Spreader plate load distribution

US10286824B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Ford Global Technologies, LLC · US

Inventors

• Brian Boland · Pinckney, US
• Jeroen Lem · Wittem, NL
• Michael Steven Medoro · Sunnyvale, US
• Johnathan Andrew Line · Northville, US
• S. M. Akbar Berry · Windsor, CA
• Michael Kolich · Windsor, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 24, 2016
• Grant date: May 14, 2019
• Expiry date: Jul 21, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60N2/976
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A seating assembly includes a seat having a seat frame. The seat generally defines a seating surface. A seatback is pivotally coupled with the seat. A carrier is disposed on the seat frame and supports a multi-contour seating component that is adjustable to change a contour of the seating surface. A cushion assembly is disposed over the multi-contour seating component of the seat and is in communication with a climate control system. A spreader plate is disposed below the cushion assembly. The spreader plate is configured to balance load distribution across the seating surface when the multi-contour seating component is activated. The spreader plate includes flex recesses defined in forward and rearward walls of the spreader plate. Lateral flex breaks allow limited flexure of the spreader plate. An inner opening is in communication with the climate control system.