Seat with adjustable thigh support assembly

Abstract

A seat with an adjustable thigh support assembly includes a seat bottom with a rearward portion and a forward edge. The rearward portion is positioned to receive the buttocks of a person with the thighs extending beyond the forward edge. A thigh support has a rear edge and a forward edge with the forward edge extending generally horizontally beyond the forward edge of the seat bottom. The assembly further includes adjustable apparatus affixing the thigh support to the seat bottom for movement between a retracted position in which the rear edge of the thigh support extends below the forward edge of the seat bottom and an extended position in which the rear edge of the thigh support is in substantial juxtaposition with the forward edge of the seat bottom.

1 . A seat with an adjustable thigh support assembly comprising:
 a seat bottom with a rearward portion and a forward edge, the rearward portion being positioned to receive the buttocks of a person with the thighs extending beyond the forward edge;   a thigh support having a rear edge and a forward edge with the forward edge extending generally horizontally beyond the forward edge of the seat bottom; and   adjustable apparatus affixing the thigh support to the seat bottom for movement between a retracted position in which the rear edge of the thigh support extends below the forward edge of the seat bottom and an extended position in which the rear edge of the thigh support is in substantial juxtaposition with the forward edge of the seat bottom.   
   
   
       2 . A seat with an adjustable thigh support assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the adjustable apparatus includes a lower track assembly affixed to the seat bottom and an upper track assembly affixed to the thigh support, the upper track assembly and the lower track assembly being engaged for supporting and controlling movement of the thigh support. 
   
   
       3 . A seat with an adjustable thigh support assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the lower track assembly includes a curved extension and the upper track assembly includes a slide engaged with the curved extension. 
   
   
       4 . A seat with an adjustable thigh support assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the lower track assembly includes a straight extension and the upper track assembly includes a slide engaged with the curved extension. 
   
   
       5 . A seat with an adjustable thigh support assembly as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the lower track assembly further includes an anchor with an elongated slot therein and the upper track assembly includes a pin slideably engaged in the slot. 
   
   
       6 . A seat with an adjustable thigh support assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the adjustable apparatus includes a detent element attached to the seat bottom and a spring biased engagement element attached to the thigh support, the spring biased engagement element adjustably engaging the detent element in any of a plurality of selectable different positions between the retracted position and the extended position. 
   
   
       7 . A seat with an adjustable thigh support assembly as claimed in  claim 1  further including a retainer providing an interface between the seat bottom and the thigh support. 
   
   
       8 . A seat with an adjustable thigh support assembly comprising:
 a seat bottom including a seat pan and a seat bottom cushion positioned on an upper surface of the seat pan, the seat bottom having a rearward portion and a forward edge, the rearward portion being positioned to receive the buttocks of a person with the thighs extending beyond the forward edge;   a thigh support including a substrate and a thigh support cushion supported on the substrate, the thigh support having a rear edge and a forward edge with the forward edge extending generally horizontally beyond the forward edge of the seat bottom; and   adjustable apparatus including a lower track assembly affixed to the pan of the seat bottom and an upper track assembly affixed to the substrate of the thigh support, the upper track assembly and the lower track assembly being engaged for supporting and controlling movement of the thigh support, the upper track assembly and the lower track assembly affixing the thigh support to the seat bottom for movement between a retracted position in which the rear edge of the thigh support extends below the forward edge of the seat bottom and an extended position in which the rear edge of the thigh support is in substantial juxtaposition with the forward edge of the seat bottom.   
   
   
       9 . A seat with an adjustable thigh support assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the adjustable apparatus includes a detent element attached to the pan of the seat bottom and a spring biased engagement element attached to the substrate of the thigh support, the spring biased engagement element adjustably engaging the detent element in any of a plurality of selectable different positions between the retracted position and the extended position. 
   
   
       10 . A seat with an adjustable thigh support assembly as claimed in  claim 8  further including a retainer attached to the pan of the seat bottom and extending upwardly therefrom between the seat bottom cushion and the thigh support cushion to maintain the shape of the cushions and provide an interface between the seat bottom cushion and the thigh support cushion. 
   
   
       11 . A seat with an adjustable thigh support assembly comprising:
 a seat bottom including a seat pan having a top surface, a front edge, a rear edge, and opposing side edges and a seat bottom cushion positioned on the top surface of the seat pan and spaced from the front edge, the seat bottom having a rearward portion and a forward edge, the rearward portion being positioned to receive the buttocks of a person with the thighs extending beyond the forward edge;   a thigh support including a substrate and a thigh support cushion supported on the substrate, the thigh support having a rear edge and a forward edge with the forward edge extending generally horizontally beyond the forward edge of the seat bottom;   a retainer attached to the top surface of the pan of the seat bottom in spaced relation from the front edge and extending upwardly from between the seat bottom cushion and the thigh support cushion to maintain the shape of the cushions and provide an interface between the seat bottom cushion and the thigh support cushion for preventing binding or distortion between the seat bottom cushion and the thigh support cushion during relative movements; and   adjustable apparatus including a lower track assembly affixed to the top surface of the pan between the front edge of the pan and the retainer and an upper track assembly affixed to the substrate of the thigh support, the upper track assembly and the lower track assembly being engaged for supporting and controlling movement of the thigh support, the upper track assembly and the lower track assembly affixing the thigh support to the seat bottom for movement between a retracted position in which the rear edge of the thigh support extends below the forward edge of the seat bottom and an extended position in which the rear edge of the thigh support is in substantial juxtaposition with the forward edge of the seat bottom so that substantially no break is detectable between the seat bottom cushion and the thigh support cushion by a person sitting in the seat in any of the selected adjustment positions.   
   
   
       12 . A seat with an adjustable thigh support assembly as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the lower track assembly includes a curved extension and the upper track assembly includes a slide engaged with the curved extension. 
   
   
       13 . A seat with an adjustable thigh support assembly as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the lower track assembly includes a straight extension and the upper track assembly includes a slide engaged with the curved extension. 
   
   
       14 . A seat with an adjustable thigh support assembly as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the lower track assembly further includes an anchor with an elongated slot therein and the upper track assembly includes a pin slideably engaged in the slot. 
   
   
       15 . A seat with an adjustable thigh support assembly as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the adjustable apparatus includes a detent element attached to the pan of the seat bottom and a spring biased engagement element attached to the substrate of the thigh support, the spring biased engagement element adjustably engaging the detent element in any of a plurality of selectable different positions between the retracted position and the extended position.