GB2465212A

GB2465212A - Vehicle with retractable seats which can be stored overhead

Info

Publication number: GB2465212A
Application number: GB0817225A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hugh Frost
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-09-19
Filing date: 2008-09-19
Publication date: 2010-05-19
Also published as: GB0817225D0

Abstract

A vehicle (1, Figure 1) comprising a compartment (2, Figure 1) and one or more retractable seats 5. The compartment comprises a functional area (6, 7, Figure 1) and an upper support member 8, preferably a ceiling, above said function area. Each of the one or more retractable seats 5 comprise retraction means connected to the upper support member 8, and a seat base 10 connected to the retraction means. The retraction means is adapted to facilitate the movement of the seat base 10 between a seating arrangement in which the seat base is disposed in said function area and is adapted to receive a seated person (Figure 3), and a storage arrangement in which the seat base is disposed above said function area (Figure 4). Optionally the retraction means comprises a lever 11 and first hinge means 13. The vehicle is preferably a bus and may have a bed stored below the functional area (6, 7).

Description

VEHICLE WITH RETRACTABLE SEATS

This invention relates to a vehicle with retractable seats, for use particularly, but not exclusively, as a bus.

Buses are commonly provided with fixed seats, and as such they can only be used to transport passengers. Most buses are not used to capacity for much of the time, and energy is wasted transporting vacant sections. The same problems arise with other passenger vehicles, such as aircraft and ships.

Many consumer goods and other items are supported and transported upon pallets, which are constructed from wood, plastics or metal. The goods are commonly placed on a pallet directly after manufacture, and are carried thereon until the goods are unpackaged at a depot or point of sale. The pallets commonly comprise an upper layer and a lower layer, which define between them a number of slots which can receive the tines of lifting and transporting equipment, for example fork lifts. The pallets allow larger items to be readily lifted and transported without being damaged, and they allow several smaller items to be supported at once.

However these pallets are expensive to use because once they have been unloaded, they have to be transported back to the place of manufacture of the goods, to be used again. In addition, many pallets are damaged in use, and are simply thrown away and replaced. In practice goods manufacturers hire these pallets from providers of such items, and the cost of hiring the pallets can be great in a large manufacturing, warehousing or transporting operation.

Pallets are also flat, and of a regular size and shape. Therefore, irregular shaped items, or large numbers of smaller items, cannot be readily carried on pallets without being contained inside regular shaped packaging. This packaging adds to the overall costs of moving and storing goods, and in addition there is often costly wasted capacity.

The present invention is intended to overcome some of the above problems.

Therefore, according to the present invention a vehicle comprises a compartment and one or more retractable seats, in which the compartment comprises a function area and an upper support member above said function area, in which each of the one or more retractable seats comprise retraction means connected to the upper support member, and a seat base connected to the retraction means, in which the retraction means is adapted to facilitate the movement of the seat base between a seating arrangement in which the seat base is disposed in said function area and is adapted to receive a seated person, and a storage arrangement in which the seat base is disposed above said function area.

Thus, the present invention provides for the seats of a passenger vehicle to be collapsed and stored above the passenger cabin, which allows for that cabin to be used to transport other goods.

The retraction means can take any form, including a simple rack with a seat which rises and falls from the upper support member. However, in a preferred construction the retraction means can comprise a lever means and a first hinge means. A first end of the lever means can be connected to the upper support member by said first hinge means, and a second end of the lever means can carry the seat base. The lever means can be adapted to rotate about said first hinge means between an unfurled position which facilitates the seating arrangement, and a retracted position which facilitates the storage arrangement.

In one construction the one or more retractable seats can further comprise a seat back, to which the seat base is connected. The seat back can be disposed between the second end of the lever means and the seat base. With this construction the retraction means can further comprise a second hinge means, which can connect to the seat base to the seat back. The seat base can be adapted to rotate about said second hinge means between an unfurled position which facilitates the seating arrangement, and a retracted position adopted in the storage arrangement. Thus, the seat base can fold flat against the seat back, and both parts of the seat can be levered up into the upper support member in the storage arrangement.

The folding of the seat base also allows for the retractable seats to be configured in a partial storage position in which the lever means is arranged in the unfurled position and the seat base is arranged in the retracted position. This allows greater flexibility of use, and in particular to provide room for more standing passengers.

In order to allow the retractable seats to fold up into an even smaller space, in a preferred construction the retraction means can further comprise an intermediate lever means and a third hinge means. The seat back can be connected to the intermediate lever means, and the intermediate lever means can be disposed between the second end of the lever means and the seat back. The intermediate lever means can be connected to the lever means by said third hinge means, and the intermediate lever means can be adapted to rotate about said third hinge means between an unfurled position which facilitates the seating arrangement, and a retracted position adopted in the storage arrangement. Thus, the retractable seats can be three-way collapsible into a compact storage arrangement.

The retraction means can comprises a locking means adapted to releasably lock the corresponding retractable seat in the storage arrangement. The retractable seats can further comprise a spring member disposed between the upper support member and the lever means, so the lever means is connected to the upper support member in a damped relationship. As such the seats can be provided with suspension which provides increased comfort.

As referred to above, when the seats are placed in the storage arrangement the function space can be used to transport loads. These loads can be deposited and collected from the function space in any of the known ways, for example on pallets carried by fork-lift mechanisms. However in a preferred construction the vehicle can comprise a new load supporting system which eliminates the need for pallets.

Therefore, in one construction the compartment can comprise a bed below the function area, which bed can comprise a plurality of support members, top surfaces of which define a support platform. The plurality of support members can be spaced apart such that they define a plurality of access cavities between them, which can comprise a top opening between said top surfaces and at least a first side opening substantially normal to the top opening and extending from it.

The bed can be adapted to work with a plurality of lifting members which are adapted to enter the access cavities through the top openings to deposit loads on the support platform, and to enter the access cavities through the side opening and rise up through the top openings to collect loads from the support platform. These lifting members can be provided as a part of a machine with which the vehicle is used, or they can be integrated into the vehicle, as referred to below.

Thus, goods can be loaded into the vehicle, be transported, and then collected therefrom without the need for pallets. This particular support and lifting apparatus is the subject of the applicants co-pending patent application, which is included herein in full by reference.

In one construction the plurality of support members can comprise a plurality of spaced apart parallel beams. Alternatively the plurality of support members can comprise a plurality of spaced apart substantially U-shaped bars. With this construction the bed can comprise a pair of spaced apart parallel support bars; a first end of each substantially U-shaped bar can be attached to one support bar, and a second end of each substantially U-shaped bar can be attached to the other support bar. The U-shaped bars can be removably attached to the support bars.

It will be appreciated that with the above described arrangements the access cavities comprise a top opening, a first side opening substantially normal to the top opening and extending from it, and a second side opening substantially normal to the top opening and extending from it, which is opposite to the first side opening.

Therefore, the lifting members can enter the access cavities from opposite sides, either one side at a time or both sides simultaneously.

In another construction the support members can comprise a plurality of spaced apart stud members which are arranged in regular rows and columns. With this arrangement the plurality of access cavities can comprise a network of interwoven access cavities comprising a top opening, a first side opening, a second side opening, third side openings and fourth side openings. Therefore lifting members can enter the access cavities below an object in use from one of four sides, again one side at a time, or from any number of sides at the same time. It will be appreciated that if the lifting members were so shaped and sized, it could be possible to enter the network of access cavities from any number of different angles.

The spatial relationship between each of the plurality of support members can be pre-determined depending on the one or more objects to be supported and carried, If only one rigid object is to be lifted at a time the spaces can be a certain distance apart which is required to safely support and carry the object. However, if there are several smaller objects to be carried, or one flexible object, for example a sack of sand, the spaces can be closer together than above such that no object or portion of an object falls or sags through the support members or the lifting members.

Regardless of the shape and configuration of the support members, the top surfaces thereof can be provided with rolling members adapted to rotate to facilitate the lateral movement of one or more objects on the support platform. If the support members are beams or bars the rolling members can be elongate rollers, and if the support members are studs the rolling members can be balls. The rolling members may be adapted to be locked in place to prevent movement of the one or more objects.

In another embodiment the top openings can be provided with resilient closure means, such that the support platform can be continuous. In one embodiment the resilient closure means comprises substantially bulb-shaped rubber elements which can be mounted on the top surfaces of the support members. The bulb-shaped rubber elements can be substantially equal to or slightly larger in width than the top openings, such that they touch the adjacent elements. If the support members are beams or bars the bulb-shaped rubber elements can be elongate elements with a substantially bulb-shaped cross-section, and if the support members are studs the bulb-shaped rubber elements can be individual bulb-shaped units. With this arrangement when lifting members rise up through the access cavities towards the top openings they force the bulb-shaped rubber elements apart and lift up the one or more objects. This arrangement may be used for supporting and lifting delicate items.

It will be appreciated that the above described beds would not be suitable as a flooring for a passenger cabin. Therefore, the compartment can be provided with a removable floor adapted to overlie said bed.

As referred to above the vehicle can be any passenger vehicle, however in a preferred construction the vehicle can be a bus comprising a passenger cabin, and the compartment can comprise part or all of said passenger cabin. With such a construction there can be a plurality of retractable seats, and they can be collectively placed in the seating arrangement to provide full seating capacity, collectively placed in the storage arrangement to provide full load carrying capacity, or separately arranged to provide any partial seating or load carrying arrangement as desired.

In one construction the bus can comprise a double-decker bus, and the passenger cabin can comprise a lower deck and an upper deck. The compartment can comprise part or all of the lower deck and/or the upper deck.

As referred to above the loads can be deposited and collected from the function space in any known way, and this can include the manner in which the function space is access from outside. For example, when the vehicle is a bus, that bus can have retractable side walls to allow lateral access to the compartment.

However in a preferred construction the compartment can have a first end, and the vehicle can further comprise a lifting platform adapted to travel through the compartment and to deposit loads therein and collect loads therefrom. As such, loads can be placed on the lifting platform in the region of the first end, for example at a door provided for the purpose, and the lifting platform can travel down the compartment to a suitable location where the load can be deposited, and visa versa.

Where the bus is a double-decker bus the lifting platform can be further adapted to travel between the lower deck and the upper deck and to deposit loads therein and collect loads therefrom.

Where any of the bed arrangements described above are provided, the lifting platform can comprise a plurality of lifting members with a height which is less than a height of the support members. The lifting members can be further adapted to enter the access cavities through the top openings to deposit loads on the support platform, and to enter the access cavities through the side openings and rise up through the top openings to collect loads from the support platform.

The invention can be performed in various ways but one embodiment will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a bus according to the present invention, without the body panels being shown; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the bus as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side view of a retractable seat component of the bus shown in Figure 1, in a seating arrangement; Figure 4 is a diagrammatic opposite side view of the retractable seat component shown in Figure 3, in a storage arrangement; Figure 5 is a diagrammatic opposite side view of the retractable seat component shown in Figure 3 in a partial storage arrangement; Figure 6 is a diagrammatic side view of the bus shown in Figure 1 with the retractable seats of the lower deck thereof in the seating arrangement, and with the retractable seats of the upper deck thereof in the storage arrangement; Figure 7 is a diagrammatic side view of the bus shown in Figure 6 with the retractable seats of both the lower deck and the upper deck in the storage arrangement; Figure 8 is a diagrammatic side view of the bus shown in Figure 1 with the retractable seats of the lower deck thereof in the partial seating arrangement, and with the retractable seats of the upper deck thereof in the storage arrangement; Figure 9 is a diagrammatic plan view of the lower deck of the bus shown in Figure 1 with the retractable seats in the seating arrangement; Figure 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of the upper deck of the bus shown in Figure 1 with the retractable seats in the seating arrangement; Figure 11 is a diagrammatic plan view of the lower deck of the bus shown in Figure 1 with the retractable seats in the storage arrangement; Figure 12 is a diagrammatic plan view of the upper deck of the bus shown in Figure 1 with the retractable seats in the storage arrangement; Figure 13 is a side view of the bus shown in Figure 1 with the body panels being shown; Figures 14 to 16 are end views of a section of a bed component of the bus shown in Figure 1; Figures 17 to 19 are cross-sectional end views of a first alternative section of a bed component of the bus shown in Figure 1; Figure 20 is a top view of a second alternative section of a bed component of the bus shown in Figure 1; Figure 21 is a side view of a third alternative section of a bed component of the bus shown in Figure 1; Figure 22 is a top view of a fourth alternative section of a bed component of the bus shown in Figure 1; and, Figures 23 to 25 are cross-sectional side views of a fifth alternative section of a bed component of the bus shown in Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 1 a vehicle, in the form of double-decker bus 1, comprises a compartment, in the form of passenger cabin 2 comprising lower deck 3 and upper deck 4, and one or more retractable seats 5. The passenger cabin 2 comprises the "function area" of the invention, and as there is a lower deck 3 and an upper deck 4 there are two such function areas 6 and 7, each with an upper support member above it, in the form of ceiling structures 8 and 9.

Each of the retractable seats 5 comprise retraction means (which are explained in more details below) which are connected to either the ceiling structure 8 or 9, and a seat base 10 connected to the retraction means. The retraction means is adapted to facilitate the movement of the seat base 10 between a seating arrangement, as shown in Figure 1, in which the seat base 10 is disposed in said function area 6 or 7 and is adapted to receive a seated person (not shown), and a storage arrangement, as shown in Figure 6, in which the seat base 10 is disposed above said function space 6 or 7.

As is clear from the Figures the bus 1 comprises a plurality of retractable seats 5, and one example from the lower deck 3 is shown in Figures 3 to 5. The retractable seat 5 comprises retraction means in the form of lever 11, a first end of which 12 is connected to the ceiling structure 8 by first hinge 13.

The retractable seat 5 comprises said seat base 10 and a seat back 14, to which the seat base 10 is connected by second hinge 15. The seat back 14 is mounted to intermediate lever 16, which is itself connected to a second end 17 of the lever 11 by third hinge 18.

The retraction means is adapted to facilitate the movement of the seat between a seating arrangement as shown in Figure 3, and a storage arrangement as shown in Figure 4. In particular, to collapse the seat 5 from the position shown in Figure 3, the lever 11 rotates about the first hinge 13 through 90 degrees in a clockwise direction when viewing Figure 3; the intermediate lever 16 rotates about the third hinge 18 through 180 degrees in an anticlockwise direction when viewing Figure 3; and the seat base 10 rotates about the second hinge 15 through substantially 90 degrees in a clockwise direction when viewing Figure 3. These actions see the lever 11, the intermediate lever 16 and the seat base 10 move from respective unfurled positions into respective retracted positions, and the seat 5 as a whole move from a seating arrangement to the storage arrangement shown in Figure 4 (note that in Figure 4 the seat 5 is viewed from the opposite side to Figure 3).

The above described retraction means are provided with locking means (not shown) which releasably lock the seat 5 in the storage arrangement shown in Figure 4. Such locking means are known and are not further described here. In addition, the retraction means are provided with locking means (not shown) which releasably lock the seat 5 in the seating arrangement shown in Figure 3. Again, such locking means are known and are not further described here.

The movement of the seat base 10 also allows for the seat 5 to be configured in a partial storage position which is shown in Figure 5. In this arrangement the seat base 10 is arranged in its retracted position, but the lever 11 and intermediate lever 16 are arranged in their unfurled positions.

The seat 5 further comprises a spring member (not shown) disposed between the ceiling structure 8 and the lever 11, so the seat 5 is provided with suspension which provides increased comfort. Spring members which can perform this function are well known and are not further described here.

Referring back to Figure 1, the lower deck 3 and upper deck 4 each comprise a bed 19 and 20 below the function areas 6 and 7. These beds 19 and 20 are not shown in any detail in Figure 1 or any of the other Figures which show the bus as a whole. However, Figures 14 to 16 illustrate a section of the bed 19.

Referring to Figure 14 the bed 19 comprises a plurality of support members 21, top surfaces 22 of which define a support platform 23. The support members 21 are spaced apart such that they define a plurality of access cavities 24 between them. The access cavities 24 comprise a top opening 25 between said top surfaces 22 and at least first side opening 26 substantially normal to the top opening 25 and extending from it. (In Figures 14 to 16 the first side openings 26 are on the opposite side of the bed 19 than the side shown.) The support members 21 are arranged longitudinally down the length of the upper deck 4, and the first side openings 26 face the rear of the bus 1. The bed 19 comprises many more support members 21 than are shown in Figures 14 to 16, which are spread across the width of the bus 1.

Bed 20 has the same construction as bed 19.

The beds 19 and 20 are adapted to co-operate with a lifting platform 27 which is integrated into the bus 1. Referring to Figure 6, the bus 1 has a rear compartment 28 comprising doors 29 and a stairway 30 between the lower deck 3 and the upper deck 4. Such rear compartments are common to double-decker buses.

However, in the case of bus 1, the lifting platform 27 is also incorporated into the rear compartment and operates therein. The lifting platform 27 comprises an arm 31 which extends telescopically up and down to move the lifting platform 27 between the lower deck 3 and the upper deck 4. Such mechanisms are known and are not further described here. The arm 31 is mounted on a pivot 32 such that the lifting platform 27 can be rotated on a vertical axis, as described further below. The pivot 32 is itself mounted on a track (a first part of which 33 is shown in Figure 10), which extends laterally through the rear compartment 28, and has sections which extend longitudinally down the ceiling structure 9. As such the lifting platform 27 can move through the function space 7 and rotate at any point to access any area therein. The lifting platform 27 can also be rotated when it is level with the lower deck 3, so loads can be deposited and collected therefrom. All these movements are automated by electrically operated motors (not shown). Again, the technology to implement such arrangements is known, and is not further described here.

Referring to Figure 10, the lifting platform 27 has a storage position on the left hand side of the rear compartment 28, level with the upper deck 4. To receive and present items for loading into and off the bus, the lifting platform 27 is lowered on the arm 31 to the lower deck 3, and rotated in a clockwise direction when viewing Figure 10 through 90 degrees, until it extends out of side door 34.

Although not shown in the Figures of the bus as a whole, the lifting platform 27 comprises a plurality of lifting tines 35 which are adapted to co-operate with the beds 19 and 20, and this is illustrated in Figures 15 and 16. The lifting tines 35 are mounted on a base 36 in parallel, and are spaced apart such that they correspond in position to the access cavities 24. The tines 35 also comprise a height which is less than a height of the support members 21. As such the tines 35 can deposit loads, like load 37,on the support platform 23 by passing into the access cavities 24 through the top openings 25 until the load 37 is left on the support platform 23, and the tines 35 can travel out from underneath. The opposite action can be performed to collect loads. (As the support members 21 extend down the whole length of the bus, the "side openings 26" described above can in practice be located not at the end of the beds 19 or 20, but rather at a plane which dissects the beds 19 or 20 at a suitable position to one side of a particular load.) The beds 19 and 20 are provided with removable floors (not visible) which overlie the beds 19 and 20 when the bus 1, or a section of it, is used to transport passengers instead of freight.

Therefore, in use the bus 1 can be configured as desired to carry only passengers, only fright, or a combination thereof. In Figures 1, 2, 9 and 10 the seats are placed in the seating arrangement, and the bus 1 can operate like a known double-decker passenger bus. However, in Figures 7, 11 and 12, the seats 5 have been placed in the storage arrangement, and freight pods 38 have been loaded into the function spaces 6 and 7 and deposited on the beds 19 and 20 by the lifting platform 27. Figures 11 and 12 illustrate how these pods 38 can be conveniently arranged.

In Figure 6 the bus 1 has been configured to take both passengers and freight. The seats 5 of the upper deck 4 have been placed in the storage arrangement, and fright pods 38 have been loaded into the function space 7. Of course it is also possible to use the upper deck 4 for seating and the lower deck 3 for freight.

Figure 8 illustrates another possible arrangement, in which the seats 5 of the upper deck 4 have been placed in the storage arrangement, and freight pods 38 have been loaded into the function space 7, however some seats 5 of the lower deck 3 have been placed in the storage arrangement, while others have been placed in the partial storage arrangement. As such the lower deck is arranged in a manner suitable to carry standing passengers. It will be appreciated that any combination of the seats 5 of both the lower deck 3 and the upper deck 4 can be placed in either the seating arrangement, the storage arrangement, or the partial storage arrangement, as required.

The embodiment described above can be altered without departing from the scope of Claim 1. In particular, the beds 19 and 20 can be constructed in various different ways, which are illustrated in Figures 17 to 25.

Figures 17 to 19 show a section of an alternative bed 40 which operates in an identical manner to beds 19 and 20 described above, however it is constructed differently. In particular, bed 40 comprises support members 41 comprising a plurality of spaced apart substantially U-shaped bars. In addition, the support members 41 are mounted on a pair of spaced apart parallel support bars, only one of which 42 is visible. A first end 44 of each support member 41 is attached to the support bar 42, and a second end (not visible) is attached to the other support bar (not visible).

In Figures 17 to 19 a number of objects 45 are placed on the support platform 46, and as shown in these Figures the bed 40 (and beds 19 and 20 described above) and the lifting platform 27 can operate with a number of objects, provided they are large enough to be supported by the support members 41 and tines 35 without becoming unbalanced or falling into the access cavities 43 or the spaces between the tines 35. This is the case in Figures 17 to 19.

Figure 20 shows a section of another alterative bed 50, which operates in a similar manner to beds 19, 20 and 40 described above, except that the support members are in the form of a plurality of spaced apart studs 51, which are arranged in regular rows and columns.

As is clear from Figure 20 the plurality of access cavities comprises a network of interwoven access cavities 52, a first set extending in one direction, and a second set extending in a direction normal to the first set. (For convenience a first access cavity and a second access cavity which intersects it, are outlined in hashed lines, and the following references relate to them.) Therefore, each access cavity comprises a top opening 53, a first side opening 54, a second side opening 55, third side openings 56 and fourth side openings 57. Therefore the tines 38 can enter the access cavities 52 below an object in use from one of four sides, either one side at a time, or from a number of sides simultaneously. In Figure 20 tines 35 are shown entering the access cavities 52 from a first side 58 of the bed 50, and from a second side 59 in hashed lines.

Figure 21 shows a section of another alternative bed 60, which is similar in shape to the beds 19 and 20 described above, except that rollers 61 are mounted at the top 62 of the support members 63. With this arrangement an object 64 can be readily moved across the support platform 65 so it can be positioned for lifting.

Figure 22 shows a section of another alternative bed 70 which is similar in operation to the bed 50 shown in Figure 20, except that roller balls 71 are mounted at the top 72 of each stud 73. With this arrangement an object 74 can be readily moved across the support platform 75 so it can be positioned for storage.

Figures 23 to 25 shows a section of another alternative bed 80, in which support beams 81 are provided with resilient closure means in the form of bulb-shaped rubber elements 82, which are adapted to close the top openings 83 of the access cavities 84 between the support beams 81, such that the support platform is substantially continuous. The rubber elements 82 are elongate strips provided with a cross section comprising a bulb portion 86 and a sleeve portion 87. In use the rubber elements 82 can be removed from the support beams 81 if desired.

As shown in Figure 24 this type of bed 80 is suitable for use with a slightly different construction of lifting tine. Tines 68 (only one of which is shown) are provided with bulb shaped rubber elements 89 which are of a similar construction to elements 82, but are smaller in size.

In use a delicate object 90 is placed on the support platform 85, and the weight of the object 90 squashes the rubber elements 82 such that the support platform 85 becomes substantially regular. As shown in Figures 24 and 25 the tines 88 enter the access cavities 84, and rise up through the top opening 83 by deformation of the rubber elements 82 and 89. Thus when the object is carried by the tines 88 it is still supported in a resilient manner due to the rubber elements 89, although it will be appreciated that in this case there will be gaps between the rubber elements 89. This type of bed 80 is intended to be used with delicate or non-rigid objects, for example bags of sand.

It will be appreciated that the spatial relationship between each support member and each tine in any of the arrangements described above can vary depending on the intended use, providing the spacings are such that objects can be safely supported. For example if only single large rigid objects are supported and lifted the spaces can be a relatively large distance apart. However, if there are several smaller objects to be carried, or one flexible object, for example a sack of sand, the spaces can be closer together such that no object or portion of an object falls or sags through the support members or the lifting members.

Therefore a bus is provided which can be used to transport both passengers and fright as required, and in particular in a cost-effective way which does not waste energy. In addition, this type of bus can transport freight without the use of pallets, and has the advantage over pallets that the support apparatus remains in situ and does not need to be transported.

Claims

Claims 1. A vehicle comprising a compartment and one or more retractable seats, in which the compartment comprises a function area and an upper support member above said function area, in which each of the one or more retractable seats comprise retraction means connected to the upper support member, and a seat base connected to the retraction means, in which the retraction means is adapted to facilitate the movement of the seat base between a seating arrangement in which the seat base is disposed in said function area and is adapted to receive a seated person, and a storage arrangement in which the seat base is disposed above said function area.
2. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 1 in which the retraction means comprises a lever means and a first hinge means, in which a first end of the lever means is connected to the upper support member by said first hinge means, in which a second end of the lever means carries the seat base, and in which the lever means is adapted to rotate about said first hinge means between an unfurled position which facilitates the seating arrangement, and a retracted position which facilitates the storage arrangement.
3. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 2 in which each of the one or more retractable seats further comprises a seat back, in which the seat base is connected to the seat back, and in which the seat back is disposed between the second end of the lever means and the seat base.
4. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 3 in which the retraction means further comprises a second hinge means, in which the seat base is connected to the seat back by said second hinge means, in which the seat base is adapted to rotate about said second hinge means between an unfurled position which facilitates the seating arrangement, and a retracted position adopted in the storage arrangement.
5. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 4 in which the one or more retractable seats are also configurable in a partial storage position in which the lever means is arranged in the unfurled position and the seat base is arranged in the retracted position.
6. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 5 in which the retraction means further comprises an intermediate lever means and a third hinge means, in which the seat back is connected to the intermediate lever means, in which the intermediate lever means is disposed between the second end of the lever means and the seat back, in which the intermediate lever means is connected to the lever means by said third hinge means, in which the intermediate lever means is adapted to rotate about said third hinge means between an unfurled position which facilitates the seating arrangement, and a retracted position adopted in the storage arrangement.
7. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 6 in which the retraction means comprises a locking means adapted to releasably lock the corresponding retractable seat in the storage arrangement.
8. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 7 in which the one or more retractable seats further comprise a spring member, in which the spring member is disposed between the upper support member and the lever means, such that the lever means is connected to the upper support member in a damped relationship.
9. A vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the compartment comprises a bed below the function area, in which said bed comprises a plurality of support members, in which top surfaces of the plurality of support members define a support platform, in which the plurality of support members are spaced apart such that they define a plurality of access cavities between them, said access cavities comprising a top opening between said top surfaces and at least a first side opening substantially normal to the top opening and extending from it.
10. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 9 in which the plurality of support members comprise a plurality of spaced apart parallel beams.
11. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 9 in which the plurality of support members comprise a plurality of spaced apart substantially U-shaped bars, in which the bed comprises a pair of spaced apart parallel support bars, and in which a first end of each substantially U-shaped bar is attached to one support bar and a second end of each substantially U-shaped bar is attached to the other support bar.
12. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 11 in which the U-shaped bars are removably attached to the support bars.
13. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 9 in which the plurality of support members comprise a plurality of spaced apart stud members, and in which said access cavities comprise three or more side openings substantially normal to the top opening and extending from it.
14. A vehicle as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 13 in which said top surfaces of the support members are provided with rolling members, which rolling members are adapted to rotate to facilitate the lateral movement of one or more objects on the support platform.
15. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 14 in which the rolling members are provided with locking means adapted to prevent the rolling members from rotating.
16. A vehicle as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 15 in which the top openings are provided with resilient closure means.
17. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 16 in which the resilient closure means comprises substantially bulb-shaped rubber elements which are mounted on said top surfaces of the support members, and which are adapted to deform under pressure to open said top openings.
18. A vehicle as claimed in any of Claims 9 to 17 in which the compartment is provided with a removable floor adapted to overlie said bed.
19. A vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the vehicle is a bus comprising a passenger cabin, and in which the compartment comprises part or all of said passenger cabin.
20. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 19 in which the bus comprises a double-decker bus, in which the passenger cabin comprises an lower deck and an upper deck, and in which the compartment comprises part or all of the lower deck and/or the upper deck.
21. A vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding Claims in which the compartment comprises a first end, in which the vehicle further comprises a lifting platform adapted to travel through the compartment and to deposit loads therein and collect loads therefrom.
22. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 21, when dependent on Claim 20, in which the lifting platform is further adapted to travel between the lower deck and the upper deck and to deposit loads therein and collect loads therefrom.
23. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 22, when dependent on any of Claims 9 to 18, in which the lifting platform comprises a plurality of lifting members, in which the plurality of lifting members are provided with a height which is less than a height of the support members, in which the lifting members are adapted to enter the access cavities through the top openings to deposit loads on the support platform, and to enter the access cavities through the side openings and rise up through the top openings to collect loads from the support platform.
24. A vehicle substantially as described herein and as shown in the accompanying drawings.