GB2419854A

GB2419854A - Vehicle seat anchoarge system

Info

Publication number: GB2419854A
Application number: GB0424582A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Hardman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-11-06
Filing date: 2004-11-06
Publication date: 2006-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2024-11-06
Also published as: GB0424582D0; GB2419854B

Abstract

A vehicle seat anchorage system for use in mounting seats on vehicle flooring comprises elongate support member(s) (1) fixed to the flooring and separate track member(s) (2) for interlocking interengagement. The support member(s) (1) provide a channel (3) with inwardly directed retaining members (9a, 9b) at a top surface (4) of the members (1) forming a T-slot which slidably engages with and retains the track members (2). The track members (2) have defined grooves (15) along their length between a bottom wall (13) and a top wall (11) with which to engage and be retained by the channel (3). The track member(s) (2) further provide anchoring configurations for engagement with anchoring members on a vehicle seat comprising an elongate slot in the top wall (11) which may comprise semi-circular recesses (17). A seat can therefore be anchored to the track members (2) in a vehicle, the track member acting as an adaptor to allow seats with one type of fixing to by used in a vehicle with another type of fixing.

Description

VEHICLE SEAT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM

This invention relates to a vehicle seat anchorage system.

It is known to fix tracks to internal flooring of a vehicle to provide an adjustable anchorage for seats mounted within the vehicle. One such arrangement, as specifically described in GB 2344319A, has channel-shaped tracks with top walls level wfth the flooring surface having longitudinally extending straight-sided slots. Seats can be anchored at different positions along the tracks by engagement of fittings attached to the seats through the track slots to be retained beneath sections of the track top walls bounding the slots. This arrangement is particularly suitable for conversion of vans, or similar load carrying vehicles, to minibuses and can have advantageous flexibility. In particular, passenger seats can be mounted at different positions and can be readily moved, or removed entirely, as required. Also, the tracks can 1 5 provide anchorage other than for passenger seats, e.g. for wheelchairs, or for restraining straps, harnesses and the like.

With this known arrangement, the incorporation of the slotted channelshaped tracks into the flooring provides a particularly robust versatile structure but has the limitation that it requires the use of fittings compatible with the track slot configuration. Such fittings for the described straight-sided slot configuration generally comprise T-section of L-section members which can be tightened beneath the sections of the track top wall bounding the slot.

It is however also common to use channel-shaped tracks with longitudinally extending top wall slots which have serrated sides defining a series of linked generally oval recesses along the top wall. These tracks may be used with quick release fittings e.g. spring loaded key-type fittings which are pushed through the recesses and twisted to lock in position.

There is therefore the problem that a vehicle having the straight slotted track configuration is not suitable for use with fittings intended for the serrated slotted track configuration and vice versa, and it can be inconvenient and expensive to replace existing installed tracks, or to provide for separate manufacture and installation of both kinds of tracks, to meet different requirements.

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat anchorage system which can be readily adapted for use with different 1 5 kinds of seat fittings without requiring expensive and inconvenient re-installation of different kinds of anchorage tracks.

According to one aspect of the invention therefore there is provided a vehicle seat anchorage system for use in mounting seats on vehicle flooring comprising at least one elongate support member adapted to be fixed relative to the flooring, said support member having thereon an anchoring configuration adapted for interlocking interengagement with seat fittings characterised by the provision of a separate track member which is mountable on the support members to provide a respective said anchoring configuration.

With this arrangement, since the track member is separate from the support member, there is the possibility of providing different anchoring configurations with the same elongate support member whereby design of the system can be initially selected and, if desired, subsequently modified to accommodate different kinds of fittings, in a convenient and inexpensive manner.

A plurality of different track members with different respective anchoring configurations may be provided whereby a desired configuration can be attained by selection of the appropriate track member. Alternatively or additionally the elongate support member may have thereon a respective said anchoring configuration whereby different configurations can be attained by using the system respectively with and without any said track member.

1 5 With regard to the respective anchoring configuration this may be of any suitable kind. In a particularly preferred embodiment the configuration comprises a slot defined between opposed wall sections.

The slot may be straight sided, particularly with continuous parallel sides.

Alternatively the slot may have shaped sides particularly with cut-outs or serrations which may be semi-circular and which may be equally spaced and the arrangement may be such that such cut-outs or serrations along one side confront respectively like cut-out or serrations on the opposite side to define linked recesses therewith which may be generally oval.

Most preferably the arrangement is such that the elongate support member has the aforesaid straight-sided slot configuration and the detachable track member has the aforesaid shaped-sided slot configuration.

The elongate support member may be of any suitable structure. In a preferred embodiment it is a channel or box-section member having a continuous elongate space bounded by a bottom wall, opposite side walls and a top wall.

The top wall may be constructed with opposed wall sections bounding a slot as aforesaid. There may be two such opposed wall sections which may be of common transverse dimensions bounding a central symmetrically disposed slot.

The top, side and bottom walls may be at right angles to each other defining a channel or box section of generally square or rectangular 1 5 shape. Most preferably the top wall has a planar top surface and the member may have outwardly directed top side extension walls which have top surfaces coplanar with the top surface of the top wall.

With regard to the track member, this may comprise an elongate channel section member having a continuous elongate space bounded by a bottom wall, opposed side walls, and a top wall. The top wall may be constructed with opposed wall sections bounding a slot as aforesaid.

There may be two such opposed wall sections which may be of common transverse dimensions bounding a central symmetrically disposed slot.

The top wall may have a planar top surface and may have outwardly directed top side extensions which may be inclined downwardly.

The elongate space bounded by the top, side and bottom walls may be of generally oval shape.

With regard to the mounting of the track member on the elongate support member this is preferably such as to permit longitudinal adjustment of the position of the track member relative to the support member.

Thus, the track member may interfit with the support member so as to be capable of sliding therealong. This may be achieved in the context of the aforesaid slotted channel support member by providing the track member with a retaining structure adapted to fit slidably within the channel space such that the anchoring configuration of the track member projects above the support member through the support member slot, and the retaining structure limits displacement out of the slot.

The retaining structure may comprise the aforesaid bottom wall of the track member which may be appropriately shaped e.g. with side extensions particularly to fit retainably beneath the aforesaid top wall sections of the support member.

The side walls of the track member may be shaped to provide grooves particularly inwardly directed V-shaped grooves to receive slidably edges, particularly V-shaped tapered edges, of the said top wall sections.

The walls of the track member may be configured with shaped internal surfaces so that the channel space of the track member is of generally oval cross-section.

The track member may be fixable in a desired position on the support member by any suitable means including gluing, screwing, friction grip or the like. The fixing may be permanent or releasable.

The track member may be the same length as, or shorter than the support member. Where shorter, two or more track members may be used with the same support member.

Any combination and distribution of support members and track members may be used on vehicle flooring.

Thus there may be a plurality of support members extending longitudinally and/or transversely and there may be one or more track members applied to one or more support members in one or more positions thereon.

The vehicle flooring may be flooring of a wheeled road vehicle having an integral traction unit e.g. in the form of a van suitable for use as a minibus. However other kinds of vehicles may also be used.

GB 2383018A describes a seat transporter having an anchorage system compatible with a vehicle flooring seat anchorage system whereby a seat can be detached from the vehicle flooring and attached to the transporter using the same seat anchorage fittings. The transporter facilitates movement of seats without requiring undue lifting activity.

The present invention may also be applied to the context of such a transporter.

Thus, and in accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle seat transporter comprising at least one elongate support member with at least one ground engageable running member thereon, and an anchoring configuration on said member adapted for interlocking interengagement with seat fittings, characterised by the provision of a separate track member which is mountable on the support members to provide a respective said anchoring configuration.

The ground engageable running member may be one or more wheels or rollers or the like, as described in GB 2383018A, particularly provided at one position only along the support member, such as at one end portion of the member.

1 5 The track member and the support member may have any or all of the features of such members of the first aspect of the present invention.

The invention will now be described further by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is an end perspective view of a support member and track member of one form of a vehicle seat anchorage system according to the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view of the arrangement of Figure 1 to a smaller scale showing diagrammatically an anchored seat; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the track member of Figure 1; and Figures 4 and 5 are diagrammatic plan views of different anchorage system layouts on vehicle flooring.

Referring to Figure 1 this shows an elongate support member 1 and a track member 2 of a vehicle seat anchorage system.

The support member 1 comprises a one-piece rigid aluminium alloy extrusion having a central longitudinal space 3 bounded by a top wall 4, two side walls 5 and a bottom wall 6 which define a rectangular channel or box-section structure.

The top wall 4 is defined by two spaced apart wall sections 4a, 4b, which are spaced apart to define a slot 7 therebetween. The wall sections 4a, 4b are of like thickness and width and have coplanar top 1 5 surfaces 4c.

The two side walls 5 are of like height and thickness and have planar outer surfaces at right angles to the coplanar top surfaces 4c.

The bottom wall 6 has a planar bottom surface which is parallel to the coplanar top surfaces 4c.

The member 1 has upper outwardly directed side extensions 4d, 4e along its length which have top surface coplanar with the top surfaces 4c of the wall sections 4a, 4b. At their extremities remote from the wall sections the extensions 4d, 4e are adapted for connection to further adjoining members as described hereinafter.

The top wall 4, side walls 5 and bottom waIl 6 are generally of common thickness and have planar inner surfaces. However, at the corners between walls there are curved transitions and along the central region of the bottom wall 6 there is a shallow inset channel 8 extending symmetrically over a major part of the width of the bottom wall 6.

The wall sections 4a, 4b have straight edges 9a, 9b, bounding the slot 7 i.e. the edges are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the member 1. The edges 9a, 9b are chamfered so as to taper to 1 0 V-shaped transitions with upper flat faces and lower curved faces.

The slot gap between these narrow intersections is disposed symmetrically with regard to the mid-plane of the member 1 and is approximately one third of the separation of the side walls.

The elongate member 1 so far described in installed within the floor 1 5 of a load-carrying area of a van or similar wheeled road vehicle. That is, the member 1 sits on and is bolted or otherwise fixed to main support beams of the van chassis so that the member 1 runs transversely to such beams longitudinally or transversely of the van chassis. The side extensions 4d, 4e are fixed to side extensions 4d, 4e of further adjacent like members (not shown), or to intermediate panel members, by interengagement of cooperable configurations, such as tongue and groove configurations, respectively on the adjacent like members and any intermediate panel members. There is thereby defined a generally continuous horizontal floor surface incorporating the coplanar top surfaces 4c. Reference is made to GB 234431 9A for further description of such an arrangement.

Multiple like support members 1 are used and these may be distributed in any combination of longitudinal and transverse dispositions extending wholly and/or partially across and/or from end to end of the vehicle flooring as described hereinafter in relation to Figures 4, 5.

The slots 7 in the members 1 can be used for anchoring vehicle seats as described in GB 2344319A. That is, T-shaped solid elements 1 0 can be inserted into the channel spaces 3 so that the central stem of the T-shape projects upwardly through the slot 7 and the head of the T- shape is within the rectangular channel space 3 with opposite free end parts of the head beneath the top wall sections 4a, 4b. The stem of the T- shape has a longitudinal threaded bore and a bolt is passed through a lower 1 5 frame part of the seat into engagement with the bore. The T-shaped element is a relatively close fit within the channel space 3 and the slot 7 whereby tightening of the bolt clamps the seat frame part against the flooring and the head of the element against the underside of the wall sections 4a, 4b.

The T-shaped element may be inserted into the channel space 3 by sliding through the open end of the member 1. Alternatively the head of the 1shaped element may be inserted sideways through the slot 7 and then twisted through 900.

Also as described in GB 2344319A, as an alternative to use of 1-shaped fitting elements, the seat may be fixed in position using hooked retaining flanges inserted through the slot 7 with the flange hooked beneath one or both of the top wall sections 4a, 4b, such flange then being locked in position tightly against the top wall section or sections 4a, 4b using an appropriate toggle or other mechanism.

With such T-shaped fitting element or hooked flange the fixing position may be at any position along the length of the slot 7. The fitting element or flange is moved along the member to the desired position.

In addition to acting as anchorage for passenger seats, other seats, such as wheelchairs, and other structures such as straps, harnesses, etc. may also be anchored.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, as an alternative to using the slot 7 as a track configuration for fixing purposes, the track member 2 can be 1 5 used for this purpose.

As shown in Figures 1-3, the track member 2 comprises an elongate solid extruded aluminium alloy body having an upper channel space 10 along its entire length, such channel 10 being bounded by a top wall 11, opposed side walls 1 2 and a bottom waIl 1 3.

The top wall 11 is defined by two spaced apart wall sections 11 a, 1 1 b, defining a slot therebetween 1 2. The wall sections 11 a, 11 b have horizontal coplanar top surfaces 11 c.

The two side walls 1 2 are inclined outwardly upwardly and have - 12planar outer surfaces at common opposite angles to the longitudinal vertical mid-plane of the member 2.

The bottom wall 1 3 has side sections or extrusions 1 4 which extend outwardly beyond the side walls 1 2 and which have horizontal planar top surfaces. These surfaces meet the outer surfaces of the side walls 1 2 through curved transitions to define generally V-shaped grooves 1 5 along opposite sides of the member 2.

The top wall sections 11 a, 11 b have downwardly inclined outer extensions lid, lie along their lengths.

The member 2 is symmetrical about its vertical mid-plane.

The inner surfaces of the top, side and bottom walls 11, 1 2, 1 3 are curved whereby the channel space 10 is of generally oval cross-section.

The slot 1 2 defined between the wall sections 11 a, 11 b has confronting straight edges 1 6 along the length of the track member 2.

1 5 The edges 1 6 terminate in vertical flat faces.

Along the length of each edge 1 6 there are generally semi-circular cut outs 1 7 in the respective wall section 11 a, ii b. The cut outs 1 7 are equally spaced and the cut outs 1 7 in one wall section 11 a are respectively aligned with the cut outs 1 7 in the opposite wall section 11 b thereby to define a series of linked generally oval recesses along the length of the track member 2.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the above mentioned V-shaped grooves 1 5 defined along the outer sides of the track member 2 are aligned with each other and correspond generally to the V-shaped edges 9a, 9b of the wall sections 4a, 4b of the support member. That is, the V- shaped grooves 1 5 are generally of the same shape and generally of the same size as (or slightly larger than) the V-shaped edges 9a, 9b.

The bottom wall 1 3 of the track member 1 with its end extensions 14 is less wide than the space 3 within the support member 1 and is of substantially smaller vertical dimension.

Accordingly, as shown, the track member 2 can longitudinally slidably fit within the support member 1 with the V-shaped grooves 1 5 1 0 around the V-shaped edges 9a, 9b, whereby the bottom wall 1 3 with its extensions 14 is within the support member channel 3, and the wall sections 11 a, 11 b and channel 1 0 of the track member 2 project above the wall sections 4a, 4b of the support member 1.

The track member 2 may be inserted into the support member 1 from one end thereof and then moved along the support member 1 to a desired position. The track member 2 may be the same length as or of shorter length than the support member 1 and, if shorter, one or more track members 2 may be used with the same support member 1.

When a track member 2 has been inserted and moved to a desired position in the support member 1 the track member 2 can then be fixed in position by any suitable means e.g. by gluing, screwing or the like.

The track member 2 provides anchorage for a seat 1 8 with fittings 1 9 of a conventional kind whereby each fitting 1 9 is engaged with the track member 2 by insertion through a respective recess in the track member 2 defined by aligned cut outs 1 7 and the intermediate part of the slots 1 2, the fitting 1 9 then being twisted to lock beneath the adjacent solid parts of wall sections.

As mentioned above, structures other than passenger seats can also be anchored on the track member 2.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5 the vehicle flooring can be provided with installed support members 1 in any suitable pattern. By way of example, Figure 4 shows only longitudinal support members 1 some extending the whole length of the flooring, others only partially along the length from the rear end. Figure 5 shows some transverse support members 1 across the entire width of a front part of the flooring and longitudinal support members 1 extending from a rear end up to the transverse support members 1. Support member lengths indicated in broken lines 20 are fitted with track members 2 whereas support member lengths in full lines 21 do not have the track members 2.

With this arrangement any desired combination of support members 1 and track members 2 can be achieved in a particularly convenient and inexpensive manner. Thus the flooring can be designed conveniently and inexpensively to provide anchorage for any combination of seat fittings, appropriate to the straight sided slot configuration of the support member 1, or the serrated sided slot configurations of the track member 2, as desired. There is also the possibility of conveniently modifying an existing flooring arrangement provided with support members by inserting track members so that seat fittings for the serrated sided slot configuration can be accommodated.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment which are described by way of example only.

Thus for example other slot configurations and other member profiles may be used. Other materials may be used other than extruded aluminium or aluminium alloy. The anchorage system may be applied to vehicles other than van-based minibuses. - 16-

Claims

1. A vehicle seat anchorage system for use in mounting seats on vehicle flooring comprising at least one elongate support member (1) adapted to be fixed relative to the flooring, said support member (1) having thereon an anchoring configuration adapted for interlocking interengagement with seat fittings characterised by the provision of a separate track member (2) which is mountable on the support members (1) to provide a respective said anchoring configuration.

2. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of different track members (2) with different respective anchoring configurations are provided whereby a desired configuration can be attained by selection of the appropriate track member (2).

3. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the elongate support member (1) has thereon a respective said anchoring configuration whereby different configurations can be attained by using the system respectively with and without any said track member (2).

4. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to any one of claims 1-3 wherein the anchoring configuration comprises a slot (7) defined between opposed wall sections (4a and 4b, 11 a and 11 b).

5. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to claim 4 wherein the slot (7) is straight-sided with continuous parallel sides.

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6. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to claim 4 wherein the slot (7) has shaped sides with cut-outs or serrations (17) which are semi- circular and equally spaced.

7. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to claim 6 wherein the arrangement of the cut-outs or serrations (17) along one side (12) confront respective like cut-outs or serrations (17) on the opposite side (12) to define linked recesses therewith.

8. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to claim 5 and claim 6 or 7 wherein the elongate support member (1) has the said straight sided slot (7) configuration and the detachable track member (2) has the said shaped-sided slot configuration.

9. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to any one of claims 1-8 wherein the elongate support member (1) is a channel or box-section member having a continuous elongate space (3) bounded by a 1 5 bottom wall (6), opposite side walls (5) and a top wall (4).

1 0. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to claim 9 wherein the top wall (4) is constructed with opposed wall sections (6) which are of common transverse dimensions bounding a symmetrically disposed slot (7).

11. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to any one of claims 9 or 10 wherein the top (4), side (5) and bottom walls (6) are at right angles to each other defining a channel or box section of generally square or rectangular shape.

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1 2. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to any one of claims 9-1 1 wherein the top wall (4) has a planar top surface (4c) and the member (1) has outwardly directed top side extension walls (4d, 4e) which have top surfaces coplanar with the top surface (4c) of the top wall (4).

13. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to any one of claims 1-12 wherein the track member (2) comprises an elongate channel section member having a continuous elongate space (10) bounded by a bottom wall (13), opposed side walls (12) and a top wall(11).

1 4. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to claim 1 3 wherein the top wall (11) is constructed with opposed side wall sections (12) which are of common transverse dimensions bounding a central symmetrically disposed slot (10).

1 5 1 5. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to any one of claims 13-14 wherein the top wall (11) has a planar top surface (1 ic) and has outwardly directed top side extensions (lid, lie) which are inclined downwardly.

16. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to any one of claims 1-15 wherein mounting of the track member (2) on the elongate support member (1) is such as to permit longitudinal adjustment of the position of the track member (2) relative to the support member (1).

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17. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to claim 16 wherein the track member (2) interfits with the support member (1) 50 as to be capable of sliding therealong.

18. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to claim 17 when dependent on any one of claims 9-12 wherein the interfit is achieved with a retaining structure adapted to fit slidably within the channel space (3) of the support member (1) such that the anchoring configuration of the track member (2) projects above the support member (1) through the slot (7) of the support member and the retaining structure limits displacement out of the slot (7).

19. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to claim 18 when dependent on claim 1 3 wherein the retaining structure comprises the said bottom wall of the track member (13) which is shaped with side extensions (14) to fit retainably beneath the top wall sections (4a, 4b) of the support member (1).

20. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to claim 1 8 or 1 9 wherein the side walls (12) of the track member (2) are shaped to provide inwardly directed V-shaped grooves (15) to receive V-shaped tapered slidable edges (9a, 9b) of the top wall (4).

21. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to any one of claims 13-20 wherein the walls (12) of the track member (2) are configured with shaped internal surfaces so that the channel space (10) of the track member (2) is of generally oval cross-section.

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22. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to any one of claims 1-21 wherein the track member (2) is fixable in a desired position on the support member (1).

23. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to claim 22 wherein the fixing is releasable.

24. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to any one of claims 1-23 wherein there are a plurality of support members (1) extending longitudinally and/or transversely and one or more track members (2) applied to one or more support members (1) in one of more positions thereon.

25. A vehicle seat anchorage system according to any one of claims 1-24 wherein the vehicle flooring is the flooring of a wheeled road vehicle having an integral traction unit.

26. A vehicle seat transporter comprising at least one elongate support member (1) with at least one ground engageable running member thereon, and an anchoring configuration on said member adapted for interlocking interengagement with seat fittings, characterised by the provision of a separate track member (2) which is mountable on the support members (1) to provide a respective said anchoring configuration.

27. A vehicle seat transporter according to claim 26 wherein the ground engageable running member comprises wheels or rollers provided at one position only along the support member (1).

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28. A vehicle seat anchorage system and transporter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

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