U.S. patent application number 10/006862 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-23 for adjustable sport vehicle seat.
This patent application is currently assigned to LEAR CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Fischer, Harald, Rager, Bernd, Walk, Hans Jorg.
Application Number | 20020060485 10/006862 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26676159 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020060485 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fischer, Harald ; et
al. |
May 23, 2002 |
Adjustable sport vehicle seat
Abstract
A vehicle seat having a normal driving position and a sport
driving position is disclosed. A central back section and central
seat section are provided in the backrest and seat cushion portions
of the vehicle seat, respectively. The central sections are movable
to change the geometry of the vehicle seat relative to side back
supports and side seat supports. Different actuators may be
provided in different locations behind the central back and seat
sections. Examples of actuators that may be used include eccentric
rollers, pneumatic cylinders, pneumatic elements or bladders, and
movable wedges. The position of the central sections may be
manually controlled by switches, or automatically controlled by
sensors, or by a position memory control.
Inventors: |
Fischer, Harald;
(Unterensingen, DE) ; Walk, Hans Jorg;
(Reutlingen, DE) ; Rager, Bernd; (Bissingen,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kevin J. Heinl
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
22nd Floor
1000 Town Center
Southfield
MI
48075-1351
US
|
Assignee: |
LEAR CORPORATION
Southfield
MI
|
Family ID: |
26676159 |
Appl. No.: |
10/006862 |
Filed: |
November 12, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60249499 |
Nov 17, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/284.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/99 20180201; B60N
2205/30 20130101; B60N 2/646 20130101; B60N 2/643 20130101; B60N
2/2222 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/284.4 |
International
Class: |
A47C 007/46 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A vehicle seat defining an occupant accommodating area, the
vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion portion; a backrest portion
angularly oriented relative to the seat cushion portion: a central
back section of the backrest portion forming a part of the occupant
accommodating area and having actuators for changing the position
of at least one section of the central back section; a pair of side
back supports forming a part of the occupant accommodating area
that are adjacent to and raised relative to the central back
section and diverge laterally outwardly having a progressively
greater width as they diverge; the central back section being
separately moveable relative to the side back supports; and wherein
the actuators change the position of the central back section
relative to the side back supports to change the width of the
occupant accommodating area between the side back supports.
2. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are eccentric
rollers.
3. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are pneumatic
bladders.
4. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are pneumatic
cylinders having a pivoting linkage.
5. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are wedges
slidable behind the central back section.
6. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are localized
pneumatic elements.
7. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are in an
upper portion of the central back section.
8. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are in a lower
portion of the central back section.
9. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are in upper
and lower portions of the central portion.
10. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein a headrest is provided
above the central portion wherein central portion moves relative to
the headrest.
11. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the headrest is mounted on
a track so that the headrest is adjustable to correspond to changes
in the position of the central portion.
12. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are adjusted
by a manual switch.
13. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are adjusted
in response to sensors in the seat for detecting lateral
acceleration forces.
14. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are adjusted
to preset memory locations set by an occupant.
15. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the actuators are adjusted
in response to pressure applied to the seat by an occupant as
sensed by sensors in the seat.
16. A vehicle seat defining an occupant accommodating area, the
vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion portion; a backrest portion
angularly oriented relative to the seat cushion portion: a central
seat section of the seat cushion portion forming a part of the
occupant accommodating area and having actuators for changing the
position of at least one section of the central seat section; a
pair of side seat supports forming a part of the occupant
accommodating area that are adjacent to and raised relative to the
central seat section and diverge laterally outwardly having a
progressively greater height as they diverge; the central seat
section being separately moveable relative to the side seat
supports; and wherein the actuators change the position of the
central seat section relative to the side back supports to change
the width of the occupant accommodating area between the side seat
supports.
17. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are
eccentric rollers.
18. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are
pneumatic bladders.
19. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are
pneumatic cylinders having a pivoting linkage.
20. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are wedges
slidable behind the central seat section.
21. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are
localized pneumatic elements.
22. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are in a
front portion of the central seat section.
23. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are in a
back portion of the central seat section.
24. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are in front
and back portions of the central seat section.
25. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are adjusted
by a manual switch.
26. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are adjusted
in response to sensors in the seat for detecting lateral
acceleration forces.
27. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are adjusted
to presetable memory locations set by an occupant.
28. The vehicle seat of claim 16 wherein the actuators are adjusted
in response to pressure applied to the seat by an occupant as
sensed by sensors in the seat.
29. A vehicle seat defining an occupant accommodating area, the
vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion portion; a backrest portion
angularly oriented relative to the seat cushion portion: a central
seat section of the seat cushion portion forming a part of the
occupant accommodating area and having actuators for changing the
position of at least one section of the central seat section; a
pair of side seat supports forming a part of the occupant
accommodating area that are adjacent to and raised relative to the
central seat section and diverge laterally outwardly having a
progressively greater height as they diverge; a central back
section of the backrest portion forming a part of the occupant
accommodating area and having actuators for changing the position
of at least one portion of the central back section; a pair of side
back supports forming a part of the occupant accommodating area
that are adjacent to and raised relative to the central back
section and diverge laterally outwardly having a progressively
greater width as they diverge; the central back section being
separately moveable relative to the side back supports, and the
central seat portion being separately moveable relative to the side
seat supports; and wherein the actuators change the position of at
least one portion of each of the central seat section and central
back section relative to the side seat supports and the side back
supports, respectively, to change the width of the occupant
accommodating area between the pairs of side seat supports and side
back supports.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application Serial No. 60/249,499 filed Nov. 17, 2000.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to vehicle seats having an adjustable
seat cushion and back rest with a central seating surface and a
central seat back that may be shifted to modify the support level
of the central seating surface and central seat back relative to
adjacent side support portions of the seat cushion and back
rest.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Seats for vehicles were traditionally formed by
interconnected spring support elements covered by padding material
and upholstery. Vehicle seat construction has been simplified by
utilizing structural foam supported by frames or rigid panels that
are covered by fabric, vinyl or leather upholstery.
[0004] Vehicle seats may be provided with various adjustment
mechanisms to move the seats forward or rearward by means of manual
or power seat position adjustment mechanisms. Vehicle seats may
also be provided with mechanisms that permit the seats to be raised
and lowered. Another common adjustment mechanism is a tilt
adjustment that controls the angle of orientation of the seat back
relative to the seat cushion. Some seats also offer adjustable
bolster sections that provide limited adjustability of the seat for
supporting the small of the back of an occupant.
[0005] There is a need for a vehicle seat that has a greater degree
of adjustability allowing for adjustment of the seat geometry for
sport driving or normal driving. In particular, there is a need to
be able to adjust the central portions of the seating surface and
the seat back relative to the sides of the seat that are contoured
to provide lateral support for a person seated on the seat.
Generally, the relationship of the central portions of the seating
surface and back rest are fixed relative to adjacent side support
portions that are raised relative to the central portion and
diverge from the central portions. Sport driving seats are more
concave and have central portions that are flanked by more
pronounced side supports that wrap around the seat occupant
providing substantial resistance to lateral forces. Seats designed
for normal driving are less concave and provide more space between
lateral sides that permit the occupant of the seat to have a
greater range of motion because they are not confined by the side
supports.
[0006] The above problems and disadvantages are addressed by the
present invention that answers the long-felt need of providing a
vehicle seat that is adjustable to be well suited to sport driving
and normal driving situations as summarized below.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle
seat is provided that defines an adjustable depth occupant
accommodating area. The vehicle seat comprises a seat cushion
portion and a back rest portion. A central portion of a back rest
pad forms a part of the occupant accommodating area that is
moveable and includes actuators for changing the position of at
least one section of the central portion of the back rest pad. A
pair of side support portions form a part of the occupant
accommodating area that are adjacent the central portion and
diverge laterally outwardly are progressively raised as they
diverge from the central portion. The actuators are provided to
change the position of the central portion of the back rest pad and
provide a broader occupant accommodating area between the side
supports for normal driving. Conversely, the actuators may change
the position of the central portion of the back rest pad to provide
a narrower occupant accommodating area between the side supports
for sport driving.
[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
central portion of a seat cushion pad that forms a part of the
occupant accommodating area may also have actuators for changing
the position of at least one section of the central portion of the
seat cushion pad. A pair of side support portions form a part of
the occupant accommodating area that are adjacent to the central
portion and diverge laterally outwardly and are progressively
raised as they diverge from the central portion. Actuators are used
to change the position of the central portion to provide a broader
occupant accommodating area between side supports for normal
driving. Conversely, for sport driving, the position of the central
portion may be changed to provide a narrow occupant accommodating
area between the side support portions.
[0009] The invention may include an adjustment mechanism for both
the central portion of the seat cushion pad and the central portion
of the back rest pad.
[0010] According to the invention, the actuators may take various
forms. Examples of some actuators include eccentric rollers, broad
surface area pneumatic bladders, pivoting linkages operated by
linear actuators such as pneumatic cylinders, wedges slidable
behind the central portion of the seat back or seat cushion, or
localized pneumatically expandable elements.
[0011] According to the invention, the actuators may be positioned
in various locations. In the back rest portion, the actuators may
be located in the upper part of the central portion, lower part of
the central portion, or in both the upper and lower parts of the
central portion. In the seat cushion, the actuators may be located
in the front part of the central portion, back part of the central
portion, or in both the front and back parts of the central
portion.
[0012] According to yet another feature of the invention, the
actuators may be manually adjusted by a switch. The actuators may
also be automatically adjusted in response to sensors in the seat
for detecting lateral acceleration forces, or automatically
adjusted depending upon the pressure applied to the seat by an
occupant as sensed by sensors in the seat, or automatically
adjusted according to a pre-set memory position set by the
occupant.
[0013] According to another aspect of the invention, a headrest may
be provided above the central portion of the back rest portion with
the central portion being movable relative to the headrest.
Alternatively, an adjustable headrest may be provided to permit
adjustment of the headrest to correspond to adjustments in the
position of the central portion of the back rest pad.
[0014] These and other aspects and advantages of the present
invention will be better understood in view of the attached
drawings and following detailed description of the illustrated
modes of practicing the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat having
movable central sections made in accordance with the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat having a
central back section having an upper portion that is movable as
indicated;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat having a
central back section with a lower portion that is movable as
indicated;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat having a
central back section having movable upper and lower portions as
indicated;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat having a
central seat section with a front portion movable as indicated;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat having a
central seat section with a rear portion movable as indicated;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat having a
central seat section having movable front and rear portions as
indicated;
[0022] FIG. 8a is a fragmentary perspective view of a backrest
having an actuator in an upper portion of a central seat back
section;
[0023] FIG. 8b is a front perspective view of a backrest having an
actuator in a lower portion of the central seat back section;
[0024] FIG. 8c is a front perspective view of a backrest having
actuators located in upper and lower portions of the central back
section;
[0025] FIG. 8d is a front perspective view of a backrest having
four actuators located in the central back section with two
actuators in each of the upper and lower portions thereof;
[0026] FIG. 9a is a top plan view of a seat cushion portion of a
vehicle seat having an actuator in a rear portion of the central
seat section;
[0027] FIG. 9b is a top plan view of a seat cushion portion of a
vehicle seat having an actuator in a front portion of the central
seat section;
[0028] FIG. 9c is a top plan view of a seat cushion portion of a
vehicle seat having actuators in the front and rear portions of a
central seat section;
[0029] FIG. 9d is a top plan view of a seat cushion portion of a
vehicle seat having four actuators with two actuators in each of
the front and rear portions of a central seat section;
[0030] FIG. 10a is a schematic plan view of a backrest, central
seat section and side back supports showing the central back
section in its normal ride position;
[0031] FIG. 10b is a schematic plan view of a backrest, central
back section, and side back support with the central back section
in an intermediate position between the normal and sport driving
positions;
[0032] FIG. 11a is a perspective view of an eccentric roller
actuator;
[0033] FIG. 11b is a schematic representation showing the operation
of an eccentric roller actuator made in accordance with the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 11c is a schematic representation of a central back
section having two eccentric rollers with one eccentric roller in
each of the upper and lower portions of the backrest;
[0035] FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a pneumatic
cylinder and bracket for adjusting the position of a central back
section;
[0036] FIG. 13a is a perspective view of a pneumatic element
actuator;
[0037] FIG. 13b is a side elevation view of a pneumatic element
actuator in a partially contracted state;
[0038] FIG. 13c is a side elevation view of a pneumatic element in
its expanded state;
[0039] FIG. 14a is a perspective view of a pneumatic bladder that
is adapted to be received in a vehicle seat behind a central back
section;
[0040] FIG. 14b is a side elevation view of a pneumatic bladder
having a fixed edge shown in its contracted position;
[0041] FIG. 14c is a side elevation view of a pneumatic bladder
having a fixed edge in its expanded position;
[0042] FIG. 14d is a side elevation view of a pneumatic bladder in
its contracted position;
[0043] FIG. 14e is a side elevation view of a pneumatic bladder in
its expanded position;
[0044] FIG. 15a is a schematic representation of a central seat
back portion having a movable wedge behind its upper portion.
[0045] FIG. 15b is a schematic representation of a central seat
back portion having a movable wedge actuator behind its lower
portion;
[0046] FIG. 15c is a schematic representation of a central seat
back portion having movable wedges behind both the upper and lower
portions thereof;
[0047] FIG. 16a is a fragmentary schematic view of a seat back
having a headrest and a movable central back portion in its normal
position;
[0048] FIG. 16b is a fragmentary schematic view of a seat back
having a headrest and a movable central back portion in its sport
driving position;
[0049] FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of a set of switches
used to control the vehicle seat having normal and sport driving
positions made in accordance with the invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, a vehicle seat 10 defining an
occupant accommodating area 12 is illustrated in several adjustment
modes. The vehicle seat 10 includes a seat cushion portion 14 and a
backrest portion 16. The backrest portion 16 is held in a desired
angular orientation relative to the seat cushion portion 14.
[0051] The backrest portion 16 includes a central back section 20.
The seat cushion portion 14 has a central seat section 22. A pair
of side back supports 26 are provided on opposite sides of the
central back section 20 of the backrest portion 16. A pair of side
seat supports 28 are provided on opposite sides of the central seat
section 22 of the seat cushion portion 14.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 2, arrow A illustrates how the upper
portion 32 of the central back section 20 may be moved. Referring
to FIG. 3, arrow B illustrates how the lower portion 34 of the
central back section 20 may be moved. FIG. 4 shows arrows A and B
in upper and lower portions 32, 34 of the central back section 20
to illustrate how the entire central back section 20 may be moved
to adjust the vehicle seat between a normal or comfort position
wherein the central seat back section 20 is moved forward relative
to the backrest 16 for normal driving. When the central back
section 20 is moved toward the backrest portion 16, a sport driving
seat is provided.
[0053] Referring now to FIG. 5, arrow C illustrates how the front
portion 36 of the central seat section 22 may be adjusted relative
to the other portions of the seat cushion 14. Referring to FIG. 6,
arrow D shows how the rear portion 38 of the central seat section
22 may be adjusted relative to the other portions of the seat
cushion 14 to raise or lower the rear portion 38 of the central
seat section. Referring to FIG. 7, arrows C and D illustrate how
the entire central seat section 22 may be moved upwardly or
downwardly to provide either a normal driving position or a sport
driving position in accordance with the invention.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 8a, an actuator 42 is shown disposed in
the upper portion 32 of the central back section 20. The central
back section is flanked by side back supports 26. Referring to FIG.
8b, an actuator 42 is shown in the lower portion 34 of the central
back section 20 of the backrest 16. Referring to FIG. 8c, two
actuators 42 are shown in the upper and lower portions 32, 34 of
the central back section 20. The central back section 20 is flanked
by the side back supports 26. Referring to FIG. 8d, four actuators
are provided with two actuators being disposed in the upper portion
32 and two actuators being disposed in the lower portion 34 of the
central back section 20.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 9a, the seat cushion portion 14 is shown
to include an actuator in the rear portion 38 of the central seat
section 22. The central seat section 22 is flanked by side seat
supports 28. Referring to FIG. 9b, an actuator 42 is shown in the
front portion 36 of the central seat section 22. Referring to FIG.
9c, two actuators are shown in both the front 36 and rear 38
portions of the central seat portion 22. Referring to FIG. 9d, four
actuators 42 are shown with two actuators 42 being provided in the
front portion 36 of the central seat section 22 and two actuators
42 being provided in the rear portion 38 of the central seat
section 22.
[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 10a and b, operation of the central
back section 20 is shown. In FIG. 10a, the seat is shown in its
normal position with the central back section 20 extended forwardly
relative to the backrest portion 16 so that a space 40 is formed
between the central back section 20 and the backrest 16. The
occupant accommodating area 12 is effectively broadened because the
occupant is held in a position wherein more space is provided
between the pair of side back supports 26. Referring to FIG. 10b,
the central back section 20 is moved rearwardly relative to the
backrest portion 16 to cause the occupant accommodating area 12 to
be defined between more closely spaced portions of the pair of side
back supports 26. The space 40 is reduced in comparison to the
space provided as shown in FIG. 10a. Actuators are provided in the
space 40. The types of actuators utilized are more fully described
below. A combination of different types of actuators could be
provided or the same actuators could be provided in each portion of
the central back section and central seat section where the
actuators are disposed.
[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 11a-c, an eccentric roller 44 is
shown that may be used as an actuator 42 and located as described
above. The eccentric roller 44 includes a roller body 46 and a
shaft 42 that is eccentrically affixed to the roller body 46. As
shown in FIG. 11b, the shaft is rotatable to cause the roller body
46 to impinge upon the central back section 20. The shaft 48 may be
a continuous shaft extending entirely through the roller or may be
formed by two pins extending from opposite ends of the roller body
46. The shaft 48 would be received by journal bearings and a
rotating drive mechanism as would be readily understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art. As shown in FIG. 11c, two eccentric
rollers 44 are provided in the lower portion and upper portion
behind the central back section 20. The spacing of the eccentric
rollers may be modified depending upon design considerations. The
central back section 20 would preferably include a rigid support
backing to distribute the force applied by the eccentric rollers 44
or other actuators that are described below.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 12, another alternative embodiment of
an actuator is shown to include a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder
52 that is mounted to the backrest portion 16 and is used to adjust
the position of the central back section 20 forwardly and
rearwardly. The cylinder 52 includes a cylinder body 54 and a rod
56 that carries a piston that is used to extend and retract the rod
56 relative to the cylinder body 54. As the rod 56 is extended, an
L-bracket 58 connected to its upper end is moved about pivot
connector 60. The rod 56 is connected to a rod connector leg 62
while a central section leg 64 is connected to the central back
section 20. Movement of the rod 56 causes the central back section
20 to move from the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 12 to the
phantom line position illustrated.
[0059] Referring now to FIGS. 13a-c, a pneumatic element 66
including a bellows 68 and an air supply tube 70 is another
alternative embodiment of the actuators 42. As shown in FIG. 13b,
the pneumatic element 66 is contracted while in FIG. 13c, the
pneumatic element is expanded. Air is supplied to and removed from
the pneumatic element 66 to thereby cause the bellows 68 to expand
and retract. Air may be provided by means of a power or manual pump
(not shown).
[0060] Referring now to FIG. 14a-e, a pneumatic bladder 74 is
illustrated that may be used as an actuator 42. The pneumatic
bladder 74 includes walls 76 on opposite sides thereof that are
interconnected by a bellows section 78. An air supply tube 80
provides air from a manual or power pump. As shown in FIG. 14a, a
pressure relief valve 82 may be provided to prevent over-inflation
of the pneumatic bladder 74. Pressure relief can also be provided
by means of a pressure relief valve in the pump (not shown). The
pneumatic bladder 74 may include a fixed edge 84 that allows the
pneumatic bladder 74 to expand on one end to form a wedge shape as
shown in FIGS. 14a-c. Referring to FIG. 14b, the bellows is shown
inverted compared to FIG. 14a to allow for expansion of the lower
portion of the central back section 20. As shown in FIG. 14c, the
bellows section 78 is expanded. Referring now to FIGS. 14d and e, a
pneumatic bladder 74 is shown that does not include a fixed edge 84
but expands so that the walls 76 are held in a parallel
relationship as the bellows 78 is expanded and retracted. As shown
in FIG. 14d, the bellows is shown contracted as would be
appropriate for a sport driving position, while in FIG. 14e, the
bellows is expanded to provide a normal, or comfort, driving
position.
[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 15a-c, wedges 86 are shown as the
actuators 42. Wedges 86 are received behind the central back
section 20 and are movable as shown by arrow E in FIG. 15a and
arrow F in FIG. 15b. As the wedges 86 are moved to a position that
is more completely received behind the central back section 20, the
central back section 20 is moved forwardly to the comfort position.
As shown in FIG. 15c, two wedges may be provided behind the upper
and lower portions 32, 34 of the central back section 20 to provide
for adjustment of the upper and lower portions of the central seat
back section 20. The wedges 86 are guided by a track (not shown)
and moved by a linear drive (not shown).
[0062] The actuators illustrated in FIGS. 11-15 are shown in
conjunction with the central back section 20. It should be
understood that the actuators may also be provided in conjunction
with the central seat section 22 as is suggested by FIGS. 9a-d.
[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 16a-b, a backrest 16 having a
headrest 88 at its upper end is shown. The central back section 20
is movable relative to the backrest 16 to provide a space 40 as
shown in FIG. 16a. When the central back section 20 is retracted
toward the backrest portion 16, the space 40 is essentially
eliminated. As shown by the drawing, the space between an
occupant's head and the headrest is increased when the central back
section 20 is moved outwardly as shown by arrow G in FIG. 16a in
comparison to the spacing between the occupant's head and the
headrest 88 as shown in FIG. 16b. While this may be desirable to
provide greater comfort in normal driving, it may be desirable to
provide an adjustment track 90 to make the headrest movable to
assure that the seat occupant's head is held relatively close to
the headrest even when the seat is adjusted to its normal
position.
[0064] Referring now to FIG. 17, a switch panel is shown wherein a
seat cushion switch 92 is provided for adjusting the position of
the seat cushion portion 14. Central seat section switch 94 is also
provided to permit separate adjustment of the position of the
central seat section 22. A seat back switch 96 is shown to permit
adjustment of the tilt orientation of the backrest 16. Central back
section switch 98 is provided to separately control the position of
the central back section 20.
[0065] While several embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated and described, it is not intended that these
embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the
invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of
description rather than limitation, and it is understood that
various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *