Vehicle seat with adjustable support system
A seating structure is provided for use with an elastomeric membrane with an edge portion. A carrier member is also provided having a central opening. The edge portion of the elastomeric membrane is connected to the carrier member and covering the central opening. A metal support frame is connected the carrier member. The seating structure may also include an elastomeric headrest and one or more covers for the seat and backrest.
The present patent document claims the benefit of the filing date under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/517,311, filed Nov. 3, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to an elastomeric seating system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an elastomeric seating system having elements such as an elastomeric headrest, a metal support frame and a backrest/seat cover.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates generally to seat components. More particularly, this invention pertains to a seating structure and/or components attached to a seat incorporating an elastomeric membrane.
Office chairs typically include a rigid frame surrounded by a single-layer or multi-layer foam and then covered with cloth, leather or the like. This type of upholstered seating creates a deformable cushion which conforms to the user's body. These upholstered seats are often used in automobiles, airlines, marine applications, office furniture and other known applications.
A woven fabric such as an elastomeric membrane for use in a seating structure has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,901 and related patents assigned to Herman Miller Inc. This seating structure has greatly enhanced the comfort of office chairs. The use of an elastomeric membrane represents an improvement over upholstered seats. An elastomeric membrane can more readily distribute a person's weight as they adjust their seated position, and provides more aeration in order to keep the body cooler by dissipating more body heat. In the event of damage to the seat, the flexible membrane seating structure can be easier to repair or replace than an upholstered seat. While this flexible membrane technology continues to be highly useful for office seating structures, there are other applications in which an elastomeric membrane would be useful. For example, an elastomeric seat is lighter than many conventional seats and therefore has inherent advantages for many new applications. Also, there is a need for the use of a flexible membrane in seating structures designed for purposes other than office seating.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to an elastomeric seating system that supports various functional elements.
According to one aspect of the invention, a headrest for supporting the head of a user is provided. A carrier member having a central opening is connected to the headrest. An elastomeric membrane having an edge portion is connected to the carrier member and covers the central opening.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a seating structure is provided for use with an elastomeric membrane and an edge portion. A carrier member is also provided having a central opening. The edge portion of the elastomeric membrane is connected to the carrier member and covers the central opening. A metal support frame is connected to the carrier member.
According to another aspect of the invention, a seating structure is provided having a seat, a backrest, a first elastomeric membrane and a second elastomeric membrane. The first elastomeric membrane and the second elastomeric membrane each have an edge portion. The first elastomeric membrane is connected to the seat and the second elastomeric membrane is connected to the backrest. A first cover is connected to one of the seat and the backrest.
As used herein the term “connected to” is intended to be interpreted broadly and to include direct and indirect connections.
As used herein the term “seating structure” is intended to be interpreted broadly and to include seating uses in transportation applications such as automobiles, aircraft, watercraft, wheelchairs or other uses such as fixed seating in auditoriums, traditional office seating and residential uses.
The present invention, together with attendant objects and advantages, will be best understood with reference to the detailed description below in connection with the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 13 A-C illustrate three embodiments of a backrest cover with
The invention is described with reference to the drawings in which like elements are referred to by like numerals. The relationship and functioning of the various elements of this invention are better understood by the following detailed description. However, the embodiments of this invention as described below are by way of example only, and the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. It should also be understood that the drawings are not to scale and in certain instances details have been omitted which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention, such as conventional details of fabrication and assembly. In addition, like elements have been numbered identically in the different embodiments.
The first embodiment of the elastomeric headrest 10 is illustrated in
With particular reference to
It should be recognized that the headrest could be molded as a complete structure or that a contoured ring (plastic or metal) could comprise the perimeter of the carrier. This structure would also provide a different aesthetic appearance for the headrest. The elastomeric material could also be prestreched and molded to the carrier with a desired contour with tension coming from the shrinking of the carrier during the molding process. An alternate approach includes molding the elastomeric material and carrier as a two-dimensional piece which does not require prestreching. A perimeter ring would be attached to the carrier in order to thereby stretch the elastomeric material. It should be further recognized that other attachment methods, as known to those of ordinary skill in the art may be used.
As illustrated in
It should also be recognized that the metal frame could be formed with a raised edge equal in height to the carrier 204. The carrier 204 could then nest within the metal frame thereby providing additional structural strength to the seating structure. The back carrier 206 could also be secured through a metal seat back. Also, a fascia cover such as a soft molded material with padding could be applied to the perimeter of the support structure 202 in order to provide additional support and comfort without compromising the advantages of the elastomeric material 22.
The cover 352 includes a perimeter 360 and a plurality of apertures 362. The apertures 362 are sized to receive a fastening element such as a screw which will be further described herein. A plurality of vents 366 extend somewhat radially outward in the illustrated embodiment. The vents 366 allow for the seating structure 350 to retain the advantages of heat dissipation and aeration obtained by using an elastomeric material 22.
FIGS. 13A-C illustrate alternate embodiments of the covers 380, 382, 384.
The embodiments described above and shown herein are illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description and attached drawings. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, while an automobile application is illustrated in some of the figures, the present invention is useful in a wide variety of other known applications. Accordingly, these and any other changes which come within the scope of the claims are intended to be embraced herein.
Claims
1. A headrest for supporting the head of a user, the headrest comprising:
- a carrier member having a central opening;
- an elastomeric membrane having an edge portion connected to the carrier member and covering the central opening.
2. The headrest of claim 1 wherein the elastomeric membrane is molded to the carrier member.
3. The headrest of claim 1 wherein the carrier member is contoured.
4. The headrest of claim 3 further comprising a support bracket.
5. The headrest of claim 4 wherein the support bracket is height adjustable.
6. The headrest of claim 5 wherein the elastomeric membrane is stretched.
7. The headrest of claim 6 further comprising a seating element connected to the support bracket.
8. The headrest of claim 7 wherein the elastomeric membrane is formed from multifilament yarn strands and monofilament strands.
9. The headrest of claim 8 wherein the multifilament yarn strands extend generally from a top to a bottom of the headrest and the monofilament strands extend generally from a first side to a second side of the headrest.
10. A seating structure comprising:
- an elastomeric membrane having an edge portion;
- a carrier member having a central opening, the edge portion of the elastomeric membrane being connected to the carrier member and covering the central opening; and
- a metal support frame connected to the carrier member.
11. The seating structure of claim 10 wherein the elastomeric membrane is molded to the carrier member.
12. The seating structure of claim 11 further comprising a fastener used to secure the carrier member to the support frame.
13. The seating structure of claim 12 wherein the carrier member is contoured.
14. The seating structure of claim 13 wherein the elastomeric membrane is formed from multifilament yarn strands and monofilament strands.
15. The seating structure of claim 14 wherein the membrane is generally see-through.
16. The seating structure of claim 15 wherein the membrane forms a portion of a backrest and a seat.
17. The seating structure of claim 16 wherein the frame includes an opening generally corresponding to the opening of the carrier.
18. The seating structure of claim 17 wherein the seating structure is secured to a base.
19. The seating structure of claim 18 wherein the seating structure is movable along the base.
20. A seating structure comprising:
- a seat and backrest;
- a first elastomeric membrane and a second elastomeric membrane each having an edge portion, the first elastomeric membrane being connected to the seat and the second elastomeric membrane being connected to the backrest;
- a first cover connected to one of the seat and the backrest.
21. The seating structure of claim 20 wherein a second cover is connected to the other of the seat and the backrest.
22. The seating structure of claim 21 wherein the first cover and the second cover are attached at pivot points.
23. The seating structure of claim 21 further comprising a fastener for connecting the first and second covers to the seat and the backrest.
24. The seating structure of claim 23 wherein the fastener is a bolt.
25. The seating structure of claim 26 wherein the membrane forms a portion of a seat.
26. The seating structure of claim 25 wherein the cover is perforated.
27. The seating structure of claim 26 wherein the first cover is connected to the seat and covers only a portion of the seat.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 3, 2004
Publication Date: Jun 16, 2005
Inventor: Kenneth Munsch (Holland, MI)
Application Number: 10/980,887