IP Library Granted Patent US 8,474,908
Granted Patent B2
US 8,474,908 · App. 11/722,297 · Granted Jul 2, 2013

Seat element and seating system

Inventors: Jan Petzel (Tuebingen, DE); Thomas Preiss (Mehlingen, DE); Veit Stoessel (Nürnberg, DE); David A. Swan (Aurora, CA); Renato Colja (Windsor, CA)
Assignee: Schukra Geraetebau GmbH
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,474,908
App. No.
11/722,297
Granted
Jul 2, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Disclosed is a seat element ( 1 ) for a seat system, which extends substantially across an entire zone of a backrest and/or a seat area of a seat in a mounted state. Said seat element ( 1 ) comprises devices ( 12 - 21 ) for receiving functional elements in order to provide additional seat functions. Such a modular seat system makes it possible to create in a simple manner different fittings of a seat, especially a vehicle seat.

Claims (29)

1. A seating element for installation in a seat,

wherein the seating element is dimensioned in such a way that it extends, when in a condition in which it is installed in the seat, substantially over an entire region of at least one seat portion chosen from the group consisting of a seat backrest and of a seating surface of the seat, and

wherein the seating element comprises receptacles for receiving functional elements for making available additional seat functions,

wherein the seating element comprises at least one archable section, there being disposed, adjacent to the at least one archable section, a receptacle for a functional element for setting the convexity of the at least one archable section,

wherein the seating element includes side-pieces, the side pieces including one or more of the receptacles, and

wherein said seating element comprises at least one removable element for obstructing the movement of the at least one archable section.

2. The seating element according to claim 1 , wherein the seating element has a shape which is substantially adapted to the shape of a seated human being to provide an ergonomic pressure-distribution.

3. The seating element according to claim 1 , wherein the seating element is made of plastic.

4. The seating element according to claim 1 , wherein the seating element extends, when in an installed condition, over substantially an entire region of the seat backrest and of the seating surface of the seat, and wherein a backrest section of the seating element and a seating section of the seating element are connected by articulating means.

5. The seating element according to claim 4 , wherein the articulating means include a film hinge.

6. The seating element according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one archable section is disposed in at least one region chosen from the group consisting of a seating region, a lumbar region, a chest region and a shoulder/neck region of the seating element.

7. The seating element according to claim 1 , wherein the receptacle for the functional element for setting the convexity of the at least one archable section comprises a guide for guiding the functional element for arching the at least one archable section.

8. The seating element according to claim 7 , wherein the guide includes a wire for guiding the functional element.

9. The seating element according to claim 1 , wherein the seating element includes at least one electrical line to be connected to functional elements receivable in the receptacles.

10. The seating element according to claim 1 , wherein the seating element includes at least one air guide.

11. The seating element according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one air guide connects at least one of the receptacles for functional elements for aeration purposes to at least one air opening.

12. The seating element according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one air opening includes an air opening on one side of the seating element.

13. The seating element according to claim 10 , wherein the seating element includes a passive pumping means which is coupled to the at least one air guide and which is configured such that it pumps air through the at least one air guide in dependence upon a movement of an occupant on the seat.

14. The seating element according to claim 1 , wherein the seating element is provided with an upholstering layer.

15. A seating system for installation in a seat, comprising a seating element,

wherein the seating element is dimensioned in such a way that it extends, when in a condition in which it is installed in the seat, substantially over an entire region of at least one seat portion chosen from the group consisting of a seat backrest and of a seating surface of the seat, and

wherein the seating element comprises receptacles for receiving functional elements for making available additional seat functions,

wherein the seating element includes at least one archable section, there being disposed, adjacent to the at least one archable section, a receptacle for a functional element for setting the convexity of the archable section, and

a plurality of different functional elements, wherein functional elements of the plurality of different functional elements which are selected in dependence upon a predetermined level of equipment are receivable in receptacles in the seating element.

16. The seating system according to claim 15 , wherein functional elements of the plurality of different functional elements comprise elements chosen from the group consisting of massaging elements, heating elements, ventilating elements, cooling elements, elements chosen from the group consisting of mechanical, electrical and pneumatic elements for adjusting the convexity of an archable section of the seating element, and elements for adjusting side-pieces of the seating element.

17. A seating element for installation in a seat, the seating element comprising:

receptacles for receiving functional elements for making available additional seat functions; and

at least one archable section, there being disposed, adjacent to the at least one archable section, a receptacle for a functional element for setting the convexity of the at least one archable section, wherein the receptacle for the functional element for setting the convexity of the at least one archable section comprises a guide for guiding the functional element for arching the at least one archable section, wherein the guide includes a wire for guiding the functional element, and wherein the seating element is dimensioned in such a way that it extends, when in a condition in which it is installed in the seat, substantially over an entire region of at least one seat portion chosen from the group consisting of a seat backrest and of a seating surface of the seat, and

wherein said seating element comprises at least one removable element for obstructing the movement of the at least one archable section.

Assignments (7)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 18, 2012
From: PETZEL, JAN
To: SCHUKRA GERAETEBAU AG
Reel/Frame 028391/0855 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 18, 2012
From: PREISS, THOMAS
To: SCHUKRA GERAETEBAU AG
Reel/Frame 028391/0946 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 18, 2012
From: STOESSEL, VEIT
To: SCHUKRA GERAETEBAU AG
Reel/Frame 028392/0185 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jun 18, 2012
From: SWAN, DAVID ANTHONY
To: SCHUKRA GERAETEBAU AG
Reel/Frame 028392/0512 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 18, 2012
From: COLJA, RENATO
To: SCHUKRA GERAETEBAU AG
Reel/Frame 028392/0581 →
MERGER Recorded Jun 18, 2012
From: SCHUKRA GERAETEBAU AG
To: SCHUKRA HOLDINGS GMBH
Reel/Frame 028392/0840 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 18, 2012
From: SCHUKRA HOLDINGS GMBH
To: SCHUKRA GERAETEBAU GMBH
Reel/Frame 028393/0128 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 10 2004 062 219 · Dec 23, 2004 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20100207431A1 · Aug 19, 2010