seat suspension of claim 2, wherein the piston separates an interior of the chamber into a first portion and a second portion, and wherein the first portion has a first volume and the second portion has a second volume, wherein the second portion of the chamber is closed by the end cap such that movement of the piston within the chamber that reduces the second volume of the second portion compresses fluid within the second portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The seat suspension of claim 4, wherein the chamber further includes a valve to which a fluid source can be connected, the valve in fluid communication with the second portion of the chamber. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The seat suspension of claim 5, wherein the fluid source includes a manual pump. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The seat suspension of claim 1, wherein the suspension assembly further comprises a fluid conduit in fluid communication with the cushion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The seat suspension of claim 7, wherein the suspension assembly further comprises a compressor and a control mechanism, wherein the compressor is a fluid source connected to the fluid conduit, and wherein the control mechanism is configured to enable the compressor to provide fluid to the cushion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The seat suspension of claim 1, further comprising a manifold in fluid communication with and positioned between the cushion and the chamber. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The seat suspension of claim 1, wherein the gas includes air. ### Claim 11 A seat suspension, comprising: a seat support portion; a base; and a suspension assembly positioned between the seat support portion and the base, the suspension assembly permitting relative movement between the seat support portion and the base, the suspension assembly including: a compressible cushion for containing a gas; and a second gas container in fluid communication with the compressible cushion, the second gas container including: a hollow member having an orifice that provides the fluid communication between the compressible cushion and the second gas container; and a moveable member positioned within the hollow member, wherein a downward compressive force on the seat support portion causes movement of the seat support portion towards the base, thereby compressing the cushion and causing gas in the cushion to flow through the orifice into the hollow member and move the moveable member away from the orifice. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The seat suspension of claim 11, wherein the hollow member has a cylindrical shape and an inside diameter, and wherein the moveable member has an outside diameter that is less than the inside diameter. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The seat suspension of claim 12, wherein the moveable member is a piston having a cylindrical shape. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A seat assembly comprising: the seat suspension of claim 11; and a seat connected to the seat support portion of the seat suspension. ### Claim 15 A seat suspension, comprising: a seat support portion; a base; and a suspension assembly positioned between the seat support portion and the base, the suspension assembly permitting relative movement between the seat support portion and the base, the suspension assembly including: a compressible cushion for containing a gas; and a second gas container in fluid communication with the compressible cushion, the second gas container including: a hollow cylinder having an orifice that provides the fluid communication between the compressible cushion and the second gas container; and a moveable component positioned within the hollow cylinder, wherein a downward compressive force on the seat support portion causes movement of the seat support portion towards the base, thereby compressing the cushion and causing gas in the cushion to flow through the orifice into the hollow cylinder and move the moveable component away from the orifice. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The seat suspension of claim 15, wherein the moveable component includes a disk, the hollow cylinder has an inside diameter, and the disk has an outside diameter that is less than the inside diameter of the hollow cylinder. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The seat suspension of claim 15, wherein the moveable component includes an O-ring disposed at the outside diameter of the moveable component. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The seat suspension of claim 15, wherein the hollow cylinder further includes a valve to which a fluid source can be connected, the valve in fluid communication with the hollow cylinder to enable pressurization of the hollow cylinder. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The seat suspension of claim 18, wherein the fluid source includes a manual pump. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The seat suspension of claim 15, further comprising a manifold in fluid communication with and positioned between the cushion and the hollow cylinder.