FR2855114A1 - Vehicle bench seat armrest, has four telescopic slides guiding armrest between retracted position and extracted position where it is arranged vertical to rear support surface that is parallel to backrest of seat - Google Patents

Abstract

The armrest has two frames of support wings mounted on an interior structure and pivoting around a longitudinal axis. A hinge integrated to the interior structure is parallel to a surface of a rear support (5). Four telescopic slides guide the armrest between a retracted position and an extracted position where it is arranged vertical to the rear support surface parallel to backrest of a bench seat. An independent claim is also included for a vehicle including a rear bench seat having an armrest.

Description

The present invention relates to an armrest for the rear bench seat of

  motor vehicle, and more particularly such an armrest movable in rotation about a transverse axis between a retracted position where it is disposed substantially vertically with a back support surface substantially at

  same level as the surfaces of the backrests of the bench seat, and a tilted position where it is arranged substantially horizontally with an armrest surface substantially parallel to, and above, the seating surfaces of the bench seat.

  We already know such tilting central armrests for rear seats. Some of these armrests form a storage volume when they are in the tilted position. It is also known to install a child seat on the central part of the rear seat of a vehicle. The seat is placed on the central seat and pressed by means of securing against the backrest, that is to say against the central armrest 20 in the retracted position if there is one. Such a seat has the drawback of then significantly reducing the width available on the seat at the shoulders of the passenger or passengers installed in the lateral seats.

  The present invention aims in particular to overcome this drawback.

  More generally, the invention aims to provide an armrest providing multiple functionalities in terms of comfort, safety and ergonomics for the rear passengers of the vehicle.

  To this end, the invention firstly relates to an armrest for the rear seat of a motor vehicle, movable in rotation about a transverse axis between a retracted position 5 where it is arranged substantially vertically with a support surface. back substantially at the same level as the surfaces of the backrests of the bench seat, and a tilted position where it is disposed substantially horizontally with an armrest surface substantially parallel to, and above the seating surfaces of the bench seat, this armrest comprising guide means capable of guiding it in substantially longitudinal translation between said retracted position and an extraction position o it is disposed substantially vertically with its back support surface 15 substantially parallel to, and in front of the surfaces of the backrests of the bench.

  By "transverse axis" means an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the vehicle. By "longitudinal translation" is meant a substantially horizontal translational movement parallel to the plane of symmetry of the vehicle.

  The arrangement according to the invention therefore makes it possible to advance the armrest while keeping it vertical and, consequently, to advance the backrest of a possible child seat supported on the back support surface of this armrest. Thus, the width available at the level of the shoulders of the passengers who remain in abutment on the surfaces of the backrests of the bench seat is only reduced by the width of the armrest and not by the presence of the child seat.

  In a particular embodiment, the armrest according to the invention comprises at least one support wing movable in rotation about a substantially longitudinal axis when the armrest is in its extraction position and substantially vertical when the armrest is in its tilted position, between a storage position o it forms at least part of the upper part of the armrest and a position of use o it has a head support surface 10 substantially parallel to the plane of symmetry of the vehicle.

  This support wing therefore provides for the rear passengers, a lateral headrest which is particularly useful when the passengers wish to sleep. In addition, the side surfaces of the armrest in the extraction position provide cushioning surfaces for the shoulders and sides of the passengers.

  More particularly, said support wing may comprise a front back-support surface substantially at the same level as the surfaces of the backrests of the bench seat when the armrest is in its retracted position.

  In this case, the front surface of the support wing forms at least part of the front part of the armrest. Said support wing is mounted on a frame arranged to form a tablet when the armrest is in its tilted position and the support wing in its position of use. This tablet can in particular have a cup holder function.

  In a particular embodiment of the invention, said guide means comprise at least one telescopic slide, one element of which is secured to a rear frame tilting around said transverse axis and of which another element is secured to an interior structure of the armrest.

  More particularly, said other element can be mounted on a U-section fitting whose base extends substantially parallel to said back support and arm support faces, said fitting being mounted on said interior structure.

  Also in a particular embodiment, the armrest according to the invention comprises a housing for the lower part of a height adjustable headrest.

  This is because certain head restraints adjustable in height, of the so-called "comma" type, have a lower part which, when lowered, overlaps forward the upper part of the seat back. The central headrest must therefore be raised in order to bring the armrest into the extraction position. Thanks to the aforementioned housing, they can then be replaced in the low position and thus not obstruct visibility to the rear.

  The housing can in particular be formed in said interior structure.

  The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising a rear bench seat having an armrest as described above.

  A particular embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the appended diagrammatic drawings in which - FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rear bench seatback provided with an armrest according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a view in longitudinal section of this bench seat with the armrest in the retracted position; - Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the armrest in the extraction position; Figure 4 is a top view of the rear seat with the armrest in use in the configuration of Figure 3 - Figure 5 is a perspective view of the seat with the armrest in the extraction position in another configuration; - Figure 6 illustrates the use of the configuration of Figure 5; - Figure 7 is a view similar to Figures 2 and 3 with the armrest in the tilted position; and FIG. 8 illustrates a use of the configuration of FIG. 7.

  We see in Figure 1 the two side cushions 1 of the backrest 5 of a rear seat of a motor vehicle. An armrest 2 according to the invention is disposed between the two cushions 1.

  The armrest is here in a vertical position corresponding either to its retracted position of non-use, or to its extraction position.

  The armrest includes an internal structure 3. This structure receives a main body 4, the front face 5 of which forms a back support surface. In its upper part, the internal structure 3 also receives an embellishment 6 in the shoulder support zone.

  Two armatures 7 of support wings generally in the form of a quarter disc are mounted on the internal structure 3, pivoting around substantially longitudinal axes. Each frame 7 receives a support wing 8 of corresponding shape.

  Furthermore, a fitting 9 with a U-section is mounted integral with the internal structure 3. The fitting 9 has its base 10 substantially parallel to the back support surface 5 and its 25 branches directed towards the front.

  A frame 11 has its rear face forming an arm support surface. The arm support surface of the frame 11 is substantially parallel to the base 10 of the fitting 9 and to the back support surface 5 and is therefore here substantially vertical.

  We see in Figures 2 and 7 that the entire armrest between the back support surface 5 and the frame 11 is pivotally mounted about an axis 12 relative to the structure 13 of the seat back .

  It can also be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 that the armrest sub-assembly comprised between the back support surface 5 and the fitting 9, including the internal structure of the armrest, is movable in longitudinal translation thanks to guide means comprising for example four telescopic slides 14, here in three elements. Each of these slides has a rear element 15 secured to the structure 11 and a front element 16 mounted on the fitting 9. 15 The central part of the bench seat finally comprises a lower trim element 17 to make the connection between the central part 18 of the seat of the bench and the bottom of the main body 4, and an upper trim element 19 disposed 20 at the top of the backrest structure 13.

  Finally, a “comma” type headrest 20 is mounted in known manner on pins 21 arranged to slide vertically relative to the structure 13. FIG. 2 illustrates the case where the armrest 2 is not in use .

  To come to the extraction position shown in FIG. 3, we first lift the headrest 20 to release the top of the armrest, then pull the armrest forward which is guided in translation by the slides 14.

  In this movement, the frame 11 remains fixed. It is then possible optionally to lower the headrest, the hubcap 6 of the interior structure 3 delimiting a housing 22 for the lower part 23 of the headrest.

  It can be seen in FIG. 4 that one can then place a child seat 24 on the central seat 18 of the bench seat and press it against the backrest surface 5 of the armrest 2. Due to the advancement of this surface 5 relative to the back support surfaces 25 of the lateral locations, the width at the shoulders of the lateral passengers is greater due to the spacing of the child seat relative to the surface support-back.

  Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, we see another feature of the armrest in the extraction position.

  In these figures, the support wings 8 have been turned upwards around their axis. As a result, the lateral surfaces 26 of the wings 8 emerge from the backs of the bench seat and from the main body 4 to come to form a headrest surface generally parallel to the plane of symmetry of the vehicle.

  Furthermore, the blanks 27 of the main body 4 also provide a lateral bearing surface, so that, as shown in FIG. 6, the rear passengers are comfortably supported if they wish to sleep.

  Finally, it can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 that, when the armrest is tilted around the axis 12, the wings 8 can still be deployed around a substantially vertical axis A when the armrest is tilted and substantially horizontal when the armrest is in its retracted position. In this case, the frames 7 form shelves which can, for example, include cup holder imprints 28.

Claims (9)

  1 - Armrest (2) of the rear seat of a motor vehicle, movable in rotation about a transverse axis (12) between a retracted position where it is disposed substantially vertically with a back support surface (5) substantially at the same level than the surfaces of the backrests of the bench seat, and a tilted position where it is arranged substantially horizontally with an armrest surface substantially parallel to, and above the surfaces of the seatings of the bench seat, characterized in that '' it comprises guide means capable of guiding it in substantially longitudinal translation between said retracted position and an extraction position o it is disposed substantially vertically with its back support surface (5) substantially parallel to, and in front , surfaces of the seat backrests.   2 - armrest according to claim 1, comprising at least one support wing (8) movable in rotation about an axis (A) 20 substantially longitudinal when the armrest is in its extraction position and substantially vertical when the armrest (2) is in its tilted position, between a storage position where it forms at least part of the upper part of the armrest (2) and a position of use where it has a headrest surface (26) substantially parallel to the plane of symmetry of the vehicle.   3 - armrest according to claim 2, wherein said support wing (8) has a front back support surface 30 substantially at the same level as the surfaces of the backrests of the bench when the armrest (2) is in its retracted position.   4 - armrest according to any one of claims 2 and 5 3, wherein said support wing is disposed on a frame (7) of headrest wing arranged to form a tablet when the armrest (2) is in its tilted position and the support wing (8) in its position of use.   5 - Armrest according to claim 4, characterized in that said tablet formed by the frame (7) comprises cup holder impressions (28).   6 - armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 15 5, wherein said guide means comprise at least one telescopic slide (14) of which an element (15) is integral with a rear frame (11) tiltable around said axis transverse (12) and of which another element (16) is integral with an internal structure (3) of the armrest (2). 7. An armrest according to claim 6, in which said other element (16) is mounted on a fitting (9) of U-section, the base (10) of which extends substantially parallel to said back-support surfaces (5). and armrest, said fitting being mounted on said interior structure (3).   8 - Armrest according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a housing (22) for the lower part (23) of a headrest (20), adjustable in height, in the low position, 30 when the armrest (2) is in the extraction position.   9 - Armrest according to all of claims 6 to 8, wherein said housing is formed in said interior structure (3).   10 - Motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a rear bench seat having an armrest (2)   according to any one of claims 1 to 9.