EP0235967A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pneumatically cushioned vehicle seat(s) and apparatus and method to adjust the same
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1987-02-06
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-02-06
Abstract
Abstract Switching and pumping arrangement for the vehicle seat and/or seating combination allows an air pump (14) to inflate the pneumatic cushion (8-12) and also deflate a pneumatic cushion. Use of the air pump for deflation of the pneumatic cushion eliminates the need of the seat occupant pushing against the same pneumatic cushion when adjusting the vehicle seat to a less firm position.
Inventors
- 👤 Zolton Louis Horvath
- 👤 Gary Allen Kavanagh
- 👤 Steven Frederick Manning
- 👤 Ronald Joseph Pyszel
- 👤 Lloyd Walker Rogers
- 👤 Edgar Harry Schlaps
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:10
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/64; B60N2/66; B60N2/665; B60N2/90; B60N2/914; B60N2/986; B60N2/99; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S297/00; Y10S297/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A vehicle seat (6) selectively adjustable to a desired firmness by a seat occupant and comprising at least one pneumatic cushion (8-12) attached with the vehicle seat; an air pump (14) for filling the pneumatic cushion; characterised by at least one valve (16-20) for selectively allowing fluid communication with the pneumatic cushion; by an air pump (14) for evacuating the pneumatic cushion, and by an electrical switch (22, 24) accessible to and adjustable by the seat occupant for controlling the valve and the air pumps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A vehicle seat (6) selectively adjustable to a desired firmness by a seat occupant and comprising at least one pneumatic cushion (8-12) attached with the vehicle seat; an air pump (14) for filling the pneumatic cushion; characterised by at least one valve (16-20) for selectively allowing fluid communication with the pneumatic cushion; by an air pump (14) for evacuating the pneumatic cushion, and by an electrical switch (22, 24) accessible to and adjustable by the seat occupant for controlling the valve and the air pumps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
A switching and pumping arrangement for a vehicle seat (6) having a pneumatic cushion (8-12) comprising an air pump (14) for filling the pneumatic cushion, characterised by a valve (16-20) for selectively allowing fluid communication with the pneumatic cushion; an air pump (14) for evacuating the pneumatic cushion; and an electrical switch (22, 24) for controlling the valve and the air pumps.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A switching and pumping arrangement for a vehicle seat (6) having a pneumatic cushion (8-12) comprising an air pump (14) for filling the pneumatic cushion, characterised by a valve (16-20) for selectively allowing fluid communication with the pneumatic cushion; an air pump (14) for evacuating the pneumatic cushion; and an electrical switch (22, 24) for controlling the valve and the air pumps.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A switching and pumping arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein the valve includes a solenoid valve biased in the closed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A switching and pumping arrangement as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the air pumps are the same and comprise a reversible air pump (14).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A switching and pumping arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 comprising a plurality of pneumatic cushion (8-12) wherein each pneumatic cushion has an individual, associated valve (16-20).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A switching and pumping arrangement as claimed in claim 5 comprising a plurality of electrical switches (22, 24).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A switching and pumping arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6 wherein the or each electrical switch is a double pole, double throw, electrical switch with double contacts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A switching and pumping arrangement as claimed in claim 7 wherein the or each electrical switching (40, 42) is connected with a diode (60, 70).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
A switching and pumping arrangement as claimed in claim 2 comprising sensing means (63) for determining the pressure within the pneumatic cushion (8-12) and generating a signal in response thereto; and power shut off means (98) for deactivating the air pumps (14) in r esponse to said signal when the pressure equals a predetermined value.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A switching and pumping arrangement as claimed in claim 9 wherein the power shut off means (98) deactivates the air pumps (14) in response to said signal when the pressure within the pneumatic cushion (8-12) exceeds a maximum predetermined value or falls below a minimum value.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
A switching and pumping arrangement as claimed in claim 9 further comprising means for preventing the reactivation of the air pumps (14) until the electrical switch (11, 21, 31, 41) is deactivated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A switching and pumping arrangement as claimed in claim 9 further including closing means for closing the valves in response to the signal when the pressure within the valve reaches a predetermined value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
A switching and pumping arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 12 comprising clear means (9, 13) for simultaneously activating all of the valves (16-20) and the air pumps (14) for simultaneously evacuating all of the pneumatic cushions (8-12).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
A switching and pumping arrangement as claimed in claim 13 wherein said clear means includes a normally open switch (9, 13) and can be activated by a single signal of an infinitely short duration wherein said clear means will continue to operate after said normally open switch has returned to an open position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
A switching and pumping arrangement as claimed in claim 14 comprising interrupting means for interrupting said clear means by activation of one of the electrical switches (11, 21, 31, 41).
Claim 18
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of adjusting pneumatic cushion (8-12) of a vehicle seat (6) utilizing an air pump (14) comprising: selectively opening, by an electrical switch (22, 24) accessible to and adjustable by a seat occupant, a valve (16-20) to allow fluid communication with the pneumatic cushion; pumping air to inflate the pneumatic cushion; closing a valve (16-20) to prevent fluid communication with the pneumatic cushion by an electrical switch (22, 24) accessible to and adjustable by the seat occupant; selectively opening, by an electrical switch (22, 24) accessible to and adjustable by the seat occupant, a valve (16-20) to allow fluid communication with the pneumatic cushion; and pumping air from the pneumatic cushion to deflate the pneumatic cushion.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
117 words
A method of adjusting pneumatic cushion (8-12) of a vehicle seat (6) utilizing an air pump (14) comprising: selectively opening, by an electrical switch (22, 24) accessible to and adjustable by a seat occupant, a valve (16-20) to allow fluid communication with the pneumatic cushion; pumping air to inflate the pneumatic cushion; closing a valve (16-20) to prevent fluid communication with the pneumatic cushion by an electrical switch (22, 24) accessible to and adjustable by the seat occupant; selectively opening, by an electrical switch (22, 24) accessible to and adjustable by the seat occupant, a valve (16-20) to allow fluid communication with the pneumatic cushion; and pumping air from the pneumatic cushion to deflate the pneumatic cushion.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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