US5697672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Improvements in and relating to seat arrangements providing adjustable support
Assignee: Pullmaflex UK Ltd
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Filing: 1995-01-13
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Granted: 1997-12-16
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Expires: 2015-01-13
Abstract
Abstract A seat arrangement which provides adjustable support has a wire frame structure (1) mounted in a seat in order to support the cushioning material of the seat. Side boundaries of the frame structure are provided by wire portions (2) that extend generally parallel to one another. A first cushion supporting wire element (13) extends transversely with respect to said frame structure (1) and is pivoted thereto about a transverse axis. A second cushion supporting wire element (10) is pivoted with respect to the first wire element (13) about a second axis transverse with respect to the frame structure (1) and actuating means (16,17) is provided for applying a force between the said two wire elements (10,13) to cause articulation thereof about said second axis with movement of the second wire element (10) relatively to the frame structure in a direction generally parallel to the side boundaries thereof (2). The contour of the cushion support provided by the wire frame structure (1) can thus be varied.
Inventors
- 👤 Bryan Mitchell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:35
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/64; B60N2/66; B60N2/667; B60N2/6671
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A seat arrangement providing adjustable support, comprising a wire frame structure adapted to be mounted in seat in order to support cushioning material of the seat, side boundaries of which frame structure incorporate wire portions arranged to extend generally parallel to one another, a first cushion supporting wire element extending transversely with respect to said frame structure and pivoted to the latter about a first transverse axis, a second cushion supporting wire element pivoted with respect to the first wire element about a second axis transverse with respect to said frame structure, and actuating means for applying a force between the said two wire elements in order to cause articulation thereof about said second axis, coupled with movement of said second wire element relatively to the said frame structure in a direction generally parallel to the side boundaries of said frame structure, in order to vary a contour of cushioning material supported by said wire frame structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
157 words
A seat arrangement providing adjustable support, comprising a wire frame structure adapted to be mounted in seat in order to support cushioning material of the seat, side boundaries of which frame structure incorporate wire portions arranged to extend generally parallel to one another, a first cushion supporting wire element extending transversely with respect to said frame structure and pivoted to the latter about a first transverse axis, a second cushion supporting wire element pivoted with respect to the first wire element about a second axis transverse with respect to said frame structure, and actuating means for applying a force between the said two wire elements in order to cause articulation thereof about said second axis, coupled with movement of said second wire element relatively to the said frame structure in a direction generally parallel to the side boundaries of said frame structure, in order to vary a contour of cushioning material supported by said wire frame structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A seat arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said first wire element comprises a generally U-shaped element with inturned ends that are journalled in pivots linked to the said wire frame structure at the first transverse axis, the base of the generally U-shaped element being arranged to extend adjacent a wire edge of said second cushion supporting wire element at said second transverse axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A seat arrangement being a modification of that claimed in claim 2, wherein said generally U-shaped element is replaced by two spaced wire links, each of which is pivotally linked to said wire frame structure at the first transverse axis and to said second cushion supporting wire element at said second transverse axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
A seat arrangement according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said second wire element is guided for movement relatively to said frame structure by means of guide blocks pivotally linked thereto about a further transverse axis remote from said second transverse axis and slidably engaged with said wire portions of said frame structure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
A seat arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said guide blocks comprise blocks of resilient synthetic plastics material each having two undercut linear grooves extending in planes at right angles to one another, of which one of said grooves makes snap engagement with a said wire portion of said frame structure and can slide thereon and of which the other makes snap engagement with a wire edge of said second wire element that extends on said further transverse axis, and can pivot relatively thereto.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
A seat arrangement according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein said second wire element is guided for movement relatively to said frame structure by a lever element forming part of said actuating means, pivotally mounted about a transverse axis and having spaced lever arms of which the ends are pivotally linked to said second wire element about a further transverse axis remote from said second transverse axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A seat arrangement according to any one of claims 1-3 and 5, wherein said first and second wire elements are pivotally linked at said second transverse axis by means of clips embracing parallel wire portions at respective edges of said wire elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A seat arrangement according to claim 7, wherein intermediate parts of said parallel wire portions between two said clips which are adapted to be adjacent lateral margins of the seat are angled away from one another to provide distributed support for cushioning material of the seat.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
65 words
A seat arrangement according to any one of claims 1, 2, or 5, wherein said first and second wire elements are pivotally linked at said second transverse axis by means of a rail of resilient synthetic plastics material having a pair of undercut grooves making snap engagement with edge wires of said elements, said rail being shaped to provide distributed support for said cushioning material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
A seat arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, or 5, wherein said first and second wire elements are mounted in a seat back and the arrangement is such that said variation of the contour of the seat back provides adjustable lumbar support for an occupant of the seat.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
A seat arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, wherein said first and second wire elements are mounted in a seat base and the arrangement is such that said variation of the contour of the seat base provides thigh support for an occupant of the seat.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
A seat arrangement as claimed in claim 11, mounted in a folding seat, wherein the arrangement is such that the contour of the seat base is variable from a substantially flat condition for folding of the seat to an angled condition providing said thigh support.
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) | 2000-12-15 | 2001-06-16 | 2001-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-15 | 2005-06-16 | 2005-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-15 | 2009-06-16 | 2009-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |