Air cushion arrangement for a passenger seat

Abstract

A passenger seat comprising a reclinable backrest that is provided with a cover on its front side, and a foam-filled air cushion arrangement disposed below the cover and comprising, relative to the backrest, at least one centrally disposed air cushion and at least two side air cushions.

1 - 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . A passenger seat comprising: 
 a reclinable backrest that is provided with a cover on a front side thereof; and    a foam-filled air cushion arrangement disposed below said cover and comprising, relative to said backrest, at least one centrally disposed air cushion and at least two side air cushions.    
   
   
       16 . A passenger seat according to  claim 15 , wherein said backrest is provided with a concave back recess below said cover, and wherein said recess is essentially filled by said at least one centrally disposed air cushion in an inflated state of the latter.  
   
   
       17 . A passenger seat according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least two side air cushions border against said at least one centrally disposed air cushion, and wherein in an inflated state said at least two side air cushions are less thick in a region adjacent to said at least one centrally disposed air cushion than in a region remote from said at least one centrally disposed air cushion.  
   
   
       18 . A passenger seat according to  claim 16 , wherein in an inflated state said at least two side air cushions laterally continue the concave shape of said back recess and of evacuated ones of said at least one centrally disposed air cushion disposed in said backrest in an essentially uninterrupted manner.  
   
   
       19 . A passenger seat according to  claim 16 , wherein in an evacuated state said at least two side air cushions are disposed essentially flat below said cover.  
   
   
       20 . A passenger seat according to  claim 16 , wherein said at least two side air cushions, in an evacuated state, and said at least one centrally disposed air cushion, in an inflated state, together form an essentially flat surface.  
   
   
       21 . A passenger seat according to  claim 16 , wherein said cover is secured in a pull-resistant yet detachable manner to at least said at least two side air cushions so that upon evacuation of an air cushion said cover remains in contact therewith.  
   
   
       22 . A passenger seat according to  claim 21 , wherein said cover is also secured in a pull-resistant yet detachable manner to said at least one centrally disposed air cushion.  
   
   
       23 . A passenger seat according to  claim 15 , wherein said air cushions are adapted to be connected to a device for generating a vacuum as a function of a control unit.  
   
   
       24 . A passenger seat according to  claim 16 , wherein said air cushions are self-inflating.  
   
   
       25 . A passenger seat according to  claim 15 , wherein said air cushions are adapted to be connected to a device for generating compressed air as a function of a control unit.  
   
   
       26 . A passenger seat according to  claim 16 , wherein at least one further lumbar air cushion is provided in a lower lumbar vertebral column region of said backrest between said at least one centrally disposed air cushion and said cover, and wherein said at least one further lumbar air cushion is adapted to be inflated independently of said at least one centrally disposed air cushion.  
   
   
       27 . A passenger seat according to  claim 26 , wherein said at least one further lumbar air cushion is not filled with foam material.  
   
   
       28 . A method of adjusting a passenger seat, including the steps of 
 providing a backrest having a cover on a front side thereof and a foam-filled air cushion arrangement disposed below said cover and comprising, relative to said backrest, at least one centrally disposed air cushion and at least two side air cushions;    evacuating at least one of said at least one centrally disposed air cushion and inflating at least two of said at least two side air cushions to form a shell shape in an upright position of said backrest;    partially inflating said at least one centrally disposed air cushion and partially evacuating at least two side air cushions in an inclined position of said backrest; and    evacuating at least two side air cushions and inflating at least one centrally disposed air cushion to form an essentially flat resting surface in a lying position of said backrest.    
   
   
       29 . A method according to  claim 28 , which includes the step of automatically carrying out said evacuating and inflating steps via a control unit as a function of an angle of inclination of said backrest.