AU2013209377A1 - A vehicle seat - Google Patents

Abstract

A VEHICLE SEAT A vehicle seat (10) for installation in a large vehicle (such as a bus) that provides for wheelchair access. The seat (10) would be secured to the floor of a bus and would include first catches (26) and second catches (27) that provides for folding of the seat (10) between an operative position and a folded position. 0' (-IT

Description

1 A VEHICLE SEAT FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to vehicle seats and more particularly but not exclusively to vehicle seats employed in large vehicles such as buses, with the seats movable between a lowered position providing seating, and a raised position providing for wheelchair access. BACKGROUND [0002] Large vehicles such as buses having wheelchair access are provided with double seats that are movable between an operative seat providing configuration, and a folded configuration adjacent a lateral side of the vehicle. [0003] The abovementioned double seats have a main pedestal with a seat portion, and backrest portion pivotally attached thereto, movable between the lowered and raised position. In the lowered position the seat portion is provided with a leg that is fixed to a plate secured to the floor of the vehicle. [0004] The abovementioned seat assemblies have a number of disadvantages including the abovementioned plate providing a tripping hazard, and the second leg adding to the weight of the seat. [0005] A further disadvantage of known folding seat constructions is that they are frequently equipped with difficult to operate cords and handles that are pulled in order to operate locking mechanisms to release the seat. [0006] The abovementioned disadvantages present occupational health and safety issues. Still further to the above, the disadvantages include complexity of the locking mechanisms which adds to their cost and makes seats difficult to operate. OBJECT [0007] It is the object of the present invention to overcome of substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages.

2 SUMMARY [0008] There is disclosed herein a vehicle seat including: a base to be fixed to a floor portion of the vehicle; a pedestal fixed to and extending upwardly from the base; a seat assembly pivotally attached to an upper portion of the pedestal and movable angularly relative thereto between an operative seat providing configuration, and a folded configuration, the seat assembly when in the operative configuration being supported in a cantilever manner by the pedestal, the assembly including: a seat portion pivotally attached to the upper portion of the pedestal and movable angularly relative thereto about a seat axis extending generally transverse of the pedestal, the seat portion providing a surface upon which a user may be seated when the assembly is in the operative position, with the surface being generally oriented upwardly when the assembly is in the folded position, and a backrest portion pivotally attached to the seat portion for angular movement about a backrest axis extending generally transverse relative to the seat axis, the backrest portion being movable between a generally upright position providing a backrest for the seat portion, and a folded position overlaying the seat portion; and catches to retain the seat in the operative position and the folded position. [0009] Preferably, the seat assembly includes a brace, and wherein the seat assembly is in the operative portion the brace extends from the seat portion at a position remote from the seat axis, to said pedestal or base so as to extend downwardly from the seat portion at an acute angle to the horizontal to aid in supporting the seat assembly. [0010] Preferably, said brace is pivotally attached to a lower portion of said pedestal and slidably engages said seat portion so as to be movable relative thereto in a direction generally normal to said seat axis. [0011] Preferably, the catches include a first catch, the first catch being operable to retain the backrest portion in the upright position. [0012] Preferably, the first catch is also operable to retain the backrest in the folded position.

3 [0013] Preferably, the catches include a further catch, the further catch being operable to retain the seat assembly in the folded position and the operative position. [0014] Preferably, each catch is operated by a user manipulated lever. [0015] Preferably, each lever is pivotally mounted. [0016] Preferably, each catch includes a catch pin moved by its respective lever, with at least one of the catch pins being mounted on the seat portion and operable to retain the backrest portion in the upright position by engagement in an aperture fixed to the backrest portion. [0017] Preferably, the catches include at least one catch mounted in the pedestal with the catch pin thereof being moved by its respective lever to engage a selected aperture to retain the seat assembly in the operative position or the folded position. [0018] Preferably, the lever mounted in the pedestal is foot operated. [0019] Preferably, the seat assembly is urged to the folded configuration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0020] Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: [0021] Figure 1 is a schematic isometric view of a vehicle seat preferably for installation in a large vehicle such as a bus; [0022] Figure 2 is a schematic isometric view of the seat of Figure 1 with the seat configured in an operative configuration; [0023] Figure 3 is a schematic side elevation of the seat assembly of Figures 1 and 2; [0024] Figure 4 is a schematic end elevation of the seat assembly of Figures 1 and 2; and [0025] Figure 5 is a schematic parts sectioned side elevation of a catch employed in the seat assembly of Figures 1 and 2.

4 DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0026] In the accompanying drawings there is schematically depicted a vehicle seat 10 for installation in a large vehicle (such as a bus) that provides wheelchair access. Preferably the seat assembly 10 would be secured to the floor of the bus and preferably adjacent a side wall of the bus. The seat 10 in an operative configuration (providing seating, Figure 2) would project laterally from the side wall of the bus, while when in the folded configuration (Figure 1). The seat would be folded adjacent the side wall of the bus. In the folded configuration a space is provided and/or access is provided for a wheelchair. [0027] The seat 10 includes a base 11 that would be bolted to the floor of the bus. Fixed to and extending upwardly from the base 11 is a pedestal 12. The pedestal 12 would be located adjacent the side wall of the bus. [0028] Pivotally attached to an upper portion of the pedestal 12 is a seat assembly 13. The seat assembly 13 is angularly movable about a seat axis 14 between the folded configuration as shown in Figure 1 and the operative seat providing configuration as shown in Figure 2. [0029] The seat assembly 13 includes a seat portion 15 and a backrest portion 16, with the seat portion 15 and backrest portion 16 providing seating for one, two or more people when in the operative configuration as shown in Figure 2. The backrest portion 16 is pivotally attached to the seat portion 15 for angular movement about a backrest axis between a generally upright position as shown in Figure 2, and a folded position as shown in Figure 1. In the folded position the backrest portion 16 overlays the seat portion 15. [0030] Extending between the pedestal 12 and the seat portion 15 is a brace 18. The brace 18, in order to fold to the position as shown in Figure 1, must slidably engage either the pedestal 12 or seat portion 15. Preferably, and in this embodiment, the brace 18 is pivotally attached to a lower portion of the pedestal 12 for angular movement about a brace axis 19. The upper end of the brace 18 is slidably engaged in a track 20 that includes two track members 21. The track 20 extends generally transverse relative to the axis 14. The upper end of the brace 18 includes a transverse track follower 22 that is a rod having end extremities slidably engaged in the track members 21. The track members 21 have end extremities with stops 23 that are engaged by the follower 22 when the seat assembly 13 is in the operative position shown in Figure 2. When in this position, and the seat 10 is supporting one or more passengers, the brace 18 is under 5 compression and aids in supporting and retaining the seat portion 15 in a generally horizontal orientation. When the seat portion 15 is in its operative position, the brace 18 extends downwardly from the seat portion 15 at an acute angle to the horizontal to the lower end of the pedestal 12. Preferably the stops 23 are located at a position spaced toward the end extremity 24 of the seat portion 15 relative to the axis 14. [0031] Preferably the vehicle seat 10 further includes at least one gas strut 25 that extends between a lower portion of the pedestal 12, and approximately the middle of the seat portion 15, and urges the seat portion 15 to pivot about the axis 14 to the generally upright folded position shown in Figure 1. The gas strut 25 is pivotally attached at its lower end extremity to the pedestal 12 and at its upper end extremity to seat portion 15. The gas strut 25 aids in raising the seat assembly 13 to the folded position shown in Figure 1. [0032] The vehicle seat 10 includes a plurality of catches, including first catches 26 that secure the seat portion 15 in the positions shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. The catches include second catches 27 that retain the backrest portion 15 in the position shown in Figure 2 relative to the seat portion 15. [0033] The first catches 26 are operated by a lever 28 that is pivotally attached to the pedestal 12 for angular movement about an axis generally transverse relative to the axis 14. The lever 28 engages two rods 29, with each rod 29 extending to an associated one of the catches 26 to cause operation of the associated catch 26. A further rod 30 extends from the lever 28 to a pedal 33, again pivotally attached to the pedestal 12 for angular movement about an axis transverse relative to the axis 14. Depression of the pedal 33 causes actuation of the catches 26 to release the seat portion 15 for movement. Fixed to the seat portion 15 are plates 34, with each plate 34 having apertures 41 that are engaged by the catches 26 to retain the seat assembly in the operative or folded configurations. One aperture 41 is engaged by the catch 26 to retain the seat portion 15 in the position shown in Figure 2, while the other aperture 41 is engaged to retain the seat portion 15 in the position shown in Figure 1. [0034] The second catches 27 are operated by a lever 35. The lever 35 is movable angularly about an axis generally parallel to the axis 14. Extending from the lever 35 are rods 36 that cause actuation of the catches 27 upon angular movement of the lever 35. Attached to the backrest 15 are plates 37, with each plate 37 having at least one aperture 42. Each aperture 42 is 6 engaged by the associated catch 27. In respect of each plate 37, the aperture 42 is engaged by the associated catch 27 to retain the backrest portion 16 in the generally upright position shown in Figure 2. [0035] Each catch 26, 27 includes a hollow body 38 housing a spring 39 extending between the body 38 and a catch pin 40 to urge the pin 40 to the position shown in Figure 5, that is engaged within the apertures of the plates 34, 37. An exposed end extremity of the pin 40 is engaged by one of the rods 29, 36. The pin 40 passes through the body 38. [0036] The above described preferred embodiment includes a number of advantages including providing a clear path for the wheelchair when the seat 10 is in the raised folded position. A still further advantage is the easier operation of the various catches, with the seat assembly 13 being more easily raised as it is urged to the folded position.

Claims (12)

1. There is disclosed herein a vehicle seat including: a base to be fixed to a floor portion of the vehicle; a pedestal fixed to and extending upwardly from the base; a seat assembly pivotally attached to an upper portion of the pedestal and movable angularly relative thereto between an operative seat providing configuration, and a folded configuration, the seat assembly when in the operative configuration being supported in a cantilever manner by the pedestal, the assembly including: a seat portion pivotally attached to the upper portion of the pedestal and movable angularly relative thereto about a seat axis extending generally transverse of the pedestal, the seat portion providing a surface upon which a user may be seated when the assembly is in the operative position, with the surface being generally oriented upwardly when the assembly is in the folded position, and a backrest portion pivotally attached to the seat portion for angular movement about a backrest axis extending generally transverse relative to the seat axis, the backrest portion being movable between a generally upright position providing a backrest for the seat portion, and a folded position overlaying the seat portion; and catches to retain the seat in the operative position and the folded position.

2. The seat assembly of claim 1, further including a brace, and wherein the seat assembly is in the operative portion the brace extends from the seat portion at a position remote from the seat axis, to said pedestal or base so as to extend downwardly from the seat portion at an acute angle to the horizontal to aid in supporting the seat assembly.

3. The seat assembly of claim 2, wherein said brace is pivotally attached to a lower portion of said pedestal and slidably engages said seat portion so as to be movable relative thereto in a direction generally normal to said seat axis.

4. The seat assembly of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the catches include a first catch, the first catch being operable to retain the backrest portion in the upright position.

5. The seat assembly of claim 4, wherein the first catch is also operable to retain the backrest in the folded position. 8

6. The seat assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the catches include a further catch, the further catch being operable to retain the seat assembly in the folded position and the operative position.

7. The seat assembly of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each catch is operated by a user manipulated lever.

8. The seat assembly of claim 8, wherein each lever is pivotally mounted.

9. The seat assembly of claim 7 or 8, wherein each catch includes a catch pin moved by its respective lever, with at least one of the catch pins being mounted on the seat portion and operable to retain the backrest portion in the upright position by engagement in an aperture fixed to the backrest portion.

10. The seat assembly of claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the catches include at least one catch mounted in the pedestal with the catch pin thereof being moved by its respective lever to engage a selected aperture to retain the seat assembly in the operative position or the folded position.

11. The seat assembly of any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the lever mounted in the pedestal is foot operated.

12. The seat assembly of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the seat assembly is urged to the folded configuration. Access Vehicle Australia Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON