GB2303542A

GB2303542A - Folding seat

Info

Publication number: GB2303542A
Application number: GB9514979A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Hunsdon Restall
Original assignee: RESTALL BROS Ltd
Current assignee: RESTALL BROS Ltd
Priority date: 1995-07-21
Filing date: 1995-07-21
Publication date: 1997-02-26
Also published as: GB9514979D0

Abstract

A seat (10) comprises a seat part (11) which is pivotable relative to a back part between a lowered, in use, position and a raised, stowed, position, the back part (12) comprising a back part frame (13) having a first, upper generally planar, portion (15), and a second, lower, portion (16) which is displaced forwardly out of the plane of the first portion (15), the seat part (11) comprising a seat part frame (30), there being bracket means comprising a bracket (22) at each side of the seat (10) and being secured relative to the second portion (16) of the back part frame (13), each bracket (22) providing a pivot formation which defines a pivot axis spaced above the seat part frame when the seat part is in its in use position, and forwardly of the first portion of the back part frame.

Description

Title: Seat Description of Invention This invention relates to a seat and more particularly but not exclusively to a seat intended for use in a vehicle.

Vehicle seats for occasional use are known which comprise a seat part which is pivotable relative to a back part between a lowered in-use, position and a raised, stowed, position.

One such known arrangement comprises a generally planar back part frame and a generally planar seat part frame, the back part frame and seat part frame being pivotally connected about an axis which is displaced forwardly of the back part and is generally in the plane of the seat part frame, by means of brackets, one being fixed at each side of the seat to the back part frame. Such displacement of the pivotal axis forwardly of the back part frame is required to enable the seat part frame, which generally carries a padded cushion, to pivot to a generally vertical, stowed, position.

A back support is generally provided between the cushion carried by the seat part frame, and a cushion carried by the back part frame.

According to one aspect of the invention we provide a seat comprising a seat part which is pivotable relative to a back part between a lowered, in-use, position and a raised, stowed, position, the back part comprising a back part frame having a first, upper generally planar, portion, and a second, lower, portion which is displaced forwardly out of the plane of the first portion, the seat part comprising a seat part frame, there being bracket means comprising a bracket at each side of the seat and each being secured relative to the second portion of the back part frame, each bracket providing a pivot formation which defines a pivot axis spaced above the seat part frame when the seat part is in its in-use position, and forwardly of the first portion of the back part frame.

Thus the invention is a new geometry for a seat which provides certain advantages over the prior art. Where the seat part frame comprises a pair of side members which, when the seat part is in its in-use position, each extends from a front of the seat part frame towards a rear of the seat part frame, the seat part frame may carry at or closely adjacent to the rear thereof, above a general plane of the seat part frame, one or more pivot formations, the pivot formations of the brackets and the pivot formation or formations of the seat part frame defining the pivot axis.

Thus whereas in the prior art arrangement it was necessary to compromise the strength of the side members by providing openings to receive pivot pins, in the arrangement in accordance with the present invention, the pivot formation or formations provided on the side members of the seat part frame enables a pivotal connection to be made between the back part and seat part, without compromising the strength of the seat part frame side members.

The seat part frame may further comprise one or more cross members such as a front frame member which extends between the side members. For example, the seat part frame may comprise a generally U-shaped member, the limbs of the U providing the side members, and the base of the U providing the front frame member.

The pivotal connection between the back part and seat part may be provided by one or more pivot pins which co-operate with the respective pivot formations to provide for pivoting of the seat part between its lowered and raised positions.

In one example, a pivot pin is provided at each side of the seat, each pivot pin comprising a cylindrical pivot bearing part which passes through an opening in a respective one of the brackets, into the or a respective pivot formation of the seat part frame, and a head which is fixed relative to the respective bracket.

In a preferred arrangement, biasing means are provided to bias the seat part to its stowed position. One such biasing means may comprise an elongate torsion member which is twisted e.g. about its elongate axis, as the seat part is pivoted to its lowered, in-use, position.

The torsion member may be fixed to the or one of the brackets, and to the seat part frame. For example, where pivot pins are provided the torsion member may be fixed relative to the pivot pin at one end, and to the or a respective pivot formation of the seat part frame at or adjacent its other end.

The back part frame may comprise a pair of generally upright members which extend generally parallel to one another, the upper ends of which provide the generally planar portion of the back part frame, and the lower ends of which are each displaced forwardly relative to the upper ends so as to provide the lower portion.

Preferably the back part frame comprises at least one cross member which extends between the generally upright members.

The lower ends of the upright members may each provide an abutment surface which is engaged by an abutment of the seat part frame when the seat is in its in-use lowered position to prevent pivoting of the seat part further downwardly. For example, the end of each of the side members of the seat part frame may comprise the abutment of the seat part frame, which abuts an end region of the respective upright members.

The seat part may comprise a cushion fixed relative to the seat part frame. If desired, a seat pan may be provided to support the cushion inbetween the frame members of the seat part frame.

Preferably, there is provided a back support which is carried by and its pivotable relative to the back part so that the back support is movable from a generally upright stowed condition when the seat part is in its stowed position, to a condition in which the lower edge of the back support is positioned forwardly of the back part. In a preferred arrangement, the back support is pivotally carried at its upper end by a cross member of the back part frame.

The back support may be moved by means of an element carried by the seat part, which urges the lower edge forwards as the seat part is pivoted to its lowered, in use position.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a side illustrative view of a first embodiment of a seat in accordance with the invention, FIGURE la is a view similar to figure 1 but of a modified embodiment and, FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of parts only of the seat of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a seat 10 which comprises a seat part 11 on which in use, a person sits, and a back part 12. The seat part 11 is pivotable relative to the back part 12 between a lowered, in-use, position which is shown in full lines in figures 1 and la and a raised, stowed, position which is indicated in dotted lines in figures 1 and la.

The back part 12 comprises a back part frame 13 which is adapted e.g.

by means of brackets indicated at 14, 14L to be secured relative to a support, such as a superstructure of a vehicle. The seat 10 may otherwise be adapted to be mounted on a support, as desired, for example by means of a cross member 14b which engages a suitable bracket on a support.

The back part frame 13 comprises an upper generally planar portion 15, and a second, lower portion 16 which is displaced forwardly out of the plane of the first portion 15.

The back part frame 13 comprises a pair of uprights 18, upper portions 19 of which provide the first generally planar portion 15, and forwardly displaced limbs 20 and 21 of which provide the second forwardly displaced portion 16 of the back part frame 13.

The uprights 18 may be made from round or square section metal for examples, and may be formed to the configuration shown in the drawings or a similar configuration, by any known forming means.

Attached to the lowest limb 21 of each upright 18 is a respective bracket 22. Each bracket 22 provides an opening 23 for a pivot pin 24 as hereinafter described, and the brackets 22 are interconnected by a relatively thin tie bar 25.

The cross member 14b is provided adjacent the upper ends of the uprights 18, the cross member 14b interconnecting the uprights 18. In the arrangement shown in figure la. the cross member 26' is provided actually at the top end of the uprights 18 and comprises a square section member. A further cross member 26 is shown in the figure 1 arrangement, and illustrated in figure 2, which comprises a round section bar, the purpose of which will become apparent hereinafter.

The seat part 11 comprises a seat frame 30 which comprises a pair of side members 31 and a front frame member 32. Conveniently, the side and front members 31/32 are provided by deforming a bar to the generally U-shaped configuration shown, again by any known forming means.

Interconnecting the free ends of the side members 31, is a pivot formation 34 which comprises in this example, a round tube, which is secured, e.g.

by welding, to an upper surface of each of the side members 31. The central axis A of the tube 34 defines a pivot axis about which the seat part 11 pivots relative to the back part 12.

The seat part 11 is pivotally connected to each of the brackets 22 by means of pivot pins 24. Each pivot pin 24 comprises a generally cylindrical pivot bearing part 35, and an integral head part 36. The cylindrical bearing parts 35 are adapted to pass through the openings 23 in the brackets 22, into the ends of the pivot formation tube 34, of the seat part 11.

The heads 36 of the pivot pins 24 are secured relative to the brackets 22 by means of fasteners 37, e.g. rivets, such that the heads 36 and thus pivot pins 24 as a whole are fixed relative to the brackets 22 and the pivot formation 34 of the seat part 11 rotates relative to the pivot pins 24.

The pivot pins 24 are conveniently provided by suitable plastics mouldings or in metal as desired, or by a fabrication of a metal part and a plastics bearing part. The cylindrical bearing parts 35 may be closed at their inner ends, and a slot 38 may be provided for a purpose hereinafter explained.

The seat part 11 is preferably resiliently biased to its raised, stowed, position. Although this could be achieved by using conventional coil springs, in a preferred arrangement, such biasing is provided by a spring 39 comprising an elongate strip, or strips, of spring steel. One end 40 of the spring 39 is received in a slot 38 in the respective pivot pin 24, whilst the other end 41 of the spring 39 is provided with means such as an opening, by which the end 41 can be secured inside the pivot formation tube 34 of the seat part 11.

Hence, as the seat part 11 is pivoted downwardly towards its in-use, position, the spring 39 will be twisted.

When the seat part 11 is released, the spring 39 by virtue of its innate springiness, will tend to return to the generally planar condition shown in figure 2 and thus return the seat part 11 to its upper, stowed, position.

It will be appreciated from figures 1 and la that when the seat part 11 and back part 12 are connected together as described, the pivot axis A will be located forwardly of the first portion 15 of the back part frame 13, and will be positioned above the seat part frame 30. This geometry provides a neater, less expensive, and more robust construction than known geometries for seats of the general kind described.

The seat part 11 is adapted to carry a padded cushion 40. To support the cushion 40 between the side members 31, a seat pan (not shown) may be provided as is well known in the art.

Referring particularly to figure 1, a back support 41 is provided which is pivotally connected to the cross member 26 and is thus free to move (pivot) relative to the back part frame 13 between a condition, shown in dotted lines, in which the back support 41 is generally upright, when the seat part 11 is pivoted to its stowed position, and the condition shown in full lines in figure 1, in which the lowermost edge 42 of the back support 41 is displaced forwardly from the back part frame 13. This is achieved by means of a generally L-shaped element 45, one at each side of the seat 10. Each element 45 comprises one limb 46 which is secured relative to a respective side member 31, and to the pivot tube 34 for rigidity, and another limb 47 which extends upwards from the seat part 11 and holds the back support 41 forwardly at the bottom.When the seat part 11 is in its in use position, as the seat part 11 is raised to its stowed condition, the limb 47 will pivot backwards. Preferably inturned ends 49 of the limbs 47 are each received by respective cups 48 fixed to the back support 41 so that as the limbs 47 move backwards, the lower edge 42 of the back support 41 is moved backwards to the upright condition shown in dotted lines. The back support 41 comprises a head rest 43, and a recess 44 to receive the padded cushion 40 of the seat part 11, when the seat part 11 is pivoted to its stowed position.

In figure 1L the head rest 43' is fixed relative to the back part frame 13, and the back support indicated at 41' is affixed to the head rest 43' by means which permit the back support 41' to pivot in a similar manner as back support 41 described with reference to figure 1.

In the figure la arrangement, it will be appreciated that the padded cushion 40 carried by the seat part 11 will be accommodated in a recess 44' beneath the head rest 43' when the seat part 11 is pivoted to its stowed position.

It can be seen from figures 1 and la that a rear edge 52 of each of the side members 31 of the seat part frame 30, provide abutments which engage with abutment surfaces 53 provided adjacent the lowermost ends 54 of the uprights 18.

In this manner, when the seat part 11 is pivoted to its in-use position as shown in full lines, by virtue of engagement of the abutments 52 and the abutment surfaces 53, further downward pivoting of the seat part 11 beyond the position shown is prevented.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, if desired, the seat frame part 30 may comprise one or a plurality of cross members extending between the side members 31 in order to provide support for the padded cushion 40 carried by the seat part 11.

Further cross members may be provided between the uprights 18 of the back part frame 13, although particularly where the uprights 18 are secured to a support surface, such further cross members would not necessarily be required.

The actual configurations of the brackets 22 could be different to those shown, and the cross bar 25 which extends between the brackets 22 could be more substantial than the tie rod shown.

The pivot pins 24 shown in the drawings are only examples of suitable pivot pins which may be provided.

If desired, instead of the seat part 11 providing a single pivot formation 34 comprising a tube, a pair of individual pivot formations may be provided, one for each side frame member 31, for engagement with a respective pivot pin 24.

If desired, a spring steel strip like strip 39, may be provided at each side of the seat, if one strip 39 is found to provide insufficient bias.

Although the embodiments described are for a simple seat 10, the invention may be applied to multiple seat arrangements, such as double or triple seats, as desired, with minor modifications to the actual construction.

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 comprising a seat part which is pivotable relative to a back part between a lowered, in use, position and a raised, stowed, position, the back part comprising a back part frame having a first, upper generally planar, portion, and a second, lower, portion which is displaced forwardly out of the plane of the first portion, the seat part comprising a seat part frame, there being bracket means comprising a bracket at each side of the seat and being secured relative to the second portion of the back part frame, each bracket providing a pivot formation which defines a pivot axis spaced above the seat part frame when the seat part is in its in use position, and forwardly of the first portion of the back part frame.

2. A seat according to claim 1 wherein the seat part frame comprises a pair of side members which, when the seat part is in its in-use position, each extends from a front of the seat part frame towards a rear of the seat part frame, and the seat part frame carrying at or closely adjacent to the rear thereof, above a general place of the seat part frame, one or more pivot formations, the pivot formations of the brackets and the pivot formation or formations of the seat part frame defining the pivot axis.

3. A seat according to claim 2 wherein the seat part frame further comprises one or more cross members which extend between the side members.

4. A seat according to claim 3 wherein the seat part frame comprises a generally U-shaped member, the limbs of the U providing the side members, and the base of the U providing a front frame member.

5. A seat according to anyone of claims 1 to 4 wherein the pivotal connection between the back part and seat part is provided by one or more pivot pins which co-operate with the respective pivot formations to provide for pivoting of the seat part between its lowered and raised positions.

6. A seat according to claim 5 wherein a pivot pin is provided at each side of the seat, each pivot pin comprising a cylindrical pivot bearing part which passes through an opening in a respective one of the brackets into the or a respective pivot formation of the seat part frame, and a head which is fixed relative to the respective bracket.

7. A seat according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein biasing means are provided to bias the seat part to its stowed position, the biasing means comprising an elongate torsion member which is twisted e.g. about its elongate axis as the seat part is pivoted to its lowered, in use, position.

8. A seat according to claim 7 wherein the torsion member is fixed to the or one of the brackets, and to the seat part frame.

9. A seat according to claim 8 where appendant to claim 5 wherein the torsion member is fixed relative to the pivot pin at one end, and to the or a respective pivot formation of the seat part frame at or adjacent its other end.

10. A seat according to anyone of claims 1 to 9 wherein the back part frame comprises a pair of generally upright members which extend generally parallel to one another, the upper ends of which provide the generally planar portion of the back part frame and the lower ends of which are each displaced forwardly relative to the upper ends so as to provide the lower portion.

11. A seat according to claim 10 wherein the back part frame comprises at least one cross member which extends between the generally upright members.

12. A seat according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the lower ends of the upright members each provide an abutment surface which is engaged by an abutment of the seat part frame when the seat is in its in- use lowered position to prevent pivoting of the seat part further downwardly.

13. A seat according to claim 12 wherein the ends of each of the side members of the seat part frame comprise the abutment of the seat part frame, which abuts an end region of the respective upright members.

14. A seat according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the seat part comprises a cushion fixed relative to the seat part frame.

15. A seat according to claim 14 wherein a seat pan is provided to support the cushion in between the frame members of the seat part frame.

16. A seat according to any one of the preceding claims wherein there is provided a back support which is carried by and is pivotable relative to the back part so that the back support is movable from a generally upright stowed condition when the seat part is in its stowed position, to a condition in which a lower edge of the back support is positioned forwardly of the back part.

17. A seat according to claim 16 wherein the back support is pivotally carried at its upper end by a cross member of the back part frame.

18. A seat according to claim 16 to claim 17 wherein the back support is moved by means of an element carried by the seat part, which urges the lower edge forwards as the seat part is pivoted to its lowered, in use position.

19. A seat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

20. Any novel feature or novel combination of features as herein described and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.