Vehicle seat suspension system

Claim 2

An improved vehicle seat suspension system for a vehicle seat having a suspension rate for minimizing shock and vibration effects on the driver of the vehicle, said system comprising a base unit, linkage means for coupling said seat-supporting unit to said base unit, resilient means in said system to provide the suspension rate, means for coupling one end of said resilient means to said linkage means, means for coupling the other end of said resilient means to said seat-supporting unit, means for pivotally attaching said linkage means to said base unit and to said seat-supporting unit, and height varying means for enabling the driver to vary the height of the supporting unit, said height-varying means comprising spring means attached between said seat-supporting unit and the means for coupling the other end of said resilient means to the seat-supporting unit, said spring means applying a force to said resilient means only while the height is being varied, whereby said height-varying means is operably while said driver is in the vehicle and enables the driver to vary the height of the support unit and to maintain the suspension rate while in said vehicle.

Claim 3

The system of claim 1 wherein said spring means comprises motor spring means.

Claim 4

The system of claim 1 wherein said means for coupling one end of said resilient means comprises attitude control means for pivotally attaching one end of said resilient means to the linkage means and to enable movement of the said one end to thereby control the suspension rate.

Claim 5

The improved vehicle seat suspension system of claim 3 wherein said means for enabling the driver to change the attitude control comprises means for sliding said resilient means along said parallel linkage means.

Claim 6

The improved vehicle suspension system of claim 4 wherein said base unit comprises a first staunchion having a first sidewall, a second sidewall spaced apart from said first sidewall, wherein said seat-supporting unit comprises a second staunchion having a first sidewall and a second sidewall spaced apart from said first sidewall, and wherein said parallel linkage means comprises a first and a second lower spaced apart parallel linkage arm, said first and second lower linkage arms being shaped to define guide rails, wherein said pivot means includes pin means for pivotally attaching said lower spaced apart first and second parallel linkage arms to the first and second sidewalls of said first and second staunchions whereby said linkage arms and said pin means define a parallelogram, and wherein said means for pivotally attaching said one end of said resilient means to said parallel linkage means comprising spring keeper means, a rail-riding bracket fitting into said guide rails on said lower linkage arms, means for pivotally attaching said spring keeper means to said rail-riding bracket, and resilient means end position control means extending to the front of said suspension system for moving said rail-riding bracket to move said one end of said resilient means.

Claim 7

The suspension system of claim 5 wherein said resilient means end position control means comprises a threaded rod attached to said rail-riding bracket, and fixed female threaded means located between the front of said suspension system and said rail-riding bracket, said threaded rod being threaded through said fixed female threaded means, whereby turning said thread rod moves said rail-riding bracket in said rails.

Claim 8

The suspension system of claim 6 wherein said resilient means comprises a coiled compression sPring.

Claim 9

The suspension system of claim 7 wherein said height-varying means comprises means for varying the relative positions of the top of said seat-supporting unit and said other end of said compression spring thereby varying the preload on said compression spring.

Claim 10

An improved vehicle seat suspension system having a suspension rate for minimizing shock and vibratory effects on the driver of the vehicle comprising a base unit for supporting the system and for attaching said system to the floor of the vehicle, a seat-supporting unit for supporting the vehicle seat, parallel linkage means for coupling the seat-supporting unit to the base unit, pivot means for pivotally attaching said parallel linkage means respectively to the base unit and to the seat-supporting unit, air bag means providing a deflection per unit force, attitude control means for pivotally attaching one end of said air bag control means to the parallel linkage in any one of a continuously variable plurality of positions, means for coupling the other end of said resilient means to the seat-supporting unit, height-varying means for enabling the driver to vary the height of the seat-supporting unit while sitting in said seat, and means independent of the height-varying means for enabling the driver to change the attitude control to a different one of said plurality of positions and thereby vary the suspension rate without varying the height of the seat-supporting unit.

Claim 11

An improved vehicle seat suspension system having a suspension rate for minimizing shock and vibratory effects on the driver of the vehicle comprising a base unit for supporting the system and for attaching said system to the floor of the vehicle, a seat-supporting unit for supporting the vehicle seat, parallel linkage means for coupling the seat-supporting unit to the base unit, pivot means for pivotally attaching said parallel linkage means respectively to the base unit and to the seat-supporting unit, air bag means providing a deflection per unit force, attitude control means for pivotally attaching one end of said air bag control means to the parallel linkage in any one of a continuously variable plurality of positions, means for coupling the other end of said resilient means to the seat-supporting unit, height-varying means for enabling the driver to vary the height of the seat-supporting unit while sitting in said seat, and means independent of the height-varying means for enabling the driver to change the attitude control to a different one of said plurality of positions and thereby vary the suspension rate without varying the height of the seat-supporting unit.

Claim 12

The suspension system of claim 9 wherein said means for varying the height of said seat-supporting unit comprises means for injecting air into and removing air from said air spring thereby controlling the length of said air spring.

Claim 13

An improved vehicle seat suspension system having a suspension rate for minimizing shock and vibratory effects on the driver of the vehicle comprising: a base unit for supporting the system and for attaching said system to the floor of the vehicle, said base unit comprising a first staunchion having a first sidewall, a second sidewall spaced apart from said first sidewall, a seat-supporting unit for supporting the vehicle seat, said seat-supporting unit comprises a second staunchion having a first sidewall and a second sidewall spaced apart from said first sidewall, parallel linkage means coupling the seat-supporting unit to the base unit, said parallel linkage means comprises a first and a second lower spaced apart parallel linkage arm, said first and second lower linkage arms being shaped to define guide rails, pivot means for pivotally attaching said parallel linkage means respectively to the base unit and the seat-supporting unit, said pivot means includes pin means for pivotally attaching said lower spaced apart first and second parallel linkage arms to the first and second sidewalls of said first and second staunchions whereby said linkage arms and said pin means define a parallelogram, resilient means comprising a coiled compression spring providing a deflection per unit force, means for pivotally attaching one end of said resilient means to the parallel linkage means, said means for pivotally attaching said one end of said resilient means to said parallel linkage means comprising spring keeper means, a rail-riding bracket fitting into said guide rails, means for pivotally attaching said spring keeper means to said rail-riding bracket, resilient means end position control means extending to the front of said suspension system for moving said rail-riding bracket to move said one end of said resilient means, said resilient means end position control means comprising a threaded rod attached to said rail-riding bracket, fixed female threaded means located between the front of said suspension system and said rail-riding bracket, said threaded rod being threaded through said fixed female threaded means, whereby turning said thread rod moves said rail riding bracket in said rails, means for coupling the other end of said resilient means to the seat-supporting unit, means for enabling the driver to vary the height of the seat-supporting unit while sitting in said seat, seat means for varying the height of said seat-supporting unit comprises means for varying the relative positions of the top of said seat-supporting unit and said other end of said resilient means, thereby varying the preload on said resilient means, wherein said means for varying the height of said seat-supporting unit includes said means for coupling the other end of said resilient means to the supporting unit, said last named coupling means comprising eye level control assembly means, said eye level control assembly means comprising a pair of spaced apart oppositely disposed control plates, at least one of said plates having a plurality of notches therein, means for pivotally connecting said eye level control assembly means to the first and second walls of said second staunchion respectively, an eye level height adjust shaft pivotally attached to and extending between said oppositely disposed pair of control plates, means for fixedly attaching the said other end of said resilient means to said eye level height adjust shaft, pin plate means pivotally attached to said first wall of second staunchion, pin means extending from said pin plate, said pin plate having a locking position wherein said pin meshes with selected ones of said notches for locking said control plates into position thereby positioning said eye level height adjust shaft to exert a desired preload on said resilient means, handle means for moving said pin plate to an unlocked position to remove said pin from said notches to enable varying said preload and consequently said riding height position, height-maintaining means for maintaining said eye level control assembly means at a certain position when said pin plate is in said unlocked position, wherein said handle means extends to the front of said suspension system, means for enabling the driver to vary the suspension rate while sitting in said seat, and said means for varying the suspension rate comprises means for moving one of said ends of said resilient means to change the coaxial force vector acting on said resilient means.

Claim 14

An improved vehicle seat suspension system having a suspension rate for minimizing shock and vibratory effects on the driver of the vehicle comprising: a base unit for supporting the system and for attaching said system to the floor of the vehicle, said base unit comprising a first staunchion having a first sidewall, a second sidewall spaced apart from said first sidewall, a seat-supporting unit for supporting the vehicle seat, said seat-supporting unit comprises a second staunchion having a first sidewall and a second sidewall spaced apart from said first sidewall, parallel linkage means coupling the seat-supporting unit to the base unit, said parallel linkage means comprises a first and a second lower spaced apart parallel linkage arm, said first and second lower linkage arms being shaped to define guide rails, pivot means for pivotally attaching said parallel linkage means respectively to the base unit and the seat-supporting unit, said pivot means includes pin means for pivotally attaching said lower spaced apart first and second parallel linkage arms to the first and second sidewalls of said first and second staunchions whereby said linkage arms and said pin means define a parallelogram, resilient means comprising a coiled compression spring providing a deflection per unit force, means for pivotally attaching one end of said resilient means to the parallel linkage means, said means for pivotally attaching said one end of said resilient means to said parallel linkage means comprising spring keeper means, a rail-riding bracket fitting into said guide rails, means for pivotally attaching said spring keeper means to said rail-riding bracket, resilient means end position control means extending to the front of said suspension system for moving said rail-riding bracket to move said one end of said resilient means, said resilient means end position control means comprising a threaded rod attached to said rail-riding bracket, fixed female threaded means located between the front of said suspension system and said rail-riding bracket, said threaded rod being threaded through said fixed female threaded means, whereby turning said thread rod moves said rail riding bracket in said rails, means for coupling the other end of said resilient means to the seat-supporting unit, means for enabling the driver to vary the height of the seat-supporting unit while sitting in said seat, seat means for varying the height of said seat-supporting unit comprises means for varying the relative positions of the top of said seat-supporting unit and said other end of said resilient means, thereby varying the preload on said resilient means, wherein said means for varying the height of said seat-supporting unit includes said means for coupling the other end of said resilient means to the supporting unit, said last named coupling means comprising eye level control assembly means, said eye level control assembly means comprising a pair of spaced apart oppositely disposed control plates, at least one of said plates having a plurality of notches therein, means for pivotally connecting said eye level control assembly means to the first and second walls of said second staunchion respectively, an eye level height adjust shaft pivotally attached to and extending between said oppositely disposed pair of control plates, means for fixedly attaching the said other end of said resilient means to said eye level height adjust shaft, pin plate means pivotally attached to said first wall of second staunchion, pin means extending from said pin plate, said pin plate having a locking position wherein said pin meshes with selected ones of said notches for locking said control plates into position thereby positioning said eye level height adjust shaft to exert a desired preload on said resilient means, handle means for moving said pin plate to an unlocked position to remove said pin from said notches to enable varying said preload and consequently said riding height position, height-maintaining means for maintaining said eye level control assembly means at a certain position when said pin plate is in said unlocked position, wherein said handle means extends to the front of said suspension system, means for enabling the driver to vary the suspension rate while sitting in said seat, and said means for varying the suspension rate comprises means for moving one of said ends of said resilient means to change the coaxial force vector acting on said resilient means.

Claim 15

The suspension system of claim 11 wherein said height maintaining means comprises motor spring means attached between said second staunchion and said eye level control assembly means.

Claim 16

The suspension system of claim 11 wherein said riding height maintaining means comprises tension spring means, and means for coupling said tension spring means between said eye level control assembly means and said upper staunchion.

Claim 17

The suspension system of claim 13 wherein said means for coupling said tension spring means comprises a front plate extending between the first and second walls of said second staunchion, handlebar means extending between said spaced apart control plates in front of said means for pivotally connecting said eye level control assembly means to said first and second walls of said upper staunchions, said tension spring means applying force when connected between said handlebar means and the top portion of said front wall for maintaining said eye level height adjust shaft in a normally lowered position to thereby maximize the preload on said resilient means.

Claim 18

An improved vehicle seat suspension system having a suspension rate for minimizing shock and vibratory effects on the driver of the vehicle comprising: a base unit for supporting the system and for attaching said system to the floor of the vehicle, a seat-supporting unit for supporting the vehicle seat, parallel linkage means coupling the seat-supporting unit to the base unit, pivot means for pivotally attaching said parallel linkage means respectively to the base unit and the seat-supporting unit, resilient means providing a deflection per unit force, means for pivotally attaching one end of said resilient means to the parallel linkage means, means for coupling the other end of said resilient means to the seat-supporting unit, means for enabling the driver to vary the height of the seat-supporting unit while sitting in said seat, said means for varying the height of said seat-supporting unit includes said means for coupling said other end of said resilient means to the seat-supporting unit, said last-named coupling means comprising eye level control assembly means, said eye level control assembly means comprising a pair of spaced apart control plates, at least one of said control plates having a plurality of notches therein, said seat supporting unit comprising first and second spaced apart sidewalls, means for pivotally connecting said eye level control assembly means to the first and second walls, an eye level height adjust shaft pivotally attached to and extending between said oppositely disposed pair of control plates, means for fixedly attaching the said other end of said resilient means to said eye level height adjust shaft, pin plate means pivotally attached to said first wall, pin means extending from said pin plate, said pin plate having a locking position wherein said pin meshes with selected ones of said notches for locking said control plates into a fixed position thereby locking said seat-supporting unit into a desired riding height position, handle means for moving said pin plate to an unlocked position to remove said pin from said notches to enable varying said height position, preload maintaining means for maintaining said eye level control shaft means at a certain lowered position when said pin plate is in said unlocked position, wherein said handle means extends to the front of said suspension system, and means for enabling the driver to vary the suspension rate while sitting in said seat.

Claim 19

An improved vehicle seat suspension system having a suspension rate for minimizing shock and vibratory effects on the driver of the vehicle comprising: a base unit for supporting the system and for attaching said system to the floor of the vehicle, a seat-supporting unit for supporting the vehicle seat, parallel linkage means coupling the seat-supporting unit to the base unit, pivot means for pivotally attaching said parallel linkage means respectively to the base unit and the seat-supporting unit, resilient means providing a deflection per unit force, means for pivotally attaching one end of said resilient means to the parallel linkage means, means for coupling the other end of said resilient means to the seat-supporting unit, means for enabling the driver to vary the height of the seat-supporting unit while sitting in said seat, said means for varying the height of said seat-supporting unit includes said means for coupling said other end of said resilient means to the seat-supporting unit, said last-named coupling means comprising eye level control assembly means, said eye level control assembly means comprising a pair of spaced apart control plates, at least one of said control plates having a plurality of notches therein, said seat supporting unit comprising first and second spaced apart sidewalls, means for pivotally connecting said eye level control assembly means to the first and second walls, an eye level height adjust shaft pivotally attached to and extending between said oppositely disposed pair of control plates, means for fixedly attaching the said other end of said resilient means to said eye level height adjust shaft, pin plate means pivotally attached to said first wall, pin means extending from said pin plate, said pin plate having a locking position wherein said pin meshes with selected ones of said notches for locking said control plates into a fixed position thereby locking said seat-supporting unit into a desired riding height position, handle means for moving said pin plate to an unlocked position to remove said pin from said notches to enable varying said height position, preload maintaining means for maintaining said eye level control shaft means at a certain lowered position when said pin plate is in said unlocked position, wherein said handle means extends to the front of said suspension system, and means for enabling the driver to vary the suspension rate while sitting in said seat.