Supports – Stand – Adjustable vertically
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-08
2001-07-31
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Stand
Adjustable vertically
C248S157000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267344
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, and more particularly to a vehicle seat with a suspension mechanism for support of a cushion frame and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a resilient force of the suspension mechanism.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. S-228039 is a vehicle seat equipped with a suspension mechanism of the type which includes a torsion bar spring assembled for support of a cushion frame. In the vehicle seat, it is desirable that a resilient force of the suspension mechanism can be adjusted in accordance with a difference in weight of a passenger seated on a seat cushion to enhance a seating comfort of the vehicle seat. In adjustment of the suspension mechanism, however, a reaction force of the torsion bar spring against a load applied thereto is adjusted only in a limited extent. For this reason, a deflection amount of the suspension mechanism is limited as shown by a dotted curve A in FIG.
18
. This deteriorates the seating comfort of the vehicle seat and causes a bottomed feel on the seat cushion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a vehicle seat equipped with a suspension mechanism the resilient force of which can be adjusted in according with a difference in weight of a passenger seated on a seat cushion.
A secondary object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat equipped with a suspension mechanism in which a set of torsion bar springs is associated with a tension spring to solve the problem in adjustment of the suspension mechanism discussed above.
According to the present invention, the primary object is accomplished by providing a vehicle seat provided with a seat cushion the support frame of which is supported by a suspension mechanism, wherein the suspension mechanism include a torsion bar spring loaded to resiliently support the support frame of the seat cushion, and wherein a spring adjustment mechanism is assembled with the suspension mechanism for adjusting the resilient force of the torsion bar spring.
In a practical embodiment of the present invention, the spring adjustment mechanism includes a movable bracket pivotally mounted on a support structure placed on a floor of a vehicle compartment for pivoting in a vertical direction and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting an amount of vertical pivoting of the movable bracket, and wherein the torsion bar spring of the suspension mechanism is supported at its one end on the resiliently support structure to support the support frame of the seat cushion at its other end and is carried by the movable bracket at its intermediate portion.
In the practical embodiment, it is preferable that the spring adjustment mechanism includes an operation arm pivotally mounted on the support structure for pivoting in a vertical direction and being connected with the movable bracket to caused vertical pivoting of the movable bracket when rotated in the vertical direction, an operation shaft supported from the support frame of the seat cushion to be rotated by operation of a handle fixed to its outer end, a movable member mounted on the operation shaft to be moved forward or backward by rotation of the operation shaft, a swing arm pivoted at its intermediate portion to the support frame of the seat cushion and connected at its one end to the movable member, and an operation wire connected at its one end to the other end of the swing arm and at its other end to the operation arm.
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Hamamura Wataru
Hayashi Kazuhiko
Ishiguro Hiroshi
Tateyama Hiroyuki
Araco Kabushiki Kaisha
DeLuca J.
Ramirez Ramon O.
Reed Smith Hazel & Thomas LLP
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