Reclining seat assembly

Abstract

A reclining seat assembly includes a seat frame, a backrest frame supported by the seat frame for pivoting movement about a backrest pivot axis, a seat pan, and a backrest recline angle adjuster. The seat pan has a forward portion supported by the seat frame for relative longitudinal movement. The seat pan has a rearward portion pivotally supported by the backrest frame for pivotal movement about a rear seat pan pivot axis. The backrest frame reclines relative to the seat frame upon forward longitudinal movement of the rear seat pan pivot axis relative to the seat frame. The backrest recline angle adjuster is coupled to the backrest frame. The adjuster maintains the rear seat pan pivot axis in a selected one of a plurality of longitudinal positions relative to the seat frame to thereby achieve a desired backrest inclination.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to reclining seats, particularly those employed in a relatively forward one of a plurality of rows of seats in a passenger vehicle, such as the vehicle's front row seats.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Known reclining seat designs for vehicles typically employ seat and backrest cushion supports that each include a suspension matt stretched between spaced frame members to respectively support the seat and backrest cushions. The relative outboard location of these spaced frame members within the seat and backrest means that these seat and backrest frame members occupy space, for example, along the lateral edges of the backrest that might otherwise be used to accommodate rear seat passengers, particularly those with longer-than-average legs. Additionally, frame cross-members bridging the spaced frame members, for example, along the rear portion of the seat cushion support and the bottom portion of the backrest support, may also contrib...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention relates to a seat assembly that includes a seat frame and a backrest frame. The seat frame has a pair of side members that define the backrest pivot axis, which is about which the backrest frame pivots on the seat frame. The seat frame also has bores that define the rear seat pan pivot axis, which is about which the seat pan pivots on. The use of these projections on the seat pan allows for a more comfortable and flexible seat for rear seat passengers. The backrest frame is positioned relatively close to the hip joint of a passenger, and the gap between the seat cushion and the backrest cushion is optimized for aesthetics and passenger comfort. The structural seat pan and backrest frame provide additional foot and knee room for passengers, respectively.

Problems solved by technology

The rearward placement of known backrest pivots may also generate an aesthetically-less-desirable gap between the seat cushion and the backrest cushion as the inclination of the backrest is changed.

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