ROTOMOLDED SEAT
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a seat assembly comprising rotomolded seat members. In some embodiments, the seat assembly comprises a rotomolded, compliant base seat member having a wall that defines a first interior chamber a rotomolded, compliant back seat member having a wall that defines a second interior chamber, and a frame attached to the base seat member. The wall of the base seat member contacts the frame. A bottom portion of the back seat member is positioned adjacent the base seat member, the back seat member has an orientation that is transverse to the base seat member.
1 . A seat assembly comprising:
a rotomolded, compliant base seat member having a wall that defines a first interior chamber;
a rotomolded, compliant back seat member having a wall that defines a second interior chamber; and
a frame attached to the base seat member;
wherein:
the wall of the base seat member contacts the frame; and
a bottom portion of the back seat member is positioned adjacent the base seat member, and the back seat member has an orientation that is transverse to the base seat member.
2 . The seat assembly of claim 1 , wherein the wall of the back seat member contacts the frame, which, supports the base seat member and the back seat member in fixed relative positions.
3 . The seat assembly of claim 1 , wherein the base seat member includes a first port for inflating or deflating the first interior chamber.
4 . The seat assembly of claim 3 , further comprising an air pump fluidically coupled to the first interior chamber and configured to inflate the first interior chamber.
5 . The seat assembly of claim 3 , wherein;
the back seat member includes and a second port for inflating or deflating the second interior chamber; and
the wall of the back seat member contacts the frame.
6 . The seat assembly of claim 5 , including a fluidic coupling between the first and second interior chambers, wherein both the first and second interior chambers are maintained at the same pressure.
7 . The seat assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a rotomolded, compliant headrest member connected to the back seat member adjacent a top portion of the back seat member that is opposite the bottom portion.
8 . (canceled)
9 . The seat assembly of claim 7 , further comprising rotomolded, compliant lateral support members connected to opposing sides of the back seat member and extending between the bottom portion and a top portion of the back seat member, wherein each lateral support member includes an interior cavity defined by a wall, and a port for inflating and deflating the interior cavity of the lateral support member. and the wall of each lateral support contacts the frame.
10 . (canceled)
11 . A seat assembly comprising:
a rotomolded, compliant base seat member having a first interior chamber defined by a wall;
a rotomolded, compliant back seat member adjacent the base seat member and having an orientation that is transverse to the base seat member;
a rotomolded, compliant headrest member connected to the back seat member adjacent a top portion of the back seat member that is opposite the bottom portion;
rotomolded, compliant lateral support members connected to opposing sides of the back seat member and extending between the top and bottom portions; and
a frame in contact with the wall of the base seat member.
12 . The seat assembly of claim 11 , wherein the frame contacts a wall of the back seat member and supports the base seat member and the back seat member in fixed relative positions.
13 . The seat assembly of claim 12 , wherein the headrest member and the lateral support members are each connected to one of the frame and the back seat member.
14 . The seat assembly of claim 11 , wherein the first interior chamber includes a port for inflating and deflating the chamber.
15 . The seat assembly of claim 14 , further comprising an air pump coupled to the port of the first interior chamber.
16 . The seat assembly of claim 14 , wherein at least one of the back seat member, the headrest member and the lateral support members include an interior chamber and a port for inflating and deflating the interior chamber.
17 . The seat assembly of claim 14 , wherein:
the first interior chamber and at least one interior chamber of the back seat member, the headrest member and the lateral support members are fluidically coupled together; and
inflation of one of the interior chambers inflates the other interior chambers.
18 . A method of manufacturing a seat assembly comprising:
forming a base seat member of compliant material using a rotomolding process, the base seat member including an interior chamber defined by a wall;
forming a back seat member of compliant material using a rotomolding process;
connecting the base seat member to a frame, wherein the wall of the base seat member contacts the frame.
19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising inflating the interior chamber using a pump.
20 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising:
forming at least one of a headrest member and a pair of lateral support members of compliant material using a rotomolding process; and
connecting at least one of the headrest member and the lateral support members to the back seat member.