US3594040A

US3594040A - Suspension device

Info

Publication number: US3594040A
Application number: US788228A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edwin P Monroe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-12-31
Filing date: 1968-12-31
Publication date: 1971-07-20
Anticipated expiration: 1988-07-20

Abstract

An air chamber including a resilient boot is provided between the base and seat portion of a vehicle seat. A post projects downwardly from the seat portion inside the boot and is guided for vertical movement by rollers mounted on means fixed with respect to the base. Spring means resist excessive upward and downward movement of the seat, and means are provided to allow limited fore-and-aft movement of the seat to offset backslap. The seat includes seat and backrest cushions and means for raising, lowering, and tilting either cushion.

Description

United States Patel 3 193,239 7/1965 Monroe 3,235,308 2/1966 Conner, 3,235,221 2/1966 Conner [72] lnuntur Edwin P. Monroe 255 Barrett Road, Berea, Ohio 44017 [21] Appl. No. 788,228

MSW H. HT H m N m m E n n T H,m A UH" P UV. N aq i e Gnmd |l SrC E UCW W AGS F 606 566 999 NH 59 95 988 999 880 10 2 an E ww m V 32 m IA u N DJ m d N m m wm s a U FP S NTH M 24 33 Claims 18 Drawing Figs Primary Examiner-James T. McCall [52] 297/307, yJ-H- l ugh Fie1c1ofSearch....

ABSTRACT: An air chamber including a resilient boot is pro- 297/341, 3 3 307 vided between the base and seat portion of a vehicle seat. A post projects downwardly from the seat portion inside the rtical movement by rollers mounted ect to the base. Spring means resist S T N m MA an SE mT mm .5 e m U N U M 5.

boot and is guided for ve on means fixed with resp excessive upward and downward moveme nt of the seat, and

1,855,219 4/1932 Brownell.,..,.l.n.,..l..l.,.. 248/396 2,310,346 248/419 X d-aft movement of 2/1943 Bell means are provided to allow limited fore-an tr. s h t as .m .m m at md en a mm dm .mw o l wow .m um Ta 4r m flf s m We mm mm a m %.m h es u tc 06 Oi MB 87 49 22 e S m 0 41 EN. 58 99 1.1 1.1 1 09 9 n w- 99 6 Oo 22 248/39? X cushion.

3,144,270 8/1964 Bi1ancia.................

lNVENTOR Edw/h F Monroe m (f l!- SLOUGH I ATTORNEY PATENTED JUL20 I97! SHEET E OF 7 N VE N TOR Edwin /.D Monroe J. H. .sLoucH A TroRNEY PATENTED JULZOIS?! SHEET 3 OF 7 3, 59 040 lNVE/VTOR [o'win Monroe J. 2/. SLOUGH PATENIED JUL 20 |97| SHEET 5 BF 7 [dW/n P Monroe H. SLOUGH ATTORNEY SUSPENSION DEVI'CIE This invention relates to suspension devices and particularly to a vehicle seat suspension means for providing a safe, comfortable ride for the driver of a truck, tractor, or other heavyduty vehicle.

In general, the suspension means of this invention as herein disclosed comprises a base plate for mounting on the floor ofa vehicle, preferably in such manner as to provide fore-and-aft adjustment of the entire seat. A first frame is mounted for vertical cushioned movement above the base plate by means of a flexible, cylindrical boot. The first frame has a downwardly projecting post, and roller means are mounted or: the base for vertically guiding the post and preventing rotation of the seat. Oppositely acting spring means counteract excessive vertical shocks in either vertical direction. A second frame comprising a main seat frame is mounted above the first frame by means of pivoted links which allow the main seat frame limited foreand-aft swinging movement to offset the bacltslap frequently present in heavy-duty vehicles. A third frame carrying a seat cushion is mounted above the main seat frame and is vertically adjustable both at its front and rear edges whereby both the height and angle of the seat cushion can be changed. The backrest is carried by the main frame and is also adjustable both as to height and angle.

The suspension means as herein disclosed and illustrated is applied to a vehicle seat but it will be readily understood that the same may be used for cushioning any desired load.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a suspension means affording improved shock-absorbing and shockdistributing means.

Another object of the invention is to provide cushioning suspension means particularly adapted for mounting the seat ofa heavy-duty vehicle.

Still another object is to provide improved means for guiding the vertical movement of the load-carrying portion of a cushioning device.

Yet another object is to provide a vehicle seat suspension means which effectively offsets backslap ofthe driver.

A further object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat having improved means for adjusting both the seat and backrest to any desired height and angle.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a suspen sion means wherein the firmness or softness of the ride is fully adjustable to suit different loads such as drivers of diflerent weights.

Another object is to provide a suspension means of the type referred to having improved means for cushioning excessive, sudden downward movement of the seat.

Yet another object is to provide a suspension means as set forth above wherein the seat can swing in a fore -and-aft direction a limited amount to offset bacltslap ofthe driver.

An additional object is to provide such a suspension means wherein foreand-aft movement is afforded by a tiltable guide means for the post.

Other objects and advantages of the invention and the invention itself will be readily understood from the following description thereof and the accompanying drawings, in which said drawings:

FIG. I is a side elevation of a truck seat and suspension means embodying the present invention, an upper portion of the backrest being cutaway;

FIG. 2 is a plan view as seen from the line 23-13 of FIG. I of tracks upon which the seat is mounted showing the adjustment mechanism therefor;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line of FIG. ll, primarily showing a top plan view ofthe seat frames;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the seat frames as seen from the side opposite to that shown in FIG. I;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially along the line 55 of F IG. ll;

FIG. 6 is a horizontal section taken substantially along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partial section similar to FIG. 5 showing the guide means with certain parts removed;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing a modification of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a section taken substantially along the line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line I040 of FIG. 8;

FIG. It is an enlarged sectional detail taken along the line I llll of FIG. El;

FIG. I2 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5, on a reduced scale, showing a further modification of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the base part of the seat only, showing a still further modification ofthe invention;

FIG. MI is a section taken along the line ll I-Ml of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a section taken along the line I5-ll5 of FIG. I3;

FIG. 16 is a front elevation of a still further modified scat construction;

FIG. I7 is a vertical section taken along the line 17-17 of FIG. 16; and

FIG. 18 is a horizontal section taken along the line 1848 of FIG. i7.

Referring now to the drawings in all of which like parts are designated by like reference numerals and particularly to the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, a first form of the suspension device of this invention is generally indicated at 20 in FIG. ll, said suspension device being mounted upon longitudinally adjustable tracks 21 and supporting a vehicle seat generally indicatcd at 22. In general, the suspension device 20 comprises a base plate 23 carried by the tracks 21 and having a cylindrical housing 24 disposed on a vertical axis mounted on the upper surface thereof. Said cylindrical housing is surmounted by an air-filled resilient boot 25 the upper end of which carries a subframe 26. A main seat frame 27 is swingably mounted to the subframe 26 by means of normally vertically hanging links 28 which are connected at their upper ends to the subframe and at their lower ends to side plates 29 depending from the sides of the main seat frame 27. A vertically adjustable auxiliary seat frame 3b is carried above the main seat frame 27 and supports a cushioned seat 31. The main seat frame 27 also carries an adjustable cushioned backrest 32 in a manner hereinlater described in detail.

The tracks 21 provide means for adjusting the entire vehicle seat 22 and suspension device 20 in a fore-and-aft direction and is ofa well-known type. As best seen in FIG. 5, each track 211 comprises a lower, hat-shaped track section 35 having laterally projecting flanges 36 and an upper, hatshaped track section 37 having laterally projecting inturned flanges 38 slidably embracing the flanges as. lBall bearings 39 are interposed between the

sections

35 and 37 to provide relatively friction free slidable movements between the sections in a well-known manner. The lower track sections 35 are secured to a base surface such as the floor of a vehicle, indicated at F, the means of securing illustrated herein comprising nut and bolt assemblies tlti (FIG. ll).

As shown in FIG. 2, one laterally directed flange 36 of each lower track section 35 is provided with laterally open notches it, and a similarly directed flange 3d of the upper track section 37 is provided with a cutout i2 whereby said notches are selectively exposed when aligned with said cutout. Latch members 43 are pivoted to the flanges 38 by brackets 44 and pivot pins 45, each said latch member having a downturned catch 46 adapted to pivot into and out of the cutout 42 to selectively engage one of the notches 41. Coil springs 47 connecting the latch members 43 to the adjacent flanges 38 bias said latch members into a locked position. Said latch members are connected together for simultaneous movement by an elongated link id, and one of said latch; members has a control arm 49 rigidly secured thereto. The distal end of the control arm 49 is provided with a loop 490 to which is attached a pull rope 50. Said pull rope extends laterally of the track 211 under a pulley 51 carried by the base plate 23 and upwardly to the subframe 26 to which the same is secured. Intermediate the pulley 511 and the frame 26, said pull rope is preferably provided with a pull handle 52 whereby a person seated upon the seat can disengage the tracks 21 for fore-and-aft movement by simply reaching down, grasping the pull handle, and pulling upwardly Release of the pull handle 52 allows the latch members 43 to return to the latched position under the bias of the coil springs 47.

The cylindrical housing 24 is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the base plate 23 and forms a part of an air chamber which includes the resilient boot 25. An airhose fitting 55 (FIG. is suitably mounted in the wall of the cylindrical housing to which an airhosc from a suitable pressure fluid source (not shown) is attached in use of the vehicle seat. A suitable valve may be provided at the fitting 55 or it may be located in the airhose or at any other suitable location for controlling the pressure fluid inside the housing and boot and preventing the same from escaping therefrom.

The upper edge of the housing 24 has an annular mounting plate 56 welded thereto, said mounting plate being disposed in a horizontal plane and having a vertically upstanding, annular collar 57 welded thereto adjacent to its outer periphery. Said collar interfits the lower end of the initially cylindrical boot which may be adhesively bonded to said collar and which is further secured by a metal band or strap 58. The upper end of the boot is similarly telcscoped over a collar 59 to which it may be bonded and to which it is further secured by a band or strap 60. The collar 59 is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the lower surface of a horizontal plate 61 which forms part of the subframe 26 and which is further provided with forwardly and rearwardly directed, inverted channel members 62 along the lateral edges thereof. Transversely directed channel members 63 (FIG. I) extend across the lower surface of the plate 61 adjacent to its forward and rearwardly directed edges and further reinforce the plate 61 of the subframe 26.

The plate 61 is centrally apertured at 65 to receive the upper end of a hollow, cylindrical post 66 which projects downwardly below the level of the annular mounting plate 56. The post 66 is preferably welded to the plate 61, a reinforcing annular plate 67 being disposed around said aperture and being welded to the lower surface of the plate 61. The upper end of the hollow post 66 projects above the upper surface of the plate 61 a slight distance and is there provided with a resilient seal 68 surmounted by a backup plate 69. On either side of the aperture 65, there are provided upwardly projecting seats 70 across which a bar '71 is secured by means of bolts 72 carried by the seats 70. The bolts 72 project upwardly through suitable apertures in the end portions of the bar 71, said bar being secured tightly down against the backup plate 69 by means of nuts 73. Thus it will be seen that the upper end of the hollow post 66 is provided with an airtight seal which can be quickly and easily removed for access to the interior of the post by removing the nuts 73.

Referring now particularly to FlGS. 5-7, the outer surface of the post 66 is provided with four vertically disposed, recessed ways or tracks 75. Said ways or tracks are disposed at a 90 angle to each other and are preferably disposed at a 45 angle with respect to a fore-and-aft center line through the suspension device 20. In other words, as shown in FIG. 6, the forward direction preferably is disposed halfway between two adjacent tracks 75 as indicated by the arrow A.

Each track 75 is adapted to receive a pair of rollers 76 pivotally mounted within a U-shaped roller cage 77 by means of axle pins 78. The roller cages 77 are all carried adjacent to the outer surface of a heavy sleeve 79 by means of bolts 80 which are welded to said sleeve and project radially outwardly between the rollers 76 and through suitable apertures in outer walls 81 of said U-shaped roller cages 77. The sleeve 79 is provided at its upper and lower edges with deep notches or

openings

82 and 83, respectively, whereby the rollers 76 can project through said sleeve and engage the ways or tracks 75. Suitable washer and nut assemblies 84 are provided at the outer ends of the bolts 80, and it will be readily seen that by tightening the nuts, the rollers 76 can be brought into engagement with the track 75 with any desired pressure or clearance.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the sleeve 79 is provided with angle-shaped mounting braces 85 welded thereto and having horizontal arms 86 overlying the annular mounting plate 56 and flat connectors 87 welded thereto and projecting inwardly therefrom. The inner ends of the connectors 87 and the overlying horizontal arms 86 are suitably apertured and secured together by nut and bolt assemblies 88.

The roller cages 77 are further provided with flat, outwardly projecting brace members 89 overlapping the sides of said roller cages and projecting outwardly over the annular mounting plate 56. The outwardly directed edges of said brace members are connected by small end plates 90 which are welded to the outer edges thereof to prevent their inward collapse. Said outer edges are further preferably provided with outwardly open notches 91 adapted to adj ustably receive bolts 92 carried by upstanding lugs 93 welded or otherwise suitably secured to the upper surface of the mounting plate 56. The brace members 89 are adapted to closely fit between the upstanding lugs 93 and the bolts 92 are provided with suitable nuts 94 whereby said brace members can be securely connected between said lugs. ln initial assembly of the suspension device, the rollers 76 are suitably shimmcd to provide the desired clearance in the tracks 75, the washer and nut assemblies 84 are tightened to bring the rollers firmly against the post 66, the nuts 94 are tightened upon the bolts 92 to anchor the roller cages 77 and maintain the rollers in their fixed position, and the shims are removed. Thereafter, the rollers 76 will maintain their originally adjusted position due to the fact that they are firmly anchored at the lugs 93.

At least a substantial portion of the inner surface of the hollow post 66 is provided with threads 95 adapted to receive an exteriorly threaded tension plate 96. The tension plate 96 is disposed generally in the medial region of the post 66 and has a heavy coil spring 97 welded or otherwise suitably secured to the bottom surface thereof. The spring 97 fits loosely within the hollow post 66 and extends downwardly therebelow at which point it is welded to a tension cup 98. Said tension cup has an upstanding peripheral wall 99 the upper edge of which has a laterally outwardly projecting flange 100 abutting the bottom edges of the roller cages 77. As best seen in FIG. 6, the tension plate 96 is provided with a pair of diametrically, oppositely disposed apertures 101 adapted to receive a tool (not herein illustrated) for rotating the tension plate 96.

From the foregoing, it will be readily understood that the heavy coil spring 97 resists excessive upward movement or rebound motion of the vehicle seat 22. This resistance to rebound can be adjusted by rotation of the tension plate 96. Access to the tension plate 96 is through the upper end of the housing 66 by simply removing the nuts 73 and the bar 71 as hereinbefore explained. Adjustment in the tension of the spring 97 is made with the boot 25 in the nonpressurizcd or collapsed position whereby the subframe 26 and parts associated therewith move downwardly and all tension upon the spring 97 is relaxed. Under those conditions, rotating the tension plate 96 in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 6 raises said tension plate whereby upon reinflation of the boot 25, the distance between the tension plate and tension cup 98 is increased and the rebound tension is increased. During such rotation of the tension plate, both the coil spring 97 and the tension cup 98 will rotate since the said tension cup is not secured to the bottom edges of the roller cages 77. If it is desired to reduce the rebound tension, then the tension plate 96 is turned in the clockwise direction as shown in FIG. 6 whereby to shorten the distance between said tension plate and the tension cup 98. Such adjustment would normally need to be made only during the initial manufacture of the suspension device or during maintenance and repair thereof.

The tension cup 98 is provided with a central aperture 105 and the tension plate 96 is also provided with a central aperture 106 to provide means for positioning supplemental cushioning means centrally within the hollow post 66. Said cushioning means comprises a cylindrical tube 107 disposed upon a vertical axis and welded at its lower end to the upper surface of the base plate 23. As herein illustrated, said tube is provided with a resilient insert 11% made of rubber or similar resilient material and fills substantially the bottom half of said tube. A coil spring 109 is slidably disposed within the upper half of the tube 11117, the lower end of said spring resting against the resilient insert lflll and the upper end of said spring carrying a small abutment plate lid. Said abutment plate is normally disposed a substantial distance below the seal as when the boot 25 is inflated.

in operation of the suspension device Ell, the chamber defined by the housing 241 and the boot Ell is pressurized as hereinbefore described to the degree of hardness or resistance desired by the operator of the vehicle, the same depending largely upon the size and weight of said operator. This causes the resilient boot 25 to bulge upwardly somewhat illustrated and also causes the flange ltlh of the tension cup hill to seat against the bottom edges of the roller cages "l'l'. The large coil spring 97 is automatically placed under tension to the degree determined by the position of the tension plate ill), and the upper end of the spring 111M is spaced from the seal 68 as hereinbefore described.

When the operator of the vehicle is subjected to up and down jolting movements of the vehicle, the resilient boot Hi will flex, alternately expanding and contracting and cushion ing the downward movement of the driver if such downward movement is of substantial extent and particularly severe, the seal 6% backed up by the backup plate lid will come down against the abutment plate tilt) thereby compressing the spring 109. Thus beyond a certain degree of downward movement, the resistance of the elastic boot lid is supplemented by the resistance of the coil spring los if the is caused to rebound from the downward stroke, such movement is re sisted by the tensioned spring E i pulling against the tension cup 9%. Thus severe jolting effect is completely controlled by either the spring lllll or the spring "W with the resilient boot providing gentle cushioning under normal conditions.

The links 28 which afford slight fore-and-aft movement of the seat 22 are pivoted at their upper ends to pair of like, transverse shafts llfi disposed through suitable apertures in depending flanges tidla of the inverted channels members till. The upper ends of said links are carried by end portions of the shafts lll5 which project laterally beyond the channel members 62. The lower ends of said linlts are pivoted to the sideplates 29 by means of short stub shafts carried by said sideplates. The sideplatcs 2W comprise depot of angle members lllll which engage po side and upper surfaces of horizontal side hame n of the main seat frame 2'7. Qaid side frame me in FIG. 5 comprise rectangular tubing and di distance above the upper surface of the wardly directed ends of said horizontal side fr cfiry upright frame members lilll welded or others and a short The rear members use rigidly secured thereto and reinforced by tilt-angular t The horizontal side frame member i. com waited. ogether in a transverse direction to form a solid vehicle seat frame in any suitable manner such as by means of transverse members 11211 as seen in H6. 31'.

From the foregoing it will be readily-seen that tire seat frame 27 can pivot forwardly and rearwardly amount as afforded by the links to offset baclzslap to the "river from the backrest 32. This is best seen at the right-hat side of lFlG. ll wherein a link 2% is shown in a vertical position in full line and in forwardly and rearwardly directed pivoted positions in broken line. This forward and rearward pivoting is self-limit ing due to the shortness of the links Ell whereby re slight rise and fall of the vehicle seat during pivoting is uno jectionable. The short links 2% also cause the vehicle seat to always tend toward the center of the swing with the links hanging straight downwardly whereby auxiliary spring means or the like are unnecessary for returning or centering the seat.

The auxiliary seat frame is vertically adjustable with respect to the main seat frame 27just described. Said auxiliary scat frame comprises a pair of side angles 130 spaced apart a greater distance than the angle members H7 and having inwardly projecting, horizontal flanges Ml and downwardly projecting vertical flanges i132. Transverse members 133 connect the ends of the side angles 13th as best seen in FIG. 3. The side angles and transverse members provide a rigid frame upon which the seat cushion ill is carried.

A pair of elongated shafts l35 are disposed transversely of the auxiliary seat frame 30 and are pivoted at their ends in suitable apertures in the vertical flanges 1132 of the side angles il3ll. As shown in FlGS. l, 3, and ll, the shafts 1135 are spaced a substantial distance apart in the fore-and-aft direction forwardly and rearwardly of a transverse centcrline of said auxiliary seat frame. inwardly of the vertical flanges i352 each end of each shaft lf d carries a normally downwardly projecting, elongated adjustment member Mo which overlaps the outer surface of the adjacent sideplate fill. The adjustment members rss are provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced notches 1137 adapted to be selectively engaged by laterally outwardly projecting pins 113% carried by the angle members 1l7. As shown in FlGS. l and 4, the notches 137 open toward each other whereby the adjustment members lilo adjacent to the front of the seat must be pivoted forwardly to clear the pins ldll whereas the adjustment members: adjacent to the rear of the seat must be pivoted rearwardly to clear said pins. Said adjustment members lldtr are welded or otherwise suitably secured whereby they pivot with the shafts i135, and the ends of said shafts at the left-hand side ofthe seat are provided with handles T3 9 for pivoting the shafts and adjustment members. As shown in H6. l, a pin l ltl projects laterally outwardly from the side of the auxiliary seat frame 31D at the right-hand side of the seat, and a pair of coil springs l lll are connected at one end to said pin Md and at the other end to the lowermost end of an adjacent adjustment member 113%. lt will be readily understood that the springs l lll bias the lower ends of the adjustment members 11% toward each other whereby selected notches i337 engage the pins lEld and that said adjustment members can be disengaged from said pins 113% at either shaft i135 by pivoting one of the handles i139.

M68115 are provided for preventing forward and rearward movement of the auxiliary seat frame Elli with respect to the main seat frame 22? but which allow up and down adjustment of said auxiliary seat frame as well as tilting thereof about a transverse attis disposed midway between the front and rear edges of the seat. Said means comprise a pair of upright stabilizer bars M5 which are pivoted at their upper ends upon pins l lo projecting inwardly from the depending vertical flanges 1132 of the side angles liltl (FIG. t). The stabilizer bars 1145 project downwardly alongside the outer surfaces of the sideplates 2) and are slidably inserted through U-sh'aped guides l l'l' welded or otherwise suitably secured to the outer surfaces of said sideplate 29. The stabilizer bars 11455 are freely slidable within the guides l li whereby the auxiliary seat frame Zld can be adjusted vertically. The pivotal connection at the pins l lo allow said auxiliary seat frame to tilt forwardly and rearwardly while at the same time preventing forward and rearward movement of said auxiliary seat frame. Thus, the seat cushion Ell can be adjusted upwardly by pivoting the bandles 11% and lifting the seat cushion whereby to align selected lower notches 237 with the pins Upon release of the handles 1139, the adjustment members lilo will be pulled back into engagement with the pins llib at selected lower notches 1137 by means of the coil springs l lll thereby disposing the seat at a higher level.

The seat cushion Ill will remain on the level position as illustrated in full lines in FlGS. l and i so long as the pins 13% engage corresponding notches 13W in the adjustment members 136 of both shafts 1135. However, the auxiliary frame 30 can be raised more at one edge than the other by disposing one pair of pins will in lower notches of the adjustment members associated with one of the shafts lllli than in the notches of the adjustment members associated with the other shaft l35. For example, in the broken line position of the seat cushion 311 shown in FIG. l, the front edge of said seat cushion has been raised with respect to the rear edge thereof'by simply disposing the front or forward pair of pins 138 one notch lower in the adjustment members 136 than the rearward pins. In this manner, the driver can raise the seat cushion 31 to the desired level and at the same time tilt it forwardly or rearwardly to the most comfortable angle. When it is desired to move the entire seat forwardly or rearwardly, adjustment is made at the tracks 21 in the manner hereinbefore described.

Vertical adjustment of the seat cushion 31 may necessitate corresponding vertical adjustment of the cushioned backrest 32. This is provided for by means of preferably two laterally spaced brackets 150 which extend rearwardly at right angles from the back of the backrest 32. The brackets 150 are provided with slots 1S1 disposed parallel with the back of the backrest which said slots connect a plurality of angled notches 152, two of which are illustrated in FIG. 1. The angled notches 152 angle forwardly and upwardly and are adapted to engage a transverse rod 153 which transversely connects the upper ends of the upright frame members 119. The rod 153 is slidable within the notches 152 and the slots 151 whereby the backrest 32 can be raised by shifting said backrest upwardly to cause said rod 153 to be disposed in the slot 151. By maneuvering said backrest further in an upward direction and then backwardly the rod 153 can be caused to engage a lower notch 152 thereby disposing the backrest in a raised position.

The backrest 32 is further tiltably adjustable at its lower end about the axis of the rod 153 regardless of which notch 152 said rod may be disposed in. The tilting means comprises a pair of forwardly projecting brackets 154 welded to or otherwise suitably secured to the upright frame members 119. The brackets 154 are provided with horizontal slots 155, the upper edges of which are provided with a plurality of notches 156. An adjustment rod 157 is disposed transversely across the back of the seat cushion 32 through elongated slots 158 in the brackets 150 which allow free up-and-down movement of said adjustment rod relative to the backrest 32. The end portions of the adjustment rod 157 are adapted to engage selected notches 156 whereby said backrest may be tilted to the desired position and retained in such position. The adjustment rod 157 is retained within the selected pair of notches by springs 159 which are preferably connected adjacent to the ends of the adjustment rod 157 at one end and to the upright frame members 119 at the other end as indicated at 15911.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the seat of this invention is fully adjustable both as to the forward and rearward adjustment of the seat and also as to the vertical adjustment thereof. Further, the seat cushion 31 can be tilted to suit the comfort of the driver, and the backrest 32 can be raised and lowered or tilted as desired. In any adjusted position, the vehicle seat 22 has limited forward and rearward swinging movement to offset backslap present in heavy trucking equipment such as tractor trailers and which is so often the cause of fatigue to the driver.

The modification of FIG. 12 is identical with the first embodiment of the invention with the exception that the supplemental shock-absorbing means for offsetting extreme downward movement of the seat 22 comprises a shock absorber 162 pivotally mounted at its lower end to the base plate 23 by means of a pair of L-shaped brackets M3 carrying a transverse pin 164 disposed through the bottom end of said shock absorber. The shock absorber 162 has an upwardly directed piston rod 165 pivoted at its upper end to the bottom of the backup plate 69 by means of a pair of inverted L-shaped brackets 166 carrying a transverse pin 167 which projects through the upper end of the piston rod 165. A modified seal 168 is disposed below the backup plate 69, said seal 168 having a central aperture 169 through which the brackets 166 project.

The shock absorber 162 preferably allows for free downward movement of the eat 22 for a short distance before taking effect whereby under normal riding conditions shocks are absorbed solely by the resilient boot 25. Said shock absorber is also preferably calibrated to provide a downward resistance proportional to the downward thrust of the seat to offset severe jolting conditions.

The modification of FIGS. 8-11 shows an alternative means for allowing slight forward and rearward movement of the vehicle seat 22 in all adjusted positions to offset backslap. In use of the modification of FIGS. 8-11, the links 28 attached to the channel members 62 and the sidcplates 29 would be eliminated, and the horizontal side frame members 118 of the main seat frame 27 would be rigidly secured to and carried by the upper plate 61.

In the modification, a modified sleeve 171 is provided with laterally projecting arms 172 which project over a modified annular mounting plate 173 which replaces the annular mounting plate 56 of the first embodiment. The laterally directed ends of the arms 172 are joined on either side of the sleeve 171 by yokes 174 carrying transversely outwardly directed stub shafts or trunnions 175. Said stub shafts are mounted for pivotal movement about a transverse, horizontal axis by means of pillow blocks mounted upon the annular mounting plate 173. In this embodiment, the rollers 76 and roller cages 77 are carried solely by the modified sleeve 171, said modified sleeve being provided with bolts 176 welded to the sleeve and projecting outwardly through said cages and being provided with washer and nut assemblies 177. The modified sleeve 171 is provided with openings 178 and 179 whereby the rollers 76 can project through said sleeve and into the ways or tracts 75 of the post 66. Theroller cages 77 are secured against rocking about the bolt 176 by arms 180 welded to the sleeve 171 and secured to the sides of the cages 77 by nut and bolt assemblies 181. The arms 180 are preferably slotted at their distal ends as indicated at 182 to provide adjustment of a type provided for by the horizontal arms 86 of the first embodiment.

The arms 172 are welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the sleeve 171, and the yokes 174 are preferably integral with or otherwise suitably secured to the ends of said arms on either side of the sleeve. As particularly shown in FIG. 9, the stub shafts or trunnions 175 are spaced upwardly a short distance above the annular mounting plate 173 by the pillow blocks 170. The junctures between the ends of the arms 172 and the ends of the yokes 174 are disposed in overlapping relationship with the annular mounting plate 173, and the upward spacing of the yokes and arms affords slight pivotal movement of the sleeve in a forward and rearward direction. Since the rollers 76 and roller cages 77 are secured solely to the sleeve 171, and whereas the hollow post 66 is held captive by said rollers engaging the tracks 75, the entire vehicle seat 22 can rock forward and rearwardly a slight amount with respect to the annular mounting plate 173, the cylindrical housing 24, and the base plate 23. The only remaining connection between said annular mounting plate and the vehicle seat is the resilient boot 25 which resiliently affords such movement while having a natural tendency to move the vehicle seat back to an upright or neutral position.

To further cushion this forward and rearward rocking motion of the vehicle seat 22 and prevent the ends of the arms 172 and yokes 174 from suddenly striking the upper surface of the annular mounting plate 173, said mounting plate carries a plurality of coil springs 185 disposed under the corners or junctures of the arms 172 and yokes 174. As detailed in FIG. 11, at each comer the annular mounting plate 173 is provided with an aperture 186 beneath which is welded or otherwise suitably secured a cup-shaped well 187. Each coil spring 185 is seated in a well 187 and compressively engages the lower surface of the juncture between the arms 172 and yokes 174. Thus, forward and rearward jolts affecting the vehicle seat are cushioned by slight forward and rearward movement of the seat acting against the coil springs 185 and the resilient boot 25 to offset objectionable backslap to the driver.

A further modification and alternative construction for eliminating backslap by allowing slight forward and rearward movement of the vehicle seat is illustrated in FIGS 1315. This modification is concerned only with a modified base plate 190 which is hinged at either the forward or rearward edge thereof and spring balanced at the opposite edge to allow such movement. As herein illustrated, a horizontal bar or brace I911 is welded or otherwise suitably secured transversely across the tops of the upper track sections 37 of the tracks 211. An elongated hinge l92 has one leaf 193 welded or otherwise suitably secured to the rear edge of the base plate 1190 and the other leaf I94 thereof welded or otherwise suitably secured to the brace 1191. As particularly shown in FIG. 13, the arrangement is such that the base plate 190 is disposed a slight distance above the upper track sections 37.

Adjacent to the forward edge of the base plate W and beneath the forward portion thereof, a second horizontal brace 1l95 is disposed across the tops of the flanges 3d of the upper track section 37. The brace is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the upper track sections and is provided with apertures 1196 and downwardly projecting wells 197 in a manner similar to that shown and described in connection with FIG. Ill. The wells 1197 are disposed adjacent to the tracks 211 and are adapted to seat coil springs 19% which compressively engage the lower surface ofa front edge portion of the base plate 119d. The second horizontal brace 1195 is centrally apertured at I99, and a bolt 20b projects upwardly therethrough and upwardly through an aperture 2tll in the base plate I90. The bolt 2010 projects upwardly above the upper surface of the base plate I90 a substantial distance and has a threaded upper end engaged by an adjusting wheel 202. A coil spring 203 is interposed between the base plate i190 and the adjusting wheel 202, whereby more or or less resilient pressure may be brought to bear upon the forward edge of the base plate by tightening or loosening the adjusting wheel 202. Small resilient pads 2% are carried on the upper track sections 37 beneath the forward edge portions of the base plate 190 to cushion the base plate if it pivots downwardly far enough to strike the track 2i.

The springs 1192 and 2693 are so calibrated that by manipulating the adjusting wheel 202, the driver can adjust the base plate to the level position while sitting in the vehicle seat. It will be readily seen that said vehicle seat can pivot about the hinge 1192 and that the rocking motion will be cushioned and restrained by the coil springs 198 and 2123. It will be further appreciated that due to the effective lever arm between the hinge 192 and the vehicle seat, only very slight movement is needed at the base plate ll9tl to afford adequate protection against backslap to the drive of the vehicle.

The modification of FIGS. Iii-lid shows a low profile truck seat which incorporates the slight forward and rearward motion of the first embodiment and the vertical adjustment and tilting feature of the seat cushion thereof in conjunction with a modified shock-absorbing means disposed between the tracks and the subframe.

Tracks of the type shown at 121i in the previous embodiments but slightly modified thereover are shown at 211th in FlGS. Ito-11b. The said traclts comprise lower track sections 2111 having laterally directed flanges 2112, and upper track sections 213 having laterally outwardly directed and bacltwardly turned flanges 214i which slidably engage said flanges 2H2. Ball bearings 215 are disposed between tracl fi tions to afford a relatively friction-free forward and team movement of the seat as hereinbefore described. The tracks 2110 are suitably mounted upon the floor F, the lower traclt section 2111 being bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the floor, and the upper track sections are movable relative to the lower track sections. The upper track sections 213 are transversely con nected across their forward and rearward ends by anglcshaped connecting members 2116 and 2117, respectively, secured to said upper track sections by any suitable means such as nut and bolt assemblies 218. A third angic-shaped connecting member 219 is disposed intermediate the connecting members 2116 and 2117 and is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the upper track sections 213.

A subframe 220 comprising longitudinally disposed side frame members 221 and transverse end frame members 222 llll surmounted by a flat plate 223 is horizontally disposed in upwardly spaced relationship to the tracks 210 and the aforementioned connecting members 2116, 2117, and 2119. As best seen in FIG. 16, the forward end of the subframc 220 is provided with downwardly directed arms 224 disposed adjacent to the side frame members 22l. The forwardly disposed, angle-shaped connecting members 2116 carried by the upper track sections N3 is similarly provided with a pair of upwardly directed arms 225 which are disposed adjacent to and vertically overlap the arms 224. The arms 22d and 225 are pivotally connected together by pins can whereby the subframe 220 is pivotable with respect to said forward connecting member 216 and the traclts 2110.

Resilient cushioning means 230 is provided beneath the rear end portion of the subframe 222 to cushion the seat against sudden, vertical movement. As shown in FIG. 18, there are two of said cushioning means 230, each said cushioning means being disposed adjacent to a track 2110. The cushioning means 230 are bridged across the upper edges of

vertical flanges

231 and 232 of the transverse, angle-shaped connecting members 217 and 2l9, respectively. Each cushioning means comprises a pair of V-shaped members 233 formed of heavy sheet metal and providing generally inwardly directed flange portions 234 and laterally outwardly and upwardly directed flange portions 235. The distal edges of the flange portions 234 are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the upper edges of the vertical flanges 23l and 232, and said flange portions 234 are generally directed inwardly toward each other whereby the upwardly and outwardly angled flange portions 235 diverge in an upward direction.

The bottom of the flat plate 223 carries an inverted, U shaped member 236 having a central web 237 secured flatwise to the bottom of said plate. The forward and rearwardly directed edges of said U-shapcd member are provided with downwardly and inwardly converging flanges 238 which are spaced from and disposed substantially parallel with the flange portions 235 of the V-shaped members 233. Rectangular blocks or slabs 239 of rubber or similar resilient material are disposed between and vulcanized to opposed pairs of flange portions 235 and flanges 233. The blocks or slabs 239 of resilient material are thus disposed in an angular, upwardly convergent relationship whereby pressure upon the subframe v 220 distributes the load therefrom in downward and forwardly and rearwardly angled directions upon the blocks or slabs 239.

A main seat frame 24l2 of substantially the same construction as the main seat frame 27 of the first embodiment is mounted above the subframe 220. Said main seat frame 242 comprises a pair of side angle members 2% having elongated, vertical sideplate portions 244 and inwardly directed, horizontal portions 24l5. Connecting bars 2 are disposed across the horizontal portions 2415 adjacent to the forward and rearwardly directed ends of the side angle members, and said side angle members project rearwardly beyond the sideplate portions 2441 and are connected at their distal ends with upright frame members 247 for supporting the back cushion of the seat (not shown). The main seat frame 242 is swingably mounted to the subframe 220 in the same manner as in the first embodiment by means of links 24s. Said links 2413 are provided at their upper ends with later-ally directed pins 2419, pivotally connecting them to the subfrarne 220, and at their lower ends with laterally directed pins 250 for connecting them to the sideplate portions 2441. The

pins

249 and 250 project through suitable apertures in side frame members 2211 and the sideplate portions 241d and are threaded at their distal ends to receive suitable nuts 25l and 252, respectively, whereby said links are secured in place.

An auxiliary seat frame 30 carrying a seat cushion 3ll is mounted upon the main seat frame 2A2 in the same manner as that described in connection with the first embodiment of the invention whereby said seat cushion is vertically adjustable and tiltable by means of adjustment members I36.

The slightly modified tracks 2110 are provided with a pair of the hercinbefore described latch members 413, the tracks being so disposed with relation to each other that both latch members are disposed between the tracks and ;operate to unlatch the upper track section 213 from the lower track section 211 by pivoting inwardly. One of the latch members is provided with a modified control arm 49 which projects inwardly between the rails and is provided at its inner end with a loop 49a. A cable 253 is connected at one end through an aperture 254 in the outer latch member 43, said cable being threaded through the loop 49a and forwardly through an aperture 255 in an upstanding, vertical flange 256 of the forward, angleshaped connecting member 216. The forward end of the cable 253 is provided with a pull handle 257 which can be readily pulled by the driver of rider to thereby pivot the latch members 43 inwardly away from the tracks 210 to disengage the two track sections and allow relative movement therebetwcen in the manner hereinbefore described.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that the seat of the modification of FIGS. 16-18 provides all of the vertical and seat-tilting adjustments as set forth in connection with the first embodiment as well as the slight forward and rearward swinging motion to offset backslap to the driver and that the same is incorporated in a low profile truck wherein the front portion of the seat is pivotable and the rear portion thereof is afforded slight vertical movement by the cushioning means 230.

The present invention provides a vehicle seat which is fully adjustable in every direction and angle needed to afford complete comfort to the driver and further affords cushioning for all jolting movements and shocks to which the operator of the vehicle is normally subjected, particularly in heavy-duty trucking equipment.

What I claim is:

1. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post; said post having vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; said roller means engaging said ways, edges of said recessed ways overlapping portions of said roller means and preventing rotation of said post about its own axis; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having resilient means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said resilient means and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said resilient means resists excessive rebound of said frame member; and shock'absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member.

2. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, each said roller means comprising pairs of rollers mounted on horizontal axes and spaced vertically from each other; said post having vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; a pair of rollers engaging each said way for rolling engagement therewith, edges of said recesses overlapping peripheral edge portions of said rollers and preventing rotation of said post about its own axis.

3. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorb ing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, said roller means comprising a plurality of vertically directed roller cages spaced uniformly around said post; each said cage carrying two vertically spaced rollers mounted on horizontal axes; said post hav' ing vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; a pair of said rollers of a roller cage engaging each of said recessed ways whereby said post is vertically and nonrotatably mounted with respect to said guide means.

4. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 3: said guide means including means for adjusting the clearance between said rollers and said tracks and means for anchoring said roller cage in any adjusted position of said rollers.

5. in a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, said guide means comprising a sleeve surrounding and spaced from said post; a plurality of roller cages uniformly spaced around said post and having openings therein; bolt means projecting radially outwardly from said sleeve through said openings and having tightening means at the outer ends thereof for adjusting said cages toward said post; each said cage having a pair of rollers mounted therein above and below the bolt means associated therewith, said rollers disposed on horizontal axes with the peripheries thereof engaging said post; brace means projecting outwardly from said cages; lug means mounted rigidly with respect to said base member and disposed adjacent to said brace means; and means for rigidly connecting said brace means to said lug means for anchoring said roller cage in any adjusted position ofsaid rollers.

lid

6. In a suspension means as set forth in claim said post having vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; said rollers engaging said ways, edges of said recesses overlapping peripheral edge portions of said rollers and preventing rotation of said post about its own axis.

7. in a suspension means as set forth in claim ll: a vehicle seat frame spaced upwardly above said frame member; said seat frame having side members projecting downwardly on either lateral side of said frame member and extending below said frame member; link means connecting said frame member to said seat frame in a vertical direction, the upper end thereof being pivoted to said frame member and the lower end thereof being pivoted to said side members whereby said seat frame has limited fore-and-aft swinging movement with respect to said frame member to offset backslap to the driver, said seat frame always tending to assume a nonpivoted, neutral position.

8. in a suspension means as set forth in claim '7: said link means comprising pairs of links disposed on either side of said frame member adjacent to the front and rear, respectively, of said seat frame.

9. in a suspension means as set forth in claim l: a vehicle seat frame associated with said frame member; an auxiliary seat frame disposed above said main seat frame and having a seat thereon; said auxiliary seat frame having transverse rods pivotally mounted forwardly and rearwardly of the transverse centerline of said auxiliary seat frame; said rods having handle means at one end thereof for pivoting said rods; elongated adjustment members secured adjacent to the ends of said rods and normally projecting downwardly adjacent to the lateral sides of said vehicle seat frame; each said adjustment member having a plurality of spaced notches opening toward one edge thereof; pin means projecting laterally from the sides of said vehicle seat frame and said adjustment members being pivota ble by said rods toward and away from said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches to raise and lower the front and rear of said auxiliary seat frame; means resiliently urging said adjustment members toward said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches; and stabilizing means for preventing forward and rearward movement while affording vertical movement of said auxiliary seat frame with respect to said vehicle seat frame whereby to adjust said seat to the desired height and angle.

lit in a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby at 'd spring resists excessive rebound of said frame lricmbcr; siioelonbsorb ing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member; a vehicle seat frame as sociated with said frame member; an auxiiiary seat frame disposed above said vehicle seat frame and having a seat thereon; said auxiliary seat frame having transverse rods pivotally mounted forwardly and rearwardiy of the transverse centerline ofsaid auxiliary seat frame; said rods having handle means at one end thereof for pivoting said rods; elongated adjustment members secured adjacent to the ends of said rods and normally projecting downwardly adjacent to the lateral sides of said vehicle seat frame; each said adjustment member having a plurality of spaced notches opening toward one edge thereof; pin means projecting laterally from the sides of said lid vehicle seat frame and said adjustment members being pivotablc by said rods toward and away from said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches to raise and lower the front and rear of said auxiliary scat frame; stabilizing means for preventing forward and rearward movement while affording vertical movement of said auxiliary seat frame with respect to said vehicle seat frame whereby to adjust said seat to the desired height and angle; said stabilizing means comprising vertically disposed stabilizer bars pivoted at their upper ends adjacent to the sides of said auxiliary frame substantially midway between said rods and projecting downwardly alongside the lateral sides of said vehicle seat. frame; and guide means carried by said vehicle seat frame slidably receiving said stabilizer bars for vertical movement only.

lll. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 10: means resiliently urging said adjustment members toward said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches 12. in a suspension means as set forth in claim 1: said post being hollow; means closing the upper end of said post; said shock-absorbing means comprising upwardly projecting spring means carried by said base member and projecting into said hollow post, the upper end of said spring means being normally spaced from the upper end of the post and adapted to abut said means closing the upper end of said post upon excessive downward movement of the frame member.

i3. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means. spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member; said post being hollow; means closing the upper end of said post; said shock-absorbing means comprising upwardly projecting spring means carried by said base member and projecting into said hollow post, the upper end of said spring means being normally spaced from the upper end of the post and adapted to abut said means closing the upper end of said post upon excessive downward movement of the frame member, an axially vertical tube secured at its lower end to said base member and projecting upwardly into said post; an insert member of resilient material disposed within and filling a substantial portion of said tube; said spring means comprising a coil spring telescoped into the upper end portion of said tube.

M. in a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, said guide means being pivotally mounted upon a horizontal axis with respect to said base member for restricted tilting movement in one horizontal direction; and means resiliently urging said guide means toward a nontilted, vertical position.

15. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, a vehicle seat mounted upon said frame member; said guide means being pivotally mounted upon an axis transverse to the fore-and-aft direction of said seat for restricted tilting movement of the seat in a fore-andaft direction; and means resiliently urging said guide means toward a nontilted, vertical position.

16. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 15: a sleeve loosely surrounding said post; a plurality of roller cages spaced around said sleeve and mounted thereto; said roller means mounted in said roller cages and engaging the outer surface of said post to guide said post; and means mounting said sleeve for pivotal movement with respect to said base member about said transverse axis.

17. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 16: said means mounting said sleeve comprising mounting means carried by said base having mounting surface portions disposed on either lateral side of said sleeve; means extending laterally from said sleeve including laterally projecting trunnions; bearing means carried by said mounting surface portions and journaling said trunnions; and spring means interposed between said laterally extending means and said mounting means forwardly and reanivardly of said transverse axis and resisting tilting movement ofsaid guide means.

18. in a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, said base member having forwardly and rearwardly directed edge portions; one of said edge portions being hinged with respect to said surface means; the other of said edge portions being interposed between oppositely vertically acting resilient means resisting and limiting pivotal movement of said base member about said hinge.

19. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for verti cal movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an .airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the

chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of, said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, a vehicle seat mounted upon said frame member; said base member having forwardly and rearwardly directed edge portions corresponding to the fore-andaft directions, respectively, of said seat; one of said edge portions being hinged with respect to said surface means; the other of said edge portions being interposed between oppositely vertically acting resilient means resisting and limiting pivotal movement of said base member about said hinge to control backslap of said seat.

20. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 19: said base member being hinged at the rearwardly directed edge portion of said base member; spring means interposed between said forward edge portion and said surface means; bolt means vertically anchored with respect to said surface means and projecting upwardly through said forward edge portion; an adjustment wheel thread fitted to the upper end of said bolt means; and spring means interposed between said adjustment wheel and said forward edge portion whereby upon rotation of said adjustment wheel, downward resilient pressure against said forward edge portion is varied.

2]. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 1: said frame member being a vehicle seat frame having a horizontal portion supporting a seat and vertical portion carrying a backrest; said vertical portion including a transverse, fixed rod; bracket means disposed at the back of said backrest; said bracket means having slot means disposed substantially parallel with said backrest and having said transverse rod projecting therethrough; plurality of forwardly and upwardly angled notches intersecting said slot means whereby said backrest can be raised and lowered by disposing said rod in selected of said notches; and adjustment means adjacent to the lower end of said backrest for tilting said backrest forwardly and rear wardly at its lower edge.

22. in a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member; said frame member being a vehicle seat frame having a horizontal portion supporting a seat and vertical portion carrying a backrest; said vertical por tion including a transverse, fixed rod; bracket means disposed at the back of said backrest; said bracket means having slot means disposed substantially parallel with said backrest and having said transverse rod projecting therethrough; a plurality of forwardly and upwardly angled notches intersecting said slot means whereby said backrest can be raised and lowered by disposing said rod in selected of said notches; adjustment means adjacent to the lower end of said backrest for tilting said backrest forwardly and rearwardly at its lower edge; said adjustment means comprising means providing horizontal slot means associated with said vertical portion of the seat frame below said fixed rod; means providing a plurality of notches in one horizontal edge of said slot means; said bracket means having a second slot means disposed substantially parallel with said backrest below the level of said firstmentioned slot means; a second transverse rod disposed through said horizontal slot means and said second slot means; and means resiliently urging said second rod toward said notches whereby to hold said rod in a selected one of said notches and whereby said rod can be pushed out of one notch and along said horizontal slot into another of said notches.

23. in a vehicle seat suspension means having a base member, a seat frame spaced above said base member, and shoclcabsorbing means disposed between said base member and seat frame to cushion the scat frame against road shocks, a post projecting downwardly from said seat frame; support means carried by said base member and surrounding said post; a plurality of carrier members mounted on said support means and spaced around said post; each carrier member having roller means engaging said post for relative rolling movement parallel with the axis of said post; and said post having a plurality of vertically directed, recessed ways in its outer surface in which said roller means travel, edges of said recessed ways overlapping portions of said roller means and preventing rotation ofsaid post about its own axis.

24k in a vehicle seat suspension means having a base member, a seat frame spaced above said base member, and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and seat frame to cushion the seat frame against road shocks, a post projecting downwardly from said seat frame; support means carried by said base member and surrounding said post; a plurality of carrier members mounted on said support means and spaced around said post; each carrier member having roller means engaging said port for relative rolling movement parallel with the axis of said post; said porn having a plurality of vertically directed, recessed ways in its b r surface in which said roller means travel; means for adjust g each said carrier member toward and away from said pos .nd means for anchoring said carrier member in its adjt ted isition 25. in a vehicle seat suspen on means as t in claim 24: said roller means comprising at least two rollers mounted on horizontal axes in vertically spaced relation in each said carrier.

26. in a vehicle seat suspension means having base means, a subframe spaced above said base means, and sho orbing means disposed between said base means e to cushion the vehicle seat against road shoe u, c. in seat frame disposed and spaced above said sublrame; said seat frame having side members projecting downwardly on either lateral side of said subframe and extending below said subframe; link means connecting said subframe to said seat frame in a vertical direction, the upper end thereof beir ivoted to said subframe and the lower end thereof being voted to said side members whereby said seat frame has limited tioraandaft swinging movement with respect to suhfrarne to offset backslap to the driver.

27. In a vehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 26: said link means comprising pairs of links disposed on either side of said subframe adjacent to the front and rear, respectively, of said seat frame.

28. In a vehicle seat suspension means having base means, a main seat frame spaced above said base means, and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base means and said main seat frame to cushion the vehicle seat against road shocks, an auxiliary seat frame disposed above said main seat frame and having a seat thereon; said auxiliary seat frame having transverse rods pivotally mounted thereto forwardly and rearwardly of the transverse centerline of said auxiliary seat frame; said rods having handle means at one end thereof for pivoting said rods; elongated adjustment members secured adjacent to the ends of said rods and normally projecting downwardly adjacent to the lateral sides of said main seat frame; each adjustment member having a plurality of spaced notches opening toward one edge thereof; pin means projecting laterally from the sides of said main seat frame and said ad justment members being pivotable by said rods toward and away from said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches to raise and lower the front and rear of said auxiliary scat frame; means resiliently urging said adjustment members toward said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches; and stabilizing means for preventing forward and rearward movement while affording vertical movement of said auxiliary seat frame with respect to said main seat frame whereby to adjust said seat to the desired height and angle.

29. In a vehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 28: said stabilizing means comprising vertically disposed stabilizer bars pivoted at their upper ends adjacent to the sides of said auxiliary seat frame substantially midway between said rods and projecting downwardly alongside the lateral sides of said main seat frame; and guide means carried by said main seat frame slidably receiving said stabilizer bars for vertical movement only.

30. In a vehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 29: said main seat frame having a vertical portion carrying a backrest; said vertical portion including a. transverse, fixed rod; bracket means disposed at the back of said backrest; said bracket means having slot means disposed substantially paral' lel with said backrest and having said transverse rod projecting therethrough; a plurality of forwardly and upwardly angled notches intersecting said slot means whereby said backrest can be raised and lowered by disposing, said rod in selected of said notches; and adjustment means adjacent to the lower end of said backrest for tilting said backrest forwardly and rear wardly at it lower edge.

31. in a vehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 3t said adjustment means comprising means providing horizontal slot means associated with said vertical portion of the seat frame below said fixed rod; means providing a plurality of notches in one horizontal edge of said slot means; said bracket means having a second slot means disposed substantially parallei with said backrest below the level of said firstrnentioncd slot means; a second transverse rod disposed through said horizontal slot means and said second slot means; and means resiliently urging said second rod toward said notches whereby to hold said rod in a selected one of said notches and whereby said rod can be pushed out of one notch and along said horizontal slot into another of said notches.

32. in a vehicle seat suspension means having a base member, a seat frame spaced above said base member, and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and seat frame to cushion the seat frame against road shocks, a post projecting downwardly from said seat frame; support means carried by said base member and surrounding said post; a plurality of carrier members mounted on said support means and spaced around said post; each carrier member having roller means engaging said post for relative rolling movement parallel with the axis of said post; each said roller means comprising pairs of rollers mounted on horizontal axes and spaced vertically from each other; said post having vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; a pair of rollers engaging each said way for rolling engagement therewith, edges of said recesses overlapping peripheral edge portions of said rollers and preventing rotation of said post about its own axis.

mounted upon surface means fixed with respect to the vehicle, a base member; a seat frame carried by said base member; said base member having forwardly and rearwardly directed edge respect to said surface means; the other of said edge portions being interposed between oppositely vertically acting resilient means resisting and limiting pivotal movement of said base member out said hin e to control backsla of said seat portions corresponding to the fore-and-aft directions, respecab g p tively, of said seat; one of said edge portions being hinged with

Claims

1. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post; said post having vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; said roller means engaging said ways, edges of said recessed ways overlapping portions of said roller means and preventing rotation of said post about its own axis; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having resilient means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said resilient means and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said resilient means resists excessive rebound of said frame member; and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member.

3. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, said roller means comprising a plurality of vertically directed roller cages spaced uniformly around said post; each said cage carrying two vertically spaced rollers mounted on horizontal axes; said post having vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; a pair of said rollers of a roller cage engaging each of said recessed ways whereby said post is vertically and nonrotatably mounted with respect to said guide means.

5. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, said guide means comprising a sleeve surrounding and spaced from said post; a plurality of roller cages uniformly spaced around said post and having openings therein; bolt means projecting radially outwardly from said sleeve through said openings and having tightening means at the outer ends thereof for adjusting said cages toward said post; each said cage having a pair of rollers mounted theRein above and below the bolt means associated therewith, said rollers disposed on horizontal axes with the peripheries thereof engaging said post; brace means projecting outwardly from said cages; lug means mounted rigidly with respect to said base member and disposed adjacent to said brace means; and means for rigidly connecting said brace means to said lug means for anchoring said roller cage in any adjusted position of said rollers.

6. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 5: said post having vertically directed, recessed ways provided in the outer surface thereof; said rollers engaging said ways, edges of said recesses overlapping peripheral edge portions of said rollers and preventing rotation of said post about its own axis.

7. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 1: a vehicle seat frame spaced upwardly above said frame member; said seat frame having side members projecting downwardly on either lateral side of said frame member and extending below said frame member; link means connecting said frame member to said seat frame in a vertical direction, the upper end thereof being pivoted to said frame member and the lower end thereof being pivoted to said side members whereby said seat frame has limited fore-and-aft swinging movement with respect to said frame member to offset backslap to the driver, said seat frame always tending to assume a nonpivoted, neutral position.

8. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 7: said link means comprising pairs of links disposed on either side of said frame member adjacent to the front and rear, respectively, of said seat frame.

9. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 1: a vehicle seat frame associated with said frame member; an auxiliary seat frame disposed above said main seat frame and having a seat thereon; said auxiliary seat frame having transverse rods pivotally mounted forwardly and rearwardly of the transverse centerline of said auxiliary seat frame; said rods having handle means at one end thereof for pivoting said rods; elongated adjustment members secured adjacent to the ends of said rods and normally projecting downwardly adjacent to the lateral sides of said vehicle seat frame; each said adjustment member having a plurality of spaced notches opening toward one edge thereof; pin means projecting laterally from the sides of said vehicle seat frame and said adjustment members being pivotable by said rods toward and away from said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches to raise and lower the front and rear of said auxiliary seat frame; means resiliently urging said adjustment members toward said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches; and stabilizing means for preventing forward and rearward movement while affording vertical movement of said auxiliary seat frame with respect to said vehicle seat frame whereby to adjust said seat to the desired height and angle.

10. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden doWnward movement of said frame member; a vehicle seat frame associated with said frame member; an auxiliary seat frame disposed above said vehicle seat frame and having a seat thereon; said auxiliary seat frame having transverse rods pivotally mounted forwardly and rearwardly of the transverse centerline of said auxiliary seat frame; said rods having handle means at one end thereof for pivoting said rods; elongated adjustment members secured adjacent to the ends of said rods and normally projecting downwardly adjacent to the lateral sides of said vehicle seat frame; each said adjustment member having a plurality of spaced notches opening toward one edge thereof; pin means projecting laterally from the sides of said vehicle seat frame and said adjustment members being pivotable by said rods toward and away from said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches to raise and lower the front and rear of said auxiliary seat frame; stabilizing means for preventing forward and rearward movement while affording vertical movement of said auxiliary seat frame with respect to said vehicle seat frame whereby to adjust said seat to the desired height and angle; said stabilizing means comprising vertically disposed stabilizer bars pivoted at their upper ends adjacent to the sides of said auxiliary frame substantially midway between said rods and projecting downwardly alongside the lateral sides of said vehicle seat frame; and guide means carried by said vehicle seat frame slidably receiving said stabilizer bars for vertical movement only.

11. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 10: means resiliently urging said adjustment members toward said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches.

12. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 1: said post being hollow; means closing the upper end of said post; said shock-absorbing means comprising upwardly projecting spring means carried by said base member and projecting into said hollow post, the upper end of said spring means being normally spaced from the upper end of the post and adapted to abut said means closing the upper end of said post upon excessive downward movement of the frame member.

13. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member; said post being hollow; means closing the upper end of said post; said shock-absorbing means comprising upwardly projecting spring means carried by said base member and projecting into said hollow post, the upper end of said spring means being normally spaced from the upper end of the post and adapted to abut said means closing the upper end of said post upon excessive downward movement of the frame member, an axially vertical tube secured at its lower end to said base member and projecting upwardly into said post; an insert member of resilient material disposed within and filling a substantial portion of said tube; said spring means comprising a coil spring telescoped into the uppEr end portion of said tube.

14. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, said guide means being pivotally mounted upon a horizontal axis with respect to said base member for restricted tilting movement in one horizontal direction; and means resiliently urging said guide means toward a nontilted, vertical position.

15. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, a vehicle seat mounted upon said frame member; said guide means being pivotally mounted upon an axis transverse to the fore-and-aft direction of said seat for restricted tilting movement of the seat in a fore-and-aft direction; and means resiliently urging said guide means toward a nontilted, vertical position.

17. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 16: said means mounting said sleeve comprising mounting means carried by said base having mounting surface portions disposed on either lateral side of said sleeve; means extending laterally from said sleeve including laterally projecting trunnions; bearing means carried by said mounting surface portions and journaling said trunnions; and spring means interposed between said laterally extending means and said mounting means forwardly and rearwardly of said transverse axis and resisting tilting movement of said guide means.

19. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member, a vehicle seat mounted upon said frame member; said base member having forwardly and rearwardly directed edge portions corresponding to the fore-and-aft directions, respectively, of said seat; one of said edge portions being hinged with respect to said surface means; the other of said edge portions being interposed between oppositely vertically acting resilient means resisting and limiting pivotal movement of said base member about said hinge to control backslap of said seat.

21. In a suspension means as set forth in claim 1: said frame member being a vehicle seat frame having a horizontal portion supporting a seat and vertical portion carrying a backrest; said vertical portion including a transverse, fixed rod; bracket means disposed at the back of said backrest; said bracket means having slot means disposed substantially parallel with said backrest and having said transverse rod projecting therethrough; plurality of forwardly and upwardly angled nOtches intersecting said slot means whereby said backrest can be raised and lowered by disposing said rod in selected of said notches; and adjustment means adjacent to the lower end of said backrest for tilting said backrest forwardly and rearwardly at its lower edge.

22. In a suspension means, a base member mounted upon a surface means; a frame member vertically movably mounted with respect to said base member above said base member; a depending post carried by said frame member; guide means carried by said base member and receiving said post for vertical movement thereof with respect to said base member; said guide means comprising roller means spaced around said post and contacting the outer surface thereof; means providing an airtight chamber around said post and guide means, the chamber including a resilient boot in airtight engagement with said base member and said frame member and adapted to be inflated to resiliently support said frame member; a vertically adjustable member carried by said post having spring means depending therefrom below the post, means carried at the lower end of said spring and abutting upwardly against means fixed with respect to said base member whereby said spring resists excessive rebound of said frame member; shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and said frame member to absorb the shock of excessive sudden downward movement of said frame member; said frame member being a vehicle seat frame having a horizontal portion supporting a seat and vertical portion carrying a backrest; said vertical portion including a transverse, fixed rod; bracket means disposed at the back of said backrest; said bracket means having slot means disposed substantially parallel with said backrest and having said transverse rod projecting therethrough; a plurality of forwardly and upwardly angled notches intersecting said slot means whereby said backrest can be raised and lowered by disposing said rod in selected of said notches; adjustment means adjacent to the lower end of said backrest for tilting said backrest forwardly and rearwardly at its lower edge; said adjustment means comprising means providing horizontal slot means associated with said vertical portion of the seat frame below said fixed rod; means providing a plurality of notches in one horizontal edge of said slot means; said bracket means having a second slot means disposed substantially parallel with said backrest below the level of said first-mentioned slot means; a second transverse rod disposed through said horizontal slot means and said second slot means; and means resiliently urging said second rod toward said notches whereby to hold said rod in a selected one of said notches and whereby said rod can be pushed out of one notch and along said horizontal slot into another of said notches.

23. In a vehicle seat suspension means having a base member, a seat frame spaced above said base member, and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and seat frame to cushion the seat frame against road shocks, a post projecting downwardly from said seat frame; support means carried by said base member and surrounding said post; a plurality of carrier members mounted on said support means and spaced around said post; each carrier member having roller means engaging said post for relative rolling movement parallel with the axis of said post; and said post having a plurality of vertically directed, recessed ways in its outer surface in which said roller means travel, edges of said recessed ways overlapping portions of said roller means and preventing rotation of said post about its own axis.

24. In a vehicle seat suspension means having a base member, a seat frame spaced above said base member, and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base member and seat frame to cushion the seat frame against road shocks, a post projecting downwardly from said seat frame; support means carried by said base member and surrounding said post; a plurality of carrier members mounted on saId support means and spaced around said post; each carrier member having roller means engaging said port for relative rolling movement parallel with the axis of said post; said post having a plurality of vertically directed, recessed ways in its outer surface in which said roller means travel; means for adjusting each said carrier member toward and away from said post; and means for anchoring said carrier member in its adjusted position.

25. In a vehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 24: said roller means comprising at least two rollers mounted on horizontal axes in vertically spaced relation in each said carrier.

26. In a vehicle seat suspension means having base means, a subframe spaced above said base means, and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base means and subframe to cushion the vehicle seat against road shocks, a main seat frame disposed and spaced above said subframe; said seat frame having side members projecting downwardly on either lateral side of said subframe and extending below said subframe; link means connecting said subframe to said seat frame in a vertical direction, the upper end thereof being pivoted to said subframe and the lower end thereof being pivoted to said side members whereby said seat frame has limited fore-and-aft swinging movement with respect to said subframe to offset backslap to the driver.

28. In a vehicle seat suspension means having base means, a main seat frame spaced above said base means, and shock-absorbing means disposed between said base means and said main seat frame to cushion the vehicle seat against road shocks, an auxiliary seat frame disposed above said main seat frame and having a seat thereon; said auxiliary seat frame having transverse rods pivotally mounted thereto forwardly and rearwardly of the transverse centerline of said auxiliary seat frame; said rods having handle means at one end thereof for pivoting said rods; elongated adjustment members secured adjacent to the ends of said rods and normally projecting downwardly adjacent to the lateral sides of said main seat frame; each adjustment member having a plurality of spaced notches opening toward one edge thereof; pin means projecting laterally from the sides of said main seat frame and said adjustment members being pivotable by said rods toward and away from said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches to raise and lower the front and rear of said auxiliary seat frame; means resiliently urging said adjustment members toward said pins whereby said pins engage selected of said notches; and stabilizing means for preventing forward and rearward movement while affording vertical movement of said auxiliary seat frame with respect to said main seat frame whereby to adjust said seat to the desired height and angle.

30. In a vehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 29: said main seat frame having a vertical portion carrying a backrest; said vertical portion including a transverse, fixed rod; bracket means disposed at the back of said backrest; said bracket means having slot means disposed substantially parallel with said backrest and having said transverse rod projecting therethrough; a plurality of forwardly and upwardly angled notches intersecting said slot means whereby said backrest can be raised and lowered by disposing said rod in selected of said notcHes; and adjustment means adjacent to the lower end of said backrest for tilting said backrest forwardly and rearwardly at it lower edge.

31. In a vehicle seat suspension means as set forth in claim 30: said adjustment means comprising means providing horizontal slot means associated with said vertical portion of the seat frame below said fixed rod; means providing a plurality of notches in one horizontal edge of said slot means; said bracket means having a second slot means disposed substantially parallel with said backrest below the level of said first-mentioned slot means; a second transverse rod disposed through said horizontal slot means and said second slot means; and means resiliently urging said second rod toward said notches whereby to hold said rod in a selected one of said notches and whereby said rod can be pushed out of one notch and along said horizontal slot into another of said notches.

33. In a vehicle seat suspension means adapted to be mounted upon surface means fixed with respect to the vehicle, a base member; a seat frame carried by said base member; said base member having forwardly and rearwardly directed edge portions corresponding to the fore-and-aft directions, respectively, of said seat; one of said edge portions being hinged with respect to said surface means; the other of said edge portions being interposed between oppositely vertically acting resilient means resisting and limiting pivotal movement of said base member about said hinge to control backslap of said seat.