EP0526506A1

EP0526506A1 - Motor vehicle with improved material application

Info

Publication number: EP0526506A1
Application number: EP91908036A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mary Nancy Luchs
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-02-25
Filing date: 1991-02-25
Publication date: 1993-02-10
Also published as: WO1992014630A1; EP0526506A4

Abstract

Le perfectionnement de la conception et de la fabrication de berlines, de fourgons et de fourgonnettes pour le transport de passagers, de voitures décapotables et de limousines, implique l'utilisation de tissus multicolores et/ou variés et de panneaux (2) recouvrant des surfaces, présentant des propriétés de résistance à l'usure et aux rayonnements qui sont le plus adaptées à permettre un confort et un plaisir prolongés au propriétaire du véhicule. En remplacement des surfaces classiques en plastique et des tapis, on utilise des surfaces en fibres de bois (9) et en nappe de laine résistant aux rayonnements. On peut également enlever des tapis pour les pieds (7), conçus pour être amovibles, afin de les nettoyer ou de les remplacer pour changer les associations de couleurs ou l'aspect des textures.The development of the design and manufacture of sedans, vans and vans for the transportation of passengers, convertible cars and limousines, involves the use of multicolored and / or various fabrics and panels (2) covering surfaces , which have wear and radiation resistance properties that are most suited to providing extended comfort and enjoyment to the vehicle owner. Instead of conventional plastic surfaces and carpets, wood fiber (9) and woolen tablecloth resistant to radiation are used. One can also remove carpets for the feet (7), designed to be removable, in order to clean or replace them to change the associations of colors or the appearance of textures.

Description

OTOR VEHICLE WITH IMPROVED MATERIAL APPLICATION

The invention relates to a motor vehicle suitable for passenger transport. In particular, the invention. relates to a motor vehicle interior manufactured in a non- conventional manner using conventional materials.

Advances in the art of motor vehicle design and manufacture have continuously involved the use of new and improved materials, plastics, glass, paneling and textiles. In some cases these changes have been in an effort to improve gasoline mileage by replacing metals with plastics. In other cases these changes have been for other reasons such as catalytic converters to protect the environment.

As materials came available which could extend the useful lifetime of a motor vehicle, these materials were incorporated in motor vehicle production after adequate testing and evaluation. Thus, for example, nitrocellulose based lacquers which would yellow with ageing came to be replaced with acrylic based lacquers with a lower tendency to yellow. U.S. Patent 4,963,600 discloses that even acrylics can be improved by the incorporation of specific amounts of blue pigments. U.S. Paten 4,984,842 discloses how a sliding door can replace a convention door. Thus, prior to the present invention, a continuing need existed for better utilization of existing and improved materia Meeting such a need for a motor vehicle for passenger transport is an object met by the present invention. The invention provides a motor vehicle with upholstered seating and plastic trim for a driver and at least three passengers, characterized in that the upholstered seating is multipatterned, in addition to being color coordinated with areas exposed to sunlight- through windows of the motor vehicle being covered with a radiation resistant composition.

A preferred mode of the invention employs multifarious, color coordinated designs on seating, headliner, welting, side panels, carpeting, trim and surface panels wherein the construction materials are unaffected by long term radiation exposure.

Brief Description of the Drawings: Fig. 1 A cross section of a luxury passenger automobile employs the embodiment of the invention. Fig. 2 A top view of a convertible top automobile employs the embodiment of the invention. Fig 3 An oblique cross section of a passenger van or station wagon employs the invention embodiment. Fig. 4 A rear view of a front seat shows the collapsible hand grip and detached seat protector. Fig. 5 A front view of a rear bench seat shows the detachable seat protector attached by a Velcro* fastener. Multifarious is meant to mean varied or diverse as different from monochromatic or plain.

Suitable upholstery materials include high quality velour, velvet, corduroy, brocade, damask, etc., weatherproofed or protected against staining. In addition to the plaid or herringbone patterns currently used for automobile set covering and door panels, the present invention includes, but is not limited to: floral, geometric, abstract, stripes, pindot, southwestern, etc., and features coordinating and complimentary headliner, door panels and welting. Carpeting which color coordinates with the upholstery comprises durable, high quality, longwearing, soil resistant fabrics which are able to withstand extreme temperatures as well as moisture and dryness. As an option, in heavy wear areas an extra tight weave removable padding can protect against damage from wet and dirty footwear by the use of Velcro* fasteners.

Surface panels resistant to radiation exposure can comprise burl or wooα paneling. Previously, such surface panels have been designated primarily for vertical surfaces. It is a feature of the present invention to use these panels on any surface exposed to radiation through window areas. In addition for the case in which the motor vehicle is a convertible with a collapsible top, it is a desired mode for the convertible vehicle to employ a burl or wood paneling cover over the collapsible top, to give a streamlined shape for driving with the top down. In the case where the motor vehicle is a station wagon or passenger van, these burl or wood paneling surfaces will likewise be used on modules and tables which will be identical to or coordinate with burl or wood paneling surfaces on the floor and under the front windshield.

Trim and support handles are preferably a combination of metal such as brass and burl or wood grain. Behind the front seat the support handles can be hinged to collapse when not in use so as not to interfere with passenger comfort. Additional features for a passenger van in addition to the aforementioned would be the incorporation of matching and/or color coordinating window treatment such as curtains, drapes, shades or blinds in other than solid monochromatic color schemes now in use. Further, a detachable flap of fabric could be used to ser as a safeguard to the fabric and to enhance and/or alternate t appearance. Sun damage could be minimized as well as providin a flap which could be removed from the motor vehicle for clean This flap could be conveniently attached with a Velcro* fasten In addition, since the color scheme will no longer be mono¬ chromatic, it will be possible to substitute entirely differen color or texture headrest flaps, if for example, it was desire to have a sheepskin material during the winter and a tropical pattern during the summer. Extra sample size pieces could be included to allow for repairs in the event of tears, cigarette burns, etc. ^■

For passengers in the rear seats of a passenger vehicle, one or more video monitor(s) can be provided for viewing TV, telecommunications, computing or graphic display. During the manu acturing process interconnection means would be provided between the video monitor and a receiving/computing means to be located in the trunk. Optionally, a multipurpose transceiving antenna could be incorporated in this installation. Detailed Description of the Drawings:

Fig. 1 This cross section illustrates how the concept of the invention avoids the conventional monochromatic and ordinary appearance interior with contemporary placement of fabrics and paneling. As shown the seats (1) and side panels (2) have a multicolor floral pattern such that the interior is decorated more like a living room than just a transport vehicle. A surface (3) which is normally exposed to sunlight through the windows behind the rear passenger seat is covered with a burl or wood paneling. Brass handles (4) are available for grasping when entering or exiting the vehicle. As shown a rearward video monitor (5) is attached to a vertical surface and is internally connected to a receiver/computor (6) . Fig. 2 In an alternate mode of the invention the top view of a convertible automobile with the top down illustrates how decorator touches can be utilized with conventional available materials. The seats (1) are covered with durable material fabrics and the convertible top is stored under a burl panel (3 which matches the panel (3) under the front windshield. Floor mats (7) color coordinate with the seats. A protective fabric is attached by Velcro* fasteners on the seats (1). Fig. 3 The cutaway view of a passenger van illustrates the utility of using paneling as an alternative to carpeting on surfaces exposed to sunlight and where seats must be removed fo cargo transport. The seats (1) have a classic country pattern complimentary to the wood grained floor (9). The module (10) between the front seats comprises the same material as the floo which in this case is simulated hardwood. A table (11) of matching hardwood can be removed along with the rear seats for cargo transport.

Fig. 4 A rear view of a front seat (1) shows a handle (4) which can be folded or collapsed when not in use and a seat protector (8) where the dotted lines indicate how a fastening means is provided so that it is possible to remove it for cleaning.

Fig. 5 A side view of a rear bench seat (1) shows how the seat protector (8) can be removed or replaced.

The invention has industrial applicability in the field of motor vehicle manufacture and is suitable for vehicles intended for passenger and/or cargo transport. The following examples illustrate the practice of the invention. EXAMPLE 1

The process of design and manufacture of a four door luxury sedan with a trunk and ledge behind the rear seat involves the steps:

(1) providing a means for interconnections between at least one rearward video monitor attached to a vertical surface and a receiver/computer in a trunk;

(2) providing a panel surface on the ledge behind the rear seat:

(3) providing identical multicolored fabric for seats, side panels and trunk interior: and

(4) providing gripping means on the rear of the front seats and/or vertical surfaces adjacent to the rear doors.

As a result of practicing this procedure, it is possible to produce a sedan essentially as illustrated in Fig. 1.

EXAMPLE 2

The process of design and manufacture of a two door convertible automobile suitable for seating of two adults in the rear seat involves the steps:

(1) providing a storage means for a collapsible top with a wood grain or burl top surface resistant to radiation exposure;

(2) providing a surface area under the front windshield to match the surface covering the convertible top; and

(3) providing radiation and weather resistant seat fabric and carpeting in patterns and geometric multicolor arrangements,

As a result of providing this process, it is possible to produce a convertible auto essentially as illustrated in Fig. 2, EXAMPLE 3

The process of design and manufacture of a station wagon and/or passenger van includes the steps:

(1) providing a radiation resistant surface covering with a simulated wood grain as a replacement for conventional carpeting;

(2) providing a wood grain covering matching the surface covering on areas exposed to sunlight through windows; and

(3) providing wear resistant seat covering color coordinated with the wood grain.

As a result of practicing the procedure, it is_. possible to provide a station wagon or passenger van with improved customer appeal without sacrifice of utility as illustrated in Fig. 3.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A motor vehicle with upholstered seating and plastic trim for a driver and at least three passengers, characterized in that the upholstered seating is multitextured or multicolored and the surfaces exposed to sunlight through front and rear windows are covered with radiation burl or wood grained material

2. The motor vehicle of Claim 1, further characterized in that the motor vehicle is a four door sedan with a trunk and is equipped with metal handles for entrance and exit of passengers.

3. The motor vehicle of Claim 2, further characterized in that the rear passenger area provides a video monitor interconnected internally with a receiver/computer in the trunk.

4. The motor vehicle of Claim 1, further characterized in that the motor vehicle is a convertible where a folded convertible top is stored under a burl or wood grain covering identical to the surface covering behind the front windshield.

5. The motor vehicle of Claim 4, further characterized in that seats and floor surface comprise at least two coordinated colors.

6. The motor vehicle of Claim 1, further characterized in that the motor vehicle is a station wagon or passenger van with floor surface covering simulating wood.

7. The motor vehicle of Claim 1, further characterized in that the horizontal and vertical surfaces in the passenger and trunk areas have identical patterns.

8. A process of design and manufacture of a motor vehicle, characterized in that the process involves the steps:

(1) providing identical multicolored fabric for seats and side panels, and

(2) providing radiation resistant wood grain or burl panels on surfaces exposed to sunlight through windows.

9. The process of Claim 8, further characterized in that the motor vehicle is a four door luxury sedan with a trunk and a ledge behind the rear seat with the additional steps:

(3) providing a means for interconnection between at least one rearward video monitor attached to a vertical surface and an internal interconnection means with a means for video supply located within the trunk space, and

(4) installing the same matching multicolor fabric on seats, side panels and trunk space.

10. The process of Claim 9, further characterized in that gripping means are provided for passenger entrance and exit on the rear of the front seats.

11. The process of Claim 8, further characterized in that the motor vehicle is a two door convertible automobile seating two adults in the rear seats with the steps:

(3) providing a storage means for a collapsible convertible top with a wood grain or burl surface resistant to radiation exposure which gives a streamlined shape to the automobile;

(4) providing an identical wood grain or burl radiation resistant surface under the front windshield; and

(5) providing radiation and weather resistant seat fabric and carpeting in patterns and geometric multicolor arrangements.

12. The process of Claim 8, further characterized in that the motor vehicle is a station wagon or passenger van with the additional steps:

(3) providing a radiation resistant surface covering with a simulated wood grain as a replacement for carpeting, and

(4) providing a matching radiation resistant surface under the front windshield.

13. The process of Claim 8, further characterized in that detachable fabric panels removable for cleaning are placed on both front and rear seats.

14. The process of Claim 8, further characterized in that detachable floor panels removable for cleaning are placed on the floor in heavy traffic areas.