GB2293969A

GB2293969A - Seat frame construction

Info

Publication number: GB2293969A
Application number: GB9420854A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Hunsdon Restall
Original assignee: RESTALL BROS Ltd
Current assignee: RESTALL BROS Ltd
Priority date: 1994-10-15
Filing date: 1994-10-15
Publication date: 1996-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 2014-10-15
Also published as: GB2293969B; GB9420854D0

Abstract

The frame 10 of a seat for a vehicle comprises two open ended U-shaped frames 11, 12 which form the seat and back parts, the respective limbs 11a, 12a and 11b, 12b of each frame being connected so as to overlap, with the cross members 11c, 12c of the U at opposite ends of the frame, whereby the overlapped portions provide reinforcement. The frame may be mounted on a pedestal comprising two C shaped members (Fig 2) connected back to back so their ends are spaced from each other. One free end of each C member bears a connector for attachment to the frame and the other free end is connected to a support surface. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Seat Construction Description of Invention This invention relates to a seat construction and particularly, but not exclusively, to a seat construction for a vehicle seat.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a seat construction comprising a frame having a first frame part and a second frame part, each frame part comprising a pair of spaced apart limbs connected at or adjacent their one ends by a cross member to provide respectively, first and second generally shaped U-shaped sub frames, each of the limbs of the first frame part being connected to a respective limb of the second frame part so as to overlap, such that the cross members are at opposite ends of the frame, and the limbs being configured so that the first frame part defines a seat part of the frame and the second frame part defines a back part of the frame inclined relative to the seat part, the limbs of the first and second frame parts affording reinforcement respectively to the second and first frame parts.

Thus a lightweight yet strong seat frame construction can be achieved which is considerably improved compared with hithertofore known seat constructions.

Preferably the first frame part is provided by an elongate frame member which is bent to provide the generally U-shaped sub frame. Similarly, the second frame part may be provided by an elongate member bent to provide the generally U-shaped sub frame.

The elongate member of the first and/or second frame part, may comprise a tubular member, e.g. of round cross-section.

In a region where the limbs of the first and second frame parts overlap, they may be configured by bending to provide distinct seat and frame parts of the frame inclined relative to one another.

Preferably the limbs of the first and second frame parts are all thus bent prior to the limbs of the frame parts being connected together.

If desired, the limbs of at least the first frame part may be interconnected by further cross members further to strengthen the seat part at least, or else brackets may be provided at each side of the seat frame to provide a mounting for a seat support.

The limbs of the second frame part may be arranged to lie on top of the limbs of the first frame part. Where the sub frames are made from metal, the limbs of the first and second frame parts may thus be connected together by welding and/or connectors.

Where the first frame part at least has further cross members or brackets, these may be connected with each of the overlying limbs at either side of the second frame part.

The limbs of the first frame part may be configured at their ends so as to merge with the limbs of the second frame part. For example, where the first sub frame is made from a tubular member, a wall part of the tubular member adjacent the limbs of the second sub frame may be deformed to lie closely to a respective inside surface of an opposite wall part of a limb of the first frame part.

Alternatively, the limbs of the first frame part may be cut away to merge with the limbs of the second frame part.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a seat construction comprising a frame mounted on one or more pedestal assemblies by which the seat can be secured relative to a support surface, the or each pedestal assembly comprising a pair of generally C-shaped members connected together such that the ends of the members are spaced from one another, one free end of each of the members at one or other end of the pedestal assembly, having secured thereto, a connection means by means of which the pedestal assembly is connectable to the frame, and the opposite ends of the C-shaped members being adapted to be secured to the support surface.

The connection means may comprise a clamp element which in one example, can be pivoted relative to the respective C-shaped member to engage with a member which extends between sides of the seat frame. Clamp tightening means may be provided to secure the clamp element relative to the cross member. Alternatively, the clamp element may entrap a member of the seat frame between the clamp element and the respective C-shaped member, there being some means to affix the clamp element in position.

The means by which the pedestal assembly can be secured to a support surface may comprise a male threaded element permanently secured to the end connection means of the C-shaped member.

The C-shaped members may each be of generally rectangular hollow cross section and may be connected together by means of a connection part which extends between the C-shaped members intermediate the ends of the C-shaped members.

The frame of the seat construction may be in accordance with the frame of the seat construction of the first aspect of the invention.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view from above of a seat construction in accordance with the first aspect of the invention, FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a pedestal for a seat construction in accordance with the second aspect of the invention shown detached from a seat frame.

Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a vehicle seat construction comprising a frame 10 having a first frame part 11 and a second frame part 12, each frame part 11,12, comprising a respective pair of spaced apart limbs 11a,11b,12a,12h connected at or adjacent their ends by respective cross members 11ç,12cs so that the limbs 1la,llh, and cross member 11c provide a generally U-shaped first sub frame, and the limbs l2a.12h, and cross member 12c provide a generally U-shaped second sub frame.

The limbs 12a,12h of the second sub frame 12 overlie the limbs 11z,11b respectively of the first sub frame over part of their lengths only and the cross members lic and 12c are located at opposite ends of the frame 10.

The limbs 11a,12a, and 11L 12L are configured, by bending as indicated at 13 and 14 respectively, so that the first frame part 11 defines a seat part of the frame 10, whilst the second frame part 12 defines a back part of the frame, and the ends of the limbs ila and lib of the first frame part 11, afford reinforcement to the back part, whilst the ends of the limbs 12a and 12b of the second frame part 12 afford reinforcement to the seat part.

The first sub frame comprising limbs 11E,11b and cross frame member 11b is made from a single elongate tubular member bent to shape, and similarly, the second sub frame comprising limbs 12a,12b, and cross member 12c of the second frame part are made from a single elongate tubular member bent to the configuration shown.

The overlying limbs liy and 12a of the first and second frame parts 11,12, are connected by means of welds W1 to W5, and the overlying limbs lib and 12b of the first and second frame parts 11,12, similarly are connected by welds W6 to W10.

There are provided for the seat part, additional cross members indicated at 18 and 19. The cross member 18, is connected to each of the limbs lia and 12a at one side of the construction, at one of its ends, by means of the weld W1, whilst the cross member 18 is connected to each of the limbs lib and 12h at the other side of the construction, at its opposite end, by the weld W6.

The second further cross member 19 is connected to each of the limbs ila and 12h at the one side of the construction by weld W2, at one of its ends, and is connected to each of the limbs lib and 12h at the other side of the construction by means of weld NV?, at its opposite end.

The ends 20 and 21 of the limbs 1 la and 1 Ih of the first sub frame are deformed so that the ends 20 and 21 merge with the limbs 12a and 12h of the second sub frame, in this example, approximately half way up the back part of the seat frame 10. This is achieved by means of a wall part 22 of each of the limbs 11) and 11b of the first sub frame which faces the respective limb 12a,12E of the second sub frame, being deformed so that the wall part lies adjacent an inside surface of an opposite wall part of a requsite end 20,21, of limbs 11a.11h the amount of distortion of the ends 20 and 21 of the limbs 11t,11b. increasing towards the actual ends so that the cross sections of the ends 20,21, of the limbs 1 lea and 1 1b decrease to a minimum at the actual ends of the limbs 1 lea and 1 ib.

Alternatively, the ends 20,21 of the limbs lia 11b of the first frame part 11 may be cut away, e.g. notched, such that the ends 20,21, of the limbs lia 11b of the first frame part 11 merge with the limbs 12alb of the second frame part 12.

The seat frame 10 thus constructed is lightweight but very strong, with the respective overlapping parts of limbs 1 la 1 1b of the first frame part 11 providing reinforcement to the back part deformed by the second frame part 12, and the respective overlapping parts of the limbs 12a.12b of the second frame part 12 affording reinforcement to the seat part deformed by the first frame part 11.

It can be seen that the cross member lic of the first frame part 11 extends to the front edge of the seat part and the cross member 12c of the second frame part 12 defines the upper edge of the back part of the frame 10.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

The first and second frame parts 11,12, need not each comprise a single elongate tubular member bent to the configuration shown, but the frame parts 11,12, may be otherwise fabricated as desired. Particularly, the elongate members from which the first and second frame parts are made need not be of round tubular section as shown, but could be of another tubular section.

The further cross members 18 and 19 which are provided for the seat part, need not comprise square cross section members as shown, but could comprise round cross section members, or could be of another section altogether.

Instead of, or in addition to, the cross members, brackets may be provided at each side of the seat frame 10 to provide mountings for a seat support such as a rigid board or even webbing straps or the like, which provide support for a person sitting on the seat.

The height of the back part and depth of the seat part and width of the seat can be selected as required and if desired, further cross members may be provided between the limbs 12av 12b of the second frame part 12 in the region of the back part of the seat.

Preferably the seat is further constructed by attaching a rigid board element or the like across the seat back part of the seat at least, and possibly across the seat part of the seat also to provide a seat support, padding and upholstery then being applied to finish the seat construction. However, other kinds of construction, e.g. utilising ABS mouldings, could be employed.

Referring to figure 2, there is shown a pedestal assembly 25 which comprises a pair of generally C-shaped members 26 and 27 which are connected together face to face by rrzeans of a connector element 28 which is welded to each of the members 26 and 27 such that the corresponding ends of the members 26 and 27 are a maximum distance apart.

At the respective one ends 26'.27a. of each of the members 26, there is provided a connection means C which is in this example a clamp element 30 which is hinged by means of a pin 31 to the respective member 26,27, and is adapted to extend around a cross member of a seat frame.

A clamp tightening means comprising bolt 32 is provided which then passes through aligned openings in the clamp element 30 and a tongue 35 of the member 26,27, whereby when a nut is applied, the clamp element 30 can be clamped around the member of the seat frame to secure the pedestal assembly 15 to the seat frame.

It can be seen in figure 2 that at the left side of the drawing, the Cshaped member 26 is shown without there being any seat frame member or the like connected by the clamp element 30, the clamp element being free to receive the seat frame member whereas the C-shaped member 27 at the right hand side of figure 2 is shown secured around a seat frame member F of a seat construction.

At the opposite ends of the C-shaped members 26 and 27, to the connection means C a male threaded element 35 is provided permanently secured to the remainder of the member 26,27, the element 35 being adapted to enable the pedestal assembly 25 to be secured relative to a floor of a vehicle or other support surface when a nut is applied.

It will be appreciated that for example, to mount the seat frame 10 of figure 1 a pair of such pedestal assemblies 25 would be required each to engage with each of the further cross members 18 and 19 of the seat frame.

As shown in figure 2, the C-shaped members 26 and 27 are each of generally rectangular hollow cross section but could be of another cross section as desired.

Instead of a simple connector element 28 as shown, if desired, a plurality of such elements may be provided. The connector element cr elements may connect the C-shaped members 26,27 rigidly, or may be arranged e.g. by a pivot arrangement to allow some relative movement to permit the pedestal assembly to be connected to seat frames where the positions of the members with which the clamp elements 30 are arranged, vary.

Instead of providing permanently secured male threaded elements 35, any other means for securing the pedestal assembly 25 relative to the floor of a vehicle or other support surface could alternatively be provided.

Instead of a hinged clamp element 30, in an alternative arrangement.

the clamp element may entrap a member of the seat frame between the clamp element and the respective C-shaped member. there being some means to affix the clamp element in position.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description the following claims or the accompanying drawings. expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function. or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A seat construction comprising a frame having a first frame part and a second frame part, each frame part comprising a pair of spaced apart limbs connected at or adjacent their one ends by a cross member to provide respectively, first and second generally U-shaped sub frames, each of the limbs of the first frame part being connected to a respective limb of the second frame part so as to overlap, such that the cross members are at opposite ends of the frame, and the limbs being configured so that the first frame part defines a seat part of the frame and the second frame part defines a back part of the frame inclined relative to the seat part, the limbs of the first and second frame parts affording reinforcement respectively to the first and second frame parts.

2. A seat construction according to claim 1 wherein the first frame part is provided by an elongate frame member which is bent to provide the generally U-shaped sub frame.

3. A seat construction accordion~ to claim 1 or 2 wherein the second frame part is provided by an elongate member bent to provide the generally Ushaped sub frame.

4. A seat construction according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the elongate member of the first and/or second frame parts comprises a tubular member.

5. A seat construction accordintmo clailll 4 wherein the tubular member is of round cross-section.

6. A seat construction according to any preceding claim wherein in a region where the limbs of the first and econ i frame parts overlap they are configured by bending to provide distinct seat and frame parts of the frame inclined relative to one another.

7. A seat construction according to claim 6 wherein the limbs of the first and second frame parts are bent prior to the limbs of the frame parts being connected together.

8. A seat construction according to any preceding claim wherein the limbs of at least the first frame part are interconnected by further cross members further to strengthen the seat part at least.

9. A seat construction according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein brackets are provided at each side of the seat part to provide a mounting for a seat support.

10. A seat construction according to any preceding claim wherein the limbs of the second frame part are arranged t() lie on top of the limbs of the first frame part.

11. A seat construction according to any preceding claim wherein the sub frames are made from metal and the limbs of the first and second frame parts are connected together by welding and/or connectors.

12. A seat construction according to claim 11 as dependent on claims 8 or 9 wherein the first frame part at least has further cross members or brackets, these are connected with each oi the o\:srl!iing limbs on either side of the second frame parts.

13. A seat construction according to any preceding claim wherein the limbs of the first frame part are configured at their ends so as to merge with the limbs of the second frame part.

14. A seat construction according to claim 13 as dependant on claim 3 wherein a wall part of the tubular member adjacent the limbs of the second sub frame are deformed to lie closely to a respective inside surface of an opposite wall part of a limb of the first frame part.

15. A seat construction according to claim 13 wherein the limbs of the first frame part are cut away to merge with the limbs of the second frame part.

16. A seat construction substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A seat construction comprising a frame mounted on one or more pedestal assemblies by which the seat can be secured relative to a support surface, the or each pedestal assembly comprising a pair of generally C-shaped members connected together such that the ends of the members are spaced from one another, one free end of each of the members at one or other end of the pedestal assembly, having secured thereto, a connection means by means of which the pedestal assembly is connectable to the frame, and the opposite ends of the Cshaped members being adapted to be secured to the support surface.

18. A seat construction accordin to claim 17 wherein the connection means comprises a clamp element which is pivotable relative to the respective Cshaped member to engage with a member xn hich extends between the sides of the seat frame.

19. A seat construction according to claim 18 wherein clamp tightening means are provided to secure the clamp element relative to the cross member.

20. A seat construction according to claim 18 or 19 wherein the clamp element entraps a member of the seat frame between the clamp element and the respective C-shaped member, there being some means to affix the clamp element in position.

21. A seat construction according to any one of claims 17 to 20 wherein the means by which the pedestal assembly may be secured to a support surface comprises a male threaded element permanently secured to the end connection means of the C-shaped member.

22. A seat construction according to any one of claims 17 to 21, the Cshaped members are each of a generally rectangular hollow cross section connected together by means of a connection part which extends between Cshaped members intermediate the ends of the C-shaped members.

23. A seat construction according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein it comprises a frame according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

24. A seat construction substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying dra\vings.

25. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as defined herein and/()r > il0\Nn in the accompanying drawings.