GB2376924A

GB2376924A - Anchorage apparatus for a vehicle seat or the like

Info

Publication number: GB2376924A
Application number: GB0115921A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jason Kimberley
Original assignee: Rescroft Ltd
Current assignee: Rescroft Ltd
Priority date: 2001-06-29
Filing date: 2001-06-29
Publication date: 2002-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-29
Also published as: GB0115921D0; GB2376924B

Abstract

The invention relates to an anchorage apparatus 1 comprising a retention rail 2 for receiving engaging formations 11 of a vehicle seat or the like and a base portion 3 joined to the retention rail by a plurality of longitudinally extending web sections 6a,6b which define at least a first void 5 located centrally with respect to the retention rail. The retention rail includes a laterally undercut longitudinally extending slot 10, and may also include a central channel 12 for receiving a fastening bolt 22c which extends downwardly through the void 5. The base portion may have longitudinally extending stiffening ribs 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and may have more than one void 8a, 8b. The invention also includes a method of extruding the integrally formed retention rail and base portion, wherein the latter may be provided with more than one retention rail (see figures 3, 8 and 9).

Description

Title: Anchorage apparatus Description of Invention This invention relates to an anchorage apparatus and specifically to an anchorage apparatus intended for securing vehicle seats, wheelchairs and the like to the floors of vehicles, particularly although not exclusively where the floor of the vehicle is ribbed.

Many forms of anchorage arrangement are known in the prior art. One example is shown in GB 2 291 628 A in which transversely extending members are provided to span across ribs of a ribbed sheet metal floor pan, as is commonly found in vans, minibuses and the like. The transversely extending members engage with longitudinally extending members to form a grid, and both are drilled through their thickness to provide forward and rearward fastening points for the vehicle seats. Such an arrangement, whilst providing a satisfactory means for anchoring seats to a ribbed floor, does not provide adequate flexibility to the user in terms of seat positioning since it is only possible to anchor the seat using the fastening points provided.

It is therefore desirable to use a retention rail arrangement such as that shown in EP 0 709 247 A2, wherein projections from the underside of the seat are designed to co-operate with a retention rail having undercut slots and upwardly facing apertures to accept the projections. With this arrangement, the user can position the seat precisely as required by sliding it in a forward or rearward direction.

However, in the design of vehicle seat anchorage systems, safety issues are paramount and therefore the anchorage apparatus must be of a sufficiently robust construction. In the past, it has been known for vehicle seat anchorages to become mechanically weak during use, or even detach completely from either the vehicle floor and/or the vehicle seat, for instance upon impact of the

vehicle during a collision. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to mitigate this problem by providing a suitable anchorage apparatus.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a anchorage apparatus including a retention rail portion having a laterally undercut longitudinally extending slot for receiving engaging formations of a vehicle seat or the like and a base portion wherein the retention rail portion is joined to the base portion by a plurality of longitudinally extending web sections which define at least a first void located centrally with respect to the retention rail portion.

The retention rail portion may further include a central longitudinally extending channel for receipt of a fastening means which when so received extends downwardly through the first central void.

The central void defined by the longitudinally extending web sections may be rectangular in cross section.

The retention rail portion may further include a plurality of additional longitudinally extending web sections which define a plurality of additional voids within the retention rail portion.

The additional voids defined by the additional longitudinally extending web sections may be trapezoidal in cross section.

The anchorage apparatus may be a unitary component including the retention rail portion and the base portion. The base portion may extend laterally to either side of the retention rail portion.

The base portion may include a plurality of longitudinally extending stiffening ribs protruding upwardly therefrom or longitudinally extending voids within the lateral extensions thereof.

The anchorage apparatus may comprise a plurality of retention rail portions.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an anchorage apparatus consisting of simultaneously

extruding a retention rail portion and a base portion as parts of a unitary component, the retention rail portion and the base portion being joined by means of a plurality of longitudinally extending web sections wherein the web sections are disposed so as to define at least a first void located centrally with respect to the retention rail.

The method may further include extruding a plurality of retention rail portions simultaneously with the base portion.

An example of an anchorage apparatus according to the present invention, as applied to anchoring seats to ribbed vehicle floors, will now be described by way of example only, by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of an anchorage apparatus according to the invention, the cross section being in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the apparatus; Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of an anchorage apparatus similar to Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross sectional view similar to Figure 1 of an anchorage apparatus showing two adjacent retention rail portions joined to a base portion; Figures 4,5, 6,8 and 9 are cross sectional views of further alternative embodiments of anchorage apparatus according to the invention; and Figure 7 illustrates an engaging formation and bolt adapted for receipt in the rail of Figure 6.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown an anchorage apparatus 1 having a retention rail portion 2 generally above line A-A'and a base portion 3 generally below line A-A', the base portion 3 extending substantially laterally either side from the retention rail portion 2. It will be appreciated that the anchorage apparatus 1 is formed as a unitary component, typically by an extrusion process and from an aluminium alloy.

The retention rail portion 2 is of a generally known kind and further comprises a laterally undercut longitudinally extending slot 10 which receives an engaging formation 11, also of a known kind, which is provided on the underside of vehicle seats or as part of securing means for wheelchairs and the like. The retention rail portion 2 further includes a longitudinally extending channel 12, located below the slot 10, the purpose of which will become apparent below.

The base portion 3 includes a longitudinally extending central void 5 which is defined by longitudinally extending web sections 6a, 6b, and is provided centrally to and below the retention rail portion 2. The central void 5 is rectangular in cross section. Additional web sections 7a, 7b may be provided to define further longitudinally extending voids 8a, 8b generally beneath the retention rail portion 2. The voids 8a, 8b are quadrilateral in cross section being trapezoidal shapes wherein opposite generally vertically oriented sides are parallel and opposite generally horizontally oriented sides are non-parallel.

Longitudinally extending stiffening ribs 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d are provided which protrude upwardly from the laterally extending parts of the base portion 3.

A floor pan 20 of a vehicle has upwardly protruding rib portions 21 a, 21b, 21c and, in order that the anchorage apparatus 1 may be fastened to the floor pan 20, vertical holes 17a, 17b, 17c are drilled through the thickness of the anchorage apparatus 1. The positions of the drilled holes 17a, 17b, 17c correspond to the upwardly protruding rib portions 2 la, 21b, 21c of the vehicle floor pan 20.

A hole 17c is drilled through the centre of the retention rail portion 2 in order that a central bolt 22c or other known fastening means then extends through the central void 5 and, using a co-operating nut 23c or suchlike beneath the floor pan 20, the anchorage apparatus is fastened to the floor pan 20 of the vehicle. The head of the central bolt 22c must not foul the slot 10 or impinge on

the engaging formation 11, and is received in the central longitudinally extending channel 12.

Alternatively or additionally, vertical holes 17a, 17b are drilled in the laterally extending parts of the base portion 3 for receipt of bolts 22a, 22b or similar fastening means which co-operate with nuts 23a, 23b or suchlike below the floor pan 20. Longitudinally extending grooves 4a, 4b are provided in the base portion for ease of locating the drill bit accurately and drilling the holes 17a, 17b through the base portion 3.

In use, the anchorage apparatus 1 provides a particularly robust means for securing a vehicle seat, wheelchair or the like, to the vehicle floor pan 20. In the event of sudden upward motion of the seat and the attached engaging formation 11, for example during an impact, the central bolt 22c constrains the upward movement of the anchorage apparatus therefore minimising the stress applied to the base portion 3. Therefore, bending and twisting of the anchorage apparatus 1 is minimised and the potential risk of mechanical failure and/or detachment from the vehicle floor pan 20 is reduced.

The central void 5 enables the central bolt 22c or other fastening means to be engaged in a very straightforward manner since material need only be removed above and below the void when the vertical hole 17c is drilled. Together with the adjacent further voids 8a, 8b, the central void 5 also affords a lightweight construction of the anchorage apparatus 1. This type of"hollowedout"construction affords significant improvements in structural rigidity and fatigue resistance over a conventional base portion construction using a solid thickness of material.

The longitudinally extending stiffening ribs 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d improve the stiffness of the anchorage apparatus 1 to help resist the extreme bending and twisting forces which arise during a vehicle impact.

Referring now to Figure 2, an alternative embodiment of anchorage apparatus 1 is illustrated in which like parts are like referenced. The relative

sizes of the various parts of the anchorage apparatus 1"differ from those of the first embodiment so as to provide an apparatus having a reduced height overall. The anchorage apparatus l'hais a lower overall height by virtue of longitudinally extending web sections 6f, 6d and additional web sections 7c, 7d both being lower in height. Also, the stiffening ribs dz 9f, 9g, 9h are lower in height.

Referring now to Figure 3 a second alternative embodiment of an anchorage apparatus 31 is formed as a unitary construction whilst providing a plurality of retention rail portions 32a, 32b joined to a single base portion 33.

Conveniently, the retention rail portions 32a, 32b may be provided at predetermined separations which correspond to standard separations of the engaging formations 11. Alternatively, following the manufacture of the anchorage apparatus 31, it is possible for the base portion 33 to be cut longitudinally, substantially through the plane extending longitudinally through the line B-B', or other substantially vertical plane conveniently between the adjacent retention rail portions 32a, 32b, so as to provide two separate anchorage apparatus parts.

Referring now to Figure 4, a third alternative embodiment of an anchorage apparatus 41 is illustrated having a base portion 43 which comprises longitudinally extending voids 25a, 25b, 25c, 25d in addition to a central void 5d provided centrally beneath adjacent retention rail portion 42. Voids 25a, 25d are provided centrally beneath the longitudinally extending grooves 4c, 4d, being of sufficient width to enable a bolt or similar fastening means to extend through the voids 25a, 25d.

Referring now to Figure 5, a fourth alternative embodiment of an anchorage apparatus 51 is illustrated having a retention rail portion 52 comprising a central longitudinally extending channel 13 of a different cross section to that shown in the previous embodiments, which can receive fastening means 14 of an alternative shape whilst preventing the uppermost part of the

fastening means 14 from impinging on the engaging formation 11 which is received in to the laterally undercut slot 10.

Referring now to Figure 6, a fifth alternative embodiment of an anchorage apparatus 61 according to the invention is illustrated in Figure 6a.

The anchorage apparatus 61 comprises a retention rail portion 62 and a base portion 63. The retention rail portion 62 comprises a longitudinally extending slot 10 as previously described, and a longitudinally extending channel 12 as previously described. However, it also includes a second longitudinally extending slot 64 positioned below the first slot 10 and above the channel 12. The second longitudinally extending slot 64 is for receipt of heads 65 of fastening means, such as bolts 66, used to secure the engaging formations 11 in a particular location within the retention rail portion 62. The engaging formation 11 and bolts 66 are shown in Figure 7, from three different orientations. In use a seat leg, for example, is secured to the engaging formation e. g. by welding.

The base portion 63 of the anchorage apparatus 61 comprises a first centrally located void 67, defined by longitudinally extending web sections 68a, 68b, the void 67 being substantially rectangular in cross section, albeit with radiused corners. Additional web sections 69a, 69b define two further longitudinally extending voids 70a and 70b to either side of the central void 67.

The web sections 69a, 69b are oriented at an angle of approximately 45 to the vertical. The further longitudinally extending voids 70a, 70b are therefore of irregular shape as shown.

The anchorage apparatus 61 further comprises six longitudinally extending stiffening ribs 7 la, 71b, 71c, 7 Id, 7 Ie, and 71f which protrude upwardly from the laterally extending parts of the base portion 63 in a manner similar to those described as part of anchorage apparatus 1 of Figure 1, with base portions 73a, 73b, 73c and 73d therebetween. However, the longitudinally

extending stiffening ribs 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d, 71e, and 71f comprise at their distal ends small laterally extending protrusions 72.

These protrusions 72 assist in retaining bolts, such as 22 in Figure 1, between the longitudinally extending ribs 71 when the anchorage apparatus 61 is being installed in a vehicle. Indeed, with the protrusions 72 it is possible for installation to be conducted by a single person as, once the bolts 22 have been inserted between the ribs 71 from above, they are retained between those ribs 71 by the protrusions 72 whilst nuts 23 are fitted from below.

That is, when two flat sides of the hexagonal head of a bolt 22 are parallel to the ribs 71, the head fits between the protrusions 72. However, as soon as the head is rotated from that orientation it can no longer fit between the protrusions and is retained between the ribs 71.

The forms of the longitudinally extending voids 67, 70a and 70b have been found to provide significant advantages over other embodiments, in that the anchorage apparatus 61 is significantly stronger then in the prior art, and indeed when compared with the other embodiments described herein, for the weight of the apparatus.

The anchorage apparatus 61 provides a further advantage, in that with two locations to either side of the retention rail portion 62 in which securing bolts 22 can be inserted, there is greater flexibility with regard to securing the apparatus 61 to a vehicle floor pan, and in addition the anchorage apparatus 61 can be narrowed by removing either rib 71a and base portion 73a and/or rib 71f and base portion 73d, whilst still retaining the ability to secure the anchorage apparatus 61 to the vehicle floor pan on either side of the retention rail portion 62.

Referring now to Figure 8, a sixth alternative embodiment of an anchorage apparatus 81 according to the invention is illustrated. The anchorage apparatus 81 comprises two retention rail portions 82 substantially as described above for the retention rail portion 62 of Figure 6. However, the base portion

83 is substantially different. The base portion 83 provides longitudinally extending voids 84 located centrally beneath each of the retention rail portions 82, these each being defined by longitudinally extending web sections 85a, 85b which are substantially vertical. Further longitudinally extending web portions 86a located outwardly of the web portions 85a define further longitudinally extending voids 87, which are of irregular shape as for the voids 70a and 70b in the embodiment of Figure 6. Further longitudinally extending web portions 88a, 88b, and 88c define further longitudinally extending voids 89,90 and 91 located between the two retention rail portions 82. The voids 90 and 91 are located on the mid line of the anchorage apparatus 81 and are appropriate for drilling and insertion of fastening means such as bolts.

The anchorage apparatus 81 further comprises longitudinally extending ribs 92a, 92b to either side of the retention rail portions 82, with each pair of ribs defining a base portion 93 therebetween for receipt of fastening means such as bolts 22 as previously described.

Referring now to Figure 9 an anchorage apparatus 81', being substantially the same as the anchorage apparatus 81 of Figure 8 is illustrated in cross-section. Parts common to the anchorage apparatus 81 are like referenced.

The only difference between the anchorage apparatus 81'and the anchorage apparatus 81 is in the form of the upper central void 91. In the anchorage apparatus 81'the central void 91 has longitudinally extending protrusions from its side walls. These act, in the same way as the protrusions 72 on the ribs 71, to retain the heads of fastening means such as bolts 22, within the void 91 where a whole has been drilled in the longitudinally extending web 88c to provide access to the void. This therefore permits the embodiment of the anchorage apparatus 81'to be fitted single handedly as for the embodiment 61 of Figure 6.

The anchorage apparatus 81 and 81'are particularly suitable for use where two seats are to be fitted close together, or to provide alternative seat/wheelchair fixings at different centres.

Although only three embodiments of the anchorage apparatus according to the invention have been described as being manufactured with a plurality of retention rail portions on a single wider base portion, any of the embodiments may be manufactured in this way. Further, although the embodiments of Figures 3,8 and 9 have two retention rail portions typically having centres 80mm apart different separations of paired retention rail portions may be used.

For example an anchorage apparatus with a pair of retention rail portions having their centres 330mm apart could be used to secure single seats with double legs, as that is a fairly standard separation for such legs.

Although anchorage apparatus according to the invention are formed typically from an aluminium alloy, it will be appreciated that other materials may be used such as polymer, polymer composites, pure metals, alloys or metal composites as appropriate to achieve the desired mechanical properties.

The embodiment shown in use in Figure 1 is shown simply bolted to the ribbed floor pan 20 of a vehicle. However all the embodiments of the invention are particularly suitable for use in a vehicle seat securing system as described in the applicant's earlier patent application published under number GB 2344079. In such a system the anchorage apparatus is located longitudinally of the vehicle above the floor pan and second elongate elements are located transversely of the vehicle beneath the floor pan. Bolts securing the components in place pass through the anchorage apparatus, the vehicle floor pan and the second elongate elements. The whole installation is thus very strong and has been shown to perform well in terms of the forces which it can withstand without failing.

In the present specification"comprise"means"includes or consists of and"comprising"means"including or consisting of.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or 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, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS 1) An anchorage apparatus including a retention rail portion having a laterally undercut longitudinally extending slot for receiving engaging formations of a vehicle seat or the like and a base portion wherein the retention rail portion is joined to the base portion by a plurality of longitudinally extending web sections which define at least a first void located centrally with respect to the retention rail portion.
2) An anchorage apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein the retention rail portion further includes a central longitudinally extending channel for receipt of a fastening means which when so received extends downwardly through the first central void.
3) An anchorage apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein the retention rail portion further comprises a second laterally undercut longitudinally extending slot, below the first slot and above the channel.
4) An anchorage apparatus according to Claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the central void is substantially rectangular in cross section.
5) An anchorage apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein it further includes additional longitudinally extending web sections which define a plurality of additional voids below the retention rail portion.
6) An anchorage apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein the additional voids are trapezoidal in cross section.

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7) An anchorage apparatus according to Claim 5 wherein the additional voids are irregular in cross section.
8) An anchorage apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein it is a unitary component including the retention rail portion and the base portion.
9) An anchorage apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the base portion extends laterally to either side of the retention rail portion.
10) An anchorage apparatus according to Claim 9 wherein the base portion includes a plurality of longitudinally extending stiffening ribs protruding upwardly therefrom.
11) An anchorage apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein the ribs have laterally extending protrusions at or adjacent their distal ends.
12) An anchorage apparatus according to Claim 9 wherein the base portion includes longitudinally extending voids within the lateral extensions thereof.
13) An anchorage apparatus according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein it comprises a plurality of retention rail portions.
14) An anchorage apparatus according to Claim 13 wherein it comprises further longitudinally extending voids between the plurality of retention rail portions.

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15) An anchorage apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
16) A method of manufacturing an anchorage apparatus consisting of simultaneously extruding a retention rail portion and a base portion as parts of a unitary component, the retention rail portion and the base portion being joined by means of a plurality of longitudinally extending web sections wherein the web sections are disposed so as to define at least a first void located centrally with respect to the retention rail.
17) A method of manufacturing an anchorage apparatus according to Claim 16 wherein a plurality of retention rail portions are extruded simultaneously with the base portion.
18) A method of manufacturing an anchorage apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
19) Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and/or in the accompanying drawings.