EP1480850A1

EP1480850A1 - Multifunctional vehicle seat

Info

Publication number: EP1480850A1
Application number: EP03708755A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paula Segura
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-11
Filing date: 2003-02-10
Publication date: 2004-12-01
Also published as: AU2003212728A1; WO2003068555A1; SE0200388D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multifunctional vehicle seat (2, 44), preferably intended for a motor vehicle comprising a cushion (5) and a backrest (6), in that the vehicle seat comprises an additional unfoldable seat (4, 40), primarily intended for children, recessed in the backrest (6).

Description

MULTIFUNCTIONAL VEHICLE SEAT Technical field

The present invention relates to a multifunctional vehicle seat with a cushion and a backrest, preferably intended for a motor vehicle

Background art Over the years, safety demands made on all types of vehicles, but especially motor vehicles, have increased gradually. Today, especially high safety demands are placed on the design and safety performance of the vehicle seat so that this can withstand a forceful collision. This increased safety consciousness has, among other things, also brought with it demands for child seating positions in all kind of vehicles such as trains, airplanes, buses or cars.

In the baby's development nothing is more central than the place to sleep. In the older child stage, disparity in adult scale produces several conflicts of adaption. On trains or airplanes for instance, babies travel on parents lap or in an extra car seat or cradle, which is not safety in case of a collision. Nor is it comfortable for children, or even short persons, to travel in seats of ordinary adult size. A so called infant carrier is usually used for newborn when travelling in cars. There are also different child seats which in rearward-facing option can be used for infants up to about two years age, and further on used in forward-facing option up to an age of about six years. For younger children up to older children (about ten years) there is also common to use a so called booster seat. The use of external seats implies extra weight in the luggage and it takes extra space in the vehicle.

One important factor to reduce costs is the utilization of space in vehicles, as for instance in trains. How well the interior space is utilized has a big impact on the cost of running trains. A more compact train with 10% better space utilization can save 4.5 % on the costs in lower ticket prices.

US-A-5,205,608 discloses a child seat foldable from within seat back having extension control mechanism. The child seat has a squab which overall size in operative position is greater than the size when in an initial, unfolded position.

Summary of the disclosed invention

It would thus be desirable to be able to provide a vehicle seat that eliminates disadvantages according to the prior art. One object with the present invention is to achieve a multifunctional vehicle seat. One further object is to provide a vehicle seat which increases the comfort of every age group of passengers. Moreover, one object is to provide a multifunctional vehicle seat which efficiently utilizes the limited space in vehicles. A further object is to provide for a neater construction, which can be completely recessed and hidden in the vehicle seat when functioning as a usual vehicle seat for adults. Yet a further object is to provide for a multifunctional vehicle seat that is cost efficient and cheaper than conventional designs.

The solution is achieved by a vehicle seat with the characteristics stated in claim 1. More specifically, claim 1 according to the present invention relates to a multifunctional vehicle seat, preferably intended for a motor vehicle comprising a cushion and a backrest, in that the vehicle seat comprises an additional unfoldable seat primarily intended for children, the vehicle seat comprises a seat mechanism which is arranged to the additional seat, said seat mechanism serves for the unfolding and folding of the additional seat. The additional seat comprises a back support and a cushion support. The additional seat further comprises an inner support, which is connected to the back support, whereby a rear surface of the back support and the inner support forms a cradle, when the back support is folded in the direction against the cushion of the vehicle seat.

One advantage with this solution is that space utilization of the adult seat is optimised, making the seat multifunctional, resulting in a more efficient use of coach space and thus increasing the comfort of every age group of passengers. Yet a further advantage is that the additional unfoldable, convertible child seat can be completely recessed and hidden in the adult seat.

Brief description of the drawings

Embodiments of the present invention are described below, with reference to the attached drawings, without restricting the scope of the present invention thereto. It is the attached claim 1 that defines the scope of protection of the present invention.

Fig. 1A shows in a perspective front view a vehicle seat as an adult seat, an additional seat being folded in the backrest of the vehicle seat. Fig. IB shows in a perspective front view the vehicle seat in fig.lA with the additional seat unfolded as a child seat.

Fig. 1C shows in a perspective front view the vehicle seat in figs. 1 A and IB with the additional seat unfolded to a cradle. Fig. 2A schematically illustrates in a side view a seat mechanism for folding and unfolding the additional seat, the additional seat here being folded in the backrest.

Fig. 2B schematically illustrates in a side view the seat mechanism in fig. 2A for folding and unfolding the additional seat, the additional seat here being unfolded to a child seat.

Fig. 2C schematically illustrates in a side view the seat mechanism in fig. 2A and 2B for folding and unfolding the additional seat, the additional seat here being unfolded to a cradle.

Fig. 3A illustrates schematically the seat mechanism according to one embodiment.

Fig. 3B illustrates schematically in an enlarged view from fig. 3 A a detail of the seat mechanism.

Fig. 3C illustrates schematically in an enlarged view from fig. 3 A a detail of the seat mechanism.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Fig. IB shows a vehicle seat 2 with an additional seat 4 unfolded as a child seat.

The multifunctional vehicle seat 2 comprises a cushion 5 and a backrest 6. The additional child seat is used primarily for children, but can be also be utilized for short persons (adults). As evident from fig. IB, the additional seat is protruding in front of the vehicle seat for adults, so that the additional seat 4 appears to be placed on the ordinary adult seat 2. A back support

10 of the additional seat is arranged in an up-right position, providing a backrest for a child. A cushion support 20 of the additional seat is unfolded so as to provide for a cushion seat for the child. As evident in fig. 1A, the adult seat 2 is shown in a position where the additional seat 4 has been folded in the backrest 6 of the adult seat. The folding/unfolding movement is realized by the aid of a seat mechanism (not shown) arranged to the backrest of the vehicle seat and to the additional seat. The additional seat is completely recessed in the backrest 6 of the adult seat, resulting in a substantially even surface of the backrest. Hence, a full-grown adult can in this position utilize the seat. Moreover, as shown in Fig. 1C, the additional seat 4 can further be converted to a cradle 8 for babies/infants/newborn. This is done by unfolding the additional seat 4 as shown in fig. 1C, and additionally by toning down the back support

10 of the additional seat to bear against a cushion seat 20 of the additional seat. Hence, an infant can be laid down on the rear surface 14 of the down folded back support 10, which thus forms a cradle/infant seat 8. The legs of the infant are supported by the inner support 12. The inner support 12 is connected to the back support 10, whereby a rear surface 14 of the down folded back support 10 and the inner support 12 forms the space for an infant, i.e. a cradle 8. The inner support 12 and the rear surface 14 of the back support 10 are provided with borders 16, 18 on each side in order to minimise the risk for an infant to fall out of from the cradle. The cradle 8 is provided with a harness.

Fig. 2A-C schematically illustrates in an embodiment a seat mechanism 42 for folding and unfolding an additional seat 40 (in principle similar to the additional seat in fig. 1). Fig. 2A shows the additional seat 40 in the position when folded in the backrest. The additional seat is arranged to a backrest of a vehicle seat 44 (in principle similar to the vehicle seat 2 in fig. 1) at a first pivot 50 with at least one connection bar 52. Fig. 2B shows the additional seat 40 unfolded to a child seat. Fig. 2C shows the additional seat unfolded to a cradle. The cushion support 56 and the inner support 58 are arranged to a crossbar (not shown; perpendicular to the paper) at a second pivot 60. Also the back support 54 is via bars 53 arranged at the second pivot 60. The supports 54-58 can perform a rotational movement around the second pivot 60. A rear part 55 of the inner support 58 is arranged to an upper part of a sliding element 61 in a third pivot 62, the sliding element 61, which also can be called bogie, being positioned in the backrest of the vehicle seat 44. The sliding element 61 is arranged to slide up and down in the interior of the vehicle seat 44, when the additional seat is unfolded folded. A lower part of the sliding element 61 is arranged in a forth pivot 64 to a right bar 66 and a left bar (not shown) respectively on each side of the additional seat 40. The right and left bars 66 are arranged substantially in parallel to the longitudinal extension of the inner support 58. A front part 57 of the right and left bars 66 are arranged at the second pivot 60. The front part 59 of the inner support 58 is further connected to the bars 53, i.e. a right front bar and a left front bar (not shown), in a fifth pivot 72. Each front bar is further arranged to the second pivot 60.

Fig. 3A-C shows the seat mechanism according to one embodiment for folding and unfolding the additional seat in from the vehicle seat (the seats substantially corresponding to the embodiments as shown in figs. 1-2). In fig 3 A, the seat mechanism 90 is shown in unfolded position, the additional seat being in the position as a child seat or a cradle (cf. figs IB and IC). With reference to fig. 3 A, a first guide 100 and a second guide 102, both being arranged substantially vertical, are fixed in the vehicle seat backrest structure. A bogie 104 is slidable arranged on its right and left edges into tracks 106, 108 formed in the guides 100, 102. Hence, the bogie 104 is free to slide in vertical direction along the guides 100, 102. Supporting bars 110-113 are rotatable connected at their inner ends to the bogie 104 at joints 114-117. The supporting bars 110-113 are arranged in parallel to each other. The outer ends of the supporting bars 110-113 are rotatable connected to a substantially vertically arranged plate 118, extending essentially in parallel to the bogie 104. A supporting plate 120, serving as a base for the cradle (see figs IC and 2C), is supported by the two upper placed supporting arms 110, 111. A horizontal axle 124 is arranged at a back surface 122 of the cradle supporting plate 120, transverse to the supporting bars 110-113. A horizontal axle 124 is arranged in between the ends of the supporting bars, and at a distance from the outer ends of the supporting bars 110-113. A guiding bar 125 is rotatable arranged via a pivot member 127 at the horizontal axle 124. At the outer ends of the supporting arms 110-111, at the upper edge of the substantially vertically arranged plate 118, there is arranged a substantially horizontal transverse bar 126, in parallel to the horizontal axle 124. As further evident from fig. 3 A, a back support 128 (indicated by phantom lines in fig. 3 A) and a cushion support 130 of the additional seat are both rotatable arranged to the transverse bar 126.

In operation, with reference to fig. 3 A, when the additional seat is unfolded from the recessed position in the vehicle seat, the edges of the bogie 104 is sliding in vertical direction downwards in the tracks 106, 108 formed in the guides 100, 102. At the same time, the supporting bars 110-113 are rotated at the joints 114-117 from being substantially vertically arranged and recessed in the backrest of the vehicle seat to being unfolded to a position were they are obliquely arranged, protruding from the backrest. In the unfolded position as shown in fig. 3 A, the back support 128 of the additional seat is turned down towards the cushion support 130, whereby a cradle for a baby is formed by the cradle supporting plate 120 and the rear surface of back support 128. However, if the back support 128 is turned in the other direction against the vehicle seat 2 (cf. fig. IB), a children seat is formed by the cushion support 130 and the back support 128. Fig. 3B shows the guiding bar 125, which lower part is arranged to a guide

(fixed into the vehicle seat structure 2, see fig. 1). The guiding bar 125 is threaded in the end and arranged to a guide member 132, having a U-formed shape, with a nut 134. The efficient length of the vertical bar 125 can be adjusted by the nut. The guide member is at its flanges 135, 136 rotatable arranged to a U-shaped member 138, which is fixed to the vehicle seat structure 2. In operation, the guiding bar 125 and the guide member 132 will perform a rotational movement when the seat mechanism is folded and unfolded.

Fig. 3C shows that the upper part of the guiding bar 125 arranged to a short piece of tubing 140, preferably a piece made of Teflon^®, surrounding the guiding bar 125 and which piece is connected to one end of a short rod 142. The opposite end of the short rod 142 stiffly fixed to the transverse bar 126. The tubing 140 is slidably arranged along the guiding bar 125. When the seat mechanism is folded or unfolded, the guiding bar 125 will slide inside the tubing 140.

It is possible to provide the additional seat with locking means to fix the seat in the various positions as shown above in figs. 1-3, which can be provided by locking means well known for the person skilled in the art.

The seat mechanism according to the present invention as described in the above embodiments, may in its most general performance comprise of elongated, extended members such as bars, rods, axles, plates or the like, which in one end, respectively, are arranged in at least one pivot, respectively, at the backrest of the vehicle seat where the other end is arranged in at least one pivot, respectively, to the additional seat. Hence, the extended members are allowed to carry out a rotational movement around the pivots when the additional seat is unfolded or folded.

Claims

1. A multifunctional vehicle seat (2, 44), preferably intended for a motor vehicle, comprising a cushion (5) and a backrest (6), the vehicle seat comprises an additional unfoldable seat (4, 40) primarily intended for children, the vehicle seat comprises a seat mechanism (42, 90) which is arranged to the additional seat, said seat mechanism serves for the unfolding and folding of the additional seat, the additional seat comprises a back support (10, 54, 128) and a cushion support (20, 56, 130), characterised in that the additional seat further comprises an inner support (12, 58, 120), which is connected to the back support (10, 54, 128), whereby a rear surface (14) of the back support (10) and the inner support (12) forms a cradle (8), when the back support is folded in the direction against the cushion (5) of the vehicle seat (2, 44).

2. A multifunctional vehicle seat according to claim 1, characterised in that the additional seat is recessed in the backrest (6) of the vehicle seat (2, 44).

3. A multifunctional vehicle seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the additional seat (4, 40) is protruded when unfolded, so that a rear surface (14) of the back support (10, 54, 128) is arranged in front of the backrest (6) of the vehicle seat (2, 44).

4. A multifunctional vehicle seat according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that seat mechanism comprise of elongated, extended members, such as bars, rods, axles, plates or the like, which in one end are arranged in at least one pivot (62, 64; 114-117) at the backrest of the vehicle seat where the other end is arranged in at least one pivot (60, 72) to the additional seat (4, 40), such that the extended members are allowed to carry out a rotational movement around the pivots when the additional seat is unfolded or folded.

5. A multifunctional vehicle seat according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the additional seat is arranged to the backrest of the vehicle seat (44) at a first pivot (50) with at least one connection bar (52).

6. A multifunctional vehicle seat according to claim 5, characterised in that the back support (54), the cushion support (56) and the inner support (58) are arranged to a crossbar at a second pivot (60), around which the supports (54-58) can perform a rotational movement.

7. A multifunctional vehicle seat according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the seat mechanism comprises a bogie (61, 104) slidably arranged in the backrest (6) of the vehicle seat (2, 44).