Vehicle seat cushion
US5671978A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 28, 1996 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 28, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60N2205/35
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
In a vehicular seat assembly, a side impact resistant seat cushion includes a base plate. A foam pad and a fabric covering are disposed over the base plate. Laterally extending first and second beams are fixed to the base plate for rigidifying the base plate to increase resistance to buckling under side impact loading thereby improving passenger safety. The first and second beam are rigidly held in a parallel relationship above the top surface of the base plate by right and left brackets. In the case of a full length style bench seat, a bridge bracket may be provided to span and support intermediate gapped sections in each of the first and second beams. The first and second beams provide an added measure of column strength to the base plate during side impact situations where prior art base plates would have a tendency to buckle and fold. With the first and second beams, the base plate may be fabricated from thinner gauge (lighter and less expensive) sheet metal than prior art base plates and still provide greater resistance to buckling in the event of side impact loads.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.