AU708602B3 - Vehicle movable seat unit apparatus - Google Patents

Description

-1- P/00/00 11 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A PETTY PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name of Applicants: Actual Inventor: Address for service John Patrick Braiden and Susan Jeannette Braiden John Patrick Braiden in Australia: CARTER SMITH BEADLE Level 189 Kent Street Sydney New South Wales 2000 Australia Invention Title: VEHICLE MOVABLE SEAT UNIT APPARATUS Details of Associated Provisional Application: PP 0365 filed 12 November 1997 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us VEHICLE MOVABLE SEAT UNIT APPARATUS Field of Invention This invention relates to movable vehicle seat and seat support units and apparatus providing for and enabling and facilitating the transfer of a person seated within a vehicle to a position outside or partially outside the vehicle, and vice versa. The invention has particular application to, but is not necessarily confined to, use by disabled and invalided persons to facilitate their transport from one place to another; and is further particularly applicable to the employment of such as light vans and minibus road vehicles as the means of transport, where the vehicle floor is relatively high above ground level and significant manoeuvring and raising/lowering of a lateral transfer seat unit is necessary.

Background Obects of Invention Swing or lateral transfer and height adjustable seat constructions are known for use in connection with typical sedan motor cars and transfer of persons into and out of such vehicles, where the car floor levels are relatively low and relatively little vertical height movement of a lateral transfer seat is necessary; but such known constructions generally do not provide the manoeuvrability necessary for application to larger and higher floored vehicles such as the typical light motor vans and minibuses that are currently very much in favour for their versatility and person/load carrying capacity in the transport of persons generally and for disabled and invalided persons.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a laterally movable and height adjustable seat unit apparatus having good and extended manoeuvrability enabling adaption to and employment in a vehicle such as a van or minibus for safe and effective transfer of a disabled or invalided person from and to an inner seated position for travel and outer seated position conveniently situated relative to a ground level for ease of access to and departure from the seat unit of the apparatus.

Another object is to provide manufacturers and purchasers with a useful choice of equipment or apparatus of the kind referred to.

Other and more particular objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the ensuing description.

Summary of Invention According to a first aspect of this invention, there is provided apparatus defining a vehicle seat support unit for use by disabled or invalided persons to facilitate their access to and departure from a vehicle, comprising or including a main support means defining or provided with laterally projecting upper and lower swivel connection supports adapted for secure fitment within a vehicle in juxtaposition with an access door column or frame part adjacent or in close proximity to a rear end part of an intended seat location for a person, an elongate upright swivel support mounted in juxtaposition with between said upper and lower swivel connection supports to enable swivelling movement of the swivel support about an upright longitudinal axis thereof, an elongate upright intermediate support mounted in adjacent parallel relationship with said swivel support by tracking and guide means to enable upward and downward travel of said intermediate support relative to said swivel and main supports, a substantially horizontal seat base unit fixedly mounted relative to said main lln n n rt Far lv a 1 I. r support for location at an inner lower forward side thereof and adapted for securement to the vehicle floor in proximity to the access door opening of the vehicle and at said intended seat location, a substantially horizontal seat support mounted to project laterally of a lower end part of said intermediate support in fixed relationship therewith and so as to be movable therewith upwardly or downwardly and laterally relative to said seat base unit, said seat support being provided with or adapted to be provided with a securely mounted seating and back rest assembly for a person to be transported, a first actuating means coupled to and arranged for effecting upward and downward travel of said intermediate support and seat support mounted thereon, and second actuating means coupled to said swivel support and arranged to effect swivelling movement of said swivel support about its upright longitudinal axis through at least 800 and corresponding arcuate movement of the intermediate support to effect transfer of the seat support with the seating and backrest assembly thereon from a first position located over said seat base unit in the vehicle to a second position with the seat support and seating and backrest assembly within and/or at least partially exteriorly of said access door opening and directed outwardly thereof, and vice versa from said second position to said first position; said first and second actuating means being operable by at least one power source and there being power control and limit switch means for controlling operation of the first and second actuating means by said power source and for controlling the extent of upward and downward and swivelling movement of the seat support, and locking means to secure said seat support relative to said seat base when located thereover in said first position for transport of a person by the vehicle.

The seating assembly utilised can be an original seat of or intended for the vehicle concerned and adapted for fitment to the seat support of the apparatus, or a custom made seating assembly can be provided.

Whilst oneration of the apparatus can be continuous with simultaneous Ul U'UI"A-" UU -UHIIUVl UO WIUI bIIMIILEIURCOU operation of the elevating or lowering and lateral transfer of the seat support from the first inner transport position to the outer disembarking second position, and vice versa; intermittent and/or alternating operation of the raising or lowering and lateral transfer means is preferably employed, and in a second aspect of the invention the construction arrangement and operation provides for a powered phased operation enabling movement and positioning of the seat support from said first position over said seat base unit to one or more intermediate pause position(s) prior to reaching and stopping at said outer and outerwardly directed second position, and similar phased return operation between said second and first positions via said intermediate pause position(s).

In a particular aspect of the invention the seat unit apparatus is intended for application to a vehicle with a relatively high floor and one or more steps at the access door opening, and for such an application the apparatus will have a phased operation providing for movement and positioning of the seat support from the first transport position on the seat base to a next intermediate position at or on a first step, and a next intermediate position at or on a second step where provided, before being finally moved to the second outer disembarking position; with the return movements similarly phased.

The invention further includes a vehicle incorporating the seat unit apparatus.

Brief Description of Drawings Some preferred aspects of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating the location of a seat unit assembly in accordance with the invention in a typical light van motor vehicle with a side door access and sliding door, and illustrating (in broken line) the seat unit moved to the second outer nassenger diemhnrlking position; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating one example of a phased or intermittent operation of the apparatus to accommodate a higher vehicle floor and two entry/exist steps at the side door opening; Figure 3 is a rear perspective view more particularly illustrating one construction of apparatus in accordance with the invention and showing the seat support and seat/backrest assembly in a raised and outwardly directed intermediate the first transport position and second disembarking (or embarking) position.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are plan, side (in the direction of arrows V-V) and rear view of one preferred seat base construction; Figures 7. 8 and 9 are plan, side and rear views (in the respective directions of arrows VIII-VIII IX-IX) of one form of seat support; and Figure 10 is a diagrammatic sectional plan view at line X-X in figure 3.

Description of Invention The apparatus as more particularly illustrated in figure 3 is shown exposed for clarity and to assist description, but when installed in a vehicle 1 the basic componentry will be concealed by covers or housings (as generally indicated at 2 and 3 in figures 1 and 2) for aesthetic appeal, and to guard against entrapment of such as a persons clothes between moving parts, and to keep such moving parts and the componentry generally clean for effective and efficient operation.

The drawings illustrate by way of example a single movable seat support unit apparatus in accordance with the invention, forwardly facing and located at and to the rear of one left side access door 4 and door opening 5 of a passenger van I [(enr A rekf Iqn'A ,A -1 I- 1 (fo .right hand drive vehies), this being the normal 'pavement' passenger alighting side; for such vehicles; but of course the seat unit apparatus and door opening would be usually at the right hand side for left hand drive vehicles.

More than one movable seat unit can be provided for the accommodation of a number of disabled or invalided persons eg there can be one at each passenger side access, and, if required one or two opposed movable seat support units at a rear access door where provided.

The apparatus includes a strong fabricated steel elongate upright main support 6 which is arranged to be securely fixed at the access door main rear frame part 7 so as to extend from the vehicle floor 8 to about the full height of the seat backrest 10 and head rest/restraint part 10a thereof. The seat base 11 is of strong fabricated steel open frame form with substantially similar lower and upper horizontal frame parts 12 and 12' conjoined in spaced relationship by a plurality of peripherally spaced uprights 14 defining the desired seat base height, the lower and upper frame parts 12 and 12' each having parallel opposite side parts 12a conjoined by transverse rear parts 12b and V shaped (in plan view and eg of about 450 included angle relationship) forward end parts 12c. This V shape forward end 12c of the seat base frame 11 (and complementary shaped housing 3) has particular application to the presently described version of the invention, but may not be necessary for other versions.

The lower frame part 12 is arranged to be securely fixed, such as by bolting, to the vehicle floor 8 and is mounted in spaced relationship inwardly from the main support 6; but is preferably conjoined thereto such as by a bridging plate or bracket means 12x to ensure correct positioning of the seat base 11 relative to the main support 6 to enable correct location of the seat support 15 thereon in operation of the apparatus and locking in position of the seat support 15 as herein described. Interconnection of the components as described also enables the production of complete readily installable integral units.

The seat support 15 has a substa ntially horizontally open frame of partly substantially rectangular form with conjoined front, rear and opposite side members 16,17,18 and 19 respectively; but with a forward near side corner angled for clearance and appearance, and laterally projecting inner end portions 16a, 17a for the front and rear members 16,17. The seat support 15 may be

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wider in plan view than the seat base 11 and a forwardly directed upholstered vehicle seat assembly, comprising a seat part 9 and back rest part 10, is securely mounted thereon by any suitable means; but towards the inner side of the seat support 15 and in a manner such that the rear member 17 of the seat support is clear of obstruction and able to locate on the transverse rear part 12b of the seat base upper frame part 12c as a close fit between upwardly projecting retaining lugs 20,21 fixed in spaced relationship on the front and rear sides of the rear part 12b of the seat base upper frame part 12 when in the first transport position and to secure the seat support 15 and seat assembly 9,10 against horizontal movement.

The seat support 15 is provided at its junction between side and rear members 18 and 17 with an upstanding mounting angle bracket 22, supported by brace members 22a,22b secured thereto and respectively to the side and rear members 18 and 17; and such bracket 22 is mounted at the lower end part of a strong elongate upright intermediate support member 23, which is provided with laterally projecting upper and lower guide and tracking blocks 24 which are of complementary cross section to and are slidably mounted on an upright strong shaped metal rail 25a securely mounted to the outer side of a strong metal upright elongate swivel support member 25; to enable vertical sliding upward and downward travel of the intermediate support member 23, and seat support with the seat assembly 9,10 mounted laterally thereon, relative to the swivel support member and rail 25, 25a and main support member 6. It is envisaged that the rail 25a can alternatively be provided on the intermediate support 23 and the guide and tracking blocks 24 on the swivel support member 25 for similar unward and drimunivaorr slidin similar upward and downwd sliding eni~g--t'm and movement of the rail in the guide and tracking blocks 24. In either case the swivel support member 25 being mounted in spaced parallel relationship with the fixed main support member 6 by means of vertically aligned upper and lower pivot connections 26,27 with outer end portions of upper and lower-support brackets 28,29 projecting laterally from the main support 6; so that the seat assembly 9, (with or without a person seated thereon) is pivotally movable transversely through an arc of at least 800 but desirably up to 900, between the inner transport first position with the seat support 15 located on and engaged with the seat base upper part 12' and seat assembly forwardly facing (in this illustrated form), and the outer disembarking/embarking second position with the seat assembly 9,10 on its seat support 15 facing outwardly of and partially within the access door opening 5; and the vertical movement and tracking arrangement of the intermediate support member 23 enables initial upward movement of the seat support 15 out of engagement with the seat base retaining lugs 20,21, from the first transport position to permit lateral swivelling as aforesaid, and thence downward movement for subsequent location of the seat assembly 9,10 at the desired or prescribed height above ground when the seat assembly 9,10 is in the second disembarking/embarking position whereby the user can conveniently leave or get onto, or be assisted from or onto, the seat assembly 9,10.

Where a cover or housing 3 is provided for the seat base 11 or frame, the retaining lugs 20,21 are arranged to project through appropriate positioned aperture in the upper part of the housing 3.

The actuating means for effecting the apparatus swivelling and raising/lowering operations between the first transport and second disembarking/embarking positions can involve the employment of hydraulic or pneumatic extensible/retractable ram means, where the vehicle concerned has or is provided with an appropriate source of hydraulic or pneumatic power; but the provision of hydraulic or pneumatic actuating means w;ll .usually continuing operation of the vehicle engine to provide the necessary hydraulic or pneumatic power. Accordingly, in preferred forms of the invention electromechanical actuator mechanisms or devices, are employed for positive controlled operation of the actuating means at the desired relatively slow speeds, and with or without continued operation of the vehicle engine, whereby the progress of the apparatus and a person carried thereby can be carefully monitored and controlled; so that for example the position of the carried persons legs can be readily adjusted if and when required during movement between the first and second positions. Electro-mechanical actuators can also be simply connected to and operable by the normally provided electrical supply system of a vehicle, or a supplementary electric battery can be provided for independent operation, and the constructions provide that the apparatus is secure against movement when the electricity supply thereto is switched off and the seat assembly is at all times secure whilst in the second transport position and with electric power to the apparatus switched off.

Figure 3 of the drawings illustrates the location of a first electro-mechanical actuator 30 extending between pivot connections 31,32 with the base frame 11 and a lower end laterally projecting bracket 33 of the upright swivel support member 25, for effecting the required swivelling movement of such member about its pivot connections 26,27; and the location of a second electromechanical actuator 34 extending vertically between a lower connection with the swivel support member 25 and an upper connection 36 with the intermediate support member 23 for effecting vertical upward and downward movement of such member 23.

Preferably the actuators 30 and 34 employed are such as those manufactured and sold under the trade mark LINAK and which are sealed/enclosed self contained units including an extensible/retractable ram 30a, 34a operable by a small e .ectic motor 3, 34.b and associated worm gear and 'acme' thread screw drive, and including adjustable limit switches and optional operating control means (not shown) eg a potentiometer for servo control, an optical encoder for positioning of the respective actuator and control of its ram or piston stroke, and self locking arrangements with braking and double acting ram/piston constructions. Other actuators can of course be employed.

The rail 25a and associated tracking or guide blocks 24 can conveniently be provided by way of, or adapted from, preformed and readily available units such as those manufactured and sold by THK as LM rail and guide units; but of course other constructions can be employed.

Preferably, the electronic/electrical system for the apparatus includes a microprocessor (not shown) for controlling the operational stages of the apparatus with correct timing of movement of the movable components and simple prominent eg red in colour and illuminated main on/off electric switch means can be conveniently mounted on the cover or housing 2 for the main support 6 and swivel and intermediate supports 25,23 for ready access by an operator/driver standing at the access door opening 5, and/or by the person to be transported. The electronic/electrical control system also includes separate "IN" and "OUT" electrical switches for controlling movement of the seat support unit into and out of the vehicle 1; and preferably these are of the kind requiring continued press operation for supply of power to the respective actuating means via the microprocessor and thus immediate stopping of movement of the seat support unit on release of or ceasing to press the respective switches.

With reference to figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the mode of operation of the apparatus from the first transport position to the second VdisembUn/XMt irL~,Ljg posUlUItion y i be: a. initial upward movement of the seat support 15 (with the seat assembly 9,10 thereon) out of engagement with the seat base 12, b. lateral swivelling through 450 towards the access door opening 5 and lowering of the seat support 15 onto or in close proximity to the vehicle floor 8 adjacent the seat base 12 forward end part, c. lateral swivelling of the seat support through the next 450 to direct the seat assembly 9,10 outwardly and clear of the vehicle floor at the first step of the vehicle, and d. lowering as required to the level convenient for the person carried by the apparatus and seat assembly 9,10 to disembark, either by himself/herself or with assistance as appropriate.

The seat assembly is of course provided with a safety belt system eg a lap sash seat belt, and the apparatus operates in the reverse mode for an embarking passenger. To operate in this latter regard the following procedures would normally be observed: e. The main on/off switch is operated to be in the "on" position. The switch should now be illuminated.

f. An appropriate time delay of say five seconds is allowed for the micro processor that powers the seat support unit to set itself up for commands.

g. The "OUT" switched is then pressed and held pressed to lift and move the seat support unit from its first position and to bring the seat support and fitted said assembly out of the van or other vehicle 1, movement out automatically ceasing on reaching the final outer or second embarking/disembarking position.

h. The passenger is then assisted onto the seat assembly 9,10 and the seat lap safety belt fitted to secure the passenger during operation of the seat support unit.

i. The "IN" switch is then pressed and held pressed to effect movement of the seat support unit (with the passenger thereon) from the outer second position to the first position with the seat support unit back into the vehicle 1 and locked down onto it's base part 11. The passenger being then in the desired position for transport.

j. The ON/OFF illuminated switch is then switched to the "OFF" position.

k. The lap sash seat belt around the passenger is then finally secured and adjusted for tension. The passenger being now safe and secure to be transported.

It is of course important to observe the passage of the passengers' head and legs through the door opening 5 during the operation of the swing out seat support unit; and as previously indicated movement of the seat support unit can be stopped at any point of travel, simply by release of the respective "IN" or "OUT" press switch, to adjust the passengers position if required. The electronic/electrical control system also provides for manual override operation in the event of any malfunction of the seat support unit operating mechanisms or component.

Some preferred aspects of the invention have been described and illustrated by way of example; but it will be appreciated that other variations of and modifications to the invention and subject apparatus can take place without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (3)

1. Apparatus defining a vehicle seat support unit for use by disabled or invalided persons to facilitate their access to and departure from a vehicle, comprising or including a main support means defining or provided with laterally projecting upper and lower swivel connection supports and adapted for secure fitment within a vehicle in juxtaposition with an access door column or frame part adjacent or in close proximity to a rear end part of an intended seat location for a person, an elongate upright swivel support mounted in juxtaposition with said support means between said laterally projecting upper and lower swivel connection supports to enable swivelling movement of the swivel support about an upright longitudinal axis thereof, an elongate upright intermediate support mounted in adjacent parallel relationship with said swivel support by tracking and guide means to enable upward and downward travel of said intermediate support relative to said swivel and main supports, a substantially horizontal seat base unit fixedly mounted relative to said main support for location at an inner lower forward side thereof and adapted for securement to the vehicle floor in proximity to the access door opening of the vehicle and at said intended seat location, a substantially horizontal seat support mounted to project laterally of a lower end part of said intermediate support in fixed relationship therewith and so as to be movable therewith upwardly or downwardly and laterally relative to said seat base unit, said seat support being provided with or adapted to be provided with a securely mounted seating and back rest assembly for a person to be transported, a first actuating means coupled to and arranged for effecting upward and downward travel of said intermediate support and seat support mounted thereon, and, second actuating means coupled to said swivel support and arranged to effect swivelling movement of said swivel support about its upright longitudinal axis through at least 800 and corresponding arcuate movement of the intermediate support to A effect transfer of the seat support with the seating and backrest assembly thereon from a first position located over said seat base unit in the vehicle to a second position with the seat support and seating and backrest assembly within and/or at least partially exteriorly of said access door opening and directed outwardly thereof, and vice versa from said second position to said first position; said first and second actuating means being operable by at least one power source and there being power control and limit switch means for controlling operation of the first and second actuating means by said power source and for controlling the extent of upward and downward and swivelling movement of the seat support, and locking means to secure said seat support relative to said seat base when located thereover in said first position for transport of a person by the vehicle.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the construction arrangement 1f and operation provides for a powered phased operation enabling movement and positioning of the seat support from said first position over said seat base unit to one or more intermediate pause position(s) between said first and second positions prior to reaching and stopping at said outer and outwardly directed second position, and similar phased return operation between said second and first positions via said intermediate pause position(s).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in combination with a vehicle within which said apparatus is installed. Dated this day of JOHN PATRICK BRAIDEN SUSAN JEANETTE BRAIDEN By Their Authorised Attorneys CARTER SMITH BEADLE Per: