CN112918338B

CN112918338B - Vehicle seat, component and method

Info

Publication number: CN112918338B
Application number: CN202110428997.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: P·A·苏佩尔纳瓦格; S·G·布拉特西斯; F·A·蒙蒂若; J·H·舒雷尔二世; 石川哲也; J·A·迪亚兹·冈萨雷斯; A·E·巴尔洛; J·R·迪雷; R·大川; 鹿岛功
Original assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Current assignee: Honda Motor Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-03-08
Filing date: 2017-03-07
Publication date: 2023-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2037-03-07
Also published as: JP6853263B2; CN108883712B; JP2022106829A; JP2022009135A; JP7065243B2; WO2017156025A8; CN108883712A; WO2017156025A1; JP6963136B2; JP2021098515A; DE112017001207T5; JP2019517947A; CN112918338A

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle seat, a component and a method. The track and carriage system for a first and a second detachable seat of a motor vehicle comprises two lower tracks fixedly attached to and positioned laterally along a floor of the motor vehicle. Two upper tracks are nested with the lower tracks and are capable of sliding laterally within each of the lower tracks. The rail and carriage system further includes four cross brackets laterally spaced apart and arranged perpendicular to the upper rail, wherein two cross brackets connect the upper left rail and two cross brackets connect the upper right rail. A cover is connected to and extends between the cross brackets.

Description

Vehicle seat, component and method

The present application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application number 201780009185.4 (international application number PCT/US 2017/021195), international application date 2017, 03, 07, and the name of "vehicle seat, component, and method".

Technical Field

The disclosed embodiments relate to the field of removable seats for motor vehicles.

Background

Motor vehicles, such as minivans, typically include three rows of seats. In a minivan, the third row of seats is typically folded to form a flat floor, but there is no space to store the second row of seats when the minivan is required to ship cargo. Thus, the second row of seats of the minivan is typically removable from the motor vehicle.

In addition to the desire to remove functionality from the seat, it is also desirable to provide multiple seat configurations for increased user functionality. For example, the center seat may be removed to provide a center channel in the vehicle to add access to the third row of seats. Furthermore, by selecting different latches to which the seat can be attached, the two outer seats can be moved from one position to another. Typically, unused latches are covered by a cover or blanket. Moving a seat from one location to another is often difficult, especially considering the weight of the seat and the need to move or remove a cover or blanket. Accordingly, a need has been recognized for an improved system for configuring a second row of seats for a minivan.

Disclosure of Invention

The features and advantages described in the specification are not all inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.

According to one aspect, a track and carriage system for first and second removable seats of a motor vehicle is described. The track and carriage system includes: a first lower track fixedly attached to and positioned laterally along a floor of the motor vehicle; a first upper track nested with and laterally slidable within the first lower track; a second upper track nested with and laterally slidable within the first lower track; a second lower rail positioned laterally along a floor of the motor vehicle, parallel to the first lower rail, and longitudinally rearward of the first lower rail; a third upper track nested with and laterally slidable within the second lower track; and a fourth upper track nested with and laterally slidable within the second lower track. The track and carriage system further comprises: a first cross bracket and a second cross bracket laterally spaced apart and arranged perpendicular to the first and third upper rails, the first cross bracket and the second cross bracket being connected to the first and third upper rails; third and fourth cross brackets laterally spaced apart and arranged perpendicular to the second and fourth upper rails, the third and fourth cross brackets being connected to the second and fourth upper rails. A first cover is connected to and extends between the first and second cross brackets and a second cover is connected to and extends between the third and fourth cross brackets.

According to another aspect, a track and carriage system for first and second removable seats of a motor vehicle is described. The track and carriage system includes: a first lower track fixedly attached to and positioned laterally along a floor of the motor vehicle; a first upper track nested with and laterally slidable within the first lower track; a second upper track nested with and laterally slidable within the first lower track. The second lower rail is positioned laterally along the floor of the motor vehicle, parallel to the first lower rail and longitudinally rearward of the first lower rail. A third upper track is nested with and laterally slidable within the second lower track, and a fourth upper track is nested with and laterally slidable within the second lower track. The first and second cross brackets are laterally spaced apart and arranged perpendicular to the first and third upper rails, the first and second cross brackets being connected to the first and third upper rails. Third and fourth cross brackets are laterally spaced apart and arranged perpendicular to the second and fourth upper rails, the third and fourth cross brackets being connected to the second and fourth upper rails. A first front latch attached to a top of a longitudinal front portion of the first cross bracket and a second front latch attached to a top of a longitudinal front portion of the second cross bracket. The first rear latch is attached to the top of the longitudinal rear portion of the first cross bracket and the second rear latch is attached to the top of the longitudinal rear portion of the second cross bracket. The third front latch is attached to the top of the longitudinal front portion of the thirty-first bracket and the fourth front latch is attached to the top of the longitudinal front portion of the forty-first bracket. The third rear latch is attached to the top of the longitudinal rear portion of the thirty-first bracket and the fourth rear latch is attached to the top of the longitudinal rear portion of the forty-first bracket.

According to yet another aspect, a track and carriage system for a removable seat of a motor vehicle is described. The track and carriage system includes: a first lower track fixedly attached to and positioned laterally along a floor of the motor vehicle; a first upper track nested with and laterally slidable within the first lower track; a second lower rail positioned laterally along the floor of the motor vehicle, parallel to the first lower rail and longitudinally rearward of the first lower rail; a second upper track nested with and laterally slidable within the second lower track; first and second cross brackets laterally spaced apart and arranged perpendicular to the first and second upper rails, the first and second cross brackets being connected to the first and second upper rails; and a cover connected to and extending between the first and second cross brackets.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a top view of the interior of a motor vehicle.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the interior of a motor vehicle.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the sliding track system.

Fig. 4 is a section along line G-G of fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a top view of the sliding track system.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a laterally slidable removable seat.

Fig. 7 is a section along line A-A of fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a laterally slidable removable seat.

Fig. 9 is a section along line B-B of fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cross bracket and handle.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a locking mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a section along line C-C of fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a portion of an embodiment of a lower track.

Fig. 14 is a close-up of a portion of fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a removable seat.

Fig. 16 is a side view of the embodiment of fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a section along line D-D of fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a side view of a sliding track system.

Fig. 19 is a section along line E-E of fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a top view of the towel bar of the sliding track system.

Fig. 21 is a section along line F-F of fig. 20.

Fig. 22 is a side view of an embodiment of a towel bar bracket.

Fig. 23 illustrates the operation of an embodiment of the towel bar.

Fig. 24 is a close-up of portion a of fig. 23.

Fig. 25 is a close-up of portion B of fig. 24.

Fig. 26 is a close-up of portion C of fig. 24.

Fig. 27 is a side perspective view of an end of an embodiment of a track system.

Fig. 28 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a rail end bracket.

Fig. 29 is a top perspective view of an end of an embodiment of a track system.

Fig. 30 is a perspective view of a side of an embodiment of a motor vehicle.

Fig. 31 is a top view of an embodiment of a side of a motor vehicle.

FIG. 32 is a top view of an embodiment of a side of a motor vehicle showing an embodiment of a side trim piece.

Fig. 33 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a side trim piece for a motor vehicle.

Fig. 34 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a sliding track system.

Fig. 35 is a perspective view of a spacer.

Fig. 36 is a table of an embodiment of a seat position.

FIG. 37 is a top view of one embodiment of a seat position.

Fig. 38 is a top view of another embodiment of a seat position.

Fig. 39 is a top view of another embodiment of a seat position.

Fig. 40 is a top view of another embodiment of a seat position.

Fig. 41 is a top view of another embodiment of a seat position.

Fig. 42 is a top view of another embodiment of a seat position.

Fig. 43 is a front view of an embodiment of a seat.

Fig. 44 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a laterally slidable removable seat.

Fig. 45 is a section along line H-H of fig. 44.

Fig. 46 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a laterally slidable detachable seat in a folded position.

Fig. 47 is a section along line J-J of fig. 46.

Fig. 48 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a laterally slidable removable seat in a folded and rotated position.

Fig. 49 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a laterally slidable detachable seat in a folded and rotated position.

Fig. 50 is a section along K-K of line graph 48.

FIG. 51 is a front view of an embodiment of a front and center removable seat.

Fig. 52 is a close-up of a portion of fig. 51.

Fig. 53 is a section along line L-L of fig. 52.

Fig. 54 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an ISOFIX enclosure.

Fig. 55 is a side view of a portion of a removable seat.

Fig. 56 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inner cover member of the removable seat.

Fig. 57 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of the seat of fig. 43.

Fig. 58 is an exploded view of a trim piece for a detachable seat and a seat belt mechanism.

Fig. 59 is a rear view of a trim piece for a detachable seat and a seat belt mechanism.

Fig. 60 is a section along line M-M of fig. 59.

Fig. 61 is a close-up of a portion of fig. 60.

The figures depict various embodiments for purposes of illustration only. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the embodiments described herein.

Detailed Description

Embodiments are described with reference to the drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Still in the drawings, the leftmost digit(s) of each reference number corresponds to the figure in which the reference number is first used.

As illustrated in fig. 1-2, the embodiments described herein are directed to a second row seating system 112 for a motor vehicle 100. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1-2, the motor vehicle 100 is a minivan, although any other type of vehicle having a detachable seat 114 may include an embodiment of the second row seating system 112.

As illustrated in fig. 1-2, the motor vehicle 100 has a floor 116 supported by a body 118. As also shown, there is a front seat 120. Fig. 1 shows two individual seats 122, 124 with a folding tray 126, which folding tray 126 can be lowered to the side of the passenger seat 124 to create a aisle to the rear of the motor vehicle 100. The base 200 of the two front seats 122, 124 is firmly fixed to the floor 116 of the motor vehicle 100. The seat base 200 and seat cushion 202 of each front seat 122, 124 may be raised and lowered in a vertical direction between maximum and minimum heights, and moved longitudinally forward and rearward between forward-most and rearward-most positions, and the seat back 204 may be reclined between an upright position to a fully reclined position in a manner known to those skilled in the art. For example, these movements may be accomplished mechanically by a seat operator, as is well known in the art, or actuated by a power switch 206, as is well known in the art.

The second row seating system 112 is located behind the front row seating 120. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1, the second row seating system 112 comprises a left seat 130, a middle seat 132, and a right seat 134. Each of these seats 130, 132, 134 is removable from the motor vehicle 100, as will be discussed. When the middle seat 132 is removed, the left and right seats 130, 134 are additionally able to slide laterally as discussed herein.

The left and right seats 130, 134 are supported on a front track system 300 and a rear track system 302, the front track system 300 and the rear track system 302 extending laterally across the floor 116 between a left side 136 of the motor vehicle 100 and a right side 138 of the motor vehicle 100 illustrated in fig. 3.

The front rail system 300 includes a front lower rail 304, the front lower rail 304 being mounted to lie within the floor 116 laterally across the motor vehicle 100 and across the entire width of the floor 116. The front lower track 304 is generally U-shaped with inwardly and then downwardly folded ends 400, 402 creating a U-shaped cross-sectional profile having a generally open center portion 404 and two substantially closed but not fully closed upper portions 406, 408.

The front rail system 300 further includes two front upper rails 306, 308 nested within portions of the front lower rail 304. Each front upper rail 306, 308 has a lower portion 410 of generally UU-shaped cross-section with an inner end 412, 414 of UU cross-section connected, and an outer end 416, 418 of UU cross-section nested through an opening 420, 422 and located in the upper portion 406, 408 of front lower rail 304. Rollers 424, 426 are connected to the outer ends 416, 418 of each front upper rail 306, 308. Rollers 424, 426 are positioned to engage the closed upper portions 406, 408 of the front lower track 304. The rollers 424, 426 are oriented in a lateral direction to enable each of the front upper tracks 306, 308 to slide laterally within the front lower track 304.

The inner end 412, 414 of the UU section of each front upper rail 306, 308 extends upwardly beyond the height of the outer end 416, 418 of the UU section. The inner ends 412, 414 are connected to each other or are integrally formed with each other. Further, the inner end 412, 414 is connected to the upper portion 310, 312 of each front upper rail 306, 308 or is integrally formed with the upper portion 310, 312 of each front upper rail 306, 308. The attachment may be made by known methods including, but not limited to, welding, mechanical attachment such as rivets, or any other method known to those skilled in the art.

The rear track system 302 includes a rear lower track 314, the rear lower track 314 being mounted transversely across the motor vehicle 100 across the entire width of the floor 116. The rear lower track 314 is generally U-shaped with inwardly and then downwardly folded ends 430, 432 creating a U-shaped cross-sectional profile having a generally open center portion 434 and two substantially closed but not fully closed upper portions 436, 438.

The rear track system 302 further includes two rear upper tracks 316, 318 nested within portions 436, 438 of the rear lower track 314. Each rear upper rail 316, 318 has a generally UU-shaped cross-section with inner ends 442, 444 of the UU cross-sections connected, and outer ends 446, 448 of the UU cross-sections nested through openings 450, 452 and located in upper portions 436, 438 of rear lower rail 314. Rollers 454, 456 are connected to the outer end 446, 448 of each rear upper rail 316, 318. Rollers 454, 456 are positioned to engage the closed upper portions 436, 438 of the rear lower track 314. The rollers 454, 456 are oriented in a transverse direction to enable each of the rear upper tracks 316, 318 to slide transversely within the rear lower track 314.

The inner end 442, 444 of the UU section of each rear upper rail 316, 318 extends upwardly beyond the height of the outer end 446, 448 of the UU section. The inner ends 442, 444 are connected to each other or are integrally formed with each other. Further, the inner ends 442, 444 are connected to the upper portion 320, 322 of each rear upper rail 316, 318 or are integrally formed with the upper portion 320, 322 of each rear upper rail 316, 318. The attachment may be made by known methods including, but not limited to, welding, mechanical attachment such as rivets, or any other method known to those skilled in the art. The upper portion 310, 312, 320, 322 of each front and rear upper rail 306, 308, 316, 318 extends the lateral length of each front and rear upper rail 306, 308, 316, 318.

The rail covers 460, 462 extend from the left lateral ends 340, 344 of the front and rear lower rails 304, 314 to the right ends 342, 346 of the front and rear lower rails 304, 314. The rail covers 460, 462 are made of a flexible plastic polymer with slots 464 extending along the middle from the left lateral ends 340, 344 of the front and rear lower rails 304, 314 to the right lateral ends 342, 346 of the front and rear lower rails 304, 314. The inner ends 412, 414, 442, 444 of UU sections of the upper tracks 306, 308, 316, 318 extend upwardly through the slots 464. The upper rails 306, 308, 316, 318 are free to move laterally while the flexible material of the rail covers 460, 462 that are bent around the UU section inner ends 412, 414, 442, 444 of the upper rails 306, 308, 316, 318 will move laterally through the slots 464 in the rail covers 460, 462. The rail covers 460, 462 serve to prevent large debris from being introduced into the lower rails 304, 314 that would otherwise interfere with lateral movement of the upper rails 306, 308, 316, 318.

The front and rear upper rails 306, 308, 316, 318 are connected on the same side of the motor vehicle 100 by cross brackets 350, 352, 354, 356. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 3, two cross brackets 350, 352, 354, 356 extend from opposite ends of each upper portion 310, 312 of the front upper rails 306, 308 to corresponding opposite ends of each upper portion 320, 322 of the rear upper rails 316, 318. The spider 350, 352, 354, 356 may be connected to the upper portion 310, 312, 320, 322 of the upper rail 306, 308, 316, 318 using any known means, such as nuts and bolts fasteners, rivets, welding, etc. Each of the front upper rails 306, 308 and the rear upper rails 316, 318 forms a left slide carriage 360 and a right slide carriage 362 when viewed from above, cross brackets 350, 352, 354, 356 connected in a square manner.

Each cross bracket 350, 352, 354, 356 includes a front latch 470 and a rear latch 472. Each front latch 470 is positioned above the upper portions 310, 312 of the front upper rails 306, 308. Each rear latch 472 is positioned above the upper portion 320, 322 of the rear upper rail 316, 318. The latches 470, 472 allow the removable seat 114 to be attached to the front track system 300 and the rear track system 302.

As illustrated in fig. 5, the left sliding carriage 360 further includes a left cover 500. The left cover 500 covers the entire left sliding carriage 360 except for four openings 510 exposing the four latches 470, 472 of the left sliding carriage 360. The right slide carriage 362 further includes a right cover 502. The right cover 502 covers the entire right slide carriage 502 except for four openings 510 exposing the four latches 470, 472 of the right slide carriage 502.

The left and right covers 500, 502 are horizontally flat. As illustrated in fig. 6-9, in the longitudinally rearward position 600 generally above the rear upper rails 316, 318 of each slide carriage 360, 362, the covers 500, 502 are each progressively sloped in a vertically downward and rearward direction to a height generally equal to the height of the floor 116. The angle of inclination of the covers 500, 502 allows cargo to be loaded into the motor vehicle 100 from behind the motor vehicle 100 without damaging the covers 500, 502. Additionally, as illustrated in fig. 8-9, the angle of inclination of the rear 602 of the covers 500, 502 provides additional leg room for an occupant seated in the third row of seats 140 behind the detachable seat 114 in the motor vehicle 100 by providing additional space for the shoe 800.

The left slide carriage 360 further includes a handle 370 attached to the laterally outward left cross bracket 350, as shown in fig. 10. The right slide carriage 362 further includes a handle 372 that is attached to the laterally outward right cross bracket 356 in the same manner as the left handle 370, as shown in fig. 10. The handles 370, 372 are not covered by the covers 500, 502 of the sliding carriages 360, 362.

The following embodiment will describe the right slide carriage 362. In each case, the features of the left slide carriage 360 are the same described embodiments.

The slide carriage 362 includes a lock mechanism 1100 for locking the slide carriage 362 in place. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 11-14, the front lower track 304 includes:five (5) sets of three (3) holes 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308 located in the inner wall 1200 of the front lower rail 304, spaced laterally to the right from the longitudinal centerline CL of the motor vehicle 100, for use with the right slide carriage 362; and an additional five (5) sets of three (3) holes (not shown) located in the inner wall 1200 of the front lower track 304, spaced laterally to the left from the longitudinal centerline CL of the motor vehicle 100 for use with the left slide carriage 360. Each of the three (3) aperture sets 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308 is laterally spaced apart from one another and corresponds to a locked position of the slide carriage 362. Within each tri (3) aperture set 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308, as illustrated in FIG. 14, for the first tri (3) aperture set 1300, the distance d between the first aperture 1400 and the second aperture 1402 ₁ Distance d from second hole 1402 and third hole 1404 ₂ The same applies. Each three (3) hole set 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308 is similarly constructed on each side of the front lower track 304, which constitutes each five (5) hole set.

A lock 1102 is located in the upper portion 310, 312 of the front upper rail 306, 308 of each slide carriage 360, 362. The lock 1102 has a generally C-shaped cross-section when viewed from the side in fig. 12. The lower portion 1202 of lock 1102 includes three locking member extensions 1104. The three locking member extensions 1104 correspond to the three (3) hole sets 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308 in the lower track 304 and fit into the three (3) hole sets 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308 in the lower track 304, locking the slide carriage 362 in place. A spring (not shown) biases the lock 1102 and locking member extension 1104 against the inner wall 1200 of the upper front rail 304. As slide carriage 362 slides along upper front rail 304, locking member extension 1104 is forced into one of the three (3) aperture sets 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308 as three locking member extensions 1104 are aligned with one of the three (3) aperture sets 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308.

As illustrated in fig. 15-19, the towel bar 1500 is positioned below the handle 372 to unlock the locking mechanism 1100 of the slide carriage 362, which allows the slide carriage 362 to slide back and forth along the lower tracks 304, 314. The grip 1502 of the towel bar 1500 is located below the handle 372 extending from the slide carriage 362. The towel bar 1500 is ergonomically positioned,so that it can be accessed from above as well, as illustrated by arrow a, through the opening 1700 in the handle 372, or from below, as illustrated by arrow B, below the handle 372. The towel bar 1500 can be actuated by normal gripping activities of an adult from either direction, as illustrated by arrows a and B. In addition, the towel bar 1500 is positioned so as to be inoperable by a child to prevent accidental actuation of the towel bar 1500 and to prevent release of the locking mechanism 1100 by the child. Span d of grip ₃ In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 19 is 65.5mm, exceeding 97% of the maximum grip of a 5 year old child.

As illustrated in fig. 20-26, the towel bar mechanism 2000 includes a towel bar 1500 that is grasped by a user. The ends 2002, 2004 of the towel bar 1500 are each connected to vertical bars 2006, 2008 that extend below the cover 502. The vertical rods 2006, 2008 are in turn connected to a locking mechanism 1100. When actuated, the towel bar 1500 releases the lock 1102 from one of the three (3) aperture sets 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308, allowing the slide carriage 362 and its top seat 134 to slide laterally back and forth along the front and rear lower tracks 304, 314.

The vertical bars 2006, 2008 each have a first pin 2400 and a second pin 2402 that fit within a bracket 2100 that limits their movement. The bracket 2100 has a first opening 2200 and a second opening 2202 that receive the first pin 2400 and the second pin 2402, respectively. The second opening 2402 is an angled oval opening. The angle of the second opening 2402 is upward in the laterally outward direction in the direction of arrow C. The second pin 2402 in the second opening 2202 also serves as a point of rotation for the vertical bars 2006, 2008 as the towel bar 1500 is lifted outwardly and upwardly.

Fig. 25 is an expanded view of the first opening 2200, the first opening 2200 being of opposite obtuse triangular shape with rounded rather than sharp corners 2500, 2502, 2504. On one side is an obtuse rounded corner 2500. The tangent t drawn at the vertex 2506 of the obtuse rounded corner 2500 is the angle α. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 25, the angle α is 45 °. The side 2520 opposite the obtuse rounded corner 2500 may have a very small arcuate shape. The first pin 2400 in the first opening 2200 operates to force the towel bar 1500 to move outwardly and upwardly when actuated. The shape of the opening 2200 is adjusted to ensure that the path of movement of the pin 2400 of the towel bar 1500 is smooth, as illustrated by arrow D.

Upward and outward movement of the towel bar 1500 causes the laterally inward ends 2404 of the vertical bars 2006, 2008 to move outwardly and upwardly. The lock bar 2406 is rotatably connected to the inward ends 2404 of the vertical bars 2006, 2008 by a second pin 2402. The outward and upward movement causes the lock bar 2406 to move outwardly and downwardly. The downward movement serves to pull the spring biased locking mechanism 1100 connected to the locking bar 2406 out of one of the three (3) hole sets 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308.

By limiting the movement of the towel bar 1500, the towel bar 1500 can be controlled to move in an ergonomically advantageous motion by requiring the towel bar 1500 to move outwardly and upwardly in unison with the user's closing grip movement. The limited movement of the towel bar 1500, and in particular the inability of the towel bar 1500 to move laterally inward, helps prevent the locking mechanism 1100 from being unlocked in a side impact, as illustrated in fig. 23, because the locking bar 2406 is prevented from being lowered unless the towel bar 1500 is moved outward and upward, as opposed to movement due to a side impact.

As illustrated in fig. 27-29, the front and rear lower rails 304, 314 include rail end brackets 2700 at each end 340, 342, 344, 346 of the rails 304, 314. The bracket has a generally U-shaped end 2704, the U-shaped end 2704 matching the U-shaped cross-sectional profile of the ends 400, 402, 430, 432 of the lower rails 304, 314, with a central portion 2706 and two upper portions 2708, 2710. An L-shaped extension 2712 extends from the bottom 2714 of the center 2706. The first segment 2716 of the L-shaped extension 2712 is attached to the bottom surface 2718 of the lower rails 304, 314. Attachment may be by any method known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, rivets 2900, nuts and bolts fasteners, welding, and the like as shown in fig. 29. Second segment 2720 of L-shaped extension 2712 extends upwardly from first segment 2716 of L-shaped extension 2712. The second segment 2720 may extend upward but not higher than the top 2722 of the lower tracks 304, 314. The second segment 2720 is used to block the sliding carriages 360, 362 at the lateral ends 340, 342, 344, 346 of the lower rails 304, 314. The U-shaped end 2704 of each rail end bracket 2700 acts as a shroud at the end of the lower rails 304, 314 to prevent dirt or debris from being introduced into the substantially closed upper portions 406, 408, 436, 438 of the lower rails 304, 314 that would otherwise interfere with the free movement of the upper rails 306, 308, 316, 318 within the lower rails 304, 314.

As shown in fig. 30-33, a step garnish 3000 is located at the ends 340, 342, 344, 346 of the lower rails 304, 314, the step garnish 3000 covering the ends 340, 342, 344, 346 of the lower rails 304, 314 and the rail end brackets 2700 on either side 136, 138 of the motor vehicle 100. After the detachable seat 114 is installed, the step trim 3000 is typically installed. In the past, the step ornament 3000 was installed by lowering the step ornament 3000 downward into position. However, handles 370, 372 on the slide carriages 360, 362 interfere with the downward mounting. To solve this interference problem, the step ornament 3000 includes an inner step ornament 3002, the inner step ornament 3002 being mounted from the side so that it fits under the handles 370, 372 of the slide carriages 360, 362, as shown in fig. 33. A second outer step trim 3004 including a cutout void shape 3006 for handles 370, 372 is mounted in a conventional manner. The exposed portion 3008 of the inner step trim 3002 is designed to match the void shape 3006 of the outer step trim 3004. When the outer step trim 3004 is mounted over the inner step trim 3002, the exposed portions 3008 of the outer and inner step trim 3004, 3002 create a complete finished surface 3010 that is indistinguishable from a single piece step trim. The polishing surface 3010 may include ridges 3012 to create a large friction surface to assist a user in entering or exiting the motor vehicle 100. The step ornamental piece 3000 may be attached to the motor vehicle 100 using tappet screws, rivets, nuts and bolts, interference fit fasteners, or by any other method known to those skilled in the art.

Further movement of the two slide carriages 360, 362 may be controlled by inclusion of a spacer 3400 using one or both of the front or rear lower tracks 304, 314. The spacer 3400 includes first and second plastic stops 3500, 3502 located within the closed upper portions 406, 408, 436, 438 of the front and rear lower rails 304, 314. The plastic stops 3500, 3502 are connected by a metal bracket 3504. The spacer 3400 slides freely between the left and right slide carriages 360, 362. The spacer 3400 prevents the two sliding carriages 360, 362 from contacting at positions along the sliding carriages 360, 362 overlapping the sliding range 3402. The spacer 3400 helps maintain a safe distance between the removable seats 114 on the sliding carriages 360, 362. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 34-35, the spacer 3400 maintains a 15mm safety gap between the sliding carriages 360, 362 to prevent compression between the seats 114. The plastic may be in any form known to those skilled in the art, durable and relatively low friction.

The left seat 130 on top of the left slide carriage 360 and the right seat 134 on top of the right slide carriage 362 are each slidable between five (5) possible positions, as illustrated in the table of fig. 36. The five (5) possible positions correspond to five (5) sets of three (3) holes 1300, 1302, 1304, 1306, 1308 in the inner wall 1200 of the front lower rail 304 that are laterally spaced to the right from the longitudinal centerline CL of the motor vehicle 100 for use with the right slide carriage 362, and to five (5) sets of three (3) holes (not shown) in the inner wall 1200 of the front lower rail 304 that are laterally spaced to the left from the longitudinal centerline CL of the motor vehicle 100 for use with the left slide carriage 360. On the table of fig. 36, position 445B corresponds to the first three (3) hole set 1300. Position 363B corresponds to the second three (3) aperture set 1302. Position 281B corresponds to the third three (3) aperture group 1304. Position 199B corresponds to the fourth three (3) aperture set 1306. Position 117B corresponds to the fifth three (3) aperture set 1308. positions-445B, -363B, -281B, -199B, and-117B correspond to mirrored five (5) three (3) hole sets on the left side 136 of the motor vehicle 100. The table of fig. 36 represents the possible positions of the left 130 and right 134 seats for each position. For example, if left seat 130 is in position-117B, only position 445B is used for right seat 134, as shown in FIG. 37. Fig. 37-42 illustrate some possible seating positions for embodiments of the motor vehicle 100 described herein. Fig. 38 shows the left seat 130 in position-445B, while the right seat 134 is in position 445B. In this positioning, the center seat 132 is also installed. Fig. 39 shows the left seat 130 in position-445B, while the right seat 134 is in position 445B and the center seat 132 is removed. Fig. 40 shows the left seat 130 in position-363B, while the right seat 134 is in position 363B. This arrangement brings the two seats 130, 134 together closer toward the centerline CL of the motor vehicle 100 and further away from the left side 136 and the right side 138. FIG. 41 shows the left seat 130 in position-199B, while the right seat 134 is in position 363B. In this example, the two seats 130, 134 are still side-by-side, but are displaced laterally to the left, away from the right side 138 of the motor vehicle 100, as compared to the example shown in fig. 37. FIG. 42 shows the left seat 130 in position-281B, while the right seat 134 is in position 281B. In this example, two seats 130, 134 are side-by-side along CL of the motor vehicle 100. The only limitation as to how far the left sliding carriage 360 can slide on the lower rails 304, 314 is the position of the right carriage 362 and the spacer 3400 separating the two. Further, the only limitation as to how far the right slide carriage 362 can slide on the lower rails 304, 314 is the position of the left carriage 360 and the spacer 3400 separating the two.

As shown in fig. 37 and 41, if space is available, the left sliding carriage 360 or the right sliding carriage (not shown) may cross the longitudinal center line CL of the motor vehicle 100.

The two detachable seats 114, the left seat 130, and the right seat 134 are designed to be fixed to the slide carriages 360, 362, the left seat 130 being on the left slide carriage 360, and the right seat 134 being on the right slide carriage 362. As illustrated in fig. 4, the seats 130, 134 are connected to the sliding carriages 360, 362 via hook fasteners 474 around the front latch 470 and hook and lock fasteners 476 hooked around the rear latch 472, the front latch 470 and the rear latch 472 being located on the cross brackets 350, 352, 354, 356 and exposed through the openings 510 in the covers 500, 502 of the sliding carriages 360, 362. The hook fastener 474 and the hook and lock fastener 476 are of a type well known to those skilled in the art.

As illustrated in fig. 43-47, during typical operation of the detachable seat 114, the detachable seat 114 is moved from the upright position illustrated in fig. 43-45 to the folded position illustrated in fig. 46-47 by actuating the first lever 4400 on the seat 114. LATCH 4404 is located on the back 4402 of the seat cushion 202 below the seat back portion 204 for standard LATCH car seating systems in automobiles. Upon actuation of the first lever 4400, the seat handle 4406 is exposed when the seat back 204 is folded down, and the seat handle 4406 is on the bottom 4408 of the seat back 204 when the seat back 204 is upright. By concealing the seat handle 4406 when the seat 114 is in the upright position, the car seat can be made free of improper attachment of LATCH by only making LATCH latches 4404 visible.

48-50, to remove the seat 114, the lock 478 is released on the rear hook and lock mount 476 by actuating the second lever 4900 in the seat 114. When the lock 478 is released, the user may grasp the seat handle 4406 and raise the rear 4402 of the seat 114. Lifting the rear 4402 of the seat 114 from the rear latch 472 allows the seat 114 to pivot about axis a ₁ Rotation, axis a ₁ Extending through the front latch 470. When the seat 114 reaches the proper angle alpha ₁ When the front hook 474 is removed from the front latch 470, the seat 114 is removed.

The stem 4800 extends from the front left hook fastener 474 to the front right hook fastener 474', parallel to and about the axis a ₁ Axis a ₁ By latch 470. As the user rotates the seat 114 forward to remove the front hook fasteners 474, 474', the lever 4800 rotates forward and downward as it rotates about the axis a1 until it contacts the cover 500. The shape of the front portion 5000 of the cover 500 is designed such that the lever 4800 contacts the front portion 5000 of the cover 500 when the seat 114 has been rotated about the axis a1 by the angle α1. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle α1 is approximately 45 °, although the angle α1 may be adjusted based on the geometry and available space of the motor vehicle 100. Once the lever 4800 contacts the cover 500, the user may be prevented from further rotating the seat 114. This operation controls the position of the seat when the user is removing the seat to the optimal position. This also prevents seat 114 from contacting any other internal components due to rotating too far forward.

As illustrated in fig. 51-54, when the center seat 132 is in the upright position, the center seat 132 includes: a left ISOFIX bar (not shown) located below the shroud 5100; right ISOFIX bar (not shown) for LATCH child seats. The seat 132 includes a shield 5100 that covers each bar when the LATCH system is not in useTo prevent the user from accidentally getting to the belt hooked on the ISOFIX bar, etc. When either the left removable seat 130 or the right removable seat 134 is positioned up against the center seat 132, removing the shield 5100 to expose the ISOFIX bar is problematic. To facilitate removal of the shield 5100 for a user, the shield 5100 includes a scoop 5200 positioned on the grip 5202 of the shield 5100. The grip 5202 includes not only the scoop portion 5200 in the side 5204 of the shroud 5100, but also the pit portion 5206, the pit portion 5206 being longitudinally forward of the scoop shape 5200 to further increase the access of the user's hand. As illustrated in fig. 53, the pit portion 5206 longitudinally forward of the scoop portion 5200 has a lateral width w ₁ Smaller than the lateral width w of the housing body 5300 ₂ And is greater than the transverse width w of the scoop 5200 ₃ 。

In addition to the hood 5100 on the ISOFIX bar on the center seat 132, the laterally L-shaped inner cover 5208 of the seat frame 5500 of the left and right seats 130, 134 has a smooth lower outer surface 5600 and a smooth concave outer upper surface 5602, the smooth concave outer upper surface 5602 laterally opposing the ISOFIX hood 5100 of the center seat 132, providing additional clearance for the user to access the grip 5202 of the hood 5100. As illustrated by the embodiments shown in fig. 51-56, a minimum clearance d between the center seat 132 and either the left 130 or right 134 seats ₃ Is 16mm, but the concave outer upper surface 5602 of the inner cover 5208 of the seat frame 5500 of the left seat 130 or right seat 134 and the scoop portion 5200 of the cover 5100 on the ISOFIX bar provide a clearance d of 30mm at a position of the scoop portion 5206 longitudinally forward of the scoop portion 5200 ₄ For the user to grasp and remove the ISOFIX shield 5100.

Another feature of the detachable seat 114, as illustrated in fig. 43 and 57-61, is the need to provide a seat belt 4300 for the user. Because the detachable seat 114 is capable of sliding between five separate positions as previously described, the seat belt 4300 is integrally disposed within the detachable seat 114 by methods known to those skilled in the art. However, the seat belt mechanism 4302 is provided at the top of the seat back portion 204 for protecting the seat belt 4300 and converting the seat belt 4300 from the seat 114 to the outside of the seat 114, as illustrated in fig. 60. The belt mechanism 4302 includes an arcuate slot 4304 through which the belt 4300 extends and is presented to the user for use. The arcuate slot 4304 includes an extension base 5800, the extension base 5800 being disposed on top of the bracket 5802 and connected to the bracket 5802. The extension mount 5800 further includes a raised curved section 5804 over which the seat belt 4300 moves and transitions from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation. The belt mechanism 4302 also includes a trim 5700, the trim 5700 protecting the seat belt 4300 when the seat 114 is removed during use. The arcuate slot 4304 is designed to prevent the seat belt 4300 from inverting the side presented to the user and becoming twisted or tangled.

Because of the location of the trim 5700, a method and apparatus is needed to attach the trim 5700 to the seat belt mechanism 4302 that is easy to install and durable during use of the seat 114 in the intended manner. As shown in fig. 57-61, ornamental piece 5700 is constructed primarily of a solid molded plastic piece, including an arcuate opening 5806, a cover opening 5808, and an interference fit fastener 6000 extending from the bottom of ornamental piece 5700. The interference fit fastener 6000 is inserted into a slot (not shown) in the seat belt mechanism 4302. The arcuate slot 4304 fits into the arcuate opening 5806 of trim 5700.

A cap 5702 is provided for completing the attachment of the trim 5700 to the seat belt mechanism 4302. The cover 5702 is formed from a single piece including a base portion 6100, a living hinge 6102, and an outer cover 6104. The base portion in the embodiment shown in fig. 58-61 includes two holes 5810, the two holes 5810 corresponding to the two holes 5812 in the cover opening 5808 of the trim 5700 and the two holes 5814 in the bracket 5802. The tapping screw 5816 is used to connect the base portion 6100 of the cap 5702 and the garnish 5700 to the bracket 5802. The outer cover 6104 of the cap 5702 is then folded down at the living hinge 6102, as shown by arrow b of fig. 61, the outer cover 6104 now being folded over the base portion 6100 and parallel to the base portion 6100, the outer cover 6104 covering the base portion 6100. The outer cover 6104 has a tapered end 6106, the tapered end 6106 snap into a hook surface 6108 of the lower edge 5818 of the cap opening 5808 of the ornamental 5700. The tapered end 6106 creates an interference fit with the hook surface 6108 to hold the cap 5702 in place.

Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. Accordingly, the embodiments of the disclosure are intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the embodiments set forth in the claims.

Although particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described herein, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein, and that various modifications, changes, and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation, and method and apparatus details of the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A seat for a motor vehicle including a cover on a floor of the motor vehicle and first and second front and rear latch bolts attached to extend upwardly through openings in the cover, the seat comprising:

a first hook fastener for removably attaching the seat to the first front latch, the first hook fastener being rotatable about a transverse axis passing through the first and second front latches;

a second hook fastener for removably attaching the seat to the second front latch, the second hook fastener being rotatable about the transverse axis through the first and second front latches;

a first hook and lock fastener for removably attaching the seat to the first rear latch;

a second hook and lock fastener for removably attaching the seat to the second rear latch; the method comprises the steps of,

a lever extending between the first and second hook fasteners, the lever being parallel to the transverse axis, the lever contacting the cover to prevent further rotation when the seat is rotated about the transverse axis by a predetermined angle to prevent over-rotation of the seat, and the seat being in an optimized position to remove the first and second hook fasteners from the first and second front latches when the lever contacts the cover.

2. A seat for a motor vehicle including a cover, first and second front latch and first and second rear latch located on a floor of the motor vehicle, the first and second front latch and first and second rear latch attached to extend upwardly through an opening in the cover, the seat comprising:

a lever extending between the first and second hook fasteners, the lever being parallel to the transverse axis, the lever contacting the cover to prevent further rotation when the seat is rotated about the transverse axis to prevent over-rotation of the seat, and the seat being in an optimized position to remove the first and second hook fasteners from the first and second front latches when the lever contacts the cover.

3. The seat of claim 2, wherein a front portion of the cover is shaped such that the lever contacts the front portion of the cover when the seat has been rotated about 45 °.