GB2383018A

GB2383018A - Vehicle seat transporter

Info

Publication number: GB2383018A
Application number: GB0222027A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Hardman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-12-11
Filing date: 2002-09-23
Publication date: 2003-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-23
Also published as: GB0129549D0; GB2383018B; GB0222027D0

Abstract

A vehicle seat transporter comprises an elongate element 4 which has a conventional vehicle floor seat track 5 attached to, or forming part of, an upper surface of the elongate element. Alternatively the elongate element may be provided with a slot (16, figure 2) along its length. Wheels 7 are attached to the element 4 by means of screws or bolts 8, these acting as axles for the wheels. When a vehicle seat is to be transported outside of the vehicle fittings on the base of the seat allow it to be temporarily attached to the vehicle seat transporter by means of recesses 14 or T-section clamps (17, figure 3) engaging with the slot (16).

Description

SEAT TRANSPORTER Vehicles and other modes of transport which have passenger-carrying seats at the rear of the drivers seat in the cargo area. The seat frameworks can be single, double and other, spaced and suitably secured to the'floor'or'floor track'area of the vehicle.

Many such vehicles namely that of mini-buses and the like have seating frameworks which are detachable from the'floor track'. This enables various seat pattern configurations to be arranged such that the maximum permissible number of passengers can be safely transported. It is sometimes necessary to remove seat (s) from the vehicle altogether, to make room for a wheelchair (s). For example, by present conventional methods when a detachable seat or seats have to have their frameworks re-located or removed then this operation would be carried out by the driver or assistant. This will involve lifting and moving of the seat frameworks with varying weights and mass.

Certain present legislation rules contain maximum loads and weights that should be recognised for manual lifting and handling, for Health and Safety rules and objectives to be observed.

By way of the following description and drawings the invention seeks to improve/overcome the aforesaid lifting problem or operation.

Fig 1. Shows a side, plan and end elevation.

Fig IA. Alternative profile section.

Fig 2. Shows a side and end elevation of an alternative design.

Fig 3. Shows a'tee'shape section.

Item 4 fig 1 is a square hollow section (and for this description is manufactured from an aluminium alloy). Any other material could be used provided the design criteria was satisfied. The dimensions of the section 4 which in this case is square shape and defined by the letters'Y'and'Yl'with a length of'X'.

Item 5 is a typical'floor track'section and probably the most common in use. Although several types are commercially available. The track section item 5 (usually manufactured from an aluminium alloy) is held captive to the section 4 by suitable screws 6 and on the underside by a washer and nut, items 11 and 12.

Alternatively the section item 4 fig 1 could be manufactured such that the entire profile including that of the profile of item 5 would be manufactured as a one piece section or

profile; that is such that item 5 fig 1 is an integral part of the whole profile ; as shown by the end elevation (view on arrow'A'fig 1). In this case the recess's 14 fig 1 will require machining within the'upper'part of the profile as required.

The'line''B'would then not be present, in a true end section of this alternative profile.

The profile would be as section shown, by fig 1 A.

Suitable wheels 7 fig 1 are secured to the section 4 using a'bolt'or'screw'8 as an

'axle', positioning to the dimension'Z'upon which the wheel 8 is free to rotate. The 'axle'is then secured in place by washers and nut 9 and 10.

Suitable end caps item's 13 are fitted at both ends of the section 4. These are manufactured from'plastic'or other suitable material, and are commercially available in various shapes and sizes.

The seat framework (not shown) to be removed from the vehicle'floor track'will have a fitting (s) attached to it's base which will be compatible with the recess's 14 fig 1 in the track section 5. Such that the seat frame can be temporarily locked in position to the track and section 4 and 5, and moved into a different position or removed altogether from the vehicle with little effort. These would be used in pairs (one per side).

Fig 2 shows an alternative or secondary layout which will have a different type of'floor track'.

Item 15 fig 2 is the'track section' (and for this description manufactured from an aluminium alloy). The dimensions of the section are represented by the letters A, B and C. the slot 16 fig 2 runs longitudinal along its entire length and the width is represented by the letter'D'. A'tee'shaped section item 17 fig 3 manufactured from a specified material such as an aluminium alloy. The dimension'D'of the'tee'section 17 is compatible with the width of the slot 16 fig 2, such that it has a slide fit within the slot 16 and is secured in position with a suitable screw or'grub'screw item 18 fig, 2as the threaded bore 19 fig 3 is compatible with the screws item 18.

A suitable wheel 20 fig 2 is secured to the section 15 by using a suitable bolt or screw (not shown) as an axle such that by tightening the screw 18 within the'tee'section item 17 so that the surfaces 21 of the'tee'will'lock'in position against the'inner'upper surfaces 22 of the section item 15 fig 2. Likewise the lower end of the screw 18 will 'lock'the'axle' (not shown) of the wheel which is positioned between the underside of the screw 18, and is restricted from turning by the'vee'groove 23 fig 2 (which runs longitudinal the full length of the section 15). Firmly in position, such that the wheel 20 fig 2 is free to rotate.

The wheel assembly and'tee'nut item 15 fig's 2 and 3 are typical at both ends of the section 15.

Both the sections item's 4 and 15 fig's I and 2 are manufactured such that their overall length will cater for the seat framework base to be transported. (The type shown in fig 2 would only normally require one unit).

It is further noted that any suitable shape of section could be used for item 4 fig 1, providing the width represented by the dimension'Yl'was of sufficient width to accommodate the track section 5.

This would of course would not be necessary if the section was of the style and shape at fig 1A, as the'top'portion containing the recess's 14 fig I would be as aforesaid described an integral part of item 4 fig 1.

Item 15 fig 2 is a true and exact shape and size of the vehicles track section; (therefore a different section could not be used).

A further embodiment of the invention would be that of using'quick'release'toggle' type clamps, (readily available commercially), such that two or more could be fitted to section 4 fig 1 (upper surface) in place of the track section item 5, such that the'toggle' clamps would locate and lock onto the base of the seat framework as an alternative to using the floor track clamps.

Finally the transporter as aforesaid descried could be manufactured as a two wheeled 'bogie'type with suitable wheels positioned at one end or the centre. The base framework would be of a suitable section and material which could be of a'square'or rectangular shape, with suitable clamping means for locking the seat base frame in position for transporting.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A seat frame transporter consisting of a'square'or'channel'like section item 4 fig 1 and item 15 fig 2.
2. The section item 4 fig 1 could be of any suitable shape of section providing the width represented by the dimension'Yl'fig 1 was of sufficient width to accommodate the track section item 5.
3. Commercially available track item 5 fig 1 is suitably attached to the section 4 using screws, washers and nuts items 6, 11 and 12.
4. A section or profile as shown by fig 1A, whereby item 5 fig 1 is an integral part of the section item 4. Therefore the screws, washers and nuts items 6, 11 and 12 would not be required, as the section could then be described as homogeneous.
5. Suitable wheels 7 fig 1 are attached using the bolt or screw item 8 (which acts as an axle for the wheel) secured in position by suitable washer and nut items 8 and 9 fig 1.
6. 'Quick'release'toggle'type clamps (readily available commercially), such that two or more clamps could be fitted to section 4 fig 1 (upper surface) in place of the track section item 5 as claimed in claims 1,2 and 3, such that the 'toggle'clamps would locate and lock onto the base of the seat framework as an alternative to using the floor track clamps.

6. The seat framework (not shown) fitted within a vehicle, will have fittings which are suitably attached to their base, which secure the seat (s) within a vehicle being that of the vehicles floor track system.

These fittings are compatible with the recess's 14 fig 1 and permit a seat framework to be temporarily locked in position. (one seat frame would require two such units for transporting and moving the seat (s).

7. A defined aluminium section item 15 fig 2, used as an alternative to the section 4 (as aforesaid claimed in claim's 1,2, 3 and 4).

Having a slot 16 fig 2 running longitudinal along its entire length. A'tee'shape section item 17 fig 3 is compatible with the slot 16 fig 2 and is secured in position with a suitable grub-screw item 18 fig 2, as the threaded bore 19 fig 3 is compatible with the screw thread 18 fig 2.

8. Suitable wheels 20 are secured to the section 15 fig 2 using a suitable bolt or screw (not shown) as an axle such that by tightening the screw 18 within the'tee'section item 17 such that the surfaces 21 of the'tee'will lock in position against the'inner' upper surfaces 22 of the section item 15 fig 2. Likewise the lower end of the screw 18 will'lock'the axle (not shown) of the wheel, which is positioned between the underside of the screw 18 and is restricted from turning by the'vee'groove 23 fig 2.

(Which runs longitudinal the full length of the section 15), firmly position, such that the wheel 20 fig 2 is free to rotate.

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The wheel assembly and'tee'nut item 15 fig's 2 and are typical at both ends of the section 15 fig 2.

9. 'Quick'release'toggle'type clamps (readily available commercially), such that two or more clamps could be fitted to section 4 fig 1 (upper surface) in place of the track section item 5 as claimed in claims 1,2 and 3, such that the'toggle'clamps would locate and lock onto the base of the seat framework as an alternative to using the floor track clamps.

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Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A vehicle passenger seat transporter consisting of a suitable main base section, commercially available vehicle floor track section is suitably fixed to the upper face of the main base section, as aforesaid described and shown in Fig 1.

2. Suitable, pairs of wheels and axial are attached to one end, both the wheels and floor track section can now be considered as an integral part of the main base section claim 1, the wheels are free to rotate.

3. Fittings, which are compatible to that of the floor track section (any already attached to the seats base framework), within the vehicle can now be released from the vehicles floor, attached by engagement within the track section of the transporter and moved into a different location, all as aforesaid described.

4. A defined aluminium section item 15 fig 2, used as an alternative to the section 4 (as aforesaid claimed in claims's 1,2, 3 and 4). Having a slot 16 fig 2 running longitudinal along its entire length. A'tee'shape section 17 fig 3 is compatible with the slot 16 fig 2 and is secured in position with a suitable grub-screw item 18 fig 2, as the threaded bore 19 fig 3 is compatible with the screw thread 18 fig 2.

5. Suitable wheels 20 are secured to the section 15 fig 2 using a suitable bolt or screw (not shown) as an axle such that by tightening the screw 18 with the 'tee'section item 17 such that the surfaces 21 of the'tee'will lock in position against the'inner'upper surfaces 22 of the section 15 fig 2. Likewise the lower end of the screw 18 will'lock'the axle (not shown) of the wheel, which is positioned between the underside of the screw 18 and is restricted from turning the'vee'groove 23 fig 2. (Which runs longitudinal the full length of the section 15, firmly position, such that the wheel 20 fig 2 is free to rotate.

The wheel assembly and'tee'nut item 15 fig's 2 and are typical at both ends of the section 15 fig 2.