U.S. patent application number 11/338610 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-31 for air-sprung vehicle seat.
This patent application is currently assigned to GmbH & Co. KG. Invention is credited to Norbert Falk, Lutz Meyer.
Application Number | 20060192421 11/338610 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36590782 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060192421 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Falk; Norbert ; et
al. |
August 31, 2006 |
Air-sprung vehicle seat
Abstract
The invention relates to an air-sprung vehicle seat, including
an air supply line having a supply part and an end part. Provision
is made, according to the invention, whereby there is disposed
between the supply part and the end part a branch part, from which
there extends a connection line having an air connector at its end
that is located away from the branch, and a shut-off valve is
disposed in one of the branch part, the connection line, or the air
connector.
Inventors: |
Falk; Norbert; (Extertal,
DE) ; Meyer; Lutz; (Kalletal, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GRAYBEAL, JACKSON, HALEY LLP
155 - 108TH AVENUE NE
SUITE 350
BELLEVUE
WA
98004-5901
US
|
Assignee: |
GmbH & Co. KG
|
Family ID: |
36590782 |
Appl. No.: |
11/338610 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/452.41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/525 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/452.41 |
International
Class: |
A47C 7/02 20060101
A47C007/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 21, 2005 |
DE |
102005002992.2-14 |
Claims
1. An air-sprung vehicle seat comprising: an air supply line having
a supply part and has an end part; a branch part disposed between
the supply part and the end part, from which there extends a
connection line having an air connector at one end that is located
away from the branch; and a shut-off valve disposed in one of the
branch part, the connection line, or the air connector.
2. Air-sprung vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in
that the branch part is a T-piece.
3. Air-sprung vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterized in
that the branch part is a 3-way valve which can be actuated away
from the vehicle seat.
4. Air-sprung vehicle seat according to any one of the preceding
claims, characterized in that the air connector is mounted on one
of the vehicle seat or a seat substructure disposed beneath the
vehicle seat.
5. Air-sprung vehicle seat according to claim 4, characterized in
that the air connector is integrated into the seat
substructure.
6. Air-sprung vehicle seat according to claim 4, characterized in
that a storage space for a compressed-air pistol and a connection
hose is defined by the seat substructure.
7. Air-sprung vehicle seat according to claim 5, characterized in
that a storage space for a compressed-air pistol and a connection
hose is defined by the seat substructure.
8. Air-sprung vehicle seat according to claim 6, characterized in
that the compressed-air pistol is connected to the air connector
via the connection hose.
9. Air-sprung vehicle seat according to claim 7, characterized in
that the compressed-air pistol is connected to the air connector
via the connection hose.
Description
PRIORITY BENEFIT TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a utility application that claims foreign priority
benefits, under 35 USC .sctn.119(a) to German Patent Application
No. 10 2005 002 992.2, filed 21 Jan. 2005, which is incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to an air-sprung vehicle seat,
comprising an air supply line which has a supply part located away
from the spring and has an end part located towards the spring.
[0003] In the case of commercial vehicles, compressed-air pistols
are particularly suitable for cleaning dirty or dusty vehicle
cabins. Most commercial vehicles are equipped with an air supply,
which is normally disposed outside the vehicle cabin. Although, in
the majority of commercial vehicles, there are air-sprung vehicle
seats which, accordingly, also have an air supply, it is
nevertheless necessary to connect the compressed-air pistol to the
air connector outside the vehicle cabin, and to bring it to the
location to be cleaned within the vehicle cabin via the long
connection hose. This is very expensive and awkward.
SUMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is therefore the object of the invention to create a
simpler connection to the air supply system within a commercial
vehicle, to which a compressed-air pistol can be connected.
[0005] The object is achieved by an air-sprung vehicle seat having
the features of claim 1. Since an air supply line is always
provided in an air-sprung vehicle seat, it is possible to effect
simple branching-off of a required quantity of air in order to
supply also a compressed-air pistol within the vehicle cabin. For
this, provision is made, according to the invention, whereby a
branch part is disposed between the supply part and the end part.
This branch part branches off the required quantity of air from the
air supply line, via the connection line. Since the connection line
has an air connector at its end that is located away from the
branch, a compressed-air pistol can be connected thereto, via a
connection hose. The compressed-air pistol is thus supplied with
compressed air via the air supply line that is already provided in
the vehicle seat in any case. In order to prevent a continuous,
uncontrolled escape of compressed air via the connection line, a
shut-off valve is disposed in the branch part, in the connection
line or in the air connector. Said shut-off valve is opened when a
compressed-air pistol is connected to the air connector and is
operated. In this case, the opening of the shut-off valve can be
effected automatically or separately. Since the opening of the
shut-off valve is not essential for the invention and can be
effected by all known methods, it is not described further in the
following.
[0006] An advantageous development of the invention makes provision
whereby the branch part is a T-piece. This constitutes a very
simple means of achieving a branching-off of compressed air between
the supply part and the end part.
[0007] Another advantageous development of the invention makes
provision whereby the branch part is a 3-way valve which can be
actuated from outside the vehicle seat. By simple means, therefore,
branching-off of compressed air can only be effected if so desired
by an operator from the outside.
[0008] A further advantageous development of the invention makes
provision whereby the air connector is mounted on the vehicle seat
or on a seat substructure disposed beneath said vehicle seat. The
air connector is thus fixed in position, and the connection line
does not lie around in the vehicle cabin. It is particularly
preferred that the air connector be integrated into the seat
substructure. Since the latter is normally hollow, the connection
line can very easily be routed within the seat substructure.
Moreover, it is not necessary to draw the connection line into the
vehicle seat, in which space is very restricted.
[0009] A further advantageous development of the invention makes
provision whereby a storage space for a compressed-air pistol and a
connection hose is realized in the seat substructure. This provides
for rapid access to, and defined storage of, the compressed-air
pistol together with a necessary connection hose.
[0010] A further advantageous development of the invention makes
provision whereby the compressed-air pistol is connected to the air
connector via the connection hose. Since the compressed-air pistol
is permanently connected to the connection line, it need no longer
be connected for operation, but is always immediately ready for
operation, and is nevertheless securely stored when not in use.
[0011] Further advantageous developments of the invention are
explained more fully with reference to the embodiment represented
in the sole FIGURE. This sole
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a schematic, partially open view of a seat
substructure of a vehicle seat according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0013] The embodiment of an air-sprung vehicle seat according to
the invention, having a seat substructure 1, is shown without the
vehicle seat. The air-sprung vehicle seat is attached above the
seat substructure 1, shown in a partially open view. The connection
of a conventional air-sprung vehicle seat is known in principle and
is not essential for the invention, and is consequently not
described further.
[0014] The air-sprung vehicle seat is supplied with the required
compressed air via an air supply line 2, which consists of a
plurality of portions. The air supply line 2 enters the seat
substructure 1 though an opening in the cabin floor 10. The part of
the air supply line 2 that is connected to the supply tank is
termed the supply part 3. The portion of the air supply line 2 that
is connected to the air-sprung vehicle seat is termed the end part
4. Disposed between the supply part 3 and the end part 4 is a
branch part 5, in the form of a T-piece 9.
[0015] In the embodiment represented, the branch part 5 is a
separate part, but it is equally possible for the branch part 5 to
be realized as a single piece with the supply part 3 and/or with
the end part 4.
[0016] From the T-piece 9, a connection line 6 branches off from
the air supply line 2. Said connection line 6 is routed through an
opening in the wall of the seat substructure 1, and terminates,
outside the seat substructure 1, with an air connector 7. The
connection line 6 is fixed in position within the hole in the wall
of is the seat substructure 1 by means of a fastening 8.
[0017] Disposed in the air connector 7 is a shut-off valve which
opens automatically when a connection hose having a matching
coupling is attached to it. If a matching coupling is not attached
to it, the shut-off valve remains closed. The shut-off valve serves
to prevent a continuous and uncontrolled escape of compressed air
from the air supply line 2. Instead of the automatic shut-off valve
within the air connector 7, there may also be provided at this
location a shut-off valve which is not opened automatically when a
connection hose is mounted, but must additionally be opened by the
operator. Furthermore, the shut-off valve may also be disposed
within the branch part 5 or at any location within the connection
line 6.
[0018] The arrangement according to the invention makes it very
easy to clean the vehicle cabin using a compressed-air pistol,
since the compressed-air supply that is provided in any case for
the air-sprung vehicle seat can be used, via the air supply line 2,
to provide an air connector 7 within the vehicle cabin. There is
therefore no longer any need for an awkward compressed-air supply
structure, with long connection hoses, from outside the vehicle
cabin to the compressed-air pistol required for cleaning.
* * * * *