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US6334648B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Vehicle seat

Assignee: Girsberger Holding AG
•
Filing: 2000-08-11
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Granted: 2002-01-01
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Expires: 2020-08-11
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Abstract

Abstract A vehicle seat ( 1 ) has a carrier part ( 8 ) connected to a seat back ( 2 ), preferably with an integrated headrest ( 3 ), and a seat part ( 4 ) having a sitting surface. The seat back ( 2 ) is movable from a predetermined starting position to a safety position during a crash-related introduction of forces through the user of the seat during a rear collision. For this purpose, the carrier part has a support for the seat back ( 2 ) arranged above the sitting surface and spaced with an effective lever arm from the position for the introduction of forces by the pelvis area against in the seat back ( 2 ). The seat part ( 4 ) is connected to a guide slanting upwardly and forwardly away from the seat back ( 2 ), so that during a frontal collision, the seat part is moved from the originally selected starting position into a position of greater safety. The vehicle seat ( 1 ) according to the invention offers the user both good ergonomics and at the same time the greatest possible degree of safety.

Inventors

  • 👤 Jürg Girsberger
  • 👤 Christian Hegner

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 01:53
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/24; B60N2/42; B60N2/4207; B60N2/4214; B60N2/4228; B60N2/4221; B60N2/427; B60N2/42727; B60N2/42736

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim 292 words
A vehicle seat ( 1 ) comprising a carrier part ( 8 ) which is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, a seat back ( 2 ), and a seat part ( 4 ) having a sitting surface, the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ) being hingedly connected to each other by a pivot point ( 5 ) between their adjacent ends, wherein the carrier part ( 8 ) adjustably supports the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ) at connection positions in a form of restrictive slide guides ( 6 , 7 ) for movably conducting the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ), such that the seat back ( 2 ) and seat part ( 4 ) can be adjusted to and fixed in a starting position selectable by a user of the vehicle seat ( 1 ), and the seat back ( 2 ) is movable from the starting position to a safety position by a crash-related introduction of force through the user during a rear collision, and wherein the carrier part ( 8 ) has a support for the seat back ( 2 ) arranged at a distance above the sitting surface, such that a lower portion of the seat back ( 2 ) between the support and the pivot point ( 5 ) acts as a lever arm, wherein introduction of forces from a pelvis area of the user against the seat back ( 2 ) during the rear collision causes the lever arm to move the seat part ( 4 ) and an upper part of the seat back ( 2 ) above the support to the safety position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 292 words
A vehicle seat ( 1 ) comprising a carrier part ( 8 ) which is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, a seat back ( 2 ), and a seat part ( 4 ) having a sitting surface, the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ) being hingedly connected to each other by a pivot point ( 5 ) between their adjacent ends, wherein the carrier part ( 8 ) adjustably supports the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ) at connection positions in a form of restrictive slide guides ( 6 , 7 ) for movably conducting the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ), such that the seat back ( 2 ) and seat part ( 4 ) can be adjusted to and fixed in a starting position selectable by a user of the vehicle seat ( 1 ), and the seat back ( 2 ) is movable from the starting position to a safety position by a crash-related introduction of force through the user during a rear collision, and wherein the carrier part ( 8 ) has a support for the seat back ( 2 ) arranged at a distance above the sitting surface, such that a lower portion of the seat back ( 2 ) between the support and the pivot point ( 5 ) acts as a lever arm, wherein introduction of forces from a pelvis area of the user against the seat back ( 2 ) during the rear collision causes the lever arm to move the seat part ( 4 ) and an upper part of the seat back ( 2 ) above the support to the safety position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein the seat back ( 2 ) has an integral headrest ( 3 ).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 47 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 2 , wherein an area of seat back ( 2 ) which faces the user is constructed with a low flexibility material in the lower portion acting as a lever arm and in an area of the headrest ( 3 ).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 64 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein an upholstering of the seat back ( 2 ) is constructed to be soft approximately in an upper portion of the seat back ( 2 ) corresponding to a chest area of the user in comparison to the lower portion of the seat back ( 2 ) corresponding to the pelvis area of the user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 103 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 1 , further comprising a retaining device ( 20 ) attached to the carrier part ( 8 ) and adapted to fix the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ) in different adjustment positions, wherein the retaining device ( 20 ) is effective between the seat part ( 4 ) and the carrier part ( 8 ) for a fixed sitting position and is flexible in an energy-absorbent manner for movement of the vehicle seat ( 1 ) from the starting position to the safety position during a crash-related introduction of forces.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 96 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein the connection position of the restrictive slide guide ( 6 ) supporting the seat back ( 2 ) on the carrier part ( 8 ) provides an initial behavior of the seat back ( 2 ) at least with respect to a position of a headrest ( 3 ) for a forward movement of the headrest to a catching position for a head of the user during a rear collision as well as a subsequent backward movement of the headrest ( 3 ) into a support position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 37 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein the restrictive slide guide ( 6 ) of the seat back ( 2 ) extends approximately straight in a longitudinal direction of the seat back ( 2 ).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 46 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein the restrictive slide guide ( 7 ) of the seat part ( 4 ) extends on a curve with a radius of curvature adapted to conform approximately to a curvature of a hip joint of the user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 45 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ) have respectively a back shell and a sitting shell, and a headrest ( 3 ) is an integrated component of the back shell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 77 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 1 , wherein the restrictive guides ( 6 , 7 ) are located on the carrier part ( 8 ) and support the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ) at respective distances from the pivot point ( 5 ) which forms a free-floating hinge axis, and wherein the restrictive guides ( 6 , 7 ) of the vehicle seat are constructed as rotating slide guides.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 325 words
A vehicle seat comprising a carrier part ( 8 ) which is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, a seat back ( 2 ), and a seat part ( 4 ) having a sitting surface, the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ) being hingedly connected to each other by a pivot point ( 5 ) between their adjacent ends, wherein the carrier part ( 8 ) adjustably supports the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ) at connection positions in a form of restrictive slide guides ( 6 , 7 ) for movably conducting the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ), such that the seat back ( 2 ) and seat part ( 4 ) can be adjusted to and fixed in a starting position selectable by a user of the vehicle seat ( 1 ), and the seat part ( 4 ) is movable from the starting position to a safety position by a crash-related introduction of force through the user during a frontal collision, wherein the carrier part ( 8 ) supports the seat part ( 4 ) by one of said slide guides, ( 7 ) oriented on a slant forwardly away from the seat back ( 2 ), and wherein the carrier part ( 8 ) has a support for the seat back ( 2 ) arranged at a distance above the sitting surface, such that a lower portion of the seat back ( 2 ) between the support and the pivot point ( 5 ) acts as a lever arm wherein introduction of forces from a pelvis area of the user against the seat back ( 2 ) during the frontal collision causes the lever arm to move the seat part ( 4 ) and an upper part of the seat back ( 2 ) above the support to the safety position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 325 words
A vehicle seat comprising a carrier part ( 8 ) which is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, a seat back ( 2 ), and a seat part ( 4 ) having a sitting surface, the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ) being hingedly connected to each other by a pivot point ( 5 ) between their adjacent ends, wherein the carrier part ( 8 ) adjustably supports the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ) at connection positions in a form of restrictive slide guides ( 6 , 7 ) for movably conducting the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ), such that the seat back ( 2 ) and seat part ( 4 ) can be adjusted to and fixed in a starting position selectable by a user of the vehicle seat ( 1 ), and the seat part ( 4 ) is movable from the starting position to a safety position by a crash-related introduction of force through the user during a frontal collision, wherein the carrier part ( 8 ) supports the seat part ( 4 ) by one of said slide guides, ( 7 ) oriented on a slant forwardly away from the seat back ( 2 ), and wherein the carrier part ( 8 ) has a support for the seat back ( 2 ) arranged at a distance above the sitting surface, such that a lower portion of the seat back ( 2 ) between the support and the pivot point ( 5 ) acts as a lever arm wherein introduction of forces from a pelvis area of the user against the seat back ( 2 ) during the frontal collision causes the lever arm to move the seat part ( 4 ) and an upper part of the seat back ( 2 ) above the support to the safety position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 22 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 11 , wherein the seat back ( 2 ) has an integral headrest ( 3 ).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 47 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 12 , wherein an area of seat back ( 2 ) which faces the user is constructed with a low flexibility material in the lower portion acting as a lever arm and in an area of the headrest ( 3 ).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 64 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 11 , wherein an upholstering of the seat back ( 2 ) is constructed to be soft approximately in an upper portion of the seat back ( 2 ) corresponding to a chest area of the user in comparison to the lower portion of the seat back ( 2 ) corresponding to the pelvis area of the user.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 103 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 11 , further comprising a retaining device ( 20 ) attached to the support carrier ( 8 ) and adapted to fix the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ) in different adjustment positions, wherein the retaining device ( 20 ) is effective between the seat part ( 4 ) and the carrier part ( 8 ) for a fixed sitting position and is flexible in an energy-absorbent manner for movement of the vehicle seat ( 1 ) from the starting position to the safety position during a crash-related introduction of forces.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 41 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 15 , wherein the retaining device ( 20 ) comprises a gas pressure spring ( 21 ) connected to the seat part ( 4 ) by an energy absorbingly yielding connecting arm ( 22 ).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 96 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 11 , wherein the connection position of the restrictive slide guide ( 6 ) supporting the seat back ( 2 ) on the carrier part ( 8 ) provides an initial behavior of the seat back ( 2 ) at least with respect to a position of a headrest ( 3 ) for a forward movement of the headrest to a catching position for a head of the user during a rear collision as well as a subsequent backward movement of the headrest ( 3 ) into a support position.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 37 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 11 , wherein the restrictive slide guide ( 6 ) of the seat back ( 2 ) extends approximately straight in a longitudinal direction of the seat back ( 2 ).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 46 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 11 , wherein the restrictive slide guide ( 7 ) of the seat part ( 4 ) extends on a curve with a radius of curvature adapted to conform approximately to a curvature of a hip joint of the user.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 45 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 11 , wherein the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ) have respectively a back shell and a sitting shell, and a headrest ( 3 ) is an integrated component of the back shell.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 77 words
The vehicle seat according to claim 11 , wherein the restrictive guides ( 6 , 7 ) are located on the carrier part ( 8 ) and support the seat back ( 2 ) and the seat part ( 4 ) at respective distances from the pivot point ( 5 ) which forms a free-floating hinge axis, and wherein the restrictive guides ( 6 , 7 ) of the vehicle seat are constructed as rotating slide guides.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2004-12-31 2005-07-02 2006-01-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2008-12-31 2009-07-02 2010-01-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2012-12-31 2013-07-02 2014-01-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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