Patent ID: 8477039

Claim:
A system for producing information about the posture of a user applying pressure to a seat component that comprises a cushion supported on a frame member, comprising a sensor structure, comprising an array of sensors connected with the seat component and supported on a flexible sheet that is located between the cushion and the frame member, at predetermined locations and in a predetermined pattern configured to provide output signals related to predetermined posture modes of the user applying pressure to the seat component, each sensor comprising a pressure pad and a pair of elastically deformable force transmitting members, one of which extends between the pressure pad and the cushion and the other of which extends between the pressure pad and the frame member, the pressure pads configured to spread a load applied to the predetermined portion of the component and to transmit the load substantially across the pressure pads; the output of the sensors in circuit communication with a processor to provide signals to the processor related to predetermined posture modes of the user applying pressure to the seat component, the processor providing output related to the predetermined posture modes of the user applying pressure to the seat component, and wherein a flexible sheet is associated with the seat component and is located between the cushion and the frame member of the seat component, the flexible sheet having a plurality of flexible flaps, in a pattern such that the flexible flaps define the sensor locations, wherein the pressure pad and the elastically deformable force transmitting members of each sensor are located on a respective flexible flap of the flexible sheet.