Vehicle seat with inflatable bladder

Abstract

A vehicle seat having a bladder with more than two inflatable chambers and an integral control flap, all of one piece, integral construction. To maximize inflatable volume of each chamber, each chamber preferably has a sidewall portion that is generally perpendicular. The control flap has passages in communication with the chambers and valving for selectively controlling inflation of the chambers. Valving preferably includes pinch valves having a generally T-shaped body with legs that pinch passages in the control flap to retain gas in a chamber and selectively inflate or deflate the chamber. The bladder is connected to a gas supply having a pump in communication with a reservoir for storing a charge of pressurized gas in the reservoir so that the pump need not immediately operate when gas is needed to inflate a chamber. To maintain a charge of gas in the reservoir, the gas supply preferably includes a pressure switch for energizing the pump when the reservoir pressure drops below a lower threshold and deenergizing the pump when pressure rises above an upper threshold. A preferred bladder has a chamber for cushioning the thighs of a seat occupant, a chamber for cushioning the buttocks and can have a chamber for providing lumbar support. A bladder of this invention can be assembled as part of a motorcycle seat having a bladder for the driver and a bladder for the passenger. The bladder also can be used in automotive and off road vehicle seating applications.