Body support assembly and methods for the use and assembly thereof

Abstract

A seat assembly includes a base and a support platform spaced above the base. The support platform includes a pad having a hinge portion defining a flex region, wherein the pad is pivotable about the flex region. A link has a lower portion coupled to the base and an upper portion coupled to the pad, wherein the upper portion is pivotable with the pad about the flex region.

1 . A seat assembly comprising:
 a lower support platform having a first peripheral edge, an upper surface and a lower surface;   a support ring surrounding the first peripheral edge of the lower support platform and extending radially outwardly therefrom, wherein the support ring defines a second peripheral edge and comprises an upper surface;   an upper shell disposed over the upper surfaces of the lower support platform and the support ring and defining a concave cavity, wherein the upper shell has a third peripheral edge defining a central opening and an upper surface; and   a suspension material secured to the upper shell across the central opening and covering the concave cavity.   
     
     
         2 . The seat assembly of  claim 1  wherein the suspension material is coupled to the third peripheral edge of the upper shell. 
     
     
         3 . The seat assembly of  claim 2  wherein the upper shell comprises a groove extending around at least a portion of the third peripheral edge, wherein a peripheral edge of the suspension material is disposed in the groove. 
     
     
         4 . The seat assembly of  claim 3  further comprising at least one stay coupled to the peripheral edge of the suspension material, wherein the at least one stay is disposed in the groove. 
     
     
         5 . The seat assembly of  claim 4  further comprising a flexible edge member coupled to the second peripheral edge of the support ring, wherein the edge member is disposed along the third peripheral edge of the upper shell and covers the groove. 
     
     
         6 . The seat assembly of  claim 5  wherein the flexible edge member comprises a second groove, wherein the second peripheral edge of the support ring is disposed in the second groove. 
     
     
         7 . The seat assembly of  claim 5  wherein an upper surface of the flexible edge member is substantially flush with an upper surface of the suspension material. 
     
     
         8 . The seat assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a cushion disposed between the upper surface of the upper shell and a bottom surface of the suspension material. 
     
     
         9 . The seat assembly of  claim 8  wherein an upper surface of the cushion is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the suspension material. 
     
     
         10 . The seat assembly of  claim 1  wherein the lower support platform has a generally trapezoidal shape with a rear edge being shorter than a front edge and a pair of side edges joining the front and rear edges. 
     
     
         11 . The seat assembly of  claim 1  wherein the support ring has a central opening defined by an interior peripheral edge surrounding and coupled to the rear edge, front edge and side edges of the lower support platform. 
     
     
         12 . The seat assembly of  claim 11  wherein the support ring comprises an inner ring having a trapezoidal shape and defining the interior peripheral edge, and an outer ring, wherein the inner and outer rings are joined by at least two connectors. 
     
     
         13 . The seat assembly of  claim 12  wherein the upper shell comprises a central portion overlying the inner ring of the support ring and the lower support platform, and an outer ring overlying the outer ring of the support ring and the upper surface of the support platform, wherein the outer ring and central portion of the upper shell are coupled with at least two connectors. 
     
     
         14 . The seat assembly of  claim 1  wherein the support platform comprises a pair of laterally spaced pads positioned at a forward portion of the support platform, each of the pads comprising at least one first mounting component. 
     
     
         15 . The seat assembly of  claim 14  wherein the support platform comprises a boss structure extending downwardly from a rear portion of the support platform, wherein the boss structure comprises at least one second mounting component. 
     
     
         16 . The seat assembly of  claim 15  wherein at least one of the first and second mounting components comprises a fastener opening. 
     
     
         17 . The seat assembly of claim  45   1  wherein the upper surface of the support platform has a concave shape. 
     
     
         18 - 79 . (canceled) 
     
     
         80 . A seat assembly comprising:
 a lower support platform having a first peripheral edge, an upper surface and a lower surface;   a support ring surrounding the first peripheral edge of the lower support platform and extending radially outwardly therefrom, wherein the support ring defines a second peripheral edge and comprises an upper surface;   an upper shell disposed over the upper surfaces of the lower support platform and the support ring and defining a concave cavity, wherein the upper shell has a third peripheral edge defining a central opening and an upper surface;   a suspension material secured to the upper shell across the central opening and covering the concave cavity, wherein the suspension material is coupled to the third peripheral edge of the upper shell; and   a flexible edge member coupled to the second peripheral edge of the support ring.   
     
     
         81 . The seat assembly of  claim 80 , wherein the edge member is disposed along the third peripheral edge of the upper shell and covers the groove. 
     
     
         82 . The seat assembly of  claim 80  further comprising a cushion disposed between the upper surface of the upper shell and a bottom surface of the suspension material.