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