GB2415130A

GB2415130A - Car seat with sliding and swivelling means

Info

Publication number: GB2415130A
Application number: GB0413547A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Howard Daniel Samuels; Brian Reginald Healy
Original assignee: W H Aspect Ltd
Current assignee: W H Aspect Ltd
Priority date: 2004-06-17
Filing date: 2004-06-17
Publication date: 2005-12-21
Also published as: GB0413547D0

Abstract

An adjustable driver's chair 50 for use in a vehicle, comprising a seat mounted on a platform 52, the platform slidably attached to the floor of the vehicle 60, preferably on rails 58. The slidable attachment permitting the seat to move from a first position to a second position, the first position defining a driving position and the second position defining a disabled access position, and the seat further being capable of swivelling when it is located in the second position. Preferably the rails are inclined, more preferably to the second position. The movement of the platform may be performed manually, by electric motor 62 or rack and pinion/screw mechanism and may be remotely controlled. A further invention is a method of modifying a vehicle by removing the drivers seat and mounting it on a platform which is slidable on two inclined rails situated on the floor of the vehicle. A ramp (fig 1 14) for access to the vehicle, modifications to the controls of the vehicle to aid the disabled driver and supporting hand bars (fig 1 24) are also disclosed.

Description

24151 30 - 1

DESCRIPTION

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR

The present invention relates to an adjustable driver's chair for use in a vehicle to assist a wheel chair bound person being seated in a driving seat. The present invention also relates to a method of modifying a vehicle incorporating such a seat.

A number of standard cars are often modified after production so as to accommodate people with mobility problems, such as people who are wheelchair bound. Whilst many modifications do allow for a disabled person to enter and drive a vehicle, these modifications require a complex number of steps to be taken in order for the person to be seated in the driver's seat. For example, a mechanical swing like device located on top of the vehicle can be used such that a person can sit on the swing and drag themselves into the driver's seat, after which the person then has to dismantle or collapse the wheelchair and then place it in the vehicle. Such a method requires extensive modification of the vehicle which not only increases the weight of the vehicle but also affects its aerodynamics. Additionally, the procedure is time consuming and requires that the person has reasonable upper body strength so as to be able to collapse the wheelchair and place it within the vehicle themselves.

Alternatively, a person may open the driver's side door of the vehicle and with the wheelchair adjacent to the door and drag themselves onto the driver's seat. This procedure also requires the wheel chair to be collapsed and place it inside the vehicle. - 2

This method requires a great deal of upper body strength and the procedure may be problematic should a car be parked next to the vehicle and additionally, the difference in height between the wheelchair on the pavement and the driver's seat can sometimes vary greatly which causes other problems for the person entering the vehicle.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to alleviate one or more problems associated with the prior art methods of modifying vehicles for disabled persons. It would also be advantageous to provide an adjustable driver's seat which greatly assists a person in being seated within the driver's seat in an easy and expedient manner.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an adjustable driver's chair for use in a vehicle, the adjustable chair comprising a seat mounted on a platform, the platform slidably attached to the floor of the vehicle, the slidable attachment permitting the seat to move from a first position to a second position, the first position defining a driving position and the second position defining a disabled access position, and the seat further being capable of swivelling when it is located in the second position.

A "driving position" is considered to mean the position that driver's seat would usually be occupying in the vehicle, and therefore will be a position that can be adjusted in relation to height and distance away from the steering wheel/pedals to - 3 accommodate persons of varying sizes. A "disabled access position" relates to a position that is located away from the driving position, such that it is remote from the controls of the vehicle and this may be past a front passenger seat if one is fitted.

The slidable attachment may comprise one or more rails. The rails may be inclined, should there be a difference in height between the driving position and the height of the wheel chair. Such an incline may be required in more standard cars (for example a Renault Kangoo_), but less so with more van like vehicles (for examples MPVs or mini-MPVs). Preferably, the rails descends towards the first position.

Therefore, the present invention provides for a chair which can be incorporated into a suitable vehicle, whereby the wheelchair can enter the vehicle from either the rear or side doors and located adjacent to the drivers seat when it is in an elevated position away from the controls of the car. 'I'he person can easily slide themselves onto the driver's seat as it will be presented at the same or substantially similar height and the swivel action ofthe chair will also help the person from being seated in the driver's seat as they move across. After being seated, the ad instable chair can then be brought to the first position of the vehicle. There is no requirement to collapse the wheelchair and there is no or little danger of damaging the controls of the vehicle as the mounting/seating procedure takes place away from the dashboard.

Preferably, the seat does not swivel when it is located in the first position. Therefore, when the seat is located in the first position (in the driving position) it is positively locked in position such that the seat cannot rotate and therefore ensuring that should an accident occur, the car would confer the same protection to the occupants as it would an occupant in a standard driving seat and also that the driver is facing forwards.

The platform may engage two rails, although it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that any number of rails could be used and for example, central rails could also be utilised in accordance with the present invention in order to provide a mechanism which permits the seat from being able to swivel when in the second position, but aligned in the correct orientation when the seat is located in the first position (in the correct driving position). A number of different mechanisms may be employed to ensure that the seat may be swivel in the second position whilst not when in the first position and these may be by mechanical and/or electrical means.

The seat may be mounted on the platform by means of two second rails and such rails are commonly used in vehicle seats (and usually known as "runners") in order to adjust the distance the seat is from the steering wheel and these rails tend to use a locking mechanism which can be disengaged so that the seat can be adjusted and the lock re-engaged at the desired distance from the steering wheel. Additionally, the height of the seat relative to the platform may also be adjustable. This height may be adjustable by means of an electric motor, a mechanical means or indeed a pneumatic means. - s -

The movement of the platform on the rails may be actuated by means of an electric motor or alternatively actuated manually. Preferably, the movement of the platform is remotely controlled and this may be from within the vehicle or from its exterior.

The movement of the platform may also be automatically controlled and this control may be linked to the opening of a door for example so that the chair is placed in the appropriate position prior to the person being seated. The movement of the chair may rely on a rack and pinion/screw mechanism. A number of alternative mechanisms to actuate movement may also be used, and these will be apparent to the skilled addressee. Should an electric motor be used to actuate the movement, a motor which is used for window wipers or similar motors may by employed. Preferably, the electric motor is geared so as to provide a gradual movement of the chair and such a gearing may have a ratio of 1:16. Preferably, the swivel of the seat is within 30 degrees relative to the driving position. The swivel of the chair may be by means of a swivel mechanism disposed on or in the platform. Also preferably, the seat is automatically brought into line with the original driving position as the seat is brought to the front of the vehicle and this can be by means of the rails or other means.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of modifying a vehicle to allow a wheelchair bound person to be seated in the driver's seat of the vehicle comprising the steps: (a) removing the driver's seat and optionally other seats; (b) mounting the driver's seat on a platform; - 6 (c) attaching two inclined rails on the floor of the vehicle; (d) mounting the platform on the rails, such that the platform is capable of movement along the rails from a first position defined as a driving position and a second position defined as a disabled access position.

The rails may be substituted with a slidable attachment that would permit the platform from moving along the floor of the vehicle in the similar manner as if it were mounted on the rails. The rails may also be inclined towards the second position. The rails and/or platform may permit the seat to swivel about an axis when it is in an elevated position (towards the rear of the vehicle). The method may also provide for a ramp to be placed along side a door of the vehicle and this may automatically or manually deployed. The movement of the platform on the rails may be actuated by means of an electric motor or mechanical mechanism. The movement of the platform may also be actuated remotely and/or in conjunction with a door being opened and/or the ramp from being lowered. Hand bars may be attached to the interior of a vehicle so that a person may hold these bars whilst moving from the wheelchair to the seat of the vehicle or vice versa. The floor of the vehicle may also be lowered and/or widened to further facilitate access to the interior to the vehicle.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures: - 7 Figure 1 is a diagram showing a vehicle modified by the incorporation of a drivers chair in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagram showing the operation of the drivers chair in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 3 is a diagram showing the mechanical parts of the drivers chair as shown in Figure 2 which permit movement of the chair.

With reference to Figure 1, there is provided a mini-multi person vehicle (MPV) 10 with a rear door 12 pivotally mounted on the roof'of the vehicle 10. A ramp 14 permits access to the interior 16 of the vehicle 10 and the floor 18 has been lowered.

A wheelchair 20 is shown ad jacent to the driver's seat 22, when it is in a position remote from the controls of the vehicle 10. Handle bars 24 have been placed on the roof of the vehicle 10 just above the wheelchair 20 and the driver's seat 22, to assist a person from moving from the wheelchair 20 to the driver's seat 22 (and vice versa).

A number of hydraulic struts hold the rear door 12 open and these can be remotely actuated.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, there is provided a standard driver's chair 50 that has been completely removed from the vehicle (including runners etc) and remounted on a square platt'orm 52. The runners 54 of the standard chair 50 have been bolted onto the platform 52 and therefore the chair 50 can be adjusted for reach on the platform 52 itself by means of the ad justment bar 56. The platform 52 runs along inclined rails 58 which have been bolted onto the floor 60 ofthe vehicle. An electronically - 8 controlled motor 62 turns a cog 64 along a rack 66 to permit the chair 50 to move forwards and backwards along the plane indicated by the arrow 68. When the chair is in a position 70 away from the controls of the car, it can pivot by means of a pivoting mechanism (not shown) on the platform so as to allow persons to sit on the chair efficiently.

In use, a wheelchair user will remotely activate the opening of the door 12, which will open by means ofthe hydraulic struts 26. The ramp 14 will also be deployed so that the user can wheel themselves into the interior 16 of the vehicle 10. The wheelchair can then be placed alongside the chair 22,50 (in position 70) and the user can slide themselves onto the chair 22,50 from the wheelchair 20. Due to the inclined rails, the chair 22,50 is at the correct height relative to the wheelchair 20 and the chair also facilitates the movement ofthe person due to its swivelling action. Handle bars 24 can also be used to assist in the manoeuvre if required. When in the chair 22,50 the user can then activate the motor 62 to bring the chair 22, 50 along the rails 58 to the suitable driving position. The chair 22,50 will not swivel when in place in front of the controls of the vehicle and the chair 22,50 can be adjusted as in a standard car.

Indeed, the rails will correspond to substantially the same height as the runners and therefore result in a driving position that is substantially the same as a standard chair in a standard vehicle. The doors 12 and ramp 14 can also be closed remotely and the user is free to drive the vehicle away. Commonly, the controls of the vehicle will be adapted for a wheelchair user. - 9 -

lt will also be apparent that a standard vehicle can be modified by the incorporation of the ad instable chair by adapting the existing chair to fit the runners on a slidable platform. The motor 62 can also be replaced with a mechanical actuator if desired and/or used as a manual override, should power to the motor be lost. Furthermore, the floor of the vehicle can also be lowered so as to accommodate further for the wheelchair access. - 10

Claims

Cl AIMS 1. An adjustable driver's chair t'or use in a vehicle, the

adjustable chair comprising a seat mounted on a platform, the platform slidably attached to the floor of the vehicle, the slidable attachment permitting the seat to move from a first position to a second position, the first position defining a driving position and the second position defining a disabled access position, and the seat further being capable of swivelling when it is located in the second position.
2. A chair as claimed in claim I, wherein the seat does not swivel when it is located in the first position.
3. A chair as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein slidable attachment comprises one or more rails.
4. A chair as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the seat is mounted on the platform by means of two secondary rails.
5. A chair as claimed in any of claims 3 or 4, wherein the one or more rails are inclined.
6. A chair as claimed in claim 5, wherein the rail descends towards the first position
7. A chair as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the chair swivels by means of a swivel mechanism disposed on the platform.
8. A chair as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the movement of the platform is actuated by means of an electric motor. )
9. A chair as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the movement of the platform is actuated manually.
10. A chair as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the movement of a platform is remotely controlled.
I I. A chair as claimed in claim 10, wherein the movement of the platform is automatically controlled.
12. A chair as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the movement of the chair relies upon a rack and pinion/screw mechanism.
13. A chair as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the seat is capable of swivelling 30" to the left or right.
14. A method of modifying a vehicle to allow a wheelchair bound person to be seated in the driver's seat ofthe vehicle comprising the steps: (a) removing the driver's seat and optionally other seats; (b) mounting the driver's seat on a platform; (c) attaching two inclined rails on the floor ofthe vehicle; (d) mounting the platform on the rails, such that the platform is capable of movement along the rails from a first position defined as a driving position and a second position defined as a disabled access position.
15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the rails and/or platform permit the seat to swivel about an axis when it is in the second position.
16. A method as claimed in either claim 14 or 15, wherein a ramp is provided for a door. t - ]2
17. A method as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16, wherein movement of the platform on the rails is actuated by an electric motor.
18. A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the movement of the platform on the rails is actuated remotely.
19. A method as claimed in any of claims 14 to 18, wherein hand bars are attached to the interior of the vehicle to facilitate the movement of a disabled person.
20. A method as claimed in any of claim 14 to 19, where the rails are inclined towards the second position.
21. A method as claimed in any of claims 14 to 20, wherein the floor of the vehicle is lowered.
22. A method as claimed in any of claims 14 to 21, wherein the driving controls of the vehicle are adapted to allow a disabled person to drive the car.
23. An adjustable driver's chair and a method of modifying a vehicle as described substantially hereinabove with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying lgures.