GB2342287A

GB2342287A - Improvements in or relating to seat suspension arrangements

Info

Publication number: GB2342287A
Application number: GB9821585A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stefaan Deceuninck
Original assignee: Youngflex AG
Current assignee: L&P Swiss Holding GmbH
Priority date: 1998-10-02
Filing date: 1998-10-02
Publication date: 2000-04-12
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-02
Also published as: GB2342287B; GB9821585D0

Abstract

A seat suspension arrangement comprising a platform element (2) for a seat frame adapted to provide support for upholstery of the seat including a plurality of transverse wires (6) extending between side rails (4) to present a grid, the diameter of some of the wires (6") in the grid differing from the diameter of other wires (6') therein.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SEAT SUSPENSION ARRANGEMENTS This invention concerns improvements in or relating to seat suspension arrangements of the kind in which the contour of the support region can be adjusted for user comfort, the support region being either the back of the seat or the seat base. The arrangements are especially intended for use in the backrest of a vehicle seat providing lumbar support, but which may additionally or alternatively give support in the seat base to afford adjustable thigh support.

In particular the present invention has reference to improvements relating to such suspension arrangements the subject of our co-pending European Patent Application No 0 552 904, International Patent Application No PCT/EP97/04580 (Publication No WO 98/07590) in which there is described inter alia a seat frame provided with a platform element essentially provided with a plurality of transverse wires extending between and secured to side rails, the element being suspended within the seat frame to provide a support, for example a back support or a seat cushion support.

The transverse wires in the various manifestations of our seat suspension arrangements may be of essentially linear form or in the alternative may be shaped to provide angled portions thereby to provide a measure of transverse extensibility under load.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved support structure which will facilitate the comfort customization of vehicle seating arrangements.

According to the invention a platform element for a vehicle seat frame adapted to provide support for upholstery of the seat includes a plurality of transverse wires extending between side rails to present a grid. the diameter of some of the wires in the grid differing from the diameter of other wires therein.

Advantageously the wires in that region which requires adjustment, for example the lumbar region, are of greater diameter than others within the grid to provide a relatively higher degree of stiffness where support is of benefit.

The wires may be graded in diameter dependent upon their location in the grid. Those wires which afford means of interconnection as between the platform element and the seat frame may be of greater diameter than those intermediate wires which do not provide this function.

The invention also comprises in combination a seat frame, a platform element for the vehicle seat frame and adapted to provide support for upholstery of the seat. the platform element including a plurality of transverse wires extending between side rails to present a grid, the diameter of some of the wires in the grid differing from the diameter of other wires therein.

A means is provided for adjusting the contour of the platform element in an appropriate region thereof, for example the lumbar region, to afford support in use to an occupant of the seat. Such means may be of a kind disclosed and claimed in our co-pending European Patent Application No 0 552 904. International Patent Application No PCT/EP97/04580 (Publication No WO 98/07590) the contents of which are imported by these references.

By way of example, four embodiments of a platform element according to the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front elevation of a first embodiment : Figure 2 is a front elevation of a second embodiment; Figure 3 is a front elevation of a third embodiment ; and Figure 4 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment.

In the drawings similar features have been accorded the same reference numerals.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a first embodiment of platform element 2 in the form of a grid comprising two side rails 4 interconnected by a plurality of straight cross wires 6 which penetrate a central spinal tube 8. The wires 6 are secured to the side rails 4 by their ends being reeved therearound and then turned over for positive frictional engagement.

The side rails 4 are provided with a kink 10 at spaced locations along their lengths to give a registration point for a suspension means, for example a spring (not shown), and the rails 4 are bent into an orthogonal transverse orientation at their lower ends and connected together by a clip 12 thereby to present a generally U-shaped form, the corners 14 also giving registration points for suspension means.

The wires 6'are of greater diameter than the wires 6"and it will be noted that the uppermost wire 6'is so disposed as to afford a degree of rigidity in an area of the grid in which wires 6" predominate. Wires 6'are also provided in what would be in use a lumbar region of the platform element and accordingly their presence affords in use a greater degree of stiffness and therefore support for the seat occupant at a desired area of the skeleton.

Referring now to Figure 2, the wires 6 in this second embodiment have angled portions 6A which afford a degree of resilience transversely of the platform element 2. The element 2 is suspended within the seat frame (not shown) by means of separate hooks 16.

As with the first embodiment the wires designated 6'are of greater diameter than those referenced 6"and afford the same variation in support characteristics as for Figure 1.

Turning now to Figure 3, the wires 6 are of similar form to those of Figure 2 but the wires referenced 6'are extended beyond the side rails 4 to provide suspension links 7 for connecting to the seat frame (not shown). The wires 6'being of greater diameter than the wires 6"thus provide a stronger linkage to the seat frame, but also afford the advantage of giving greater stiffness at their relevant locations within the grid as with the earlier embodiments supra.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown the fourth embodiment which depicts a platform element 2 in the form of a seat base for a seat cushion (not shown). In this embodiment the tube 8 is disposed transverse to the depth of the seat and is off-set from a central position as shown. In this embodiment. the outer wires 6'essentially alternate with wires 6", except in the central portion of the seat base where two wires 6"are arrayed in front to back direction with the other wires which are straight. Wires 6'are extended beyond the rails 4 to provide suspension links 6A for connection to a seat base frame (not shown). As with the seat back, the seat base of this embodiment analogously provides the greater support where required, namely where the seat bones and the thighs of an occupant would rest.

The advantage of the present invention resides in the use of appropriate gauge wires where the additional strength and or stiffness is required thereby to enhance the variability of support within the platform element.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A platform element for a seat frame adapted to provide support for upholstery of the seat including a plurality of transverse wires extending between side rails to present a grid, the diameter of some of the wires in the grid differing from the diameter of other wires therein.
2. A platform element as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the wires are graded in diameter dependent upon their location in the grid.
3. A platform element as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the wires of greater diameter are positioned in regions where the contour of the platform element is manually adjustable.
4. A platform element as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the wires of greater diameter are interconnecting wires between the platform element and the seat frame.
5. A seat frame including a platform element as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, adapted to provide support for upholstery of the seat, the platform element including a plurality of transverse wires extending between side rails to present a grid, the diameter of some of the wires in the grid differing from the diameter of other wires therein.
6. A platform element for a seat frame substantially as described herein with reference to any one of Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.