Patent ID: 8146993
Filing Date: 2012-04-03
Classification: B60N,B60R,F41H

Abstract:
1. A seat assembly comprising: a rotatable support member defining a longitudinal axis; a seat base supported for rotation with the support member; a plurality of first shock absorbing devices adapted to dampen a shock impulse between the rotatable support member and the seat base; an actuator operably coupled to the support member for rotating the support about the longitudinal axis; a controller operably coupled to the actuator; a foot control supported below the seat base for rotation with the support member, the foot control operably coupled to the controller and configured to receive input from the foot of an operator for causing the actuator to drive the support member in rotation, wherein the foot control includes a right control pedal configured to cause the actuator to drive the rotatable member in clockwise rotation, and a left control pedal configured to cause the actuator to drive the rotatable member in a counter-clockwise direction; a rotary electrical contact device operably coupled to the rotatable support member and configured to provide electrical communication between the foot control and the controller; and a footrest supported below the seat base, wherein each of the right control pedal and the left control pedal includes a lever member, a pivot coupled to the lever member and the footrest, and a position sensor configured to detect the relative angular position of the lever member relative to the footrest, wherein the seat base is suspended below the support member; further comprising a seat back coupled to said seat assembly in proximity to said seat base adapted to provide a back support for an operator seated on said seat base and a second shock absorbing device coupling said seat back with said rotatable support member, said seat assembly further comprising at least one operator restraint coupled to a structure coupled to at least one of said plurality of first shock absorbing devices adapted to maintain a torso section of said operator in substantially stationary position with respect to said seat base and seat back, said at least one operator restraint further comprising a quick release coupling system adapted to selectively couple and decouple said restraint such that the operator may be selectively restrained or released.