| Vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat -> Monitor Keywords |
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Vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seatVehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070145807, Vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application claims priority to DE 10 2005 060 446.3, which was filed Dec. 17, 2005. The entire disclosure of DE 10 2005 060 446.3 is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat for a rear installation, with the seat having a seat cushion support and a backrest, wherein the seat cushion support is constructed from multiple components that are connected to each other. [0003] As an example, known vehicle seats of the type described immediately above are disclosed in DE 103 11 870 A1 and used at the rear of a vehicle's seating compartment, in particular in limousines with a notchback body style. The trunk can be connected to the passenger compartment by pivoting the backrest forwardly and downwardly toward the seat cushion. The vehicle seat is adapted in its width to the space that is determined by the vehicle structure. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION [0004] An aspect of the present invention is the provision of improvements to a vehicle seat of the type mentioned above. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat, such as but not limited to a motor vehicle seat for use at the rear of a vehicle's seating compartment, has a seat cushion support and a backrest, and the seat cushion support is constructed from multiple components that are connected to each other. At least two of the multiple components of the seat cushion support can be connected to each other in different relative positions in a transverse direction of the vehicle seat, so that the seat cushion support has an adjustable width. [0005] Because the seat cushion support has an adjustable width in the direction transverse to the seat, wherein at least two components of the seat cushion support can be connected to each other in different relative positions that differ according to different vehicle structures and are adaptable to customer requirements, vehicle seats can be manufactured by making use of numerous similar components and assemblies (so-called identical parts). A modular system is thereby available that saves, in particular for small batches, relatively high tool costs and thereby makes the manufacturing more economical. [0006] The seat cushion support contains for the adjustable width preferably two sides as identical parts (i.e., seat cushion supports with different widths can have the same types of sides) and at least one cross beam that is to be connected with the sides. The cross beam can be relocatable in the direction transverse to the seat in different positions relative to at least one side, preferably both sides. The cross beam itself can be an identical component (i.e., seat cushion supports with different widths can have identical cross beams), whereby in general smaller width differences can be adjusted. In addition, the cross beam can be constructed as a profile (an elongate piece with a profile in an end elevation view of the cross beam) which can be cut to length in order then to be able to realize larger width differences. Preferably, therefore, as many as possible functions are integrated into the sides in order to design the cross beam to be as simple as possible. [0007] For a prepositioning and definition of the mobility in the direction transverse to the seat, one of the sides, and preferably both of the sides, contain a projection with approximately the same profile as the cross beam. If additional cross beams of the seat cushion support are provided, they may be constructed in the same way or generally contain a selectable width. [0008] The selectable width is preferably realized in part by virtue of the fact that respective components can be chosen from a set of components of different widths, with each of the components of the set otherwise having constant dimensions. That is, the components of the set have the same dimensions, except that they have different widths. [0009] The backrest is preferably constructed with an adjustable width corresponding to the seat cushion support. More specifically, the backrest includes two side cross spars as identical components and at least one cross spar that is in particular constructed as a profile that can be cut to length, and they can be connected to each other (or at least one side cross spar and the transverse spar can be connected to each other) or to a backrest sheet with a selectable width, in such a way that they can be displaced in the direction transverse to the seat in different relative positions with respect to each other. The subject side cross spars preferably contain a projection with approximately the same profile as the transverse spar. [0010] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] The invention is further explained in the following with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, in which: [0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment without cushioning, and [0013] FIG. 2 is a corresponding perspective view of the exemplary embodiment without cushioning. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT [0014] A vehicle seat 1 of the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is designed for installation in the rear seating area in a motor vehicle. The vehicle seat comprises a seat cushion support 3 and a backrest 5 that is pivotably connected to the seat cushion support 3. The vehicle seat 1 has a width, and this width should be understood to be the dimension that lies in the direction y that is transverse to the seat, i.e., horizontal and perpendicular to the normal direction in which the vehicle travels. The seat cushion support 3 and the backrest 5 are separately cushioned. [0015] The backrest 5 contains an at least approximately flat backrest sheet 7 as well as a straight, upper transverse spar 9 and two approximately L-shaped side spars 11. The spars 9, 11 are all three connected to the backrest sheet 7, thus forming a box girder profile. The upper transverse spar 9 extends in the direction y that is transverse to the seat, and both side spars 11 extend approximately perpendicular to the upper transverse spar 9 and parallel to the plane of the backrest sheet 7. The backrest 5 can be pivoted relative to the seat cushion support 3 around a first axis A. The first axis A is defined by links (e.g., pivots) that are for linking the backrest 5 to the seat cushion support 3, and these links are referred to as the upper backrest pivots 12 in the following. The upper backrest pivots 12 are arranged on the outside of the side spars 11 in the exemplary embodiment. [0016] In addition, the backrest 5 is linked in such a way that it can pivot at the rear bases 13 around a second axis B. The second axis B is defined by links, which are referred to in the following as lower backrest pivots 14. The rear bases 13 are rigidly attached to the vehicle structure. The backrest 5 can therefore be rotated around the second axis B relative to the vehicle structure. The second axis B is arranged underneath the first axis A and proximate the bottom edge of the backrest. After the seat cushion support 3 is linked at the front end by way of rocker arms 15 on the front bases 17 that are rigidly connected to the vehicle structure, a quadruple-joint is defined on each side of the vehicle seat by the axes A and B and the upper and lower linkage locations (i.e., upper and lower rocker arm pivots) of the rocker arm 15. More specifically and in accordance with the exemplary embodiment, each rocker arm 15 is a link having opposite ends, with one of the opposite ends being pivotably mounted (e.g., by way of a lower rocker arm pivot) to the respective front base 17, and the other end being pivotably mounted (e.g., by way of an upper rocker arm pivot) to the respective side component 41. The side components 41 are discussed in greater detail below. Preferably, at least one of the quadruple-joints can be driven by a motor, for example, via a toothed segment that is formed on the rocker arm 15 of the quadruple joint and that engages with the pinion gear of an electromotive drive unit. [0017] The backrest's inclination can also be adjustable via an additional electromotive drive unit in the region of the upper end of the backrest or via a fitting driven by a motor. Preferably, the backrest 5 can be locked with a backrest lock in the region of the upper end of the backrest or--in the case of a free-standing implementation--with at least one fitting at the location of a backrest pivot 12 or 14. [0018] When the backrest 5 is unlocked, the quadruple-joints can be simultaneously folded (manually or with a motor), i.e. folding can be carried out so that the backrest 5 folds forward and the seat cushion support 3 is lowered, so that when the backrest 5 arrives in a horizontal position the seat cushion support 3 arrives in its deepest possible, lowered position. This final position is referred to as the Explorer position (or base position or compacted configuration). The quadruple-joints bring the vehicle seat 1 back into the starting position in a corresponding reversed sequence. The starting position is referred to as a use position, in which the backrest 5 extends uprightly from the seat cushion support 3 so that a user can sit in the vehicle seat 1. [0019] The assembled, composite seat cushion support 3 includes two side components 41, a front cross beam 43, and a rear cross beam 45, and these components are connected to each other in the form of a frame. Both side components 41 serve at their rear upper end for linking to the backrest 5 at the first axis A via the upper backrest pivots 12. Both side components 41 serve at their front end for respectively linking to the rocker arms 15 via the upper rocker arm pivots. Both of the cross beams 43 and 45 extend between the side components 41 and occupy the width that is available to the seat cushion support 3. The front cross beam 43 is constructed in the remaining dimensions to be always larger than the simple rear cross beam 45. Between both the cross beams 43 and 45 wires are attached (spot-welded) that serve as a support 47 for the padding. Continue reading about Vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat... Full patent description for Vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Linear actuator having a clutch for an airline seat Next Patent Application: Motor vehicle seat Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat patent info. 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