Chairs and seats – Bottom or back with means to alter contour
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-08
2001-10-30
Brown, Peter R. (Department: 3624)
Chairs and seats
Bottom or back with means to alter contour
C297S284400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309018
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a back support structure for a seat. More particularly, the present invention relates to a back support structure for a vehicle seat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A back support structure for a seat is known from European Patent Application No. 291,298. This application describes a seat measuring apparatus and a chair with an adjustable back, in which the adjustable back portion is formed by a pliable surface to which a number of metal strips can be attached. In order to obtain a curvature corresponding to that of a person's back, so as to allow measurement thereof, the deformable surface is provided with three supports allowing adjustment. Between the support locations the deformable surface is unrestrained by any positive means.
When considering the dynamics of vehicle collisions, and means for minimizing back and neck injuries, it is known that correct support of the back is very important, particularly as concerns the upper back, shoulders, neck and head. However, a seat back must also be easily adjustable in order to make it viable for use by people of different sizes. This is particularly true in vehicle seats which are standard for any particular car model. When considering a seat according to European Patent Application No. 291,298 (which primarily concerns a seat measurement apparatus and its application to a chair), obtaining conformity to a user's back is very complicated, requiring a large number of manipulations. Moreover, the assistance of a further person while the user is seated is required, if accurate conformity is to be obtained.
A known seat is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,109, which describes a standard car seat having several adjustable control sections, with a separate headrest portion attached by means of a control at the upper edge of the seat. Each of the adjustable sections comprises a panel having a number of parallel cords with intersecting cables which can be deformed into convex orientations of varying degrees of curvature. Such a seat does not, however, allow sufficient conformity to the actual shape of a user's back, but merely offers a compromise by supporting certain areas of the back by means of a series of standard convex surfaces which may or may not fit various users.
The main object of the present invention is thus to provide a seat back which is readily adjustable to provide good conformity, yet which provides positive support for the deformable support surface so as to provide a stable seat back structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, this and other objects have now been realized by the discovery of a seat back support comprising a seat frame, a deformable support surface having an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edge being mounted on the seat frame, the deformable support surface comprising a plurality of juxtaposed strips pivotally mounted with respect to each other, and holding means for maintaining the deformable support surface in a predetermined orientation, the holding means being movable between a first position wherein the holding means engages the plurality of juxtaposed strips to maintain the deformable support surface in the predetermined orientation and a second position wherein the holding means is disengaged from the deformable support surface and the deformable support surface is movable into a different orientation. In a preferred embodiment, the deformable support surface includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being deformable in a convex configuration away from the seat frame to provide support for the head of an occupant in the seat.
In accordance with one embodiment of the seat back support of the present invention, the plurality of juxtaposed strips includes substantially vertical edge portions, the holding means adapted to engage the substantially vertical edge portions in the predetermined orientation. In a preferred embodiment, the holding means comprises at least one plate having a high friction surface disposed thereon facing at least one of the substantially vertical edge portions.
In accordance with another embodiment of the seat back support of the present invention, the seat back support includes biasing means for biasing the holding means into the first position, and actuation means for moving the holding means into the second position.
In accordance with one embodiment of the seat back support of the present invention, the seat back support includes hinge means for pivotally connecting each of the plurality of juxtaposed strips to adjacent ones of the plurality of juxtaposed strips. Preferably, the plurality of juxtaposed strips and the hinge means comprise a unitary element, the hinge means comprising reduced thickness portions of the unitary element. Preferably, the unitary element comprises plastic.
In accordance with another embodiment of the seat back support of the present invention, the lower edge of the movable support surface is mounted on the seat frame, at least one of the upper and lower edges of the deformable support surface being vertically movable along the seat frame.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle seat has been discovered comprising the seat back support set forth above, and including control means for controlling the movement of the deformable support surface between the first and the deformable support surface between the first and second positions. In a preferred embodiment, the lower edge of the deformable support surface is mounted on the seat frame, at least one of the upper and lower edges of the deformable support surface being vertically movable along the seat frame, and including adjustment means for moving the at least one of the upper and lower edges of the deformable support surface along the seat frame.
In accordance with another embodiment of the vehicle seat of the present invention, the deformable support surface includes an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion being deformable in a convex configuration away from the seat frame to provide support for the head and neck of an occupant in the seat, and the lower portion providing support for the lumbar region of the occupant.
By providing a back support structure according to the present invention with individual support for substantially all of the individual strips, a positive resistance can be provided against movement and undesired deformation of each of the strips of the support surface. However, since the holding means is movable from a position of engagement to a position of disengagement, good conformity to the shape of the back can still be readily obtained.
If the upper edge of the support surface extends through the neck region of the seat back and into the head region, it will be apparent that the seat back will not only provide optimal support for the back, but also for the neck, which requires a convex-forwardly facing surface.
When considering prior art adjustable seats such as in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,109 European Application No. 291,298, these have been provided with an additional headrest to achieve support of the head or neck. However, not only does the individual headrest add to the expense, but a further major drawback is that either the area of the neck is well supported or the area of the head is well supported, but no continuous support is provided from the upper part of the back up to the head. Even in U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,1109, where a large number of adjustment members have been used, a lack of support is still apparent between the neck and head support regions. During a collision, this lack of support can lead to severe spinal injuries, such as when the head is forced downwards and the neck backwards despite the presence of a headrest. This is also the case in European Application No. 291,298, since the curvature between the upper part of the back and the head and neck region cannot be adequately copied, and moreover since a relatively large gap will still be present between th
Brown Peter R.
Kilpatrick & Stockton LLP
Volvo Car Corporation
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