U.S. patent application number 09/766107 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-03 for seat assembly.
Invention is credited to Busboom, Garry W..
Application Number | 20020140275 09/766107 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25075427 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020140275 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Busboom, Garry W. |
October 3, 2002 |
Seat assembly
Abstract
A seat assembly is disclosed which is ideally suited for use on
a riding lawn mower or the like. The seat assembly comprises first
and second side supports which have rear ends and front ends. A
fabric member is secured to and is stretched between the first and
second side supports. The fabric member has an elastic modulus that
is greater between its opposite sides than between its rear and
front ends. The fabric member is multi-layered at its rearward end
to provide greater support at the rearward end or other positions
between the forward and rearward ends thereof than at the forward
end thereof. A seat cushion is positioned on the fabric with the
seat cushion being enclosed by a suitable upholstery material.
Inventors: |
Busboom, Garry W.;
(Beatrice, NE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THOMTE, MAZOUR & NIEBERGALL, L.L.C.
2120 S. 72ND STREET, SUITE 1111
OMAHA
NE
68124
US
|
Family ID: |
25075427 |
Appl. No.: |
09/766107 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/452.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/7035 20130101;
B60N 2/7076 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/452.2 |
International
Class: |
A47C 007/02 |
Claims
1. A seat assembly, comprising: a frame having a front end, a rear
end, and opposite sides; said frame including at least a front
frame member which extends between the sides of the frame and at
least a rear frame member which extends between the sides of the
frame; said front frame member comprising an elongated base portion
having opposite end portions extending upwardly therefrom; said
rear frame member comprising an elongated base portion having
opposite end portions extending upwardly therefrom; a first
elongated support member secured to and extending between one end
of said front frame member and one end of said rear frame member; a
second elongated support member secured to and extending between
the other end of said front frame member and the other end of said
rear frame member; a seat cushion supporting fabric secured to and
extending between said first and second support members; said
fabric having a front end, a rear end, and opposite sides; said
fabric having an elastic modulus that is greater between its
opposite sides than between its front and rear ends; said fabric
being multi-layered between its front and rear ends; and a seat
cushion positioned on said fabric.
2. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein said fabric is folded upon
itself to form the multiple layers.
3. The seat assembly wherein said fabric is folded upon itself to
form the multiple layers.
4. The seat assembly of claim 2 wherein said multiple layers are
positioned at the rear end of said fabric and extend forwardly
therefrom for different lengths.
5. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein said multiple layers
comprise an upper layer and a lower layer.
6. A seat assembly, comprising: a first side support member having
a rear end and a front end; a second side support member having a
rear end and a front end; a fabric member secured to and stretched
between said first and second side supports; said fabric member
having a rear end, a front end, and opposite sides; said fabric
member having an elastic modulus that is greater between its
opposite sides than between its rear and front ends; said fabric
member being multi-layered between the front and rear ends thereof;
and a seat cushion positioned on said fabric member.
7. The seat assembly of claim 6 wherein said fabric member is
folded upon itself for a substantial length to form multiple
layers.
8. The seat assembly of claim 7 wherein said multiple layers are
positioned at the rear end of said fabric and extend forwardly
therefrom for different lengths.
9. The seat assembly of claim 6 wherein said multiple layers
comprise an upper layer and a lower layer.
10. The seat assembly of claim 9 wherein said lower layer extends
forwardly for a substantial length from said rear end thereof
towards the center length of said fabric.
11. The seat assembly of claim 6 wherein said fabric member is
folded upon itself forwardly of the rear end thereof.
12. The seat assembly of claim 6 wherein said fabric member is
folded upon itself rearward of said front end thereof.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a seat assembly and more
particularly to a seat assembly wherein a seat cushion is
positioned upon a layer of fabric which is stretched between a pair
of supports with the fabric having an elastic modulus that is
greater between its opposite sides than between its front and rear
ends. Even more particularly, the fabric has multiple layers
provided at its rearward end or other positions between the forward
and rearward ends thereof to provide greater support at the
rearward end or other respective positions thereof than at the
forward end thereof.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Many types of seat assemblies have been previously provided
with those seat assemblies being specifically adapted for use on
riding lawn mowers or the like. The seat assemblies normally
include a support frame which is secured to the frame of the mower
with a foam cushion being positioned thereon with the foam cushion
being covered by an upholstery material. It is extremely important
that the seat assembly does not "bottom out" as the mower is moved
over irregular and rough terrain, since the bottoming-out creates
discomfort to the operator of the mower. It is also important that
the foam cushion, and the support therefore, does not create a
pressure point at their forward end to the underside of the
operator's legs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A seat assembly is described which is ideally suited for use
on a riding lawn mower or the like. The seat assembly comprises a
frame which is secured to the frame of the mower and which has a
pair of spaced-apart side supports extending upwardly therefrom. A
layer of fabric is secured to and stretched between the side
supports with the fabric having an elastic modulus that is greater
between its opposite sides than between its front and rear ends.
The fabric is multi-layered at its rearward end or other positions
between the forward and rearward ends thereof so that greater
support is provided at the rear end or other respective positions
of the fabric than at the front end of the fabric as the operator's
hip joints are positioned toward the rear and the support can be
focused where it is needed. A foam cushion is positioned upon the
fabric with the foam cushion being covered with an upholstery
material.
[0006] It is therefore a principal object of the invention to
provide an improved seat cushion.
[0007] A further object of the invention is to provide a seat
cushion which is ideally suited for use on a riding lawn mower.
[0008] A further object of the invention is to provide a seat
assembly wherein a foam cushion is supported upon a fabric material
which is stretched between a pair of supports with the fabric
having an elastic modulus that is greater between its opposite
sides than between its front and rear ends.
[0009] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a seat
assembly including a fabric support for a foam cushion with the
fabric support providing increased support at its rear end or other
positions between the forward and rearward ends thereof.
[0010] Still another object of the invention is to provide a seat
assembly wherein the foam cushion is supported by a fabric material
with the fabric material being multi-layered at its rear end or
other positions between the forward and rearward ends thereof.
[0011] These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in
the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the seat assembly of this
invention mounted on a riding lawn mower;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the seat assembly as
seen on lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the seat assembly with the
foam cushion removed therefrom;
[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the seat assembly
of this invention with the foam cushion removed therefrom;
[0016] FIG. 5A is a side view illustrating the manner in which the
fabric member is folded upon itself;
[0017] FIG. 5B is a view similar to FIG. 5A except that the second
layer of the fabric member is extended farther forwardly than that
shown in FIG. 5A;
[0018] FIG. 5C is a view similar to FIGS. 5A and 5B except that the
fabric member has been folded upon itself to create a third
layer;
[0019] FIG. 5D is a view similar to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C except that
multiple individual layers are provided at the rearward end of the
fabric member; and
[0020] FIG. 5E is a view similar to FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D except
that multiple layers are provided intermediate the ends of the
fabric member.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] The seat assembly of this invention is referred to generally
by the reference numeral 10 and is ideally suited for use on a
riding lawn mower 11. Seat assembly 10 includes a frame 12 which
may take various shapes. As shown, frame 12 comprises a base
portion 14 having side portions 16 and 18 extending upwardly and
outwardly therefrom. The frame 12 may be constructed of wood,
plastic or metal and is secured to the frame of the lawn mower in
conventional fashion.
[0022] A support frame 20 is secured to the frame 12 and comprises
a front frame member 22 and a rear frame member 24. Front frame 22
includes a base portion 26 having end portions 28 and 30 extending
upwardly and outwardly therefrom. Similarly, rear frame 24 includes
a base portion 32 having end portions 34 and 36 extending upwardly
and outwardly therefrom.
[0023] An inverted L-shaped member 38 is secured to and extends
between end portions 28 and 34 of frames 22 and 24. Similarly, an
inverted L-shaped member 40 is secured to and extends between the
end portions 30 and 36 of frames 22 and 24. The members 38 and 40
include an outwardly extending flange 42 and 44, respectively. The
numeral 46 refers to a support fabric having a rear end 48, front
end 50, and opposite side edges 52 and 54. The side edges 52 and 54
are stitched or otherwise secured to elongated U-shaped clips 56
and 58, respectively, with the clips being secured to the flanges
42 and 44, respectively, as seen in the drawings. Support fabric 46
has an elastic modulus that is greater between its opposite sides
than between its front and rear ends. Preferably, support fabric 46
is folded over upon itself at its front end for a short distance to
provide the needed support at the front end of the support fabric
46, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5A-5D. The folded over portion of
support fabric 46 at the forward end thereof is referred to by the
reference numeral 60.
[0024] In order to provide sufficient support for the person
sitting on the seat assembly without creating pressure points on
the undersides of the legs of the operator at the forward end of
the fabric, support fabric 46 is provided with at least a second
layer which extends forwardly from the rear end of the support
fabric which is referred to the by the reference numeral 62, as
seen in FIG. 5A. The second layer 62 may be created by simply
folding over the support fabric 46 upon itself or may be created by
positioning a separate layer of fabric beneath the rear end of the
support fabric 46. Further, more than two layers of fabric may be
utilized, as seen in FIGS. 5C and 5D.
[0025] As seen in the drawings, the forward end of the second layer
is positioned considerably forwardly of the rear end of the support
fabric. The distance to which the second layer extends forwardly
will depend upon the support that is desired. If multiple layers
are provided, the individual layers could extend forwardly for
different distances to achieve the desired support for the person
using the seat, as seen in FIG. 5D. The numeral 64 refers to a
conventional foam cushion which is positioned on the fabric and
frame 12 and which is then covered with a suitable upholstery
material.
[0026] In FIG. 5E, the fabric is folded upon itself intermediate
the front and rear ends thereof to form multiple layers to provide
the necessary support intermediate the front and rear ends
thereof.
[0027] Thus it can be seen that a novel seat assembly has been
provided which includes a support fabric which stretches more from
one side to the other side thereof 20 than it does from its forward
end to its rearward end to create a "hammock-type" support for the
person sitting upon the seat. The use of multiple fabric layers at
the rearward end of the support fabric provides the necessary
support for the seat cushion and the user thereof without creating
pressure points at the forward end of the seat.
[0028] Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least
all of its stated objectives.
* * * * *