Vehicle seat pan and method for controlling vertical deflection

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved vehicle seat pan and a method for controlling vertical deflection in a vehicle seat pan. A vehicle seat pan in accordance with the present invention includes a frame adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body. A suspension web for supporting a seat cushion is mounted to the frame. A vertical deflection controller is coupled between the web and the frame. The controller may be a leaf spring. Additionally, the controller may be a coil spring and a metal strap that limits the extension of the spring. A method for controlling vertical deflection in a vehicle seat pan is also provided. The method includes the step of mounting a substantially horizontal suspension web to a seat frame. The method further includes the step of coupling a vertical deflection controller between the web and the frame.

1 . A vehicle seat pan, comprising: 
 a frame adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body;    a suspension web for supporting a seat cushion mounted on said frame; and    a vertical deflection controller, for controlling vertical movement of said suspension web, coupled between said web and said frame.    
     
     
         2 . The vehicle seat pan of  claim 1 , wherein said web comprises a plurality of wires, each having a first end secured to a first member of said frame and each of said wires further having a second end secured to a bar, wherein said controller is coupled between said bar and a second member of said frame.  
     
     
         3 . The vehicle seat pan of  claim 1 , wherein said controller comprises a leaf spring.  
     
     
         4 . The vehicle seat pan of  claim 3 , further comprising a plurality of leaf springs coupled between said web and said frame.  
     
     
         5 . The vehicle seat pan of  claim 1 , wherein said controller comprises a coil spring coupled between said web and said frame, and further comprises a rigid support element coupled between said web and said frame for controlling the extension of said coil spring.  
     
     
         6 . The vehicle seat pan of  claim 5 , wherein said support element comprises a metal strap having a first end anchored to said frame, and having a second end adapted to retain said web.  
     
     
         7 . The vehicle seat pan of  claim 1 , wherein said web is substantially horizontal.  
     
     
         8 . The vehicle seat pan of  claim 1 , wherein said controller limits said web to a maximum vertical deflection of 5 to 6 mm.  
     
     
         9 . A vehicle seat pan, comprising: 
 a frame adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body;    a substantially horizontal suspension web for supporting a seat cushion mounted on said frame; and    means for controlling vertical deflection of said web.    
     
     
         10 . The vehicle seat pan of  claim 9 , wherein said web comprises a plurality of wires, each having a first end secured to a first member of said frame and each of said wires further having a second end secured to a bar, wherein said means for controlling is coupled between said bar and a second member of said frame.  
     
     
         11 . The vehicle seat pan of  claim 9 , wherein said means for controlling comprises a leaf spring coupled between said web and said frame.  
     
     
         12 . The vehicle seat pan of  claim 9 , wherein said means for controlling comprises a coil spring coupled between said web and said frame, and further comprises a rigid support element coupled between said web and said frame for controlling the extension of said coil spring.  
     
     
         13 . The vehicle seat pan of  claim 12 , wherein said support element comprises a metal strap having a first end anchored to said frame, and having a second end adapted to retain said web.  
     
     
         14 . The vehicle seat pan of  claim 9 , wherein said means for controlling limits said web to a maximum vertical deflection of 5 to 6 mm.  
     
     
         15 . A method for controlling the vertical deflection of a vehicle seat pan, comprising: 
 mounting a substantially horizontal suspension web to a seat frame;    coupling a vertical deflection controller between said web and said frame.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of coupling said vertical deflection controller further comprises the steps of coupling a coil spring between said web and said frame, coupling one end of a rigid support element to said frame, and retainingly positioning the other end of a rigid support element about said web.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the step of coupling said vertical deflection controller further comprises the step of coupling a leaf spring between said frame and said web.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of mounting a first end of said web to said frame, and coupling said leaf spring between a second end of said web and said frame.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of limiting vertical deflection of said web to a maximum of 5 to 6 mm.