Flexible seatback system
A vehicle seat suspension system includes first and second side supports defining a seatback structure. An upper component and a lower component are provided, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members. A passenger support includes a periphery operably coupled to distal ends of the flex members. An external peripheral gap is defined between the passenger support and the seatback structure.
1. A vehicle seat suspension system comprising:
first and second side supports defining a seatback structure;
an upper component and a lower component, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members having distal ends with forwardly-extending connection features;
a passenger support having a periphery operably coupled to the connection features; and
an external peripheral gap defined between the passenger support and the seatback structure.
2. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the upper component is operably coupled to an upper segment of the passenger support and is translatable between a forward position and a rearward position.
3. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 2 , wherein the upper component is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper segment between the forward and rearward positions.
4. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the lower component includes a first side portion and a second side portion, and wherein the first side portion is distinct and separate from the second side portion.
5. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 4 , wherein an upper segment of the passenger support is pivotal about a pivot bar, and wherein the pivot bar is rotatably coupled to the first side portion and the second side portion.
6. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 4 , wherein the first side portion is connected to the first side support by a first base portion and the second side portion is connected to the second side support by a second base portion.
7. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1 , wherein the upper component and the first and second side portions are each independently flexible under the weight of a passenger.
8. A vehicle seat suspension system comprising:
first and second side supports defining a seatback structure;
an upper component and a lower component, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members;
a passenger support having a periphery operably coupled to distal ends of the flex members;
a removable cover stock disposed over the upper and lower components; and
an external peripheral gap defined between the passenger support and the first and second side supports.
9. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 8 , wherein the cover stock includes a securing rim that secures the cover stock to the passenger support.
10. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 8 , wherein the upper component includes a first flex member, a second flex member, and a central body disposed therebetween.
11. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 8 , wherein the upper component is operably coupled to an upper segment of the passenger support operable between a forward position and a rearward position.
12. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 11 , wherein the upper segment is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper segment between the forward and rearward positions.
13. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 8 , wherein the lower component includes a first side portion that is distinct and separate from a second side portion.
14. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 13 , wherein the first side portion and the second side portion each include a base portion with an outwardly extending flex member.
15. A seat suspension system comprising:
a seatback including first and second side supports;
a suspension assembly having outwardly extending flex members;
a passenger support operably coupled with the suspension assembly; and
an external peripheral gap defined between the passenger support and the first and second side supports.
16. The seat suspension system of claim 15 , further comprising:
an upper component and a lower component, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members, and wherein the upper component includes a first flex member, a second flex member, and a central body disposed therebetween.
17. The seat suspension system of claim 16 , wherein the upper component is operably coupled to an upper segment of the passenger support translatable between a forward position and a rearward position, and wherein the lower component includes a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein the first side portion is distinct and separate from the second side portion.
18. The seat suspension system of claim 17 , wherein the upper component is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper segment between the forward and rearward positions, and wherein the upper segment is pivotal about a pivot bar, wherein the pivot bar is rotatably coupled to the first side portion and the second side portion, each of the first and second side portions including a base portion with at least two outwardly extending flex members.
19. The seat suspension system of claim 17 , wherein the first side portion is connected to the first side support by a first base portion and the second side portion is connected to the second side support by a second base portion.
20. The seat suspension system of claim 16 , further comprising:
a cover stock disposed over the upper and lower components, wherein the cover stock includes a securing rim on an edge portion of the cover stock that secures the cover stock to the passenger support.