Abstract:
An improved air adjustable seat includes an air pump, at least one air bag, and an air switch for adjusting seat height. The air pump is preferably controlled by a pressure switch. The air pump is connected to the air switch through a first air line, and the air switch is connected to the air bags through a second air line. The air pump is controlled by the pressure switch to maintain a minimum pressure in the first line. The air switch has three positions, fill, hold, and release. In the fill position, high pressure air from the air pump is passed to the air bags. In the hold position, the first line is blocked, and air in the air bags is held to maintain seat height. In the release position, the first line is blocked, and air is released from the air bags to lower the seat.

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/764,483, filed Feb. 1, 2006, which application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to air adjustable devices and in particular to an air adjustable motorcycle seat. 
         [0003]    The height of motorcycle seats is important to both comfort and safety. When at rest, a rider must generally support the motorcycle using the rider&#39;s legs. When the seat is too low, the rider&#39;s legs may be bent, and provide a weak position. When the seat is too high, the rider may have to either lean the motorcycle, or point the rider&#39;s feet to reach the ground. Leaning the motorcycle may result in slipping and either injury to the rider or damage to the motorcycle. Pointing the feet may result in discomfort. 
         [0004]    The Rigidaire Adjustable Pneumatic Seating System air adjustable seat developed by Paul Cox and described in US Patent Publication No. 2005/0168018 uses an air pump and inflatable air bags to adjust seat height. While the basic approach of using an air adjustable system works well, the wiring and electrical switch used to control the Rigidaire Adjustable Pneumatic Seating System air adjustable seat is susceptible to damage from vibrations, moisture, etc. Additionally, the system disclosed by Cox requires a exhaust solenoid to empty the air bags. The &#39;018 patent Application is herein incorporated by reference. 
         [0005]    There is thus a need for an air adjustable seat which does not include an electric switch and unnecessary wiring. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing an improved air adjustable seat which includes an air pump, air bags, and an air switch for adjusting seat height. The air pump is preferably controlled by a pressure switch. The air pump is connected to the air switch through a first air line, and the air switch is connected to the air bags through a second air line. The air pump is controlled by the pressure switch to maintain a minimum pressure in the first line. The air switch has three positions, fill, hold, and release. In the fill position, high pressure air from the air pump is passed to the air bags. In the hold position, the first line is blocked, and air in the air bags is held to maintain seat height. In the release position, the first line is blocked, and air is released from the air bags to lower the seat. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a motorcycle with a fixed prior art seat. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  is a side view of an air adjustable seat according to the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  is a rear view of the air adjustable seat. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  shows the air adjustable seat in a lowered position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  shows the air adjustable seat in a raised position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows the air adjustable seat according to the present invention with bumpers to prevent metal to metal contact between the seat and motorcycle frame. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  shows the air adjustable seat according to the present invention with a damper to smooth the motion between the seat and motorcycle frame. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6A  shows a first seat mounting for the air adjustable seat. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6B  shows a second seat mounting for the air adjustable seat. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6C  shows a detailed view of a vertical bracket and bolt used for seat mounting. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6D  shows a detailed cross-sectional view of the vertical bracket and bolt used for seat mounting. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6E  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 E- 6 E of  FIG. 6A  of attachment details of the first seat mounting of the air bag of the air adjustable seat. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6F  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 F- 6 F of  FIG. 6B  of attachment details of the second seat mounting of the air bag of the air adjustable seat. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7A  shows a side view of a pivoting front bracket for the air adjustable seat. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7B  shows a rear view of the pivoting front bracket for the air adjustable seat. 
           [0023]    A cross-sectional view of the pivoting front bracket taken along line  7 C- 7 C of  FIG. 7A  is shown in  FIG. 7C . 
           [0024]      FIG. 8A  is a functional diagram of a first embodiment of the air adjustable seat. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8B  is a functional diagram of a second embodiment of the air adjustable seat. 
           [0026]      FIG. 8C  is a functional diagram of a third embodiment of the air adjustable seat. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8D  is a functional diagram of a fourth embodiment of the air adjustable seat. 
           [0028]      FIG. 8E  is a functional diagram of a fifth embodiment of the air adjustable seat. 
       
    
    
       [0029]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0030]    The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims. 
         [0031]    A motorcycle  10  with a fixed prior art seat  12  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The seat  12  is mounted to the frame  14  using a fixed mounting. While some known mountings may be adjusted, such adjustment may be difficult and time consuming. Because the seat  12  is fixed, the distance between the seat  12  and the ground  16  may result in an uncomfortable or even unsafe situation when a rider must support the motorcycle  10 . 
         [0032]    A side view of an air adjustable seat according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 2A , and a rear view of the air adjustable seat is shown in  FIG. 2B . A seat rear  12   r  of the air adjustable seat is supported by air bags  18  which are mounted to the frame  14  by a rear bracket  22 . The front of the air adjustable seat is mounted at a pivot  24  and bracket  26 . A pressure switch  20  (not shown) is preferably attached to an air pump  54  (not shown) preferably residing proximal to the seat  12 . The air adjustable seat is shown in a lowered position in  FIG. 3A  and in a raised position in  FIG. 3B . Such adjustment of seat height allows a rider to comfortably and safely support a stationary motorcycle. 
         [0033]    The air adjustable seat  12  according to the present invention is shown with bumpers  90  to prevent metal to metal contact between the seat  12  and motorcycle frame  14 . The bumpers  90  may be solid rubber or may be air filled, and may be located at any location where the bumper  90  prevents metal to metal contact during use of the seat  12 . The bumpers  90  may further limit the downward motion of the seat  12  to prevent or reduce damage to the air bags  18  from the seat  12  bottoming out against the motorcycle frame  14 . The bumpers  90  preferably comprise two bumpers  90  on opposite sides of the seat  12  residing between the seat and the rear bracket  22 . Alternatively, a single bumper may be centered between the air bags  18 . 
         [0034]    The air adjustable seat  12  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 5  with a damper  92  to smooth the motion between the seat  12  and motorcycle frame  14 . The damper  92  may be a single centered damper between the air bags  18 , or two dampers may be used. Examples of suitable shock absorbers are a Model c16-16271 made by Suspa in Grand Rapids, Mich. and a model number 6309292 40n made by Newflyer. 
         [0035]    A first rear seat mounting for the air adjustable seat is shown in  FIG. 6A . The first seat mounting comprises a first horizontal member  32   a  which attaches to the seat  12  and resides between first upper vertical members  34   a . The members  34   a  are rotatably connected to lower vertical brackets  35  by bolts  36  to reduce or prevent binding when the seat is raised or lowered. The use of shoulder bolts allows the members  34   a  to be firmly attached to the studs  35  without binding. The brackets  35  are connected to a lower horizontal bracket  38  which couples the air bags  18 , and the brackets  35  and  38 . Preferably, the bracket  35  includes a threaded portion which runs through the horizontal bracket  38  and into the air bags  18 . 
         [0036]    A second seat mounting for the air adjustable seat is shown in  FIG. 6B . The second seat mounting comprises a second upper horizontal member  32   b  attached on top of second upper vertical members  34   b . The members  34   b  are connected to the bracket  38  and air bags  18  in a manner similar to the first seat mounting. 
         [0037]    A detailed view of the vertical bracket  35  and bolt  36  used for seat mounting is shown in  FIG. 6C  and a detailed cross-sectional view of the vertical bracket  35  and bolt  36  is shown in  FIG. 6D . The vertical bracket  35  includes a threaded portion  35   a  which may extend through the lower horizontal bracket  38  and screw into the air bag  18  as in the embodiment of  FIG. 6A , or may screw into the lower horizontal bracket  38  as in the embodiment of  FIG. 6B . The bolt  36  is preferably a shoulder bolt to allow free motion of the air adjustable seat. 
         [0038]    A cross-sectional view of attachment details of the first seat mounting of the air bag  18  of the air adjustable seat taken along line  6 E- 6 E of  FIG. 6A  is shown in  FIG. 6E . The threaded portion of the vertical bracket  35  extends through the lower horizontal bracket  38  and is threaded into the air bag  18 . A threaded port  19  extends downward from the air bag  18 , through the rear bracket  22 , and is held by a lower nut  19   a . Air lines  76  (see  FIG. 8A ) connect to the threaded port  19  to provide a flow of air to the air bags  18 . 
         [0039]    A cross-sectional view of attachment details of the second seat mounting of the air bag  18  of the air adjustable seat taken along line  6 F- 6 F of  FIG. 6B  are shown in  FIG. 6F . The air bag  18  is attached to the lower horizontal bracket  38  by a recessed screw  17 .  FIG. 6F  is otherwise similar to the first seat mounting shown in  FIG. 6E . 
         [0040]    A side view of a pivoting front bracket  39  for the air adjustable seat is shown in  FIG. 7A  and a rear view of a pivoting front bracket  39  for the air adjustable seat is shown in  FIG. 7B . The pivoting front bracket  39  includes a frame piece  42  for attaching (e.g., welding) to the frame, a pivoting arm  26 , and shoulder bolts  24  connecting the pivoting arm  26  to the frame piece  42 . The pivoting arm  26  is preferably made from 3/16″ stainless steel plate with ears  26   a  bent at 90 degrees to cooperate with the frame piece  42 . 
         [0041]    A cross-sectional view of the pivoting front bracket  39  taken along line  7 C- 7 C of  FIG. 7A  is shown in  FIG. 7C . The pivoting arm  26  is preferably attached to the frame piece  42  by shoulder bolts  24 . The pivoting arm  26  preferably includes brass bushings  40  for cooperation with the shoulder bolts  24 , which shoulder bolts are stainless steel shoulder bolts. 
         [0042]    A functional diagram of a first embodiment  48   a  of the air adjustable seat is shown in  FIG. 8A . A battery  50  is connected by a ground cable  62  to ground, and by a positive cable  64  to an ignition switch  52 . When in an “ON” position, the ignition switch  52  electrically connects the battery  52  to the pressure switch  20  by a pressure switch lead  66 , thus providing power to the pressure switch  20  when the ignition switch  52  is in an ON position. A fuze  66   a  is preferably connected in series in the cable  66 . The pressure switch  20  is connected to an air pump  54  by an air pump lead  68  to provide power to the air pump  54 . The air pump  54  may be directly grounded by it&#39;s attachment to the motorcycle frame, or have a separate ground lead. 
         [0043]    The air pump  54  provides a first (or compressed) air flow  55 . A “T”  71  is connected to an air outlet of the air pump  54 , and a third air line  70  is connected between the “T”  71  and the pressure switch  20  to provide the air flow  55  from the air pump to the pressure switch  20 . The pressure switch  20  turns the air pump  54  on whenever the air pressure in the third line  70  drops below a minimum pressure Pmin, for example, 50 psi. The pressure switch  20  turns the air pump  54  off whenever the air pressure in the third line  70  rises above a maximum pressure Pmax, for example 60 psi. In other instances, the pressures Pmin and Pmax may for example be 120 psi and 130 psi respectively for a heavier rider. The values of Pmin and Pmax are selected to maintain the pressure in the “T”  71  within useful bounds, while not cycling the air pump  54  on and off overly often. The pressure switch  20  is preferably mounted or attached to the air pump  54 , but may be a separate element, and the pressure switch  20  and may be directly attached to the “T”  71 . 
         [0044]    The air pump  54  is connected to an air switch  56  at an inlet port  57  by a first air line  72  connected to the “T”  71  to provide the air flow  55  to the air switch  56 . A switched port  59  on the air switch  56  is connected to the air bags  18  by a second air line  74  through a second “T”  75  and fourth air lines  76 , to provide and to receive an air bag air flow  61  to and from the air bags  18 . The air switch  56  further includes an open air port  73 . 
         [0045]    The air switch  56  includes a switch  58  for controlling a flow of air through the air switch  56 . In a center (or neutral) position, the air lines  72  and  74  (or ports  57  and  59 ) are blocked and no air flows into or out of the air bags  18  and no air is received from the air pump  54 . In a fill position (preferably up), the air lines  72  and  74  (or ports  57  and  59 ) are connected, and air flows through the air switch  56  from the air pump  54  into the air bags  18 , thus raising the seat  12 . In an empty position (preferably down) the air line  72  (port  57 ) is blocked, and the air line  74  (or port  59 ) is connected to the port  73  allowing air to flow out of the air bags  18  through the port  73  to lower the seat  12 . The air switch  56  preferably includes a ball check valve (or similar one way valve) between the inlet port  57  and the outlet port  59  to prevent a flow of air from the air bags  18  to the air pump  54 . 
         [0046]    The pressure switch  20  is preferably a Nason model/part number SM-2A-60/AT, SM-2B-60/AT, SM-2C-60/AT, MM-2A-60/AT, MM-2B-60/AT, MM-2C-60/AT, LM-2A-60/AT, LM-2B-60/AT, or LM-2C-60/AT, 60 psi normally closed pressure switch, or a similar switch. The pressure switch may also be a variable/adjustable switch up to 130 psi, or may be fixed at a lower psi. 
         [0047]    The air switch  56  is preferably a GT Development height control paddle switch model/part number 3013-1 or a similar air switch. The 3013-1 is a push to connect device, but an air switch with other connection types may be used without departing from the present invention. For example, the air control may also include barbed connections. The air switch may also include a rocker type switch, a toggle type switch, or a push pull switch. Other suitable air switches include the part number 9904-008616-001 made by USSC in King of Prussia, Pa. 
         [0048]    The air bag  18  preferably has a stroke between approximately 0.5 inches and approximately three inches, and more preferably approximately two inches. The air bag  18  preferably has a diameter between approximately two inches and approximately three inches, and more preferably approximately 2¾ inches. A suitable air bag is a Goodyear super-cushion mini lobe (air bag) part number 1S3-013 or a similar air bag. There are preferably two air bags, but a single large air bag may be used if necessary due to space limitation, and additional support may be required with a single air bag. Other suitable air bags include models ASNC2-1-1, ASNC6-1-1, ASNC6-1-1, ASNC6-3-1, and ASNC44-1 made by Numatics in Highland, Mich. and models 7002, 1M1A-0, 1M1A-1, and 2M2A made by Firestone in Indianapolis, Ind. 
         [0049]    The air pump  54  preferably is an approximately 60 PSI to approximately 130 PSI twelve volt air pump. Examples of suitable air pumps include: air pump model/part number 115ADC56/12 and model/part number 125ADC56/12 made by a Rietschle Thomas in Schopfheim, Germany; a model 100c made by Viair in Irvine, Calif.; 
         [0050]    A functional diagram of a second embodiment  48   b  of the air adjustable seat is shown in  FIG. 8B . In the embodiment  48   b  an on/off switch  80  is connected between the battery  50  and the pressure switch  20 , thereby eliminating the ignition switch  52  from the system. The embodiment  48   b  is otherwise similar to the first embodiment  48   a.    
         [0051]    A functional diagram of a third embodiment  48   c  of the air adjustable seat is shown in  FIG. 8C . In the third embodiment  48   c , the pressure switch is connected directly to the positive pole of the battery  50 . The embodiment  48   c  is otherwise similar to the first embodiment  48   a.    
         [0052]    A functional diagram of a fourth embodiment  48   d  of the air adjustable seat is shown in  FIG. 8D . The pressure switch  20  is connected to the charging terminal of a voltage regulator  82  by the cable  66 , and a diode  88  resides between the charging terminal of the voltage regulator and the positive terminal of the battery  50  on a cable  84  to prevent discharge of the battery when the motor is not running. The embodiment  48   d  is otherwise similar to the first embodiment  48   a.    
         [0053]    A functional diagram of a fifth embodiment  48   e  of the air adjustable seat is shown in  FIG. 8E . The pressure switch  20  is connected to a positive terminal of a capacitor  83  by the cable  66 , and the capacitor  83  is connected to the voltage regulator  82  by a cable  85 . The embodiment  48   d  is otherwise similar to the first embodiment  48   a.    
         [0054]    Ground wires are not shown in every instance, and in some cases the device, for example the air pump, may be grounded by a ground wire or by the device case, frame, etc. 
         [0055]    While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.