US 7,611,199 B2Granted

Seat back adjustment mechanism

AssigneeJohnson Controls Technology Company

InventorsEric Bernard Michalak, Robert Michael Benzing, David Hensel

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A seat for use by an occupant in a vehicle. The seat includes a seat base configured to be supported in the vehicle. A back frame including a first transverse member, a first side member and a second side member, wherein the first transverse member interconnects each of the side members at a location toward an upper end of the back frame. The back frame further includes a second transverse member interconnecting the first and second side members a spaced distance from the first transverse member. A compliant back member having a first end operably connected to the first transverse member and a second end operably connected to the second transverse member. A biasing member having a first end operatively engaging the compliant back member and a second end being anchored with respect to the back frame wherein when a seat occupant's back applies a force to the compliant back member, the biasing member applies a reaction force.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A seat for use by an occupant in a vehicle, the seat comprising:

a seat base configured to be supported in the vehicle;
a back frame including a first transverse member, a first side member and a second side member, wherein the first transverse member interconnects each of the side members at a location toward an upper end of the back frame, the back frame further including a second transverse member interconnecting the first and second side members a spaced distance from the first transverse member;
a compliant back member having a first end operably connected to the first transverse member and a second end operably connected to the second transverse member;
and
a biasing member having a first end including rollers which are aligned and operatively engage the compliant back member and a second end including an adjustable biasing member adjuster operatively coupled to a spring member,
wherein when the occupant's back applies a force to the compliant back member, the biasing member applies a reaction force, and
wherein the adjustable biasing member adjuster is configured to effect an amount of lower back tension within the compliant back member by causing a given end of the spring member to rotate.

4 more elements

A seat for use by an occupant in a vehicle, the seat comprising:

a seat back frame;
a compliant back member having a first portion pivotally connected to the seat back frame and a second portion laterally spaced from the first portion;
and
a biasing member having a first end operatively and slidably engaging the compliant back member, the biasing member including a second end
wherein the biasing member applies a force against the compliant back member,
wherein the biasing member comprises:
a first spring member aligned with a first side portion of the back frame, the first spring member having a first end having a roller member connected thereto, the roller member of the first end of the first spring member engaging the compliant back member in a location aligned with a lumbar position of the back of the occupant;
a second spring member located between a second side portion of the back frame and the first spring member, the second spring member having a first end having a roller member connected thereto, the roller member of the first end of the second spring member engaging the compliant back member in a location aligned with the lumbar position of the back of the occupant;
a lateral support member interconnecting the first spring member and the second spring member laterally transferring forces between the first spring member and the second spring member;
and
a biasing member adjuster connected to second ends of the first and second spring members, and configured to effect an amount of lower back tension within the compliant back member by causing the second ends of the first and second spring members to rotate.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/578,278Filed 5 Nov 2004 · us provisional application
Priority: 11 Nov 2003
Published: US 2007/0063562 A122 Mar 2007
Granted: 3 Nov 2009
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

B60N 2/66
Back-rests or cushions: lumbar supports
B60N 2/02246
Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation: electric motors therefor
B60N 2/22
The seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable: the back-rest being adjustable
B60N 2/667
Lumbar supports: having flexible support member bowed by applied forces

Family

Application60/519,304Us provisional application · filed 11 Nov 2003
US 2007/0063562 A1Pre-grant publication · published 22 Mar 2007
US 7,611,199 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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