AU2008332563B2

AU2008332563B2 - Structure and method for mounting seat for vehicle

Info

Publication number: AU2008332563B2
Application number: AU2008332563A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Shinji Kurachi
Original assignee: Toyota Auto Body Co Ltd
Current assignee: Toyota Auto Body Co Ltd
Priority date: 2007-12-04
Filing date: 2008-09-26
Publication date: 2011-07-14
Anticipated expiration: 2028-09-26
Also published as: CN101883698A; AU2008332563A1; CN101883698B; WO2009072342A1; JP2009137337A; JP5163080B2

Abstract

A structure (3) for mounting a seat for a vehicle on the floor surface of the vehicle comprises a rail (4) laid on the floor surface of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction, a molding (5) having through holes (51) at desired positions and so disposed as to cover the rail (4), and seat-fixing members (6) each having a bolt part (61) fastened to the seat and an engagement part (62) engaged with the rail (4). The seat-fixing members (6) are so disposed that the bolt parts (61) are so inserted through the through holes (51) of the molding (5) as to project upward. The arrangement positions of the seat fixing parts are determined by the positions of the through holes (51) of the molding (5).

Description

DESCRIPTION STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING SEATS FOR VEHICLE TECHNICAL FIELD 5 [0001] The present invention relates to a structure and a method for mounting seats for a vehicle on the floor surface of the vehicle. BACKGROUND ART 10 [0002] In a relatively large vehicle such as a bus, a plurality of seats are mounted with a predetermined space in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Conventionally, as a structure for mounting seats at desired positions, various structures have been proposed. 15 [0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a structure for mounting overhung seat for vehicle, in which a seat is mounted by joining bolts to a mounting plate provided on a cabin side wall. Also, other structures such as a structure for mounting 20 seats by joining bolts to a rail provided on the floor surface of a vehicle in the longitudinal direction have been proposed. [0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 1997-2114 25 DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION 1 2 In the above-described structures, however, when seats are mounted at desired positions, it is necessary to adjust the positions of bolts to be joined to the mounting plate or rail according to the seat mounting position. Therefore, it requires much time for the seat mounting to work. 5 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the foregoing disadvantages. SUMMARY A first aspect of the invention is a structure for mounting seats for a vehicle on to the floor surface of the vehicle comprising: a rail laid on the floor surface of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction; a molding having a plurality of through holes at desired positions and disposed so as to cover the rail; and seat-fixing members each having a bolt part fastened to the seat and an engagement part engaged with the rail, wherein the seat-fixing members are disposed so 15 that the bolt parts are inserted through the through holes of the molding so as to project upward and the arrangement positions thereof are determined by the positions of the through holes of the molding. The structure for mounting seats for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention has a molding for covering the rail. The molding has a plurality of 20 through holes at desired positions. The seat-fixing members are disposed so that the bolt 3 parts are inserted through the through holes of the molding so as to project upward, and the arrangement positions thereof are determined by the positions of the through holes of the molding. More specifically, in an embodiment of the present invention, by adopting the 5 molding having the through holes preformed at desired positions, the seat-fixing members disposed with the bolt parts being inserted through the through holes of the molding are arranged at the positions necessarily determined by the arrangement position of the molding. Consequently, by fastening and fixing the seats to the bolt parts of the seat-fixing 1o members disposed at the determined positions, the seats can be mounted at desired positions of the vehicle. Therefore, it is not necessary to adjust the positions of the members for fixing the seats (seat-fixing members in the present invention) according to the seat mounting positions as in the prior art, and the workability is improved. Thus, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a structure for is mounting seats for a vehicle which is superior in a seat mounting workability is provided. A second aspect of the invention is a method for mounting seats for a vehicle on the floor surface of the vehicle comprising the steps of: laying a rail on the floor surface of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction; preparing a molding for covering the rail and having through holes formed at desired positions; and disposing the molding so as to 20 cover the rail so that bolts of seat-fixing members each having a bolt part fastened to the 4 seat and an engagement part engaged with the rail are inserted through the through holes of the molding so as to project upward. According to the method for mounting seats for a vehicle in an embodiment of the present invention, in the step of preparing a molding, a molding having through holes 5 formed at desired positions is prepared. In the step of disposing the molding, the molding is disposed so as to cover the rail so that the bolts of the seat-fixing members are inserted through the through holes of the molding so as to project upward. Accordingly, in an embodiment of the present invention, by adopting the molding having the through holes preformed at desired positions, the seat-fixing members io disposed with the bolt parts being inserted through the through holes of the molding are arranged at the positions necessarily determined by the position of the molding. Consequently, after the molding is disposed in the step of disposing the molding, by fastening and fixing the seats to the bolt parts of the seat-fixing members disposed at the determined positions, the seats can be mounted at desired positions of the vehicle. is Therefore, a step of adjusting the positions of the members for fixing the seats (seat-fixing members in an embodiment of the present invention) according to the seat-mounting positions as in the prior art is not required, and the workability is improved. Thus, according to the method for mounting seats for a vehicle in an embodiment of the present invention, a seat mounting workability is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] Fig. 1 is a development illustrating the members 5 composing the mounting structure in the example. Fig. 2 is an illustrative view showing the relationship between the molding and the seat-fixing members in the example. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the mounting structure in the example. 10 Fig. 4 is an illustrative view showing the relationship of the molding, the rail and the seat-fixing member in the example. Fig 5 is an illustrative view showing the state in which the rail is laid on the floor surface of a vehicle in the example. 15 Fig. 6 is an illustrative view showing the mounting structure on the floor surface of a vehicle in the example. Fig. 7 is an illustrative view showing the state in which seats are mounted on the floor surface of a vehicle in the example. 20 BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION [0016] In the first and second aspects, the through holes of the molding should be formed so that the through holes of the molding are arranged at the seat mounting positions, that 25 is, at positions where the seat-fixing members for fixing seats are desired to be disposed. 5 [0017] In the first aspect, it is preferable that the rail has such a shape that an insertion port is provided open at one end thereof and an opening in which an accommodation portion that is a part of the molding is inserted is provided along the 5 longitudinal direction thereof. It is preferable that the molding is inserted through the insertion port of the rail and slid in the longitudinal direction so that the molding is disposed so that the accommodation portion is inserted and disposed in the opening 10 of the rail. In this case, by inserting the molding through the insertion port of the rail and sliding it, the molding can be easily disposed so that the accommodation portion is inserted and disposed in the opening of the rail. 15 [0018] Also, it is preferable that an engagement member for regulating the longitudinal movement of the molding is disposed at the end opposite to the insertion port of the rail. In this case, by sliding the molding until it comes in contact with the engagement member, the molding can be easily 20 positioned. [0019] Also, it is preferable that the seat-fixing member is formed so that it is held to the molding in a state where the bolt part is inserted through the through hole of the molding so as to project upward. 25 In this case, together with the molding, the seat-fixing members can be easily and reliably arranged at determined 6 positions. [0020] Also, it is preferable that the seat-fixing member is formed so that it is held to the molding by engaging claw parts disposed on the engagement part with fitting portion 5 disposed on the molding. In this case, the seat-fixing members can be easily and reliably held to the molding. [0021] Also, it is preferable that the seat-fixing member is integrally formed with the separately formed bolt part and 10 engagement part assembled thereto. In this case, after the engagement part is formed independently, the bolt part is integrated to the engagement part. Consequently, the shape of the engagement part can be more flexibly designed, and a shape most suitable for the rail 15 or the molding can be obtained. The seat-fixing member may be formed as a member integrally formed with the bolt part and the engagement part. [0022] In the second aspect, it is preferable that the rail has such a shape that an insertion port is provided open at one 20 end thereof and an opening in which an accommodation portion that is a part of the molding is inserted is provided along the longitudinal direction thereof. In the step of disposing the molding, it is preferable that the molding is inserted through the insertion port of the 25 rail and slid in the longitudinal direction, so that the molding is disposed so that the accommodation portion thereof is 7 inserted and disposed in the opening of the rail. In this case, by inserting the molding through the insertion port of the rail and sliding it, the molding can be easily disposed so that the accommodation portion is inserted 5 and disposed in the opening of the rail. [0023] Also, it is preferable that an engagement member for regulating the longitudinal movement of the molding is disposed at the end opposite to the insertion port of the rail. In the step of disposing the molding, it is preferable 10 that the molding is slid until the front end thereof comes in contact with the engagement member, so that the molding is positioned. In this case, by sliding the molding until it comes in contact with the engagement member, the arrangement position 15 of the molding can be easily determined. [0024] Also, it is preferable that the seat-fixing member is formed so that it is held to the molding in a state where the bolt part is inserted through the through hole of the molding so as to project upward. 20 In the step of disposing the molding, it is preferable that the seat-fixing members are moved together with the molding by sliding the molding with the seat-fixing members being held thereto. In this case, together with the molding, the seat-fixing 25 members can be easily and reliably arranged at determined positions. 8 [00251 Also, in the step of disposing the molding, it is preferable that the claw parts disposed on the engagement part of the seat-fixing members are engaged with the fitting portion provided on the molding, so that the seat-fixing members are 5 held to the molding. In this case, the seat-fixing members can be easily and reliably held to the molding. [00261 It is preferable that the seat-fixing member is integrally formed with the separately formed bolt part and 10 engagement part assembled thereto. In this case, after the engagement part is formed independently, the bolt part is integrated to the engagement part. Therefore, the shape of the engagement part can be more flexibly designed, and a shape most suitable for the rail or 15 the molding can be obtained. The seat-fixing member may be formed as a member integrally formed with the bolt part and the engagement part. EXAMPLES 20 [0027] The structure and method for mounting seats for a vehicle according to the example of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The structure 3 for mounting seats for a vehicle of the example is a structure for mounting a plurality of seats 2 on 25 a floor surface 11 of a relatively large vehicle 1 such as a bus as shown in Fig. 7. 9 (0028] As shown in Fig. 1, the mounting structure 3 includes a rail 4 laid on the floor surface 11 (Fig. 7) of the vehicle 1 in the longitudinal direction, a molding 5 having a plurality of through holes 51 at desired positions and disposed 5 so as to cover the rail 4, and seat-fixing members 6 each having a bolt part 61 fastened to the seat 2 and an engagement part 62 engaged with the rail 4. [0029] As shown in the same figure, the rail 4 has an opening 42 extending in the longitudinal direction on the top 10 face thereof in which an accommodation portion 52 that is a part of the molding 5 is inserted, and presents a generally U-shape in cross section. Specifically, the rail 4 includes a bottom portion 411, two side portions 412 standing upright at both side ends of the 15 bottom portion, top face portions 413 which are bent so as to get closer to each other from the upper end of each side portion 412 and face each other with a gap created by the opening 42 and bending portions 414 bent downward from the inside end of each top face portion 413. On both sides of the opening 42, 20 concave portions 43 are provided, each of which is formed by the side portion 412, the top face portion 413 and the bending portion 414 along the longitudinal direction. The concave portions 43 are engaged with the engagement parts 62 of the seat-fixing members 6. 25 [0030] As shown in the same figure, the rail 4 has an insertion port 44 at one end thereof. At the end opposite to 10 the insertion port 44 of the rail 4, an engagement member 45 for regulating the longitudinal movement of the molding 5 is disposed. The engagement member 45 is fixed at the side portion 412 of the rail 4 with bolts 451. 5 [0031] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a plurality of through holes 51 are provided in the longitudinal direction on the molding 5. The molding 5 has a tubular accommodation portion 52 which is projected downward and is accommodated in the rail 4. In the accommodation portion 52, a plurality of notched 10 portions 520 for holding the seat-fixing members 6 are formed. On the inner circumference of the accommodation portion 52, a fitting portion 521 with which claw parts 624 of the engagement part 62 of the seat-fixing member 6 are engaged are provided. The fitting portion 521 has a slit 522 along the longitudinal 15 direction, through which the claw parts 624 are inserted. [0032] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the seat-fixing member 6 is integrally formed with the separately formed bolt part 61 and engagement part 62 assembled thereto. Specifically, the bolt part 61 has a disc-like plate 20 portion 611 and a columnar bolt body portion 612 which is thread cut and disposed so as to project from the plate portion 611. The engagement part 62 has a bottom portion 621 and two side portions 622 standing upright at both ends of the bottom portion and presents a generally U-shape in cross section. On both end 25 faces 623 of the engagement part 62, the claw parts 624 which are engaged with the fitting portion 521 of accommodation 11 portion 52 of the molding 5 are disposed so as to project in the longitudinal direction from the bottom portion 621. The bolt part 61 and the engagement part 62 are assembled by passing the bolt body portion 612 of the bolt part 61 through the through 5 hole (not shown) disposed on the bottom portion 621 of the engagement part 62. [0033] As shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the seat-fixing member 6 is held to the notched portion 520 of the molding 5 in a state where the claw parts 624 disposed on the engagement part 62 are 10 engaged with the fitting portion 521 of the molding 5 and the bolt part 61 is inserted through the through hole 51 of the molding 5 so as to project upward. [0034] As shown in Fig. 1, the molding 5 to which the seat-fixing members 6 are held is inserted through the insertion 15 port 44 of the rail 4 and slid in the longitudinal direction, so that it is disposed so that the accommodation portion 52 is inserted and disposed in the opening 42 of the rail 4. Also, the molding 5 is disposed so as to come in contact with the engagement member 45 provided on the rail 4. 20 [0035] As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, in a state where the rail 4, the molding 5, and the seat-fixing members 6 are assembled, the molding 5 is disposed so as to cover the top face of the rail 4 and the accommodation portion 52 is accommodated in the rail 4. The seat-fixing members 6 which are held to the molding 25 5 are disposed so that the bolt parts 61 are inserted through the through holes 51 of the molding 5 so as to project upward. 12 That is, the arrangement positions of the seat-fixing members 6 are determined by the positions of the through holes 51 of the molding 5. The engagement part 62 of the seat-fixing member 6 is accommodated in the rail 4 in such a manner that the side 5 portions 622 are engaged with the concave portions 43 face to face. By fixing the seat 2 to the bolt parts 61, the side portions 622 and the concave portions 43 come in strong contact and get engaged with each other. [0036] Hereinafter, the method for mounting seats for a 10 vehicle will be described. As shown in Fig. 5, the rail 4 is laid on the floor surface 11 of the vehicle 1 in the longitudinal direction. The rail 4 is attached with bolts or the like (not shown). As shown in Fig. 1, a molding having a plurality of through 15 holes 51 formed at desired positions in the longitudinal direction is prepared. At the time when the molding 5 is disposed, the through holes 51 are formed at positions where the seats 2 are mounted, that is, where the seat-fixing members 6 for fixing the seats 2 should be disposed. 20 [0037] Next, as shown in Fig. 2, the seat-fixing member 6 integrally formed with the separately formed bolt part 61 and engagement part 62 assembled thereto, is held to the molding 5. In this example, the claw parts 624 of the engagement part 62 are inserted through the slits 522 of the molding 5 expanding 25 the slits 522 and are engaged with the fitting portion 521. The bolt part 61 of the seat-fixing member 6 is inserted through 13 the through hole 51 of the molding 5 so as to project upward. Thus, the seat-fixing member 6 is held to the molding 5. [0038] Next, as shown in Fig. 6, the molding 5 is disposed so as to cover the rail 4. In this example, as shown in Figs. 5 1 and 4, the molding 5 is inserted through the insertion port 44 of the rail 4 and slid in the longitudinal direction, so that the accommodation portion 52 of the molding 5 is inserted and disposed in the opening 42 of the rail 4. The molding 5 is slid until the front end thereof comes in contact with the engagement 10 member 45 provided at the end opposite to the insertion port 44 of the rail 4. At this time, the engagement parts 62 of the seat-fixing members 6 are engaged with the concave portions 43 of the rail 4. This determines the position of the molding 5. The seat-fixing members 6 are arranged at desired positions with 15 the bolt parts 61 being inserted in the through holes 51. [0039] After that, as shown in Fig. 7, the seats 2 are fastened to the bolt parts 61 of the seat-fixing members 6 arranged at desired positions. In this example, the bolt parts 61 of the seat-fixing members 6 are inserted through bolt holes 20 (not shown) formed at feet 21 of the seats 2, and the feet 21 of the seats 2 and the bolt parts 61 are fastened with nuts 69. By the above method, the seats 2 are mounted on the floor surface 11 of the vehicle 1. (0040] Hereinafter, the effects of the structure 3 for 25 mounting seats for a vehicle of this example will be described. The structure 3 for mounting seats for a vehicle of this 14 example includes the molding 5 for covering the rail 4. The molding 5 has a plurality of through holes 51 at desired positions. The seat-fixing members 6 are disposed so that the bolt parts 61 are inserted through the through holes 51 of the 5 molding 5 so as to project upward, and the arrangement positions are determined by the positions of the through holes 51 of the molding 5. More specifically, in this example, by adopting the molding 5 having the through holes 51 preformed at desired 10 positions, the seat-fixing members 6 disposed with the bolt parts 61 being inserted through the through holes 51 of the molding 5 are arranged at the positions necessarily determined by the arrangement position of the molding 5. [0041] Consequently, by fastening and fixing the seats 2 15 to the bolt parts 61 of the seat-fixing members 6 disposed at the determined positions, the seats 2 can be mounted at desired positions of the vehicle 1. Therefore, it is not necessary to adjust the positions of the members for fixing seats 2 (seat-fixing members 6 in this example) according to the seat 20 mounting positions as in the prior art, and the workability is improved. [00421 In this example, the rail 4 has such a shape that an insertion port 44 is provided open at one end thereof and an opening 42 in which an accommodation portion 52 that is a 25 part of the molding 5 is inserted is provided along the longitudinal direction thereof. The molding 5 is inserted 15 through the insertion port 44 of the rail 4 and slid in the longitudinal direction, so that the molding 5 is disposed so that the accommodation portion 52 is inserted and disposed in the opening 42 of the rail 4. Consequently, by inserting the 5 molding 5 through the insertion port 44 of the rail 4 and sliding it, the accommodation portion 52 of the molding 5 is easily inserted and disposed in the opening 42 of the rail 4. [0043] Also, at the end opposite to the insertion port 44 of the rail 4, an engagement member 45 for regulating the 10 longitudinal movement of the molding 5 is disposed. Consequently, by sliding the molding 5 until it comes in contact with the engagement member 45, the molding 5 can be easily positioned. [0044] The seat-fixing member 6 is formed so that it is 15 held to the molding 5 by engaging the claw parts 624 disposed on the engagement part 62 with the fitting portion 521 disposed on the molding 5. Consequently, the seat-fixing member 6 can be easily and reliably held to the molding 5. [0045] Each of the seat-fixing members 6 is integrally 20 formed with the separately formed bolt part 61 and engagement part 62 assembled thereto. Therefore, after the engagement part 62 is formed independently, the bolt part 61 is integrated to the engagement part 62. Consequently, the shape of the engagement part can be more flexibly designed, and a shape most 25 suitable for the rail 4 or the molding 5 can be obtained. The seat-fixing member 6 may be formed as a member 16 integrally formed with the bolt part 61 and the engagement part 62. [0046] Thus, according to this example, a structure and a method for mounting seats for a vehicle which is superior in 5 a seat mounting workability are provided. 17

Claims

1. A structure for mounting seats for a vehicle on the floor surface of the vehicle, comprising: a rail laid on the floor surface of the vehicle in the 5 longitudinal direction; a molding having a plurality of through holes at desired positions and disposed so as to cover the rail; and seat-fixing members each having a bolt part fastened to the seat and an engagement part engaged with the rail, wherein 10 the seat-fixing members are disposed so that the bolt parts are inserted through the through holes of the molding so as to project upward and the arrangement positions thereof are determined by the positions of the through holes of the molding.

2. The structure for mounting seats for a vehicle 15 according to claim 1, wherein the rail has such a shape that an insertion port is provided open at one end thereof and an opening in which an accommodation portion that is a part of the molding is inserted is provided along the longitudinal direction thereof, and 20 the molding is inserted through the insertion port of the rail and slid in the longitudinal direction so that the accommodation portion of the molding is inserted and disposed in the opening of the rail.

3. The structure for mounting seats for a vehicle 25 according to claim 2, wherein an engagement member for regulating the longitudinal movement of the molding is disposed 18 at the end opposite to the insertion port of the rail.

4. The structure for mounting seats for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the seat-fixing members are disposed so that the seat-fixing members are held 5 to the molding in a state where the bolt parts are inserted through the through holes of the molding so as to project upward.

5. The structure for mounting seats for a vehicle according to claim 4, wherein each of the seat-fixing members is formed so as to be held to the molding by engaging claw parts 10 disposed on the engagement part with a fitting portion disposed on the molding.

6. The structure for mounting seats for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each of the seat-fixing members is integrally formed with the separately 15 formed bolt part and engagement part assembled thereto.

7. A method for mounting seats for a vehicle on the floor surface of the vehicle, comprising the steps of: laying a rail on the floor surface of the vehicle in the longitudinal direction; 20 preparing a molding for covering the rail and having through holes formed at desired positions; and disposing the molding so as to cover the rail so that bolts of seat-fixing members, each having a bolt part fastened to the seat and an engagement part engaged with the rail, are inserted 25 through the through holes of the molding so as to project upward.

8. The method for mounting seats for a vehicle according 19 to claim 7, wherein the rail has such a shape that an insertion port is provided open at one end thereof and an opening in which an accommodation portion that is a part of the molding is inserted is provided along the longitudinal direction thereof, 5 wherein in the step of disposing the molding, the molding is inserted through the insertion port of the rail and slid in the longitudinal direction, so that the accommodation portion of the molding is inserted and disposed in the opening of the rail. 10

9. The method for mounting seats for a vehicle according to claim 8, wherein an engagement member for regulating the longitudinal movement of the molding is disposed at the end opposite to the insertion port of the rail, wherein in the step of disposing the molding, the molding is slid 15 until the front end thereof comes in contact with the engagement member, so that the molding is positioned.

10. The method for mounting seats for a vehicle according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the seat-fixing members are disposed so as to be held to the molding in a state where 20 the bolt parts are inserted through the through holes of the molding so as to project upward, wherein in the step of disposing the molding, the seat-fixing members are moved together with the molding by sliding the molding with the seat-fixing members being held thereto. 25

11. The method for mounting seats for a vehicle according to claim 10, wherein in the step of disposing the molding, claw 20 21 parts disposed on the engagement part of each of the seat-fitting members are engaged with a fitting portion disposed on the molding, so that the seat-fixing members are disposed so as to be held to the molding.

12. The method for mounting seats for a vehicle according to any one of 5 claims 7 to 11, each of the seat-fixing members is integrally formed with the separately formed bolt part and engagement part assembled thereto.

13. A structure for mounting seats for a vehicle, the structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A method for mounting seats for a vehicle, the method substantially as 10 hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dated 20 June, 2011 Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON