Fore-aft vibration isolator

Abstract

A vehicle seating system includes a top frame for mounting to a vehicle seat. The top frame has integral rails or channels with roller tracks at one end and vibration dampening systems at the other. An opposing pair of the roller tracks includes a vibratory dampening or regulation system that controls the amount of fore and aft travel of the top frame.

21 . A vibratory dampening system comprising:
 a connector component slidably disposed in a channel of a seat frame of a seat assembly;   a pair of springs attached to opposite ends of the connector component; and   a pair of alignment mechanisms attached to an opposite end of each spring from the connector component,   wherein the pair of alignment mechanisms are attached to the connector component only through the pair of springs.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the connector block is connected to a cross-member of the seat assembly. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the connector component travels linearly within the channel of a seat mounting frame in synchronization with the seat assembly. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein each of the pair of springs includes an inner and an outer end and wherein the inner end of each of the pair of springs is attached to opposite ends of the connector component. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein each alignment mechanism includes a male portion partially extending into an interior of the outer end of each of the pair of springs and wherein the alignment mechanisms are attached to the pair of springs only by the male portion. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the connector component and the pair of springs are configured to dampen fore-aft vibrations. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 21  further comprising at least one stop that retains at the least one of the pair of springs at a point opposite the connector block. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 21  further comprising an adjustment means that enables adjustment of at the at least one of the pair of springs and wherein the adjustment means includes a repositionable fastener, whereby the adjustment compensates for one of an occupant weight or a strength of vibration. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21  further comprising a second system that facilitates vibratory dampening, wherein the second system is positioned with a second channel that is opposite the channel and wherein the second system is connected to a cross-member of the seat assembly. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 21  further comprising a latching mechanism configured to lock the vibratory dampening system in a stationary position. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30  further comprising a control mechanism that facilitates operation of the latching mechanism. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the control mechanism is a cable that pivots the latching mechanism to at least one of engage or disengage the latching mechanism upon a post integral to a cross member of the seat assembly. 
     
     
         33 . A fore-aft vibration dampening system comprising:
 a platform of a seat assembly having a track disposed on either side;   a connector block disposed in each track;   a pair of compression mechanisms attached to opposite ends of the connector block; and   a pair of alignment mechanisms that align the compression mechanisms within the track,   wherein the connector block is attached to the alignment mechanisms only through the spring mechanisms.   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33  further comprising at least one cross-member that extends a width of the platform to thereby connect to each connector block, wherein each connector block and the at least one cross-member traverses in a linear direction within the track 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34 , further comprising a latching mechanism that one of locks or unlocks the cross-member to control linear motion of the cross member within the track. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , further comprising a cable assembly that facilitates remote operation of the latching mechanism. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 33 , further comprising a stop mechanism and a repositionable fastener for adjusting tension of the compression mechanisms. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the pair of alignment mechanisms includes a male portion partially extending into an interior of each of the compression mechanisms and wherein the alignment mechanisms are attached to the spring mechanisms only by the male portion. 
     
     
         39 . A method for controlling fore-aft vibrations in a seat assembly comprising:
 positioning a connector block in a channel of a seat mounting frame;   positioning a pair of spring mechanisms within the channel;   attaching a first end of each of the pair of springs to opposite sides of the connector block; and   attaching a second end of each of the pair of spring mechanisms to an alignment mechanism positioned within the channel such that the connector block is attached to the alignment mechanisms only through the spring mechanisms.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39  further comprising attaching the connector block to a cross-member that moves in synchronization with the seat assembly on a parallel plane with the channel. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39  further comprising dampening the fore-aft vibrations via compensation of the pair of spring mechanisms. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 39  further comprising one of limiting or adjusting travel distance of the connector block within the channel.