Seat assembly

Abstract

A seat assembly is disclosed which is ideally suited for use on a riding lawn mower or the like. The seat assembly comprises first and second side supports which have rear ends and front ends. A fabric member is secured to and is stretched between the first and second side supports. The fabric member has an elastic modulus that is greater between its opposite sides than between its rear and front ends. The fabric member is multi-layered at its rearward end to provide greater support at the rearward end or other positions between the forward and rearward ends thereof than at the forward end thereof. A seat cushion is positioned on the fabric with the seat cushion being enclosed by a suitable upholstery material.

1 . A seat assembly, comprising: 
 a frame having a front end, a rear end, and opposite sides;    said frame including at least a front frame member which extends between the sides of the frame and at least a rear frame member which extends between the sides of the frame;    said front frame member comprising an elongated base portion having opposite end portions extending upwardly therefrom;    said rear frame member comprising an elongated base portion having opposite end portions extending upwardly therefrom;    a first elongated support member secured to and extending between one end of said front frame member and one end of said rear frame member;    a second elongated support member secured to and extending between the other end of said front frame member and the other end of said rear frame member;    a seat cushion supporting fabric secured to and extending between said first and second support members;    said fabric having a front end, a rear end, and opposite sides;    said fabric having an elastic modulus that is greater between its opposite sides than between its front and rear ends;    said fabric being multi-layered between its front and rear ends;    and a seat cushion positioned on said fabric.    
     
     
         2 . The seat assembly of  claim 1  wherein said fabric is folded upon itself to form the multiple layers.  
     
     
         3 . The seat assembly wherein said fabric is folded upon itself to form the multiple layers.  
     
     
         4 . The seat assembly of  claim 2  wherein said multiple layers are positioned at the rear end of said fabric and extend forwardly therefrom for different lengths.  
     
     
         5 . The seat assembly of  claim 1  wherein said multiple layers comprise an upper layer and a lower layer.  
     
     
         6 . A seat assembly, comprising: 
 a first side support member having a rear end and a front end;    a second side support member having a rear end and a front end;    a fabric member secured to and stretched between said first and second side supports;    said fabric member having a rear end, a front end, and opposite sides;    said fabric member having an elastic modulus that is greater between its opposite sides than between its rear and front ends;    said fabric member being multi-layered between the front and rear ends thereof;    and a seat cushion positioned on said fabric member.    
     
     
         7 . The seat assembly of  claim 6  wherein said fabric member is folded upon itself for a substantial length to form multiple layers.  
     
     
         8 . The seat assembly of  claim 7  wherein said multiple layers are positioned at the rear end of said fabric and extend forwardly therefrom for different lengths.  
     
     
         9 . The seat assembly of  claim 6  wherein said multiple layers comprise an upper layer and a lower layer.  
     
     
         10 . The seat assembly of  claim 9  wherein said lower layer extends forwardly for a substantial length from said rear end thereof towards the center length of said fabric.  
     
     
         11 . The seat assembly of  claim 6  wherein said fabric member is folded upon itself forwardly of the rear end thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The seat assembly of  claim 6  wherein said fabric member is folded upon itself rearward of said front end thereof.