US3697133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seat back structure
Assignee: Hoover Universal Inc
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Filing: 1970-08-06
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Granted: 1972-10-10
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Expires: 1990-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A seat back structure consisting of a supporting frame and a unitary seating back unit mounted on the frame. The seating back unit consists of a molded foam body of seat back shape having a spring assembly embedded therein. The spring assembly includes a plurality of linear springs which yieldably resist seating loads and a border wire on which the linear springs are mounted. Rearwardly extending projections on the foam body engage the frame so as to provide a space into which the linear springs can deflect when subjected to seating loads. The spring assembly is shaped to conform to the seat back shape of the foam body and cooperates with the foam body to provide added stiffness in the lower back area of the seat occupant.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas Wolofski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:36
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/70; B60N2/7023; B60N2/7029
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A seat back structure comprising a frame having upright side rail portions, a seating back unit mounted on said frame, said back unit comprising a molded foam body and a spring assembly embedded in said body, said spring assembly comprising a border wire having upright spaced portions and a plurality of linear springs connected to and extending between said upright portions, said body having rearwardly extending molded foam projections disposed adjacent the sides of said body and rearwardly of said linear springs in the unloaded condition thereof, said projections being engaged with said side rail portions so as to locate said springs forwardly of said frame and provide a space between said body and said frame into which said springs can deflect when loaded.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A seat back structure comprising a frame having upright side rail portions, a seating back unit mounted on said frame, said back unit comprising a molded foam body and a spring assembly embedded in said body, said spring assembly comprising a border wire having upright spaced portions and a plurality of linear springs connected to and extending between said upright portions, said body having rearwardly extending molded foam projections disposed adjacent the sides of said body and rearwardly of said linear springs in the unloaded condition thereof, said projections being engaged with said side rail portions so as to locate said springs forwardly of said frame and provide a space between said body and said frame into which said springs can deflect when loaded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The structure according to claim 1 wherein said frame also includes a bottom rail portion and said foam body includes a rearwardly extending molded foam projection at the lower end thereof engaged with said bottom rail portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The structure according to claim 1 wherein at least some of said linear springs disposed above said lower projection and located between said side projections are forwardly bowed in the unloaded condition thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The structure according to claim 1 wherein said side projections terminate in concave surfaces shaped to seat on said side rail portions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a seating structure, a unitary seating back unit comprising a molded foam body having a front and a rear and a pair of sides, said body being disposed in a generally upright position so that it has a top end and a bottom end, a spring assembly embedded in said body and comprising a border wire having portions thereof located adjacent the sides of said body and a plurality of vertically spaced linear springs connected to and extending between said border wire portions, said body being formed with a pair of rearwardly extending molded foam projections adjacent the sides thereof which are disposed in a spaced relation, said projections cooperating to form therebetween a space into which some of said linear springs can deflect when said springs are subjected to a seating load.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a seating structure, a unitary seating back unit comprising a molded foam body having a front and a rear and a pair of sides, said body being disposed in a generally upright position so that it has a top end and a bottom end, a spring assembly embedded in said body and comprising a border wire having portions thereof located adjacent the sides of said body and a plurality of vertically spaced linear springs connected to and extending between said border wire portions, said body being formed with a pair of rearwardly extending molded foam projections adjacent the sides thereof which are disposed in a spaced relation, said projections cooperating to form therebetween a space into which some of said linear springs can deflect when said springs are subjected to a seating load.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A seating back unit according to claim 5 wherein said some linear springs are bowed in a forward direction in the unloaded condition thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A seating back unit according to claim 5 wherein said border wire forms a continuous loop in said body and has top and bottom portions connected to said side portions and disposed adjacent the top and bottom ends, respectively, of said body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A seating back unit according to claim 7 wherein the front of said body is of a curved shape in vertical section and wherein said border wire side portions are curved to conform substantially to said shape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
A seating back unit according to claim 8 wherein said body is curved to extend forwardly adjacent the bottom end thereof and the lowermost one of said linear springs is secured intermediate the ends thereof to said bottom border wire portion to impart an increased resistance to seating loads to the lower back portion of said unit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A seating back unit according to claim 9 wherein said lowermost one of said linear springs has forwardly inclined end portions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |