EP1794024A1

EP1794024A1 - Restraint system for sleeping coaches

Info

Publication number: EP1794024A1
Application number: EP05784229A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Thura Pedersen
Original assignee: V Brondum AS
Current assignee: V Brondum AS
Priority date: 2004-09-21
Filing date: 2005-09-21
Publication date: 2007-06-13
Also published as: WO2006032280A1; DK200401431A; DK176322B1

Abstract

A retainer 1 for seats and couchettes in coaches, and which are made as a frame construction 3 which is anchored to the coach floor 4. Retainer 1 is constituted by one of the seats 19 independently and thereby by itself and securely anchored frame construction 3 for use at seats and couchettes 21, 22 in coaches. The frame construction 3 includes two A-shaped gables, which are anchored at the bottom to each their longitudinal rail 11, and which are joined 26 at the top, particularly joined by welding. The A-shaped gables are interconnected with at least one cross member 30. Hereby is achieved an independent and securely anchored retainer (1) for use in connection with seats and couchettes 21, 22 in a coach, serving as fixed anchoring point for retaining means such as safety belts 17 for sitting or lying passengers. The construction may transfer the required forces according to current legislation from an elevated couchette 22 and to the already approved fastening or securing elements 10 in the wall and floor 4 of the coach.

Description

RESTRAINT SYSTEM FOR SLEEPING COACHES

The present invention concerns an independent and securely anchored retainer for use in connection with seats and couchettes in coaches.

Field of the Invention

With regard to fastening while driving, persons in vehicles are subject to rules that are closely related to the traffic rules and associated legislation of each country. Laws, or similar rules, often result in very simple and operational rules, as e.g. the fact that safety belts are to be used in a car. These simple and operational rules are primarily for protecting the individual passenger, secondly for protecting other passengers and thirdly for avoiding inadvertent changes of the properties of the vehicle. Collision is particularly in view in connection with inadvertent change of the properties of the vehicle. By collision or emergency braking, a weight displacement of 30 to 80 persons that jointly constitute more than 10% of the weight of a coach, may cause substantial changes in manoeuvring or braking properties.

The operational rules are made so that driver in the coach can inform that all passengers in the coach are to fastened during the driving. Likewise, the operational rules are an aid for the authorities, which in connection with approval may require one fastening or retaining means per person, and so that this may be enforced ^"by the traffic police.

In different types of vehicles there are different requirements to fastening of driver and the passengers. This may be motivated by legislation. Also, there are different rules for fastening or retention required during driving for sitting and lying passengers. Some of these rules are changed before the next approving of the vehicle and are only put into effect in connection with the next approval. Other of these changes irx the rules are to be put into force before the next use of the vehicle. Altogether, this is a special and not simple area in connection with international driving with long-distance coaches arranged with permanent berths or chairs which can be converted into coixchettes.

For the sake of simplicity, in the following the term "a coach" is used for any vehicle such as a travel coach, tourist coach, lying coach, sleeper coach, cabin coach, bed coach, hotel coach, long-distance coach, double-decker coach and similar vehicle with a number of seats or resting seats or berths. Related vehicles, such as cars, motor caravans, vehicles for the disabled and MPVs (Multi Purpose Vehicle) or cars licensed as taxis are not relevant, as there are often different and varying rules for these vehicles. For passenger seats, seating or seats in the coach, the generic term chairs is used. For berths, couchettes, bunks, beds and similar resting surfaces, the generic term couchette is used.

In connection with securing chairs and safety belts in coaches, there is the following standard EWG/76/115 (96/38). Regarding testing of retainers for couchettes, i.a. under maximum load, reference is made to StVZO §35i. The approval criteria for lying passengers, including test method, is also described in St VO §35i and the corresponding for sitting passengers is described in 74/408 with the title "The anchoring and resistibility of seats" and 77/541 with the title "Safety belts and fastening or retaining means". These and similar standards are updated concurrently and are only mentioned here as background information.

Background of the Invention

Some types of buses are arranged with one or more seats which may be converted into couchettes, or they are arranged with permanent couchettes. The couchettes thereby established may often not be immediately supplemented with a retainer for securing the lying passenger, as well as the design of the chairs often make difficult the fastening of the sitting passenger with other means than a traditional lap belt.

From the description of DE 36 18 826, corresponding to EP 0 248 373, is known a coach with chairs where the coach has a number of compartments disposed at each side of a centre aisle. In each compartment, which is delimited by two partitionings, there is provided two times two chairs facing each other. These chairs may be converted from a sitting position to a resting or lying position. The compartments in the coach are divided by fixed partitionings which are an integrated part of the chair construction. These partitionings are provided transversely to the direction of driving of the coach and extend from the floor to the ceiling. If these chairs are used as equipment in compartments, the equipment cannot immediately be changed to a configuration where e.g. all chairs face in the direction of driving of the coach.

Object of the Invention

The object of the invention is to indicate an independent and securely anchored retainer for use in connection with seats and couchettes in a coach, and which serve as a fixed anchoring point for retainers for sitting or lying passengers, and where the coach may be changed from seats in sitting position into chairs in resting or lying position or may be provided with permanent couchettes. The individual chairs or couchettes do not necessarily have the same, fixed position in the bus, and are secured thereto by fastening elements incorporated in the floor and normally walls of the bus, and which thereby will absorb all, or part of, the forces which the sitting or lying passenger is subjected to in connection with inadvertent manoeuvring of the coach. Yet an object of the invention is to indicate a construction that may transfer the required forces according to current legislation from an elevated couchette and to the already approved fastening or securing elements in the wall and floor of the bus.

Description of the Invention

According to the invention, the retainer for seats and couchettes in buses is made as a frame construction which is anchored to the floor of the bus, and that retaining means at couchettes in upper and lower position are secured to the retainer. Persons using retainers at couchettes in upper and lower positions may transmit forces arising in connection with inadvertent manoeuvres of the coach to a structural element which according to legislation is to withstand such extreme forces or loads.

The frame construction may be designed as an A-frame which may either be made of tubing or made solid.

By using belts for fixing a person at the couchette and fixing such belts at upper and lower positions for couchettes, it becomes possible to retain a person at an upper couchette as well as by a lower couchette, hi practice, it has greatest significance by an upper couchette where hitherto it has been very difficult to retain a person. This is now possible, as the forces occurring by collision, rolling over or similar, which may try to displace a person on the couchette, will now be absorbed via a couchette belt or similar retaining means. By the fixing of such retaining means to the frame structure, the forces are transmitted in a simple way to the floor of the coach. It is thus important to note, that according to the invention there is provided a point of securing for the retaining means for the upper couchette.

The retaining means used for the person may be automatic belts known from traditional safety belts. This enables the person to move on the couchette, but at the same time ensures that the person is retained by sudden movements.

Cross members may be provided in the frame construction which are detachably mounted on the side gables in the frame construction. The frame construction itself may thus be mounted inside the coach, facilitating insertion of the individual parts through a normal coach door. Hereby the coach may readily be rearranged between different applications. A coach may thus be rearranged from sleeper coach into normal seating coach with more seats in the coach.

An embodiment of retainer is peculiar in that the frame construction is anchored close to the centre aisle of the coach and close to the side window of the coach. It is in these areas where the fastening elements are built into the coach.

According to the invention, the retainer may furthermore be anchored to at least one fastening member, such as a rail which is secured in the floor of the coach. These rails are already approved as fastening members which can resist extreme standardised loads.

It has appeared appropriate that the anchoring of the retainer is effected in fastening members, such as two rails, which are secured in the floor of the coach close to the centre aisle and secured to an elevation close to the window of the coach. This is the normal disposition of these fastening members. According to the invention, retaining means such as safety belts or retaining means at couchettes may be fastened to the retainer. Safety belts is the present standard for fastening persons in vehicles.

By the retainer being constituted by one of the seats independently and thereby by itself and securely anchored frame construction for use at seats and couchettes in coaches, where the frame construction includes two A-shaped gables which are anchored at the bottom to each their longitudinal rail, and which are joined at the top, particularly joined by welding, and where the A-shaped gables are interconnected with at least one cross member, there is achieved an independent and firmly anchored retainer in coaches, and to which safety belts for sitting or lying passengers can be fastened. Furthermore, the coach may be changed from chairs in sitting position into chairs in resting or lying position, or may be provided with permanent couchettes, wiiere the individual chairs or couchettes do not necessarily have the same, fixed position in the coach, and are secured thereto by fastening members incorporated in trie floor and normally walls of the coach, and which thereby will absorb all, or part of, the forces which the sitting or lying passenger is subjected to in connection with inadvertent manoeuvring of the coach.

It has appeared suitable, that the retainer is using two cross members, where each cross member is disposed at a level above the couchettes corresponding to the level of the centre of gravity of a lying person, which level is from 0 mm to 400, particularly from 200 to 300 mm, preferably about 250 mm. The retainer may thereby transmit the intended forces to the floor of the coach by collision.

Description of the drawing.

The invention is described below with reference to the drawing, where:

Fig. 1 shows a retainer in the shape of an A-shaped gable between chairs in a coach; Fig. 2 shows the same as in Fig. 1, where the chairs are folded up as couchettes; Fig. 3 shows a second embodiment of frame;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a slightly modified embodiment of a retainer in the form of a frame construction with A-shaped gables; Fig. 5 shows a schematic side view of a coach which is arranged with retainers according to the invention and shown with chairs disposed in sitting position; and

Fig. 6 shows a schematic view corresponding to Fig. 5, but with the chairs shown in an upper and a lower lying position.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The retainer 1 on Fig. 3 for use in sitting or sleeper coaches, jointly termed coaches, is made as a frame 3 with two A-shaped gables 24, 25, where the gable 24 closest to the centre aisle 6 (see Fig. 2) is normally the largest, and anchored 5 in a rail 11 secured in the floor 4 of the coach. The gable 25 disposed closest to the side window 8 of the coach, is normally slightly smaller. This small gable 25 is normally anchored in an elevation 14 projecting from the wall of the coach (see Fig. 1), a rail or similar fastening arrangement, which is in the wall or the floor close to it. hi the latter case - by securing in the floor 4 - the two gables 24, 25 may have the same size and be designed in the same way.

The A-gables 24, 25 (see Fig. 3) are here built up of steel and are here joined 26 by welding. The two A-gables 24, 25 are mutually connected with at least one normally not welded or in other ways permanently fastened, almost horizontal cross member 28, 29. In the ShO¹Wn embodiments, there is either one (see Fig. 2) or two cross members 28, 29, 30, 31 (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 3) which together constitute a vertical or upright retainer 1. The cross members 30, 31 are thus each disposed corresponding to about 250 mm above the resting surfaces 22 when the chairs are in the lying position. Actually, the two cross members 30, 31 may be disposed so that each cross member is disposed at a level above the couchettes corresponding to the level of the centre of gravity of a lying person, which level is from 0 mm to 400, particularly from 200 to 300 mm, preferably about 250 mm. If the cross member is disposed at the level 0 mm it will require a special belt arrangement to retain the person on the couchette. The reason why the sections are termed A-shaped gables 24, 25 here in the text is that they consist of two uprights 41, 42 that meet at the top 43, and which in the other or lower end 44, 45 meet the floor 4 at a mutual distance. At the floor, there are reinforcements crosswise 46 and optionally lengthwise, hi this connection, lengthwise is close to the usual direction of driving, and crosswise is approximately perpendicularly to the direction of driving. The reinforcement close to the floor includes the mounting fittings 47 that fit with the rail or similar fastening arrangement 10 which is provided in the floor 4 of the coach.

The A-gables 24, 25 may furthermore be connected with at least one or normally two cross members 28, 29, 30, 31 that each are disposed at such a level above permanent couchettes 22, or the resting faces of the chairs when the chairs are in lying position, that these may serve as anchoring for other kinds of retaining means which ensure that lying persons in the coach do not move unnecessarily in case of collision, rolling over or braking.

The retainer 1 will normally be a substantial part of the elements transmitting forces to the coach through the floor 4. This means that safety belts 17 in all or some fastening points may be anchored in the retainer 1. These safety belts 17 may include lap belts, three-point seat belts, H-belts or other kinds of belts or retaining means which are used primarily when the chairs are in sitting position 21. When the chairs are in lying position 22, or when the retainer 1 is used in connection with permanent couchettes, at present there is no standard for safety belts. However, retaining means ensuring that sleeping persons do not move unnecessarily in case of collision or braking may be envisaged. The latter retaining means will thus also have to be fastened to the retainer 1.

The retainer 1 shown in Fig. 4 includes a frame 3¹. The frame is formed by two A- shaped gables 24', 25', where it appears that the gable 24', which is intended to be closest to the centre aisle 6, is the largest. It appears that here is provided transverse reinforcements 46' in longitudinal direction of the frame (transversely of the direction of driving). There is provided fittings 47' for the rail and fastening arrangement 10 in the floor of the coach. The frame 3' includes an upper cross member 29' and a lower cross member 28' which are provided between two transverse plates 48' in each of the side gables 24', 25'. The side gables 48' have rounded ends so that the ends curve outwards at the fastening to the tubing 49' of the side gables. On the lower cross member 28' there is provided retaining means 50, and corresponding retaining means 50 are provided at the upper cross member 29'. The retaining means 50 are provided at positions corresponding to the surface of a lower and upper couchette when the coach is arranged with the seats for lying position. The positions are furthermore disposed straight in front of each of two juxtaposed couchettes in the upper and lower position. By arrows 51 there is illustrated belts lying flat on the surface of the couchette, and which are intended to be fastened to corresponding points at the succeeding frame in a corresponding retaining means. It may be means known from automatic belts, where the means 50 corresponds to the belt winding device, and where the belts 50 at the other end are fastened to a fitting which is well-known by itself for fastening automatic belts, as they are known from cars. To the belts 51, additional belts may be fastened which are primarily based on retaining the user at the hip area, which is the strongest part of the body. Such belts for fixing the hip may be combined with other belts which fix the upper part of the body and possibly the legs of the lying person to the belt 51. Alternatively, the belt may be provided with a greater enveloping, e.g. a sleeping-bag-like envelope in which a person may be situated. Due to the belt 51, the person will thus be secured to the upper and lower couchettes in case of collision and rolling over.

At the top of frame 3', the tubes 49' are open upwards so that optionally there may be fastened a plate thereto which extends to a position over the couchettes so that these plates have a height at least corresponding to the level of the point of gravity of a lying person. The embodiment of the frame shown in Fig. 4 will thus differ from the embodiment shown in Figs 1-3, as here is provided retaining means at the level of the couchettes themselves.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate schematic views of a coach with the seats shown in a position as chairs in Fig. 5, and with the chairs shown in a position as couchettes in Fig. 6.

It appears that retainers 1 are provided with a chair 52 at each side so that the chairs are arranged in seat groups with two succeeding chairs disposed opposed to the direction of driving. When the seats are folded up in the position shown in Fig. 6 with upper and lower couchettes 53, 54, then such couchettes 53, 54 will be provided between succeeding frame constructions 1. Forces for retaining persons on the couchettes by collision and rolling over may hereby be absorbed in the frame construction as well at the lower couchettes 54 as well as at the upper couchettes 53.

In Fig. 6 is shown an embodiment where upon the frame 1 there is mounted an optional partitioning 55 that has such height that it at least corresponds to the height of the point of gravity of a lying person above the surface of the couchette.

By retainers according to the invention, forces required for retaining a person on a couchette will in a simple way be transmitted via the frame construction to the floor of the coach and thereby to the chassis of the coach. Thereby may be achieved a secure retention of the persons in their position, irrespectively whether they sit or lie during collision or rolling over.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may be modified by a skilled in the art within the limits of the subsequent patent claims. Airbags or similar retaining means fastened to the retainer may thus be envisaged.

Claims

1. Retainer for seats and couchettes in coaches, characterised in that it is made as a frame construction (3) which is anchored (5) to the floor (4) of the coach, and that retention means (50) at couchettes in upper and lower position are secured to the retainer (1).

2. Retainer according to claim 1, characterised in that the frame construction (3) is anchored (5) close to the centre aisle (6) of the coach and close to the side window (8) of the coach.

3. Retainer according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the anchoring (5) is effected to at least one fastening member (10), such as a rail (11), which is secured in the floor (4) of the coach.

4. Retainer according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the anchoring (5) is provided in fastening members (10), such as two rails, which are secured in the floor (4) of the coach close to the centre aisle (6) and secured to an elevation (14) close to the window of the coach.

5. Retainer according to one or more of the claims 1 or 4, characterised in that retainer means (17) furthermore may include safety belts.

6. Retainer according to one or more of claims 1 - 5, characterised in that it is constituted by one of the seats (19) independently and thereby by itself and securely anchored frame construction (3) for use at seats and couchettes (21, 22) in coaches, where the frame construction (3) includes two A-shaped gables (24, 25) which are anchored at the bottom to each their longitudinal rail (11), and which are joined (26) at the top, particularly joined by welding, and that the A-shaped gables are interconnected with at least one cross member (28, 29).

7. Retainer according to claim 6, characterised in that by using two cross members (30, 31), each cross member is disposed at a level above the couchettes corresponding to the level of the centre of gravity of a lying person, Λvhich level is from 0 mm to 400, particularly from 200 to 300 mm, preferably about 250 mm.