Reclining seat assembly

Abstract

A reclining seat assembly includes a seat frame, a backrest frame supported by the seat frame for pivoting movement about a backrest pivot axis, a seat pan, and a backrest recline angle adjuster. The seat pan has a forward portion supported by the seat frame for relative longitudinal movement. The seat pan has a rearward portion pivotally supported by the backrest frame for pivotal movement about a rear seat pan pivot axis. The backrest frame reclines relative to the seat frame upon forward longitudinal movement of the rear seat pan pivot axis relative to the seat frame. The backrest recline angle adjuster is coupled to the backrest frame. The adjuster maintains the rear seat pan pivot axis in a selected one of a plurality of longitudinal positions relative to the seat frame to thereby achieve a desired backrest inclination.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reclining seat assembly comprising:
 a seat frame defining a longitudinal axis and a backrest pivot axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis;   a backrest frame supported by the seat frame for movement about the backrest pivot axis, wherein the backrest frame defines a rear seat pan pivot axis generally below and parallel to the backrest pivot axis;   a seat pan having a forward portion and a rearward portion, wherein the forward portion of the seat pan is supported by the seat frame for relative longitudinal movement, and the rearward portion of the seat pan is supported by the backrest frame for pivotal movement about the rear seat pan pivot axis, whereby the backrest frame reclines relative to the seat frame upon forward longitudinal movement of the rear seat pan pivot axis relative to the seat frame; and   a backrest recline angle adjuster coupled to the backrest frame, the adjuster maintaining the rear seat pan pivot axis in a selected one of a plurality of longitudinal positions relative to the seat frame.   
     
     
         2 . The seat assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the forward portion of the seat pan is coupled to the seat frame by a coupling mounted on the seat frame. 
     
     
         3 . The seat assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the coupling is pivotally mounted on a forward portion of the seat frame. 
     
     
         4 . The seat assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the coupling includes a guide rod and slider. 
     
     
         5 . The seat assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the guide rod extends generally longitudinally on the seat pan, and the slider is pivotally mounted on a forward portion of the seat frame. 
     
     
         6 . The seat assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the coupling includes a pair of parallel links pivotally mounted on a forward portion of the seat frame. 
     
     
         7 . The seat assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the backrest frame defines an actuator pivot axis generally below and parallel to the backrest pivot axis; and wherein the adjuster includes a linear actuator carried on the seat frame, the actuator being pivotally coupled to the backrest frame along the actuator pivot axis. 
     
     
         8 . The seat assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the actuator pivot axis is collinear with the rear seat pan pivot axis. 
     
     
         9 . The seat assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the actuator includes a track extending generally longitudinally on the seat frame, a slide movable on the track, and a link pivotally coupling the slide to the actuator pivot axis. 
     
     
         10 . The seat assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the actuator includes a screw drive coupling the seat frame to the actuator pivot axis. 
     
     
         11 . The seat assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the seat frame includes a spaced pair of side members, and wherein the backrest pivot axis is defined by a first cylindrical projection on one of each side member and each side of the backrest frame, and a first bore complementary to the first cylindrical projection on the other of each side member and each side of the backrest frame. 
     
     
         12 . The seat assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rear seat pan pivot axis is defined by a second cylindrical projection on one of each side of the seat pan and each side of the backrest frame, and a second bore complementary to the second cylindrical projection on the other of each side of the seat pan and each side of the backrest frame. 
     
     
         13 . The seat assembly of  claim 1 , including a backrest cushion supported by the backrest frame, and wherein a central portion of a forward-facing surface of the backrest cushion is disposed rearward of the backrest pivot axis when the backrest frame is in an upright position relative to the seat frame.