Abstract: A component for a vehicle seat assembly, a seat assembly, and a method of forming a seat assembly are provided. A unitary foam cushion has a first side, and a second side opposite to the first side to support an occupant. A former extends outwardly from the second side of the foam cushion to a distal end spaced apart from the foam cushion. The former cooperates with the second side of the foam cushion to define an open channel. The open channel is sized to receive a seam of a trim cover assembly. The former defines a first side wall of the open channel, and the second side of the foam cushion defines a second side wall of the open channel. The first side wall defined by the former faces away from the second side of the foam cushion.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes right and left side frames 10, and an elastic member (cushion spring 20) run between the right and left side frames 10. The right and left side frames 10 include side walls 11 disposed opposite to each other in a lateral direction, and flange portions (upper flange portions 12) respectively extending laterally inward from the side walls 11, and the elastic member is attached to the flange portions.

Abstract: Seat assemblies (200) including structural components (212, 222, 232) made of foam are described. A seat sub-assembly (210, 220, 230) can include a frame (214, 224, 234) and a foam support (212, 222, 232). The foam support (212, 222, 232) can be coupled to the frame (214, 224, 234) for receiving a load on the seat sub-assembly (210, 220, 230), dissipating at least half of the load, and dispersing the load through the frame (214, 224, 234).

Abstract: A bicycle saddle includes a saddle shell. A saddle frame is arranged on a lower side of the saddle shell. A saddle cushion is arranged on the upper side of the saddle shell. The saddle cushion comprises at least two cushion elements. Further, a cover layer is provided whose edge region is arranged between the cushion elements in the region of a saddle edge.

Abstract: An adjustable suspended seat apparatus having a tuned frequency-tailored damping through stratified seat structure is described. The damping seat structure includes: a first material of a plurality of materials having a first characteristic to provide a first damping effect in a first layer. A second material of the plurality of materials based on a second characteristic to provide a second damping effect in a second layer, the first material or the second material having an adjustable damping characteristic. The suspended seat apparatus includes a seat base configured to have the seat coupled thereto; a suspension system coupled to the seat base, the suspension system comprising: an adjustment feature configured to adjust operation of the suspension system; and a chassis mount coupled to the suspension system, the chassis mount configured to be coupled to a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion including: a pad; and a support portion which supports the pad. The support portion deforms in accordance with a load applied to the pad, and allows sinking of the pad due to the deformation, and a deformation amount per unit load of the support portion, in a high load range equal to or greater than a predetermined load, is smaller than a deformation amount per unit load of the support portion, in a low load range less than a predetermined load.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicular seat element comprising a first major surface, a second major surface and a foam core element disposed therebetween. The first major surface is configured to be in contact with an occupant of the vehicle and the second major surface is configured to be in contact with a support surface of the vehicle. The first major surface comprises a rate sensitive foam element secured with respect to the foam core element. The foam core element and the rate sensitive foam element are different from one another.

Abstract: To improve the seated feeling of an occupant in a seat having partially different hardness, a vehicle seat includes a seat frame, an S spring which is installed on the seat frame and receives a load of an occupant, and a seat back pad which has a plurality of regions respectively formed of different materials and is disposed between a skin material of the seat and the S spring. The S spring is disposed at a position facing a boundary portion which is provided in the seat back pad and is the plurality of regions respectively formed of different materials.

Abstract: A seat pad 10 comprises a cushion pad 11 as a seat portion to be sat on, wherein a high ventilation member 12 higher in ventilation property than a cushion pad member forming the cushion pad 11 is embedded in a part of the cushion pad 11 except a under-hip portion located under hips when sitting, in a state of being exposed only to a rear side of the cushion pad.

Abstract: A composite cushion includes a first cushioning element and a second cushioning element. The second cushioning element is formed in a manner that engages a peripheral engagement are of the first cushioning element to interlock the second cushioning element onto the first cushioning element. The second cushioning element may surround an outer periphery of the first cushioning element. In addition, a portion of the second cushioning element may be superimposed over a central cushioning area of the first cushioning element. Superimposed portions of the first and second cushioning elements may have an unsecured relationship (i.e., they are not directly secured to each other).

Abstract: An adjustable suspended seat apparatus having a tuned frequency-tailored damping through stratified seat structure is described. The damping seat structure includes: a first material of a plurality of materials having a first characteristic to provide a first damping effect in a first layer. A second material of the plurality of materials based on a second characteristic to provide a second damping effect in a second layer, the first material or the second material having an adjustable damping characteristic. The suspended seat apparatus includes a seat base configured to have the seat coupled thereto; a suspension system coupled to the seat base, the suspension system comprising: an adjustment feature configured to adjust operation of the suspension system; and a chassis mount coupled to the suspension system, the chassis mount configured to be coupled to a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle seat cushion material and a vehicle seat exhibiting excellent moldability and recyclability and providing favorable seating comfortability is described. A cushion material includes a small pad made of resin foam, a pad body integrally stacked on an upper side of the small pad to cover the small pad, made of resin foam, and formed larger than the small pad, and an impregnation layer formed in such a manner that the resin foam of one of the small pad or the pad body is impregnated with an expandable stock solution composition of the other one of the small pad or the pad body and formed at at least a portion of an area between the small pad and the pad body. The impregnation layer is formed on an upper surface and a side surface of the small pad, and the small pad is sterically covered with the impregnation layer.

Abstract: A method of forming a single piece, shaped, down feather thermally insulating article having different thermal insulating sections is described. A mold is formed with a cavity defining a non-uniformed prescribed shape and having sections of different shapes and depths. Down feather clusters or a mixture thereof is mixed with a binding material and is injected into the mold which is then heated with a suitable heat source to cause the binding material to soften and fuse the mixture together. After cooling the mold, there is formed a single piece, shaped, down feather article which is comprised of sections having different thermal insulating values for use in a product where parts of the product provide different thermal insulating properties.

Abstract: Seats in vehicles may include a seat cushion having a seating surface, a vibration isolation structure and a foam structure, with the seating surface configured to support an occupant. The seat cushion may include either a seat bottom or a seat back, with the vibration isolation structure configured to evenly distribute forces exerted by the occupant. The vibration isolation structure may include a plurality of individual lattice blocks. The plurality of individual lattice blocks may occupy a pattern based on a spatial weight distribution of an average-sized occupant or a pattern based on a spatial weight distribution tailored for a specific occupant. The plurality of individual lattice blocks may cooperate to provide the even pressure distribution against forces exerted by the occupant. The vibration isolation structure may isolate vibration in a range from about 0.5 Hz to about 5.0 Hz.

Abstract: It is provided a seat pad having excellent comfort in seating with improved air permeability and cushion durability in a seat pad of the vehicle seat. The seat pad includes an air permeable member having a ventilation n function with an outside. The seat pad is integrally foam molded using a foamed resin material in a state where the air permeable member is introduced. The seat pad has a surface of the air permeable member projecting with respect to a surface of the seat pad located at a closest position to the air permeable member.

Abstract: There is disclosed a vehicular seat element comprising a first major surface, a second major surface and a foam core element disposed therebetween. The first major surface is configured to be in contact with an occupant of the vehicle and the second major surface is configured to be in contact with a support surface of the vehicle. The first major surface comprises a rate sensitive foam element secured with respect to the foam core element. The foam core element and the rate sensitive foam element are different from one another.

Abstract: A method of mathematically defining seat surface contours from quantitative definitions of relevant back, buttock and under-thigh surfaces of a sample of individuals, the method including adjusting a mathematical summary of the surfaces of the sample of individuals by means of a mathematical function of a summary statistic of the surfaces of the sample of individuals.

Abstract: A seat assembly for task-oriented seating comprises a seat support and a seat coupled to the seat support. The seat is movable under load, such as from the user's weight and movements, relative to the seat support. The seat has a cushion molded over a supporting armature with multiple bias elements. The seat and seat support are configured to deflect by predetermined amounts at defined locations over an extent of the seat assembly. In this way, the seat assembly provides for a range of comfortable and effective positions for users engaged in different active motions and having different preferences and sizes.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a cushion pad that reduces the wobbling feeling. [Solution] Regarding the test piece sampled from a core portion, the measured deflection under a load of 100 N during compression is equal to or less than 30 mm. The measured static spring constant under a load of 300 N at a pulling rate of 20 mm/minute is equal to or less than 25 N/mm. In the case of a vibration input in a low frequency band in the lateral direction, the compressive stress in the vertical direction due to the weight of a seated person and the tensile stress due to the vibration input in the lateral direction act on the support portion. The direction (gradient) of the resultant force as a combination of the compressive stress and the tensile stress can be closer to the vertical direction. This allows reducing the wobbling feeling.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a cushion pad that allows reducing the oppressive feeling in a thigh and the sinking of buttocks and improving the texture and the fit feeling. [Solution] In a portion positioned underneath a hip point of a seated person, an under-buttock portion is set to have a smaller force S25 during compression to 25% in a second portion including a seating surface than S25 of the first portion positioned on a bottom surface side. The thigh supporting portion is set to have smaller S25 of a portion including the seating surface than S25 of the first portion. This allows reducing the oppressive feeling in the thigh and the sinking of the buttocks and improving the texture and the fit feeling.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly is provided that includes a seatback and a seat base operably connected to the seatback. The seat base includes a seat base frame having a rear tube extending laterally between at least two side members, a seat cushion assembly, and a composite seat pan positioned between the seat cushion assembly and the seat base frame and having a plurality of recessed features configured to couple over the rear tube and side members. The seat pan integrally defines a flexible cross bar extending laterally between the recessed features. A plurality of hooks integrally defined by the seat pan are operably coupled to the seat cushion assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backrest for supporting the back of a seated person, the backrest comprising mounting means for mounting the backrest on a frame of a seating device; comprising: —a first back part for supporting at least a part of the back of the person at a determined angle, which first back part has a stiffness such that during use the part of the back shapes itself substantially to the first back part, and wherein the backrest comprises adjusting means for adjusting the angle and/or the position of the first back part relative to the frame; and —a second back part which has a flexibility such that during use the second back part shapes itself substantially continuously to another part of the back of the person. The invention further relates to a method for adjusting such a backrest and a (wheel) chair provided with such a backrest.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a chassis and a seating system. The seating system includes a frame coupled to the chassis, a seat cushion supported by at least one of the frame and a floor of the vehicle, a first recoverable insert configured to provide a first energy attenuation response, and a second recoverable insert configured to provide a second energy attenuation response different than the first energy attenuation response. The seat cushion defines a cavity shaped to interchangeably receive either the first recoverable insert or the second recoverable insert to thereby selectively vary an energy attenuation provided by the seating system.

Abstract: A seat cushion body and method of producing the same are provided. In a method of producing a seat cushion body, fiber material is inserted into a mold. Heat is supplied to the fibers to cause thermal activation of binding fibers, so as to effect thermal cross-linking. The resulting seat cushion body includes a resilient portion formed from the fibers and having a fiber orientation along a main load direction of the seat cushion body. The seat cushion body may include at least one further portion formed from the fibers, which has a fiber orientation and/or a density different from the fiber orientation and/or different from a density of the resilient portion. The resilient portion and the at least one further portion may be integrally formed from the cross-linked fiber material as a unitary body.

Abstract: A cushioning support device and a method for making the same are disclosed. The device comprises a first polyurethane foam having a non-slip sheet attached on a surface of the first foam, a second polyurethane foam having a resting sheet attached on a surface of the second foam, and a compound pressure-redistributing body. The first and second polyurethane foams are arranged one over another into a stack which is welded and envelops to form at least an internal pocket along a weld line. The internal pocket houses the pressure-redistributing body, and it comprises a foam and a solid gel attached on a top surface of the foam, wherein the solid gel is securely positioned by way of melting. Dips of the gel can lodge into the small interstices of the foam material during the melting process; the gel gets into a solid state after solidification.

Abstract: Disclosed is a car seat for protecting vertebral column, comprising: a backrest and a seat, wherein there is disposed with a troughed recess at a central portion of each of the backrest and the seat, so that when the backrest and the seat are subject to external impact, the impact damage incurred by the backrest and the seat onto a human vertebral column may be avoided, and in this way the human vertebral column can therefore be protected; in an embodiment of the present invention, there further comprises a plurality of viscous elastomers disposed inside the backrest and the seat, these viscous elastomers are set up in a corresponding arrangement on two sides of a human vertebral column, so as to assist in biasing the muscle on the two sides of the vertebral column to cause less direct impact by the external force, and to provide a cushioning effect.

Abstract: A bedding component includes a top portion having a gel foam, a middle portion having a foam layer with at least one gel disc, and a bottom portion having a foam core.

Abstract: A chair for providing seating support to a user and for providing ways for the user to perform exercises. The chair includes a back support that is flexible such that when a force is applied to it by the user's body, the back support bends. The back support may be configured to adapt to the curvature of the user's spine when the user is seated in the chair. The back support may further be configured such that the user can rotate the back support by rotating the user's upper body.

Abstract: A thermally insulating stretchable down feather sheet and its method of manufacture is described. The core of the sheet is comprised of down feathers mixed with a binder which exhibits elastic properties. The core is sandwiched between a top and bottom stretchable elastomeric sheet having multi-directional stretchability. The core down feathers and the binder as well as the elastomeric sheet and bound together by heat treatment to provide a down feather insulating sheet which is stretchable in all directions without fractioning the sheet.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a composite support structure formed by a lower pressure compression mold and defines at least one open section. A subassembly is disposed over the composite support structure and includes a trim piece integrally formed on the subassembly and defines a center seat and at least one cushion attachment support is disposed adjacent to the at least one open section. A seat cushion insert is operably coupled to the at least one cushion attachment support and is disposed over the at least one open section and defines a side seat.

Abstract: A cushioning support device and a method for making the same are disclosed. The device comprises a first polyurethane foam having a non-slip sheet attached on a surface of the first foam, a second polyurethane foam having a resting sheet attached on a surface of the second foam, and a compound pressure-redistributing body. The first and second polyurethane foams are arranged one over another into a stack which is welded and envelops to form at least an internal pocket along a weld line. The internal pocket houses the pressure-redistributing body, and it comprises a foam and a solid gel attached on a top surface of the foam, wherein the solid gel is securely positioned by way of melting. Dips of the gel can lodge into the small interstices of the foam material during the melting process; the gel gets into a solid state after solidification.

Abstract: A seat cushion for a vehicle seat having attachment members for selectively attaching a child seat thereto includes a first layer having a first hardness and a second layer having a second hardness. The second layer is less hard than the first layer and defines a support surface upon which the child seat sets.

Abstract: A method of making a vehicle seat assembly comprising providing a cushion having an “A” surface, a “B” surface, a central portion, and two bolster areas, with each bolster area being adjacent the central portion, the cushion having a plurality of intrusions extending from the “A” surface towards the “B” surface to form a hardness gradient between at least one of the bolster areas and the central portion of between 8% to 25%, securing the cushion to a frame, and covering cushion with a trim member.

Abstract: A cushion member includes an intermediate layer, and an upper layer and lower layer stacked and fixed thereto. The cushion member is fixed to a frame by bending an end part of the cushion member so that the upper layer comes to the front side and the lower layer comes to the back side. The intermediate layer is subjected to shear force and the upper layer and the lower layer are subjected to compressive and tensile stress. With the spring characteristic of the intermediate layer, residual stress of the tension and compression is applied to the upper and lower layers from the intermediate layer. Thus, the cushion member can have a restoring property, generation of creases during no load application can be reduced, permanent setting is made less likely, and a compression characteristic in the thickness direction is increased.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is such that a seating surface is formed by a plurality of pad block portions, each of which has a convex shape due to a pleat structure, that are fit together, with a sectional shape in a width direction of the seating surface being a concave shape. Even at a location of the seating surface formed in the concave shape that is affected by a difference in body shape of a seated person, a shape of the location is formed in a shape following the body shape of the seated person.

Abstract: A seat cushion body and method of producing the same are provided. In a method of producing a seat cushion body, fiber material is inserted into a mold. Heat is supplied to the fibers to cause thermal activation of binding fibers, so as to effect thermal cross-linking. The resulting seat cushion body includes a resilient portion formed from the fibers and having a fiber orientation along a main load direction of the seat cushion body. The seat cushion body may include at least one further portion formed from the fibers, which has a fiber orientation and/or a density different from the fiber orientation and/or different from a density of the resilient portion. The resilient portion and the at least one further portion may be integrally formed from the cross-linked fiber material as a unitary body.

Abstract: A seat cushion for reducing back pain via elevating specific areas of a user's posterior and back is provided. The seat cushion includes two outer sections of generally semicircular shape and first height, each having a lower layer of firm foam of first thickness and an upper layer of soft foam of second thickness, the first thickness exceeds the second thickness, an inner section of generally rectangular shape with length and width and second height less than the first height, the inner section extends lengthwise between the outer sections forming a channel above the inner section and between the outer sections, a cushion base provides support for the underside of the outer sections and inner section, whereby for the user sitting on the seat cushion, a specific area of the user's posterior and back aligned with the channel is elevated above the channel to relieve pressure on the specific area.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle seat frame made of structural foam having an attachment flange for attaching to a vehicle, and vehicle seat assembly, and methods of making the same. In at least one embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat frame made of structural foam and having a main body portion and at least one attachment flange depending from the main body portion. The attachment flange is attachable to a vehicle floor pan via an interference fit. The attachment flange has a first density and the main body portion has a second density, less than the first density. The vehicle seat assembly further comprises a cushion supported on the frame. The cushion is softer than the seat frame. The vehicle seat assembly further comprises a trim material disposed over the cushion and the frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle seat assembly securable to a floor pan. In at least one embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat bottom supportable on the floor pan and a trim cover securable over the seat bottom and to the floor pan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an environmentally friendly layered vehicle seat assembly and a method of making the same. In at least one embodiment, the vehicle seat assembly comprises a cushion composite comprising a structural layer and a cushion layer adjacent to the structural layer, and a trim material secured over the cushion composite.

Abstract: A vibration seat (20) comprising a seat body (22), a sitting portion (24) supported by the seat body, and a vibrator (4). The sitting portion (24) is free to vibrate relative to the seat body (22). The vibrator (4) is connected to the sitting portion (24) at a single node (1) and is free to move relative to the seat body (22).

Abstract: A six-sided box-type cushion is described that has characteristics that not only offer targeted support for the user, but also allow the cushion to be reversible in that the user's perceived firmness is the same no matter which seating surface is facing up. In particular, the cushion has a first, second, third, and fourth faces, and a first and second seating surface. The cushion comprises a plurality of substantially coplanar firmness zones, each zone having a uniform firmness throughout, and the positioning of the firmness zones relative to each other creates a firmness gradient from the first face end to the second face end of the cushion. The first firmness zone at the first face end of the cushion is the most firm, the third firmness zone at the second face end of the cushion is the least firm, and the second one or more firmness zones are of intermediate firmness.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back and a seat base extending forward from a lower end of the seat back. The seat base is formed of a first foam member extending laterally across the seat base to absorb loads and a second foam member formed over the first member to form a seating surface of the seat base. At least one plate member has one end over molded by the first foam member and a second, opposite end secured to an associated vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back and a seat base extending forward from a lower end of the seat back. The seat base is formed of a first foam member extending laterally across the seat base to absorb loads and a second foam member formed over the first member to form a seating surface of the seat base. The first foam member includes at least one channel for interlocking the first foam member and a second foam member.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a pad that is made of resin foam, and that forms a seat cushion or a seatback. The pad has a layered structure formed of a surface layer pad that forms a seating surface-side portion of the pad and a back layer pad that is provided on the back side of the surface layer pad. The back layer pad is higher in hardness and lower in density than the surface layer pad.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back and a seat base extending forward from a lower end of the seat back. The seat base is formed of a first foam member extending laterally across the seat base to absorb loads and a second foam member formed over the first member to form a seating surface of the seat base. At least one wire frame section is secured to the first foam member and extends rearwardly therefrom toward a rear of the seat base for mounting the seat base to an associated vehicle body.

Abstract: A body support apparatus, system, and method of reducing pressure on the pelvic structure of a non-ambulatory or semi-ambulatory individual. According to the invention, a body support apparatus provides pressure relief and a level base of pelvic support for wheelchair users. The body support apparatus provides enhanced pressure relief via layers of tissue density-specific pressure relieving layers of foam. In addition, the apparatus provides further pressure relief via gender specific pressure relief zones. The body support apparatus can be used in combination with a wheelchair to provide pressure relief and a pelvic postural support.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly has a seat bottom that is adapted for attachment to a vehicle. The seat bottom has a foam layer and an expanded polymer layer that defines a first cavity. The first cavity is configured to receive an electrical component.

Abstract: A vehicle seat transitional composite with a structural reinforcement member adapted to be mounted within a vehicle seat to provide support to an occupant. The structural reinforcement member has at least two edge regions and an inner region at least partially bound within the at least two edge regions. The at least two edge regions have a plurality of keying apertures. A compliant layer is adjacent to the structural reinforcement member and has a plurality of projections sized to be received within the plurality of keying apertures of the structural reinforcement member for minimizing lateral movement of the compliant layer relative to the structural reinforcement member.

Abstract: An aircraft seat assembly configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention offers a light weight and comfortable seat cushioning system that also provides energy-absorption and enhanced passenger maneuverability in extreme conditions such as may be experienced in a hard landing situation. The cushioning system includes a crushable, energy-absorbing layer, a main cushioning layer, a smaller ishial insert layer which may be the same as the main cushioning material and a semi-dynamic pneumatic cell which uses a dual action breather valve to vary its inflation with changes in cabin pressure. The seat cushion may be finished with a covering of cloth or upholstery.