FR2906770A1 - Armchair for e.g. car, has foot rest moving from retractable position to service position by translation of foot rest along direction oriented from end of seat towards front end of seat, and by rotation around axis - Google Patents

Abstract

The armchair has a backrest (4) placed at the level of rear end (2.1) of a seat (2), and a footrest (6) moved from a retractable position in which the footrest is placed below the seat to a service position. The passage of the foot rest from the retractable position to the service position is performed by translation of the foot rest along a direction oriented from the end of the seat towards a front end (2.2) of the seat, and by a rotation around an axis (Y1) perpendicular to a translation direction. The foot-rest in retractable position is placed parallel to the seat. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for deploying a footrest equipping an armchair for motor vehicle (2) a method for retracting a footrest equipping an armchair for motor vehicle.

Description

1 ARMCHAIR FOR MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A CLOSED FOOTREST

  TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART The present invention relates to a chair for a motor vehicle comprising an improved retractable footrest and to a motor vehicle comprising at least one such chair.

  In known manner, the armchairs equipping motor vehicles comprise a seat and a backrest, the backrest being reclining to improve the comfort of the person occupying the chair. This type of seat offers satisfaction.

  However, it appears that it is not always enough to allow a real rest in the legs. This is particularly troublesome in the case of commercial vehicles, where the drivers are required to have moments of rest in the vehicle.

  Currently, people, using their vehicle to sleep, lie on the front seat in the case of van or truck, or on the back seat in the case of private car. These benches are often too short.

  It has been proposed in EP 1 350 696 A1 to add a footrest to the chair, so that the person can lie on the chair in an inclined position. The footrest is telescopic and can pivot about an axis parallel to a front end of the seat. The latter, in a stowed position, is therefore folded against the front end of the chair and is positioned in a plane inclined rearward towards the floor. Its position may interfere with the occupant of the seat who sees the space for his feet reduced. In addition, the surface of the footrest can be dirty, since it is directly behind the heels of the shoes of the occupant. Moreover, the comfort of this footrest 10 is not optimal because of its telescopic structure. In addition, the maintenance of the lower parts of the legs is not optimal because the footrest is provided only for the support of the heels and feet.

The objects of the present invention are therefore to provide a motor vehicle seat with a high degree of user comfort, a foot space equivalent to that existing in vehicles equipped with armchairs without footrests and easy handling. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION The aforementioned aims are attained by a chair for a motor vehicle comprising a backrest, a seat and a footrest, the footrest being movable in translation and in rotation relative to the seat to allow a retraction of it under the seat. In other words, the footrest is placed in a substantially horizontal position between the seat and the floor, thus occupying a place 2906770 3 currently unused. The space for the feet is not reduced. In addition, the footrest is protected from soiling, since in the stowed position it is completely isolated; this is particularly the case of its upper surface which is opposite the lower surface of the seat. In addition, this footrest provides a support surface, both for the legs and feet. The footrest can, in the retracted position, be advantageously parallel to the seat. The setting service position is made by sliding under the seat, then rotation about an axis parallel to a front end of the seat, so its deployment is very simple and very fast.

In addition, it is not deformed during storage and keeps its comfort. The footrest according to the invention advantageously allows mounting during manufacture of the vehicle or after as an accessory.

Advantageously, it can be provided to combine the deployment of the footrest and an inclination of the backrest and / or the seat. The present invention, therefore, mainly relates to an automobile vehicle seat comprising a seat, a backrest disposed at a first longitudinal end of the seat, and a footrest, said footrest being adapted to be moved from a retracted position, in which the footrest is disposed below the seat to a service position, in which the passage from the retracted position to the service position is effected by a translation of the footrest in a direction oriented from the first longitudinal end of the seat to a second longitudinal end of the seat opposite the first longitudinal end of the seat, then by a rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the direction of translation. In a particular example, the footrest in the retracted position is disposed substantially parallel to the seat. The footrest may, for example, be slidably mounted relative to the seat by means of at least two rails having at least two first and two second rails, the first rails being fixed to the footrest of the seat and the seat. other of the latter and slidably mounted in the second integral rails of the seat, the footrest being rotatably mounted on free ends of the first rails. In an alternative embodiment, it can be provided that the backrest and the seat are able to pivot relative to an axis substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the footrest. In this case and advantageously, the backrest and the seat rotate simultaneously.

In an exemplary embodiment, the backrest is fixed on the seat, in which the pivoting axis of the seat is disposed substantially at the first longitudinal end of the seat, and in which the seat is suitable. slide relative to a floor of the motor vehicle.

A connecting rod device arranged at the second longitudinal end of the seat can be provided, allowing the passage of the seat from a first position to a second position inclined with respect to the floor, the connecting rod device may comprise two connecting rods connecting the seat to the supports attached to the floor. Advantageously, the movement of the footrest is electrically assisted.

The present invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising at least one chair according to the present invention and a footrest movement control. The present invention also relates to a method of deploying a footrest equipping a chair for a motor vehicle comprising a seat, said footrest being placed in the off position below the seat, said method comprising the steps 20-sliding of the footrest relative to the seat until the footrest is completely out of the seat, - pivoting of the footrest relative to the seat so as to put facing one end 25 of the footrest with one end of the seat. The present invention also relates to a method of retracting a footrest equipping a chair for a motor vehicle, comprising the steps. 2906770 6 - tilt footrest relative to the seat so as to arrange the footrest in a plane below a plane containing the seat, - sliding the footrest relative to the sitting to place the footrest under the seat. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be better understood from the following description and accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1A is a side view of a chair according to the present invention with a seat Fig. 1B is a three-quarter view of the chair of Fig. 1A; Fig. 2B is a side view of the chair of Fig. 1A with the footrest fully extended; Fig. 2B 3 is a detail view of FIG. 2B; FIG. 4 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a chair according to the present invention; FIG. FIG. 5 is a partially cut-away side view of a motor vehicle equipped with a chair according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS In FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2A, 2B, an armchair for a motor vehicle according to the present invention can be seen comprising a seat 2, a backrest 5 4 and a footrest 6. The chair is fixed on a floor 3 of the motor vehicle by supports 10. The following description will be made considering the wheelchair of the motor vehicle oriented, so that a person sitting in the chair looks in the direction of the forward movement of the motor vehicle. However, a motor vehicle having one or more differently oriented seats is not outside the scope of the present invention. The backrest 4 and / or the seat 2 are advantageously movable, relative to each other and relative to the floor 3, to best adapt to the wishes of the user.

The supports 10 comprise, in the example shown, two pairs of flanges 10.1, 10.2, a pair 10.1 at a first end or rear end 2.1 of the seat, and a pair 10.sub.2 at a second end or front end 2.2 25 of the seat and In Figures 1A and 1B, the footrest 6 is in the stowed position, while in Figures 2A and 2B, the footrest is deployed in the service position.

In the example shown, the footrest 6 is able to be stored under the seat 2, in a manner substantially parallel to the seat. But, it can be expected that it has an inclined position including rearward, this configuration has the advantage of naturally maintain the footrest 5 under the seat without the need for additional retaining means. The footrest 6 is mounted slidable under the seat 2 along an axis X, parallel to a longitudinal axis X3 of the motor vehicle (Figure 5). In the example shown, the footrest 6 is mounted movably relative to the supports 10 by means of at least two slides 8, each having a longitudinal axis X1, X2, parallel to the axis X. The axes X1, X2 are arranged on both sides of the X axis.

The footrest 6 comprises a large surface element intended to be arranged in alignment with the backrest 4 and the seat 2, to form a substantially continuous surface. The large surface element is intended to support the legs of the occupant of the chair. The slides 8, particularly visible in Figure 3 (the footrest lining being omitted for clarity), comprise first rails 14 attached to the footrest 6, arranged on either side of the footrest 6 and second rails 16 fixed on each support 10, in which the first rails 14 are slidably mounted. The first rails 14 are fixed on the footrest 6 by a first end 14.1, rotatably along an axis Y1, perpendicular to the axis X and substantially parallel to the front end 2.1 of the seat 2. We will now explain the deployment and storage of the footrest 6 with respect to the seat 2. When the footrest 6 is in the stowed position, to place it in the service position: - it is moved in translation along the X axis, substantially parallel to the seat 6 towards the front, - then, when the footrest is completely clear of the seat 2, that is to say that a rear end 6.1 of footrest 6 is sufficiently in front of the seat 2, to allow a tilting 15 of the footrest 6, it is pivoted about the axis Y1 in a direction + R, so that its front end 6.2 is lowered towards the floor 3. Thus, its rear end 6.1 rises and 20 comes to the height of the seat 2. To store the footrest 6, it is tilted in one direction -R to replace it substantially parallel to the seat 2. The footrest 16 is then pushed backwards under the sitting 2.

The manipulation of the footrest is particularly simple and fast. In addition, the comfort of the footrest is not affected by its mode of retraction. Deployment and refolding of the footrest 6 can be done manually by pulling and rotating with the hand on the footrest, or by means of electric assist. In Figures 2A and 3, there can be seen a cylinder 30 for the rotation of the footrest. The position of the slides 8 can release the rotation. It is possible to use an assistance cylinder for the luggage compartment doors, with folding by hand to overcome the force of the jack, the weight of the legs being overcome for holding and holding being done by the force of the jack . A cam mechanism may be provided to cause an automatic tilting of the footrest when the first rails are fully extended relative to the second rails.

It is also possible to control the more or less pronounced tilting of the footrest by means of a button on a dashboard of the motor vehicle (not shown). Means for locking the footrest 20 in the deployed position and / or row can be provided. The footrest according to the invention has the advantage of being installed on the chair during the manufacture of the motor vehicle or after, during the life of the vehicle as an accessory. According to an alternative embodiment shown in Figure 4, the backrest 4 and the seat 2 are also inclinable simultaneously about an axis Y2 parallel to the axis Y1, which further improves the comfort of the chair according to the present invention. In Figure 4, we can see an example of embodiment of such a chair. The seat 2 is mounted rotatably about the axis Y2 at a rear end 2.1 rotatably mounted on the supports 10. A connecting rod device 20 is also provided at its front end 2.1. connecting the seat 2 to the supports 10. The backrest 4, which is secured to the seat 2, then simultaneously switches with the seat 2. In addition, the seat 2 is slidable relative to the supports 10 at the level of the Y2 axis.

For this, the seat comprises, for example an axis 22 mounted at each of its ends in a slot (not shown) formed in each of the flanges of the pair 10.1. Thus, the seat 2 can pivot and slide 15 relative to the flanges 10.1, and therefore relative to the support 10. In the example shown, the connecting rod device 20 comprises two connecting rods each fixed to a flange of the pair 10.2 and suitable to pivot relative thereto. The rods are also fixed on the seat 2 and pivotable relative thereto. The rod device 20 allows the passage of a so-called driving position to a so-called rest position. The link device 20 can be manually actuated by means of a handle (not shown) accessible, for example on the side of the seat, or electrically by a motor controlled by the actuation of a button on the dashboard. . The tilting of the backrest 4 and the seat 30 2 and the deployment of the footrest 6 can be simultaneous, or take place independently.

2906770 12 It could be provided that the seat 2 and the backrest 4 are pivotally mounted, independently, on the floor 3 and a mechanism is provided to associate their tilting.

The present invention applies to individual chairs, as well as to benches, for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The present invention also applies in the case where the chair is pivoting, in this case the supports 10 comprise a fixed part integral with the floor and a part able to pivot relative to the fixed part, the footrest being then sliding in the moving part.

Claims (12)

  A chair for a motor vehicle comprising a seat (2), a backrest (4) arranged at a first longitudinal end (2.1) of the seat (2), and a footrest (6), said seat foot (6) being able to be moved from a retracted position, in which the footrest (6) is arranged below the seat (2) to a service position, in which the passage from the retracted position to the operating position is effected by a translation of the footrest (6) in a direction oriented from the first longitudinal end (2.1) of the seat (2) to a second longitudinal end (2.2) of the seat (2 ) opposite to the first longitudinal end (2.1) of the seat (2), then by a rotation about an axis (Y1) substantially perpendicular to the direction of translation.   2. Chair for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the footrest (6) in the retracted position is disposed substantially parallel to the seat (2).   3. Chair for a motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the footrest (2) is slidably mounted relative to the seat by means of at least two slides (8) having at least two first (14) and two second (16) rails, the first rails (14) being fixed to the footrest (6) on either side thereof and slidably mounted in 2906770 14 second rails (16) integral with the seat (2), the footrest (6) being rotatably mounted on free ends (14.1) of the first rails (14).   4. Armchair for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the backrest (4) and the seat (2) are pivotable relative to an axis (Y2) substantially parallel to the axis of rotation (Y1 ) of the footrest (6).   5. Chair for a motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, wherein the backrest (4) and the seat (2) pivot simultaneously. 15   6. Chair for a motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, wherein the backrest (4) is fixed on the seat (2), wherein the pivot axis (Y2) of the seat (2) is disposed substantially at the the first longitudinal end (2.1) of the seat (2), and wherein the seat (2) is slidable relative to a floor (3) of the motor vehicle.   7. Chair for a motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, comprising a connecting rod device (20) arranged at the second longitudinal end (2.2) of the seat (2) allowing the passage of the seat from a first position to a second inclined position relative to the floor (3). 5 10 30 2906770   8. Chair for a motor vehicle according to the preceding claim, wherein the connecting rod device (20) comprises two connecting rods (20.1, 20.2) connecting the seat (2) to supports (10.1, 10.2) fixed to the floor.   Motor vehicle chair according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement of the footrest (6) is electrically assisted.   10. A motor vehicle comprising at least one chair according to any one of the preceding claims and a movement control of the footrest.   11. A method of deploying a footrest equipping a chair for a motor vehicle comprising a seat (2), a backrest (4) and a footrest (6), said footrest (6) being arranged in position out of service below the seat (2), said method comprising the steps of: - sliding of the footrest (6) relative to the seat (2) until the footrest 25 (6) is completely out of under the seat (2), - pivoting of the footrest (6) relative to the seat (2) so as to put one end of the footrest (6) against one end of the seat (2). 30 2906770 16   12. A method of retraction of a footrest equipping a chair for a motor vehicle, comprising the steps of: - tilting of the footrest (6) relative to the seat (2) so as to have the rest foot (6) in a plane below a plane containing the seat (2), - sliding of the footrest (6) relative to the seat (2) to place the footrest (6) 10 under the seat (2).