Suspension for vehicle seat

Claim 2

Seat suspension means for attaching a seat assembly to a support frame on a vehicle comprising: an upper spring support member attached to said seat assembly, said upper spring support member and said seat assembly being mounted for vertical movement relative to said support frame between upper and lower positions; a lower spring support member mounted on said support frame; a main biasing spring mounted between said members and adapted to be loaded by the seat assembly as the latter descends from its upper position; auxiliary biasing springs mounted between said members, said auxiliary biasing springs including one spring which is deflected at a faster rate than another spring, said auxiliary biasing springs adapted to commence being loaded by said seat assembly when the latter has descended a predetermined distance from its upper position and has already loaded said main biasing spring by a predetermined amount, said auxiliary biasing springs being further adapted so that said one spring becomes fully loaded before said another spring becomes fully loaded and before said main biasing spring becomes fully loaded; and shock absorber means connected between said upper spring support member and said support frame.

Claim 3

Seat suspension means according to claim 1 including a tie rod pivotably connected between said support frame and said seat assembly and through which said shock absorber means is connected to said support frame.

Claim 4

Seat suspension means according to claim 1 or 2 including means to preload said main biasing spring to compensate for the weight of a seat occupant.

Claim 5

Seat suspension means according to claim 3 including a support member for said support frame and means to adjust the height of said support frame relative to said support member to thereby adjust the height of said seat assembly relative to said vehicle.

Claim 6

Seat suspension means for attaching a seat assembly to a support frame on a vehicle comprising: an upper spring support member attachable to said seat assembly and mounted for vertical movement on said support frame between upper and lower positions; a lower spring support member; mounting means for mounting said lower spring support member in a fixed position on said support frame; a main biasing spring mounted between said members and adapted to be loaded by said upper spring support member as the latter descends in response to descent of said seat assembly; auxiliary biasing springs mounted on said mounting means between said members, said auxiliary biasing springs including one spring which is deflected at a faster rate than another spring, said auxiliary biasing springs adapted to commence being loaded by said upper spring support member when the latter has descended a predetermined distance and has already loaded said main biasing spring by a predetermined amount; a tie rod assembly pivotably connected between said support frame and said seat assembly; and shock absorber means connected between said upper spring support member and said tie rod assembly.

Claim 7

Seat suspension means for attaching a seat assembly to a support frame on a vehicle comprising: an upper spring support member attachable to said seat assembly and mounted for vertical movement on said support frame between upper and lower positions; a lower spring support member; mounting means for mounting said lower spring support member in a fixed position on said support frame; a main biasing spring mounted between said members and adapted to be loaded by said upper spring support member as the latter descends in response to descent of said seat assembly; auxiliary biasing springs mounted on said mounting means between said members, said auxiliary biasing springs including one spring which is deflected at a faster rate than another spring, said auxiliary biasing springs adapted to commence being loaded by said upper spring support member when the latter has descended a predetermined distance and has already loaded said main biasing spring by a predetermined amount; a tie rod assembly pivotably connected between said support frame and said seat assembly; and shock absorber means connected between said upper spring support member and said tie rod assembly.

Claim 8

Seat suspension means according to claim 5 wherein said mounting means comprise, an adjustment rod connected to said support frame and to said lower spring support member, said adjustment rod being operable to adjustably position said lower spring support member relative to said support frame to preload said main biasing spring to compensate for the weight of a seat occupant.

Claim 9

Seat suspension means according to claim 6 wherein said auxiliary biasing springs are coil springs which are mounted on said adjustment rod.

Claim 10

In combination: a seat assembly; a support frame for mounting on a vehicle; and seat suspension means for resiliently attaching said seat assembly to said support frame to enable said seat assembly to move between upper and lower positions so as to cushion the ride for the seat occupant, said seat suspension means comprising: a main biasing spring operatively connected between said seat assembly and said support frame to flex and absorb energy and limit descent as said seat assembly is forced downward from said upper position for a predetermined distance; auxiliary biasing springs, including a "hard" spring and a "soft" spring, to flex and subsequently absorb energy and further limit descent after said main spring has been flexed a predetermined amount, said "soft" spring being adapted to flex at a faster rate than said "hard" spring so that said "soft" spring becomes fully flexed before said "hard" spring becomes fully flexed and before said main biasing spring becomes fully flexed; and a shock absorbed connected between said seat assembly and said support frame to dampen vertical motion.

Claim 11

In combination: a seat assembly; a support frame for mounting on a vehicle; and seat suspension means for resiliently attaching said seat assembly to said support frame to enable said seat assembly to move between upper and lower positions so as to cushion the ride for the seat occupant, said seat suspension means comprising: a main biasing spring operatively connected between said seat assembly and said support frame to flex and absorb energy and limit descent as said seat assembly is forced downward from said upper position for a predetermined distance; auxiliary biasing springs, including a "hard" spring and a "soft" spring, to flex and subsequently absorb energy and further limit descent after said main spring has been flexed a predetermined amount, said "soft" spring being adapted to flex at a faster rate than said "hard" spring so that said "soft" spring becomes fully flexed before said "hard" spring becomes fully flexed and before said main biasing spring becomes fully flexed; and a shock absorbed connected between said seat assembly and said support frame to dampen vertical motion.

Claim 12

A combination according to claim 8 including preloading means for preloading said main biasing spring to take into account the weight of the seat occupant.

Claim 13

A combination according to claim 8 or 9 including a support member for said support frame and height adjusting apparatus to adjust the height of said seat assembly and its associated support frame relative to said support member to thereby adjust the height of said seat assembly relative to said vehicle.

Claim 14

A combination according to claim 10 including positioning means to enable said support member to be shifted fore and aft relative to said vehicle.

Claim 15

In combination: a seat assembly; a support member for mounting on a vehicle; a support frame mounted on said support member; seat suspension means for resiliently attaching said seat assembly to said support frame so as to cushion the ride for the seat occupant, said seat suspension means comprising: a main biasing spring operatively connected between said seat assembly and said support frame to absorb energy and limit descent as said seat assembly is forced downward; auxiliary biasing springs, including a "hard" spring and a "soft" spring, to subsequently absorb energy and further limit descent after said main spring has been compressed a predetermined amount; and a shock absorbed connected between said seat assembly and said support frame to dampen vertical motion; preloading apparatus for preloading said main biasing spring to take into account the weight of the seat occupant; height adjusting apparatus to adjust the height of said seat assembly and its associated support frame relative to said support member to thereby adjust the height of said seat assembly relative to said vehicle; said height adjusting apparatus including: an adjusting lever, means for pivotally mounting said lever at one end to said support member and near one side of the latter, said lever extending across said support member and having a handle at the other end thereof, a slot in said lever, a slot in said support member, a pin fixed to and extending from said support frame and extending through both slots, detent and hole means between said lever and support member, whereby swinging said lever about said means for pivotally mounting vertically adjusts said support frame and whereby said detent and hole means cooperatively engage to hold said support frame and said seat assembly in a vertically adjusted position relative to said support member, and positioning apparatus to enable said support member to be shifted fore and aft relative to said vehicle.

Claim 16

In combination: a seat assembly; a support member for mounting on a vehicle; a support frame mounted on said support member; seat suspension means for resiliently attaching said seat assembly to said support frame so as to cushion the ride for the seat occupant, said seat suspension means comprising: a main biasing spring operatively connected between said seat assembly and said support frame to absorb energy and limit descent as said seat assembly is forced downward; auxiliary biasing springs, including a "hard" spring and a "soft" spring, to subsequently absorb energy and further limit descent after said main spring has been compressed a predetermined amount; and a shock absorbed connected between said seat assembly and said support frame to dampen vertical motion; preloading apparatus for preloading said main biasing spring to take into account the weight of the seat occupant; height adjusting apparatus to adjust the height of said seat assembly and its associated support frame relative to said support member to thereby adjust the height of said seat assembly relative to said vehicle; said height adjusting apparatus including: an adjusting lever, means for pivotally mounting said lever at one end to said support member and near one side of the latter, said lever extending across said support member and having a handle at the other end thereof, a slot in said lever, a slot in said support member, a pin fixed to and extending from said support frame and extending through both slots, detent and hole means between said lever and support member, whereby swinging said lever about said means for pivotally mounting vertically adjusts said support frame and whereby said detent and hole means cooperatively engage to hold said support frame and said seat assembly in a vertically adjusted position relative to said support member, and positioning apparatus to enable said support member to be shifted fore and aft relative to said vehicle.

Claim 17

In combination: a seat assembly; a support member for mounting on a vehicle; a support frame mounted on said support member; seat suspension means for resiliently attaching said seat assembly to said support frame so as to cushion the ride for the seat occupant, said seat suspension means comprising: a main biasing spring operatively connected between said seat assembly and said support frame to absorb energy and limit descent as said seat assembly is forced downward; and a shock absorber connected between said seat assembly and said support frame to dampen vertical motion; preloading apparatus for preloading said main biasing spring to take into account the weight of the seat occupant; height adjusting apparatus to adjust the height of said seat assembly and its associated support frame relative to said support member to thereby adjust the height of said seat assembly relative to said vehicle; said height adjusting apparatus including: an adjusting lever, means for pivotally mounting said lever at one end to said support member and near one side of the latter, said lever extending across said support member and having a handle at the other end thereof, a slot in said lever, a slot in said support member, a pin fixed to and extending from said support frame and extending through both slots, detent and hole means between said lever and support member, whereby swinging said lever about said means for pivotally mounting vertically adjusts said support frame and whereby said detent and hole means cooperatively engage to hold said support frame and said seat assembly in a vertically adjusted position relative to said support member; and positioning apparatus to enable said support member to be shifted fore and aft relative to said vehicle.

Claim 18

In combination: a seat assembly; a support member for mounting on a vehicle; a support frame mounted on said support member; seat suspension means for resiliently attaching said seat assembly to said support frame so as to cushion the ride for the seat occupant, said seat suspension means comprising: a main biasing spring operatively connected between said seat assembly and said support frame to absorb energy and limit descent as said seat assembly is forced downward; and a shock absorber connected between said seat assembly and said support frame to dampen vertical motion; preloading apparatus for preloading said main biasing spring to take into account the weight of the seat occupant; height adjusting apparatus to adjust the height of said seat assembly and its associated support frame relative to said support member to thereby adjust the height of said seat assembly relative to said vehicle; said height adjusting apparatus including: an adjusting lever, means for pivotally mounting said lever at one end to said support member and near one side of the latter, said lever extending across said support member and having a handle at the other end thereof, a slot in said lever, a slot in said support member, a pin fixed to and extending from said support frame and extending through both slots, detent and hole means between said lever and support member, whereby swinging said lever about said means for pivotally mounting vertically adjusts said support frame and whereby said detent and hole means cooperatively engage to hold said support frame and said seat assembly in a vertically adjusted position relative to said support member; and positioning apparatus to enable said support member to be shifted fore and aft relative to said vehicle.

Claim 19

Seat suspension means for attaching a vertically movable seat assembly to a support frame on a vehicle comprising: an upper spring support member attached to said seat assembly and mounted for vertical movement on said support frame between upper and lower positions; a lower spring support member mounted on said support frame; a main biasing spring mounted between said members and adapted to be loaded by the seat assembly as the latter descends from its upper position; auxiliary biasing springs mounted between said members, said auxiliary biasing springs including one spring which is deflected at a faster rate than another spring, said auxiliary biasing springs adapted to commence being loaded by said seat assembly when the latter has descended a predetermined distance from its upper position and has already loaded said main biasing spring by a predetermined amount, said auxiliary biasing springs being further adapted so that said one spring becomes fully loaded before said another spring becomes fully loaded and before said main biasing spring becomes fully loaded; a tie rod pivotably connected between said frame and said seat assembly; and shock absorber means connected between said upper spring support member and said tie rod.

Claim 20

Seat suspension means for attaching a vertically movable seat assembly to a support frame on a vehicle comprising: an upper spring support member attached to said seat assembly and mounted for vertical movement on said support frame between upper and lower positions; a lower spring support member mounted on said support frame; a main biasing spring mounted between said members and adapted to be loaded by the seat assembly as the latter descends from its upper position; auxiliary biasing springs mounted between said members, said auxiliary biasing springs including one spring which is deflected at a faster rate than another spring, said auxiliary biasing springs adapted to commence being loaded by said seat assembly when the latter has descended a predetermined distance from its upper position and has already loaded said main biasing spring by a predetermined amount, said auxiliary biasing springs being further adapted so that said one spring becomes fully loaded before said another spring becomes fully loaded and before said main biasing spring becomes fully loaded; a tie rod pivotably connected between said frame and said seat assembly; and shock absorber means connected between said upper spring support member and said tie rod.

Claim 21

Seat suspension means according to claim 14 including means to preload said main biasing spring to compensate for the weight of a seat occupant.

Claim 22

Seat suspension according to claim 15 including a support member for said support frame and means to adjust the height of said support frame relative to said support member to thereby adjust the height of said seat assembly relative to said vehicle.