Abstract: An extendable and collapsible upholstered seat cushion is manufactured from a unitary piece of foam. The upholstery material is integrally molded with the foam cushion. Channels are molded into the foam perpendicular to the length of the seat to allow for compression of the overall length of the seat cushion. Further, channels may be molded into the foam in a direction parallel to the length of the seat cushion to allow for compression of the seat cushion in the lateral direction as well. The channels have angular recesses near the surface of the cushion to provide a home for compression hinges created by connective foam and cloth disposed between segments of the cushion. A telescoping support frame is provided to assist in the compression and extending of the seat cushion. This support frame may be telescoped manually or with assistance by power.

Abstract: Swivel mechanism for a vehicle seat, for example, includes a lower support-attachable element and a superimposed seat-carrying element interconnected by a turntable providing for 360.degree. angular movement of the upper element about an upright axis, together with latch structure for selectively locking the upper element in plural modes in angular ranges within the 360.degree. range. The turntable structure is in the form of an annulus through which securing bolts or the like pass upwardly for receipt by a retainer atop the upper element, the latter having a circular opening therein coaxial with the turntable and through which the securing bolts also pass to provide a rugged connection between the elements for resisting forces tending to separate the elements.

Abstract: An improved composite roller for use with seat suspension assemblies has a plastic roller surface injection molded around a metal insert which has a needle bearing coaxially disposed within the metal insert.The metal insert has a ribbed surface and opposing chamfered edges so as to secure the plastic roller surface to the metal insert.

Abstract: An extendable and collapsible seat cushion manufactured from a unitary piece of foam. Channels are molded into the foam perpendicular to the length of the seat to allow for compression of the overall length of the seat cushion. Further, channels may be molded into the foam in a direction parallel to the length of the seat cushion to allow for compression of the seat cushion in the lateral direction as well. The channels have angular recesses near the surface of the cushion to provide a home for compression hinges created by connective foam and cloth disposed between segments of the cushion. A telescoping support frame is provided to assist in the compression and extending of the seat cushion. This support frame may be telescoped manually or with assistance by power.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that overrides the manual controls for filling and emptying an air suspension spring, so that the spring is not over-filled or under-filled. The device also includes a mechanism for limiting the rise of the seat suspension when the driver exits the seat. The invention has a latch bar that slides through two pieces of lubricating plastic. A ramped section of the latch bar contacts one of two switches that prevents the adjustment of a seat suspension below a minimum safe ride position or prevents adjustment above a maximum safe position. The latch bar also includes notches that are engageable with a latch pawl that is operated by a solenoid. When an operator leaves the seat, the solenoid is energized and drives the latch pawl into a notch in the latch bar. An electronic switch also enables the deenergizing of the solenoid, yet the latch pawl locks the latch bar so that the air spring does not cause a substantial rise in the seat suspension.

Abstract: A mechanical seat suspension inside a housing comprises parallel scissor arms and a support arm with a cam connected to suspension springs. The support arm, which carries the substantial majority of the seat load, has a height adjustment mechanism and a cam with two arcuate surfaces that define an imaginary pivot point. The use of the cam with the imaginary pivot point permits a more compact structure. Various embodiments of the support arm with a cam end and devices using the support arm are also disclosed. A shock absorber attached to the outside of the scissor arms dampens the stroke of the suspension springs connected to the cam. The ratio of the shock stroke travel to the vertical movement of the seat remains generally linear and constant, thus producing a more comfortable ride. Also included is a height adjustment mechanism on the support arm that interlocks with the cam by a pivoting pawl and biasing spring.

Abstract: A mechanical seat suspension inside a housing comprises parallel scissor arms and a support arm with a cam connected to suspension springs. The support arm, which carries the substantial majority of the seat load, has a height adjustment means and a cam with two arcuate surfaces that define an imaginary pivot point. The use of the cam with the imaginary pivot point permits a more compact structure. Various embodiments of the support arm with a cam end and devices using the support arm are also disclosed. A shock absorber attached to the outside of the scissor arms dampens the stroke of the suspension springs connected to the cam. The ratio of the shock stroke travel to the vertical movement of the seat remains generally linear and constant, thus producing a more comfortable ride. Also included is a height adjustment mechanism on the support arm that interlocks with the cam by a pivoting pawl and biasing spring.

Abstract: This invention provides a vehicle seat with improved adjustments for operators. The seat portion (13) has a front seat pan (31) which slides upon and through a rear seat pan (25) and over seat tilt mechanism whereby the overall length of the seat portion and the angle of the front seat pan with respect to the rear seat pan are selected to provide superior leg support for the vehicle operator.

Abstract: This invention provides a vehicle seat with improved reclining adjustments for operators. A recliner assembly (13) includes a recliner (34) supported between a rear tilt bracket (25) depending from the backrest assembly (11) and a front tilt bracket (29) depending from the front of seat assembly (12), the recliner assembly being disposed along the central longitudinal axis of the seat assembly and between the sides of the backrest assembly, whereby twisting of the backrest with respect to the seat is more effectively minimized and compensated for.

Abstract: This invention provides improved seating for vehicles having cramped space for operators. A tubular frame (12) is disposed to the periphery of backrest and seat members (13), (14). The backrest slides and pivots with respect to the frame and is pivotally attached to the seat. Pivot blocks (34) fixed to the seat underside selectively engage a frame bearing shaft (24) to hold the backrest and seat and any of several adjustments while holding the included angle between seat and backrest relatively uniform and keeping the seat index point relatively low.

Abstract: A novel seat assembly is disclosed including a foam cushion assembly, a rigid shell, a cover and means for holding the components in assembled relation. The cushion assembly comprises a foam cushion, including a peripheral lip extending around the side of the cushion, and an internal rigid framework located to maintain the predetermined configuration of the lip. The shell has an edge configured to align and mate with the cushion lip. The cover overlies the front of the cushion with its free peripheral section extending between the cushion lip and the shell edge. The cushion assembly can be mounted to the shell in a variety of ways.

Abstract: A mechanical seat suspension inside a housing includes parallel scissor arms and a support arm with a cam connected to suspension springs. The support arm, which carries the substantial majority of the seat load, has a height adjustment assembly and a cam with two arcuate surfaces that define an imaginary pivot point. The use of the cam with the imaginary pivot point permits a more compact structure. A shock absorber attached to the outside of the scissor arms dampens the stroke of the suspension springs connected to the cam. The ratio of the shock stroke travel to the vertical movement of the seat remains generally linear and constant, thus producing a more comfortable rids. Also included is a height adjustment mechanism on the support arm that interlocks with the cam by a pivoting pawl and biasing spring. The height of the seat is adjusted by the relative movement of the top portion of the housing to the lower portion. No external levers, triggers, or other structures are necessary for seat adjustment.

Abstract: A cushion article, such as a seat cushion or the like, for snapping in place onto an appropriate seat support without additional attaching means. The seat cushion has a foam body with a snap-ring member molded integral with a peripheral portion of the body, the snap-ring member providing means for snapping the seat cushion over the seat support. A process and a mold assembly are disclosed for molding the seat cushion, utilizing the snap-ring member as an integral part of the process and mold assembly to evacuate entrapped air from the mold cavity.

Abstract: An armrest assembly is self-adjusting as to height in response solely to the rotation of a connecting support lever to which an armrest is mounted. The adjustment mechanism includes a spring biased latch pawl engaging a ratchet wheel inside the support lever. The spring holds the pawl engaged to the ratchet when the support lever is rotated in one direction; the spring holds the ratchet wheel and pawl in disengagement when it is rotated in the other direction. The ratchet remains fixed relative to the movement of the armrest portion and the support lever. An adjustable cable running from the ratchet wheel through the support lever and into the armrest portion maintains the armrest portion in a horizontal position and provides adjustment above and below the horizontal.

Abstract: A process for forming cloth-covered cushion articles. A mold is provided having the shape of the desired cushion article. In one form, a cloth covering is drawn into the mold. Foamable material is poured into the mold and cured to form the cushion article. The covered, cured article is removed from the mold and heated to at least the heat-fixable fiber set temperature of the cloth, as the cured foam acts as a male mold to hold the cloth in contour during heat setting. In another form, the foam is poured directly into the mold and cured. The cloth covering then is placed over the cured cushion and set.

Abstract: A process for developing porosity in air impervious film. The process is disclosed for fabricating a cushion article having a cover provided with increased air flow capabilities. A covering is provided for a cushion body, the covering including a laminated film and, preferably, an outer fabric layer. The film includes a first layer having a relatively high temperature melting point and a second layer having a relatively low temperature melting point. The first layer includes perforations, and the second layer is continuous and air impervious. The laminated film is heated at a temperature which approaches or is above the melting temperature of the second layer but below the melting temperature of the first layer to melt the second layer at least in areas coincident with the perforations in the first layer to form air flow passages through the film laminate.