US5280997A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motor vehicle seat
Assignee: Mercedes Benz Group AG
•
Filing: 1992-03-05
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Granted: 1994-01-25
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Expires: 2012-03-05
Abstract
Abstract A motor vehicle seat with a backrest contains a spring core and has forwardly curved side parts into which inflatable air cushions are inserted for varying the contour of the backrest. The air cushions are arranged between fixed uprights and the spring core. As a result, in the event of variations in the filling pressure in the air cushions the overall shape of the spring core is varied. The horizontal contour of the backrest can thus be varied to a greater degree than previously with air cushions in the upholstery, without the surface hardness of the upholstery being adversely affected.
Inventors
- 👤 Rudolf Andres
- 👤 Holger Seel
- 👤 Volker Speck
- 👤 Dietmar Zwolfer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:35
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/64; B60N2/66; B60N2/665; A; A47; A47C; A47C7/00; A47C7/36; A47C7/40; A47C7/46; A47C7/467; B60N2/90; B60N2/914
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A motor vehicle seat with a backrest and upholstery comprising a spring core having forwardly curved side regions, inflatable air cushions located behind the forwardly curved side regions for varying the contour of the backrest by curving the upholstery at the side regions further forwards in a longitudinal motor vehicle direction with respect to a central region of the backrest, means for varying an amount of said curving according to filling pressure of the air cushions, wherein the spring core extends with end sections slightly bent forwardly into the side regions of the backrest, and the inflatable air cushions are supported on fixed uprights of the motor vehicle seat and act on the end sections of the spring core on a side thereof facing the fixed uprights.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A motor vehicle seat with a backrest and upholstery comprising a spring core having forwardly curved side regions, inflatable air cushions located behind the forwardly curved side regions for varying the contour of the backrest by curving the upholstery at the side regions further forwards in a longitudinal motor vehicle direction with respect to a central region of the backrest, means for varying an amount of said curving according to filling pressure of the air cushions, wherein the spring core extends with end sections slightly bent forwardly into the side regions of the backrest, and the inflatable air cushions are supported on fixed uprights of the motor vehicle seat and act on the end sections of the spring core on a side thereof facing the fixed uprights.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the spring core is configured such that, with increasing filling pressure in the air cushions, a central region of the spring core curves rearwardly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein at least one air cushion with settable filling pressure is inserted in the central region of the backrest between the spring core and a rear-side rubberized-hair mat of the upholstery.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein the spring core is configured such that, with increasing filling pressure in the air cushions, a central region of the spring core curves rearwardly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein the air cushions in the side regions of the backrest are arranged to be controlled independently of the air cushions in the central region of the backrest.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein the at least one air cushion constitutes four air cushions arranged above one another in a vertical direction in the central region of the backrest and controlled such that two adjacent pair of the four air cushions have the same filling pressure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 6, wherein a control apparatus for setting the contour of the backrest comprises three pushbuttons for controlling the four air cushions in the central region of the backrest, a rocker switch for controlling the air cushions in the side regions, and a setting element for setting the filling pressure in the four air cushions, with the filling pressure being settable steplessly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 6, wherein a control apparatus for setting the contour of the backrest comprises three pushbuttons for controlling the four air cushions in the central region of the backrest, a rocker switch for controlling the air cushions in the side regions, and a setting element for setting the filling pressure in the four air cushions, with the filling pressure being settable one of steplessly and with small stepped jumps.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein the at least one cushion, inserted in the central region of the backrest is attached to a flexible carrier mat adapted to be removably connected to the spring core so as to rest thereon, and the carrier mat comprises a felt textile material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 9, wherein nonwoven intermediate layers are arranged between adjacent air cushions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 9, wherein the air cushions are formed from welded polyurethane film.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 10, wherein the intermediate layers comprise pouches, having walls open laterally and surrounding the air cushions so as to be removably retained on the carrier mat.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 12, wherein the air cushions are formed from welded polyurethane film.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein the air cushions are formed from welded polyurethane film.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein at least two air cushions which can preferably be controlled individually are arranged in at least one of the side regions and the central region of the backrest.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 15, wherein at least one air cushion with settable filling pressure is inserted in the central region of the backrest between the spring core and a rear-side rubberized-hair mat of the upholstery.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 15, wherein at least one air cushion with settable filling pressure is inserted in the central region of the backrest between the spring core and a rear-side rubberized-hair mat of the upholstery.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 15, wherein the air cushions are overlappingly arranged with respect to one another at least in an unpressurized state.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein at least two air cushions which can preferably be controlled in groups are arranged in at least one of the side regions and the central region of the backrest.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 19, wherein at least one air cushion with settable filling pressure is inserted in the central region of the backrest between the spring core and a rear-side rubberized-hair mat of the upholstery.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
39 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 19, wherein at least one air cushion with settable filling pressure is inserted in the central region of the backrest between the spring core and a rear-side rubberized-hair mat of the upholstery.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The motor vehicle seat according to claim 19, wherein the air cushions are overlappingly arranged with respect to one another at least in an unpressurized state.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-24 | 1997-07-26 | 1998-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-24 | 2001-07-26 | 2002-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-24 | 2005-07-26 | 2006-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |