Seat suspension

Abstract

A seat suspension has a base and a seat support. A foundation extends upwardly at a forward portion of the base. A pair of panels hingedly extends from the foundation, with a spring between each panel and the base. In one embodiment, the panels are hinged to the foundation by a living hinge. In another embodiment, the panels are formed of glass springs, wherein each panel comprises one arm of the spring. In another embodiment, the seat suspension is adjustable.

1 . A seat suspension comprising a base having a front portion and a rear portion, a foundation extending upwardly from the base at the front portion, a pair of panels each having a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end of each panel extending rearwardly from the foundation at a hinge having a hinge axis with the panels side by side, wherein each panel is pivotable about the hinge axis and the rearward end of each panel is biased away from the base.  
   
   
       2 . A seat suspension according to  claim 1  further comprising a spring between the base and each panel.  
   
   
       3 . A seat suspension according to  claim 2  wherein the force of the spring is adjustable.  
   
   
       4 . A seat suspension according to claims  2  wherein the position of the spring is adjustable along a line normal to the hinge axis.  
   
   
       5 . A seat suspension according to  claim 2  wherein the spring is a pneumatic spring.  
   
   
       6 . A seat according to  claim 1  wherein the panels are formed of glass springs, wherein each panel comprises one arm of the spring.  
   
   
       7 . A seat suspension according to  claim 1  wherein the hinge is a flexible portion between the foundation and each panel.  
   
   
       8 . A seat suspension according to  claim 1  wherein the base is molded.  
   
   
       9 . A seat suspension according to  claim 8  wherein the foundation is molded.  
   
   
       10 . A seat suspension according to  claim 9  wherein the base and foundation are integral.  
   
   
       11 . A seat comprising a seat suspension according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       12 . A wheelchair comprising a seat suspension according to claim.  
   
   
       13 . A marine seat comprising a base support hingedly mounted to a frame for movement between an open position where the seat is generally horizontal so it can be sat upon, and a closed position where the seat is generally vertical, wherein the seat is biased toward the closed position, and wherein the frame is tall enough so that a user can stand with his or her back to the seat in the closed position and lean against it, and wherein the seat has an underside with a bulge to accommodate the lower back of a person leaning against the seat in the closed position.  
   
   
       14 . A marine seat according to  claim 13  incorporating a seat suspension according to  claim 1 .  
   
   
       15 . A seat suspension comprising a base having a front portion and a rear portion, and a seat support comprising a foundation mounted to the base at the front portion, a pair of panels each having a forward end and a rearward end, the forward end of each panel extending rearwardly from the foundation at a hinge having a hinge axis with the panels side by side, wherein each panel is pivotable about the hinge axis, and the rearward end of each panel is biased away from the base.  
   
   
       16 . A seat suspension according to  claim 15  further comprising a spring between the base and each panel.  
   
   
       17 . A seat suspension according to  claim 15  wherein the hinge is a flexible portion between the foundation and each panel.  
   
   
       18 . A seat suspension according to  claim 15  wherein the foundation is secured to the base by at least one snap fit connection.