Patent ID: 7413158
Filing Date: 2008-08-19
Classification: B60N,F16F

Abstract:
1. A seat bottom that absorbs shocks, said seat bottom adapted to be mounted in a vehicle that subjects its occupants to severe shocks, comprising: a bottom plate having a predetermined geometric configuration; a top plate having a predetermined geometric configuration, said top plate disposed in vertically spaced, parallel relation to said bottom plate; at least two pairs of elongate rigid links positioned on any two preselected sides of in interconnecting relation to said bottom and top plates; each pair of elongate rigid links being disposed in a scissors configuration so that said bottom plate and top plate remain in said parallel relation to one another when said vertical distance between said bottom and top plates is abruptly changed by application of an external force to said platform; a bias member positioned in sandwiched relation between said top plate and said bottom plate; said bias member having sufficient bias to return said top plate and said bottom plate to a position of equilibrium after said external force has been applied to said seat bottom; a damper member disposed in sandwiched relation between said top plate and said bottom plate, said damper member being effective to damp oscillation of said bias member; said bias member including at least one arched leaf spring; said at least one arched leaf spring having opposite ends secured to said top plate and said at least one arched leaf spring being connected at its mid-point to said bottom plate; said damper member having a first end secured to said top plate and a second end secured to said bottom plate; said damper member being substantially horizontally disposed when said top plate and bottom plate are in a fully compressed configuration so that said damper member does not interfere with said top and bottom plate when said top and bottom plates are in said fully compressed configuration.