Suspension device

Claim 2

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post; said post having vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; said roller means engaging said ways, edges of said recessed ways overlapping portions of said roller means and preventing rotation of said post about its own axis; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having resilient means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said resilient means and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said resilient means resists excessive rebound of said frame member; and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member.

Claim 3

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, each said roller means comprising pairs of rollers mounted on horizontal axes and spaced vertically from each other; said post having vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; a pair of rollers engaging each said way for rolling engagement therewith, edges of said recesses overlapping peripheral edge portions of said rollers and preventing rotation of said post about its own axis.

Claim 4

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, each said roller means comprising pairs of rollers mounted on horizontal axes and spaced vertically from each other; said post having vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; a pair of rollers engaging each said way for rolling engagement therewith, edges of said recesses overlapping peripheral edge portions of said rollers and preventing rotation of said post about its own axis.

Claim 5

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, said roller means comprising a plurality of vertically directed roller cages spaced uniformly around said post; each said cage carrying two vertically spaced rollers mounted on horizontal axes; said post having vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; a pair of said rollers of a roller cage engaging each of said recessed ways whereby said post is vertically and nonrotatably mounted with respect to said guide means.

Claim 6

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, said roller means comprising a plurality of vertically directed roller cages spaced uniformly around said post; each said cage carrying two vertically spaced rollers mounted on horizontal axes; said post having vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; a pair of said rollers of a roller cage engaging each of said recessed ways whereby said post is vertically and nonrotatably mounted with respect to said guide means.

Claim 7

In a suspension means as set forth in claim 3: said guide means including means for adjusting the clearance between said rollers and said tracks and means for anchoring said roller cage in any adjusted position of said rollers.

Claim 8

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, said guide means comprising a sleeve surrounding and spaced from said post; a plurality of roller cages uniformly spaced around said post and having openings therein; bolt means projecting radially outwardly from said sleeve through said openings and having tightening means at the outer ends thereof for adjusting said cages toward said post; each said cage having a pair of rollers mounted theRein above and below the bolt means associated therewith, said rollers disposed on horizontal axes with the peripheries thereof engaging said post; brace means projecting outwardly from said cages; lug means mounted rigidly with respect to said base member and disposed adjacent to said brace means; and means for rigidly connecting said brace means to said lug means for anchoring said roller cage in any adjusted position of said rollers.

Claim 9

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, said guide means comprising a sleeve surrounding and spaced from said post; a plurality of roller cages uniformly spaced around said post and having openings therein; bolt means projecting radially outwardly from said sleeve through said openings and having tightening means at the outer ends thereof for adjusting said cages toward said post; each said cage having a pair of rollers mounted theRein above and below the bolt means associated therewith, said rollers disposed on horizontal axes with the peripheries thereof engaging said post; brace means projecting outwardly from said cages; lug means mounted rigidly with respect to said base member and disposed adjacent to said brace means; and means for rigidly connecting said brace means to said lug means for anchoring said roller cage in any adjusted position of said rollers.

Claim 10

In a suspension means as set forth in claim 5: said post having vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; said rollers engaging said ways, edges of said recesses overlapping peripheral edge portions of said rollers and preventing rotation of said post about its own axis.

Claim 11

In a suspension means as set forth in claim 1: a vehicle seat frame spaced upwardly above said frame member; said seat frame having side members projecting downwardly on either lateral side of said frame member and extending below said frame member; link means connecting said frame member to said seat frame in a vertical direction, the upper end thereof being pivoted to said frame member and the lower end thereof being pivoted to said side members whereby said seat frame has limited fore-and-aft swinging movement with respect to said frame member to offset backslap to the driver, said seat frame always tending to assume a nonpivoted, neutral position.

Claim 12

In a suspension means as set forth in claim 7: said link means comprising pairs of links disposed on either side of said frame member adjacent to the front and rear, respectively, of said seat frame.

Claim 13

In a suspension means as set forth in claim 1: a vehicle seat frame associated with said frame member; an auxiliary seat frame disposed above said main seat frame and having a seat thereon; said auxiliary seat frame having transverse rods pivotally mounted forwardly and rearwardly of the transverse centerline of said auxiliary seat frame; said rods having handle means at one end thereof for pivoting said rods; elongated adjustment members secured adjacent to the ends of said rods and normally projecting downwardly adjacent to the lateral sides of said vehicle seat frame; each said adjustment member having a plurality of spaced notches opening toward one edge thereof; pin means projecting laterally from the sides of said vehicle seat frame and said adjustment members being pivotable by said rods toward and away from said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches to raise and lower the front and rear of said auxiliary seat frame; means resiliently urging said adjustment members toward said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches; and stabilizing means for preventing forward and rearward movement while affording vertical movement of said auxiliary seat frame with respect to said vehicle seat frame whereby to adjust said seat to the desired height and angle.

Claim 14

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden doWnward movement of said frame member; a vehicle seat frame associated with said frame member; an auxiliary seat frame disposed above said vehicle seat frame and having a seat thereon; said auxiliary seat frame having transverse rods pivotally mounted forwardly and rearwardly of the transverse centerline of said auxiliary seat frame; said rods having handle means at one end thereof for pivoting said rods; elongated adjustment members secured adjacent to the ends of said rods and normally projecting downwardly adjacent to the lateral sides of said vehicle seat frame; each said adjustment member having a plurality of spaced notches opening toward one edge thereof; pin means projecting laterally from the sides of said vehicle seat frame and said adjustment members being pivotable by said rods toward and away from said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches to raise and lower the front and rear of said auxiliary seat frame; stabilizing means for preventing forward and rearward movement while affording vertical movement of said auxiliary seat frame with respect to said vehicle seat frame whereby to adjust said seat to the desired height and angle; said stabilizing means comprising vertically disposed stabilizer bars pivoted at their upper ends adjacent to the sides of said auxiliary frame substantially midway between said rods and projecting downwardly alongside the lateral sides of said vehicle seat frame; and guide means carried by said vehicle seat frame slidably receiving said stabilizer bars for vertical movement only.

Claim 15

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden doWnward movement of said frame member; a vehicle seat frame associated with said frame member; an auxiliary seat frame disposed above said vehicle seat frame and having a seat thereon; said auxiliary seat frame having transverse rods pivotally mounted forwardly and rearwardly of the transverse centerline of said auxiliary seat frame; said rods having handle means at one end thereof for pivoting said rods; elongated adjustment members secured adjacent to the ends of said rods and normally projecting downwardly adjacent to the lateral sides of said vehicle seat frame; each said adjustment member having a plurality of spaced notches opening toward one edge thereof; pin means projecting laterally from the sides of said vehicle seat frame and said adjustment members being pivotable by said rods toward and away from said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches to raise and lower the front and rear of said auxiliary seat frame; stabilizing means for preventing forward and rearward movement while affording vertical movement of said auxiliary seat frame with respect to said vehicle seat frame whereby to adjust said seat to the desired height and angle; said stabilizing means comprising vertically disposed stabilizer bars pivoted at their upper ends adjacent to the sides of said auxiliary frame substantially midway between said rods and projecting downwardly alongside the lateral sides of said vehicle seat frame; and guide means carried by said vehicle seat frame slidably receiving said stabilizer bars for vertical movement only.

Claim 16

In a suspension means as set forth in claim 10: means resiliently urging said adjustment members toward said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches.

Claim 17

In a suspension means as set forth in claim 1: said post being hollow; means closing the upper end of said post; said shock-absorbing means comprising upwardly projecting spring means carried by said base member and projecting into said hollow post, the upper end of said spring means being normally spaced from the upper end of the post and adapted to abut said means closing the upper end of said post upon excessive downward movement of the frame member.

Claim 18

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member; said post being hollow; means closing the upper end of said post; said shock-absorbing means comprising upwardly projecting spring means carried by said base member and projecting into said hollow post, the upper end of said spring means being normally spaced from the upper end of the post and adapted to abut said means closing the upper end of said post upon excessive downward movement of the frame member, an axially vertical tube secured at its lower end to said base member and projecting upwardly into said post; an insert member of resilient material disposed within and filling a substantial portion of said tube; said spring means comprising a coil spring telescoped into the uppEr end portion of said tube.

Claim 19

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member; said post being hollow; means closing the upper end of said post; said shock-absorbing means comprising upwardly projecting spring means carried by said base member and projecting into said hollow post, the upper end of said spring means being normally spaced from the upper end of the post and adapted to abut said means closing the upper end of said post upon excessive downward movement of the frame member, an axially vertical tube secured at its lower end to said base member and projecting upwardly into said post; an insert member of resilient material disposed within and filling a substantial portion of said tube; said spring means comprising a coil spring telescoped into the uppEr end portion of said tube.

Claim 20

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, said guide means being pivotally mounted upon a horizontal axis with respect to said base member for restricted tilting movement in one horizontal direction; and means resiliently urging said guide means toward a nontilted, vertical position.

Claim 21

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, said guide means being pivotally mounted upon a horizontal axis with respect to said base member for restricted tilting movement in one horizontal direction; and means resiliently urging said guide means toward a nontilted, vertical position.

Claim 22

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, a vehicle seat mounted upon said frame member; said guide means being pivotally mounted upon an axis transverse to the fore-and-aft direction of said seat for restricted tilting movement of the seat in a fore-and-aft direction; and means resiliently urging said guide means toward a nontilted, vertical position.

Claim 23

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, a vehicle seat mounted upon said frame member; said guide means being pivotally mounted upon an axis transverse to the fore-and-aft direction of said seat for restricted tilting movement of the seat in a fore-and-aft direction; and means resiliently urging said guide means toward a nontilted, vertical position.

Claim 24

In a suspension means as set forth in claim 15: a sleeve loosely surrounding said post; a plurality of roller cages spaced around said sleeve and mounted thereto; said roller means mounted in said roller cages and engaging the outer surface of said post to guide said post; and means mounting said sleeve for pivotal movement with respect to said base member about said transverse axis.

Claim 25

In a suspension means as set forth in claim 16: said means mounting said sleeve comprising mounting means carried by said base having mounting surface portions disposed on either lateral side of said sleeve; means extending laterally from said sleeve including laterally projecting trunnions; bearing means carried by said mounting surface portions and journaling said trunnions; and spring means interposed between said laterally extending means and said mounting means forwardly and rearwardly of said transverse axis and resisting tilting movement of said guide means.

Claim 26

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a dependIng post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, said base member having forwardly and rearwardly directed edge portions; one of said edge portions being hinged with respect to said surface means; the other of said edge portions being interposed between oppositely vertically acting resilient means resisting and limiting pivotal movement of said base member about said hinge.

Claim 27

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a dependIng post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, said base member having forwardly and rearwardly directed edge portions; one of said edge portions being hinged with respect to said surface means; the other of said edge portions being interposed between oppositely vertically acting resilient means resisting and limiting pivotal movement of said base member about said hinge.

Claim 28

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, a vehicle seat mounted upon said frame member; said base member having forwardly and rearwardly directed edge portions corresponding to the fore-and-aft directions, respectively, of said seat; one of said edge portions being hinged with respect to said surface means; the other of said edge portions being interposed between oppositely vertically acting resilient means resisting and limiting pivotal movement of said base member about said hinge to control backslap of said seat.

Claim 29

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, a vehicle seat mounted upon said frame member; said base member having forwardly and rearwardly directed edge portions corresponding to the fore-and-aft directions, respectively, of said seat; one of said edge portions being hinged with respect to said surface means; the other of said edge portions being interposed between oppositely vertically acting resilient means resisting and limiting pivotal movement of said base member about said hinge to control backslap of said seat.

Claim 30

In a suspension means as set forth in claim 19: said base member being hinged at the rearwardly directed edge portion of said base member; spring means interposed between said forward edge portion and said surface means; bolt means vertically anchored with respect to said surface means and projecting upwardly through said forward edge portion; an adjustment wheel thread fitted to the upper end of said bolt means; and spring means interposed between said adjustment wheel and said forward edge portion whereby upon rotation of said adjustment wheel, downward resilient pressure against said forward edge portion is varied.

Claim 31

In a suspension means as set forth in claim 1: said frame member being a vehicle seat frame having a horizontal portion supporting a seat and vertical portion carrying a backrest; said vertical portion including a transverse, fixed rod; bracket means disposed at the back of said backrest; said bracket means having slot means disposed substantially parallel with said backrest and having said transverse rod projecting therethrough; plurality of forwardly and upwardly angled nOtches intersecting said slot means whereby said backrest can be raised and lowered by disposing said rod in selected of said notches; and adjustment means adjacent to the lower end of said backrest for tilting said backrest forwardly and rearwardly at its lower edge.

Claim 32

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member; said frame member being a vehicle seat frame having a horizontal portion supporting a seat and vertical portion carrying a backrest; said vertical portion including a transverse, fixed rod; bracket means disposed at the back of said backrest; said bracket means having slot means disposed substantially parallel with said backrest and having said transverse rod projecting therethrough; a plurality of forwardly and upwardly angled notches intersecting said slot means whereby said backrest can be raised and lowered by disposing said rod in selected of said notches; adjustment means adjacent to the lower end of said backrest for tilting said backrest forwardly and rearwardly at its lower edge; said adjustment means comprising means providing horizontal slot means associated with said vertical portion of the seat frame below said fixed rod; means providing a plurality of notches in one horizontal edge of said slot means; said bracket means having a second slot means disposed substantially parallel with said backrest below the level of said first-mentioned slot means; a second transverse rod disposed through said horizontal slot means and said second slot means; and means resiliently urging said second rod toward said notches whereby to hold said rod in a selected one of said notches and whereby said rod can be pushed out of one notch and along said horizontal slot into another of said notches.

Claim 33

In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member; said frame member being a vehicle seat frame having a horizontal portion supporting a seat and vertical portion carrying a backrest; said vertical portion including a transverse, fixed rod; bracket means disposed at the back of said backrest; said bracket means having slot means disposed substantially parallel with said backrest and having said transverse rod projecting therethrough; a plurality of forwardly and upwardly angled notches intersecting said slot means whereby said backrest can be raised and lowered by disposing said rod in selected of said notches; adjustment means adjacent to the lower end of said backrest for tilting said backrest forwardly and rearwardly at its lower edge; said adjustment means comprising means providing horizontal slot means associated with said vertical portion of the seat frame below said fixed rod; means providing a plurality of notches in one horizontal edge of said slot means; said bracket means having a second slot means disposed substantially parallel with said backrest below the level of said first-mentioned slot means; a second transverse rod disposed through said horizontal slot means and said second slot means; and means resiliently urging said second rod toward said notches whereby to hold said rod in a selected one of said notches and whereby said rod can be pushed out of one notch and along said horizontal slot into another of said notches.

Claim 34

In a vehicle seat suspension means having a base member, a seat frame spaced above said base member, and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and seat frame to cushion the seat frame against road shocks, a post projecting downwardly from said seat frame; support means carried by said base member and surrounding said post; a plurality of carrier members mounted on said support means and spaced around said post; each carrier member having roller means engaging said post for relative rolling movement parallel with the axis of said post; and said post having a plurality of vertically directed, recessed ways in its outer surface in which said roller means travel, edges of said recessed ways overlapping portions of said roller means and preventing rotation of said post about its own axis.

Claim 35

In a vehicle seat suspension means having a base member, a seat frame spaced above said base member, and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and seat frame to cushion the seat frame against road shocks, a post projecting downwardly from said seat frame; support means carried by said base member and surrounding said post; a plurality of carrier members mounted on said support means and spaced around said post; each carrier member having roller means engaging said post for relative rolling movement parallel with the axis of said post; and said post having a plurality of vertically directed, recessed ways in its outer surface in which said roller means travel, edges of said recessed ways overlapping portions of said roller means and preventing rotation of said post about its own axis.

Claim 36

In a vehicle seat suspension means having a base member, a seat frame spaced above said base member, and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and seat frame to cushion the seat frame against road shocks, a post projecting downwardly from said seat frame; support means carried by said base member and surrounding said post; a plurality of carrier members mounted on saId support means and spaced around said post; each carrier member having roller means engaging said port for relative rolling movement parallel with the axis of said post; said post having a plurality of vertically directed, recessed ways in its outer surface in which said roller means travel; means for adjusting each said carrier member toward and away from said post; and means for anchoring said carrier member in its adjusted position.

Claim 37

In a vehicle seat suspension means having a base member, a seat frame spaced above said base member, and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and seat frame to cushion the seat frame against road shocks, a post projecting downwardly from said seat frame; support means carried by said base member and surrounding said post; a plurality of carrier members mounted on saId support means and spaced around said post; each carrier member having roller means engaging said port for relative rolling movement parallel with the axis of said post; said post having a plurality of vertically directed, recessed ways in its outer surface in which said roller means travel; means for adjusting each said carrier member toward and away from said post; and means for anchoring said carrier member in its adjusted position.

Claim 38

In a vehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 24: said roller means comprising at least two rollers mounted on horizontal axes in vertically spaced relation in each said carrier.

Claim 39

In a vehicle seat suspension means having base means, a subframe spaced above said base means, and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base means and subframe to cushion the vehicle seat against road shocks, a main seat frame disposed and spaced above said subframe; said seat frame having side members projecting downwardly on either lateral side of said subframe and extending below said subframe; link means connecting said subframe to said seat frame in a vertical direction, the upper end thereof being pivoted to said subframe and the lower end thereof being pivoted to said side members whereby said seat frame has limited fore-and-aft swinging movement with respect to said subframe to offset backslap to the driver.

Claim 40

In a vehicle seat suspension means having base means, a subframe spaced above said base means, and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base means and subframe to cushion the vehicle seat against road shocks, a main seat frame disposed and spaced above said subframe; said seat frame having side members projecting downwardly on either lateral side of said subframe and extending below said subframe; link means connecting said subframe to said seat frame in a vertical direction, the upper end thereof being pivoted to said subframe and the lower end thereof being pivoted to said side members whereby said seat frame has limited fore-and-aft swinging movement with respect to said subframe to offset backslap to the driver.

Claim 41

In a vehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 26: said link means comprising pairs of links disposed on either side of said subframe adjacent to the front and rear, respectively, of said seat frame.

Claim 42

In a vehicle seat suspension means having base means, a main seat frame spaced above said base means, and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base means and said main seat frame to cushion the vehicle seat against road shocks, an auxiliary seat frame disposed above said main seat frame and having a seat thereon; said auxiliary seat frame having transverse rods pivotally mounted thereto forwardly and rearwardly of the transverse centerline of said auxiliary seat frame; said rods having handle means at one end thereof for pivoting said rods; elongated adjustment members secured adjacent to the ends of said rods and normally projecting downwardly adjacent to the lateral sides of said main seat frame; each adjustment member having a plurality of spaced notches opening toward one edge thereof; pin means projecting laterally from the sides of said main seat frame and said adjustment members being pivotable by said rods toward and away from said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches to raise and lower the front and rear of said auxiliary seat frame; means resiliently urging said adjustment members toward said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches; and stabilizing means for preventing forward and rearward movement while affording vertical movement of said auxiliary seat frame with respect to said main seat frame whereby to adjust said seat to the desired height and angle.

Claim 43

In a vehicle seat suspension means having base means, a main seat frame spaced above said base means, and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base means and said main seat frame to cushion the vehicle seat against road shocks, an auxiliary seat frame disposed above said main seat frame and having a seat thereon; said auxiliary seat frame having transverse rods pivotally mounted thereto forwardly and rearwardly of the transverse centerline of said auxiliary seat frame; said rods having handle means at one end thereof for pivoting said rods; elongated adjustment members secured adjacent to the ends of said rods and normally projecting downwardly adjacent to the lateral sides of said main seat frame; each adjustment member having a plurality of spaced notches opening toward one edge thereof; pin means projecting laterally from the sides of said main seat frame and said adjustment members being pivotable by said rods toward and away from said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches to raise and lower the front and rear of said auxiliary seat frame; means resiliently urging said adjustment members toward said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches; and stabilizing means for preventing forward and rearward movement while affording vertical movement of said auxiliary seat frame with respect to said main seat frame whereby to adjust said seat to the desired height and angle.

Claim 44

In a vehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 28: said stabilizing means comprising vertically disposed stabilizer bars pivoted at their upper ends adjacent to the sides of said auxiliary seat frame substantially midway between said rods and projecting downwardly alongside the lateral sides of said main seat frame; and guide means carried by said main seat frame slidably receiving said stabilizer bars for vertical movement only.

Claim 45

In a vehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 29: said main seat frame having a vertical portion carrying a backrest; said vertical portion including a transverse, fixed rod; bracket means disposed at the back of said backrest; said bracket means having slot means disposed substantially parallel with said backrest and having said transverse rod projecting therethrough; a plurality of forwardly and upwardly angled notches intersecting said slot means whereby said backrest can be raised and lowered by disposing said rod in selected of said notcHes; and adjustment means adjacent to the lower end of said backrest for tilting said backrest forwardly and rearwardly at it lower edge.

Claim 46

In a vehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 30: said adjustment means comprising means providing horizontal slot means associated with said vertical portion of the seat frame below said fixed rod; means providing a plurality of notches in one horizontal edge of said slot means; said bracket means having a second slot means disposed substantially parallel with said backrest below the level of said first-mentioned slot means; a second transverse rod disposed through said horizontal slot means and said second slot means; and means resiliently urging said second rod toward said notches whereby to hold said rod in a selected one of said notches and whereby said rod can be pushed out of one notch and along said horizontal slot into another of said notches.

Claim 47

In a vehicle seat suspension means having a base member, a seat frame spaced above said base member, and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and seat frame to cushion the seat frame against road shocks, a post projecting downwardly from said seat frame; support means carried by said base member and surrounding said post; a plurality of carrier members mounted on said support means and spaced around said post; each carrier member having roller means engaging said post for relative rolling movement parallel with the axis of said post; each said roller means comprising pairs of rollers mounted on horizontal axes and spaced vertically from each other; said post having vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; a pair of rollers engaging each said way for rolling engagement therewith, edges of said recesses overlapping peripheral edge portions of said rollers and preventing rotation of said post about its own axis.

Claim 48

In a vehicle seat suspension means having a base member, a seat frame spaced above said base member, and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and seat frame to cushion the seat frame against road shocks, a post projecting downwardly from said seat frame; support means carried by said base member and surrounding said post; a plurality of carrier members mounted on said support means and spaced around said post; each carrier member having roller means engaging said post for relative rolling movement parallel with the axis of said post; each said roller means comprising pairs of rollers mounted on horizontal axes and spaced vertically from each other; said post having vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; a pair of rollers engaging each said way for rolling engagement therewith, edges of said recesses overlapping peripheral edge portions of said rollers and preventing rotation of said post about its own axis.

Claim 49

In a vehicle seat suspension means adapted to be mounted upon surface means fixed with respect to the vehicle, a base member; a seat frame carried by said base member; said base member having forwardly and rearwardly directed edge portions corresponding to the fore-and-aft directions, respectively, of said seat; one of said edge portions being hinged with respect to said surface means; the other of said edge portions being interposed between oppositely vertically acting resilient means resisting and limiting pivotal movement of said base member about said hinge to control backslap of said seat.

Claim 50

In a vehicle seat suspension means adapted to be mounted upon surface means fixed with respect to the vehicle, a base member; a seat frame carried by said base member; said base member having forwardly and rearwardly directed edge portions corresponding to the fore-and-aft directions, respectively, of said seat; one of said edge portions being hinged with respect to said surface means; the other of said edge portions being interposed between oppositely vertically acting resilient means resisting and limiting pivotal movement of said base member about said hinge to control backslap of said seat.