GB2465215A - Foldable seat assembly for a public service vehicle - Google Patents
Foldable seat assembly for a public service vehicle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2465215A GB2465215A GB0820732A GB0820732A GB2465215A GB 2465215 A GB2465215 A GB 2465215A GB 0820732 A GB0820732 A GB 0820732A GB 0820732 A GB0820732 A GB 0820732A GB 2465215 A GB2465215 A GB 2465215A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- seat
- base
- foldable
- cover panel
- seat assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 210000001364 upper extremity Anatomy 0.000 claims description 14
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
- B60N2/30—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
- B60N2/3002—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements
- B60N2/3004—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements by rotation only
- B60N2/3009—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements by rotation only about transversal axis
- B60N2/3011—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements by rotation only about transversal axis the back-rest being hinged on the cushion, e.g. "portefeuille movement"
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
- B60N2/242—Bus seats
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
- B60N2/30—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
- B60N2/30—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
- B60N2/3038—Cushion movements
- B60N2/3063—Cushion movements by composed movement
- B60N2/3065—Cushion movements by composed movement in a longitudinal-vertical plane
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
- B60N2/30—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
- B60N2/3072—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats on a lower level of a multi-level vehicle floor
- B60N2/3075—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats on a lower level of a multi-level vehicle floor stowed in recess
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
- B60N2/30—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
- B60N2/3088—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats characterised by the mechanical link
- B60N2/309—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats characterised by the mechanical link rods
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
- B60N2/32—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles convertible for other use
- B60N2/36—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles convertible for other use into a loading platform
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D47/00—Motor vehicles or trailers predominantly for carrying passengers
- B62D47/003—Motor vehicles or trailers predominantly for carrying passengers convertible in order to modify the number of seats
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
A foldable seat assembly for a public service vehicle, said assembly comprises at least one first seat 20, the or each first seat 20 being foldable between an in use configuration, wherein the seat can be used by passengers, and a stowed configuration, wherein the seat is located beneath a cover panel 40 to enable a wheelchair to be located upon the cover panel 40. In the stowed configuration the first seat 20 may be stored in a storage compartment below the floor level of the vehicle. Channels 42,44 may extend from this storage compartment into the vehicle floor through which the legs of the first seat 20 may pass to permit the seat to move between the in use and stowed configurations. The seat assembly may comprise a base frame 50 upon the rear of which a second seat 30 may be mounted.
Description
Foldable Seat Assembly for a Public Service Vehicle The present invention relates to a foldable seat assembly for a public service vehicle.
Legislation requires that public service vehicles, in particular buses, provide facilities to enable wheelchair users to travel on the vehicle.
In the UK, all new buses built since 31 December 2000 must meet stringent safety criteria to allow a wheelchair on board the bus. Legally, all buses in the UK must be wheelchair complaint by 2017. The law has determined that buses must have a bay to accommodate a "standard reference wheelchair" which has a maximum width of 700mm, a length of 1200mm, sitting height of 1350mm and footrest of 150mm. Typically this wheelchair space has been provided by removing a number of seats, typically adjacent the side or front doors, to provide a space to accommodate a wheelchair. This has the disadvantage of reducing the total number of seats available to able bodies passengers, thereby reducing the passenger capacity of the vehicle.
According to the present invention there is provided a foldable seat assembly for a public service vehicle, said assembly comprises at least one first seat, the or each first seat being foldable between an in use configuration, wherein the seat can be used by passengers, and a stowed configuration, wherein the seat is located beneath a cover panel to enable a wheelchair to be located upon the cover panel.
Preferably said seat assembly comprises a storage compartment within which the first seat is locatable when in its stowed configuration. Preferably the storage compartment is below the floor level of the vehicle.
Preferably the cover panel is hingedly mounted on a floor section of the vehicle to pivot between a lowered position, wherein the cover panel forms part of the upper surface of said floor section, and a raised position, to allow the first seat to be folded between its in use and stowed configurations.
The seat assembly may further comprise at least one second seat mounted behind said first seat, the or each second seat comprising a substantially upright back portion and a cantilevered seat portion, said seat portion being pivotally attached to the back portion to pivot about a horizontal axis between a substantially horizontal in use position and a substantially vertical folded position. The cover panel is preferably pivotally connected to a floor section of the vehicle adjacent the second seat whereby the seat portion of the second seat must be moved to its folded position to permit the cover panel to be moved to its raised position.
In one embodiment the seat assembly comprises a base upon which the first seat is mounted, the upper surface of said base defining a section of the floor of the vehicle. Preferably the first seat is mounted on the base by means of at least one forward leg, pivotally attached at a lower end to the base and at an upper end to a forward region of a seat base of the first seat, and at least one rear leg, pivotally attached at a lower end of the base and at an upper end to a rear region of said seat base, whereby the at least one forward leg and at least one rear leg are pivotally moveable between a substantially upright in use position and a substantially horizontal folded position. Preferably said at least one forward leg and said at least one rear leg are substantially equal in length and mounted substantially parallel to one another, such that the forward and rear legs define a parallelogram support arrangement for the seat base to allow the seat base to remain substantially horizontal during movement of the seat between its in use and stowed configurations.
Preferably at least one first channel or slot is provided in the vehicle floor through which the at least one front leg passes to permit the leg to move between its folded and in use positions. Preferably said first channel extends from a side of the storage compartment. A cover member may be provided for covering the or each first channel, said cover member being moveable between a closed or in use position covering the respective first channel and an open position to allow the respective front leg to move between its folded and in use positions. Preferably the or each cover member is attached to the cover panel. In one embodiment, the cover member may be pivotally attached to the cover panel.
Preferably a second channel or slot is provided in the vehicle floor adjacent the cover panel to accommodate the or each rear leg of the first seat when it its in use position. Preferably a further cover member is provided for covering the or each second channel when the or each respective rear leg is in its folded position.
The first seat preferably comprises a seat base and a back support, the back support being pivotally attached to the seat base to pivot between an upright in use position and a substantially horizontal folded position wherein the back support lies against the seat base to permit the first seat to be received beneath said cover panel when in its stowed configuration. A locking means may be provided for locking said seat back in said upright in use position.
According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a public service vehicle comprising a base defining a section of floor of the vehicle, at least one first seat mounted on a forward region of said base, at least one second seat mounted on a rear region of the base, wherein the or each first seat is foldable between an in use configuration, wherein the seat can be used by passengers, and a stowed configuration, wherein the seat is located within said base below the floor level of the vehicle to enable a wheelchair to be located upon said base.
In one embodiment said first seat is locatable within a storage compartment beneath said cover panel when in its stowed configuration. A cover panel may be provided for covering said storage compartment, said the cover panel is hingedly mounted on the floor section to pivot between a lowered position, wherein the cover panel forms part of the upper surface of said floor section, and a raised position, to allow the first seat to be folded between its in use and stowed configurations.
In one embodiment the or each second seat comprises a substantially upright back portion and a cantilevered seat portion, said seat portion being pivotally attached to the back portion to pivot about a horizontal axis between a substantially horizontal in use position and a substantially vertical folded position, said cover panel being pivotally mounted to the floor section adjacent the second seat whereby the seat portion of the second seat must be moved to its folded position to permit the cover panel to be moved to its raised position.
Preferably the first seat is mounted on the base by at least one forward leg pivotally attached at a lower end to the base and at an upper end to a forward region of a seat base of the first seat and at least one rear leg pivotally attached at a lower end of the base and at an upper end to a rear region of said seat base whereby the at least one forward leg and at least one rear leg are pivotally moveable between a substantially upright in use position and a substantially horizontal folded position.
Preferably said at least one forward leg and said at least one rear leg are substantially equal in length and mounted substantially parallel to one another, such that the forward and rear legs define a parallelogram support arrangement for the seat base to allow the seat base to remain substantially horizontal during movement of the seat between its in use and stowed configurations.
At least one channel or slot may be provided in the vehicle floor through which the at least one front leg passes to permit the leg to move between its folded and in use positions.
Preferably said channel extends from a side of the storage compartment.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is perspective view of a foldable seat assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention in an in use configuration; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the seat assembly of Figure 1 showing the cover panel raised to initiate a folding operation; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the seat assembly of Figure 1 during the folding operation; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the seat assembly of Figure 1 in a stowed configuration; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the seat assembly of Figure 1 in its stowed configuration with the cover panel in its lowered position; Figure 6 is a detailed perspective view of the base frame of the seat assembly of Figure 1; Figures 7a and 7b are detailed views of the locking mechanism of the seat back of the seat assembly of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a detailed view of the spring biasing arrangement of the legs of the seat assembly of Figure 1; Figures 9a and 9b are detailed perspective views of part of the floor mechanism of the seat assembly of Figure 1; Figures 1 Oa, 1 Oh and 1 Oc are detailed perspective view of the operating mechanism of the floor mechanism of the seat assembly of Figure 1.
As shown in the drawings, a seat assembly 10 for a public service vehicle comprises a base frame 50 adapted to form part of the floor of the vehicle, such as a high floor bus. A first seat 20 is provided on a forward part of the base frame 50 and a pair of second seats 30 are provided on a rear part of the base frame 50, behind the front seat 20. The front seat 20 is arranged to be pivotally moveable between an in use configuration, as shown in Figure 1, for use by able bodied passengers, and a stowed configuration, as shown in Figure 5, wherein the first seat 20 is located in a storage compartment below the floor level of the vehicle, beneath a cover panel 40, such that a wheelchair can be accommodated upon the base frame 50.
The cover panel 40 is pivotally mounted on the base frame 50 to pivot about a horizontal axis between a closed position, as shown in Figure 1, and an open position, as shown in Figure 2, to allow the first seat 20 to move between its in use and stowed configuration and to provide a platform for accommodating a wheelchair when the cover panel is in its closed position. The cover panel 40 defines a continuation of the vehicle floor 112 when in its closed position.
The second seats 30 each comprise a substantially upright back portion 32 mounted on the base frame 50 by fixed support legs and a cantilevered seat base 34 mounted on the back portion 32, the seat base 34 being pivotally attached to the back portion 32 to pivot about a horizontal axis between a substantially horizontal in use position, as shown in Figure 1, extending from the back portion 32, and an upright folded position, as shown in Figure 5, to provide greater clearance for a wheelchair and to allow the cover panel 40 to be lifted to allow the first seat 20 to be moved between its in use and stowed configurations.
The first seat 20 is mounted on the base frame 5 by means of a pair of front legs 26 and a pair of rear legs 28, each of the front legs 26 being pivotally attached at a lower end to the base frame 50 at a location below the floor of the vehicle, defined by the upper surface 112 of the base frame 50, and at an upper end to a forward region of a seat base 22 of the first seat 20, each rear leg 28 being pivotally attached at a lower end of the base 50 below the floor level of the vehicle and at an upper end to a rear region of said seat base 22, whereby the front egs 26 and rear egs 28 are pivotally moveable between a substantially upright in use position and a substantially horizontal folded position.
The pairs of front and rear legs 26,28 are substantially equal in length to each other and are mounted substantially parallel to one another, such that the legs define a parallelogram support arrangement for the seat base 22 to allow the seat base 22 to remain substantially horizontal during movement of the first seat 20 between its in use and stowed configurations, the seat base 22 moving though an arc between its in use and stowed positions.
The seat 20 is biased towards its in use position by means of torsion springs 120 mounted on the lower ends of at least the rear legs 28 (see Figure 8).
The first seat 20 further comprises a back rest 24 pivotally attached to the seat base to pivot between an upright in use position and a substantially horizontal folded position wherein the back rest 24 lies against the seat base 22 to permit the first seat to be received beneath said cover panel when in its stowed configuration. As shown in Figures 7a and 7b, laterally extending locking pins 204a,204b are mounted on the frame 202 of the back rest 24, said pins 204a,204b are arranged to engage apertures in side plates 206 mounted on the seat base to lock the back rest 24 in its upright in use position. The pins 204a,204b are moveable between extended positions, wherein they are engaged in said apertures in the side plates 206, and retracted positions, wherein the back rest 24 is free to move between its in upright and folded positions, by means of an actuating lever 208 and linkage rods 210a,210b acting between the actuating lever 208 and the pins 204a,204b. The actuating lever 208 may be linked to a lockable handle provided on the back of the seat by means of a cable system.
To allow the legs 26,28 to move between their upright and folded positions, channels or slots 42,44 are provided in the vehicle floor 112 through which the legs pass, the channels 42,44 extend from a side of the storage compartment. Front and rear cover members 110,130 are provided for respectively covering the front and rear channels 42,44 when the cover panel 40 is closed. The front cover members 110 also act to block the front channels 42 and lock the front and rear legs 26,28 of the first seat 20 in their upright positions when the cover panel 40 is in its closed position. Additionally releasable locking means (not shown) may be provided for locking the legs 26,28 in their upright positions. Such locking means may he connected to a release lever or switch by means of a cable system.
As shown in Figures 9 and 9b, the channels 42 adapted to receive the front legs 26 are covered by cover members 110 pivotally connected to a front edge of the cover panel 40.
The lower sides of the channels 42 are provided with ledges for supporting the cover members 110 within the channels 42. Each of said cover members 110 may be provided with a telescopic end section 1 lOa, for covering the gap vacated by the front legs 26 when the first seat 20 is in its stowed configuration, such end sections 1 iDa being biased towards their extended positions by biasing means, such as springs. Alternatively separate pivotal closure members may be provided for closing the gaps vacated by the front legs 26 when the first seat 20 is in its stowed configuration. Such pivotal closure members may be operatively connected to the front legs, for example by linkage rods, such that the pivotal closure members are moved between closed and opened positions during movement of the associated front legs.
Further cover members 130 for closing the channels 44 provided for the rear legs 28 (and also optionally provided for closing the gaps vacated by the front legs 26 when the first seat is in its stowed configuration, as described above) are pivotally attached to respective front sides of the channels 44 for movement between a raised position, abutting the respective rear legs 28 when the rear legs 28 are in their upright positions, and substantially horizontal in use positions to close said channels 44 when the rear legs 28 are in their folded positions. Each of the cover members 130 are moved between their raised and horizontal positions by means of an actuating linkage 132 connected to the respective rear leg 28, as shown in Figures iDa to lOc. Each actuating linkage 132 is connected to a respective rear leg 28 by a slotted aperture 134.
When the seat assembly is to be used by able bodies persons it is arranged in its in use configuration, as shown in Figure 1. When the seat assembly is to be used to accommodate a wheelchair, first the seats bases 34 of the second seats 30 are lifted to their upright folded position and the cover panel 40 is lifted to its open position, as shown in Figure 2, causing the cover members 110 to be removed from the channels 42.
Next the actuating lever 208 is operated to release the locking pins 204a,204b, by means of the actuating handle and associated cable system, to allow the back rest 24 of the first seat to he foHed against the seat base 22, while the support egs 26, 28 are pivoted towards their folded positions, against the spring biasing force, to lower the first seat to its stowed position, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. As the rear legs 28 are moved to their folded positions, the actuating linkages 132 move the cover members 130 to their in use positions to cover the channels 44.
Next the cover panel 40 is moved to its closed position, over the stowed first seat 20. As the cover panels moved to its closed positions, the cover members 110 are extended to cover the channels 42 to provide a flat and obstruction free platform for accommodating a wheelchair.
The seat assembly 10 may be integrally formed with the vehicle body, the base frame 50 forming an integral part of the vehicle structure, or may comprise a modular assembly that can be retrofitted to existing vehicles.
The seat assembly may be used in a number of different vehicles wherever adaptable seating requirements are present, for example in public service vehicles, including buses, coaches and mini-buses, in private road vehicles, or in other applications, such as felTies, trains or aircraft. However, the present invention has particular application to buses where the carriage of wheelchair users is a particular concern.
The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Claims (26)
- Claims 1. A foldable seat assembly for a public service vehicle, said assembly comprises at least one first seat, the or each first seat being foldable between an in use configuration, wherein the seat can be used by passengers, and a stowed configuration, wherein the seat is located beneath a cover panel to enable a wheelchair to be located upon the cover panel.
- 2. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a storage compartment within which the first seat is locatable when in its stowed configuration.
- 3. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said storage compartment is below the floor level of the vehicle.
- 4. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cover panel is hingedly mounted on a floor section of the vehicle to pivot between a lowered position, wherein the cover panel forms part of the upper surface of said floor section, and a raised position, to allow the first seat to be folded between its in use and stowed configurations.
- 5. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising at least one second seat mounted behind said first seat, the or each second seat comprising a substantially upright back portion and a cantilevered seat portion, said seat portion being pivotally attached to the back portion to pivot about a horizontal axis between a substantially horizontal in use position and a substantially vertical folded position.
- 6. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cover panel is pivotally connected to a floor section of the vehicle adjacent the second seat whereby the seat portion of the second seat must be moved to its folded position to permit the cover panel to be moved to its raised position.
- 7. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a base upon which the first seat is mounted, the upper surface of said base defining a section of the floor of the vehicle.
- 8. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first seat is mounted on the base by means of at least one forward leg, pivotally attached at a lower end to the base and at an upper end to a forward region of a seat base of the first seat, and at least one rear leg, pivotally attached at a lower end of the base and at an upper end to a rear region of said seat base, whereby the at least one forward leg and at least one rear leg are pivotally moveable between a substantially upright in use position and a substantially horizontal fo'ded position.
- 9. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said at least one forward leg and said at least one rear leg are substantially equal in length and mounted substantially parallel to one another, such that the forward and rear legs define a parallelogram support arrangement for the seat base to allow the seat base to remain substantially horizontal during movement of the seat between its in use and stowed configurations.
- 10. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein at least one first channel or slot is provided in the vehicle floor through which the at least one front leg passes to permit the leg to move between its folded and in use positions.
- 11. A foldable seat assembly as claim 10, wherein said first channel extends from a side of the storage compartment.
- 12. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein a cover member is provided for covering the or each first channel, said cover member being moveable between a closed or in use position covering the respective first channel and an open position to allow the respective front leg to move between its folded and in use positions.
- 13. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the or each cover member is attached to the cover panel.
- 14. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the cover member is pivotally attached to the cover panel.
- 15. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in any of claims 8 to 15, wherein a second channel or slot is provided in the vehicle floor adjacent the cover panel to accommodate the or each rear leg of the first seat when it its in use position.
- 16. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein a further cover member is provided for covering the or each second channel when the or each respective rear leg is in its folded position.
- 17. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first seat comprises a seat base and a back support, the back support being pivotally attached to the seat base to pivot between an upright in use position and a substantially horizontal folded position wherein the back support lies against the seat base to permit the first seat to be received beneath said cover panel when in its stowed configuration.
- 18. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein locking means are provided for locking said seat back in said upright in use position.
- 19. A seat assembly for a public service vehicle comprising a base defining a section of floor of the vehicle, at least one first seat mounted on a forward region of said base, at least one second seat mounted on a rear region of the base, wherein the or each first seat is foldable between an in use configuration, wherein the seat can be used by passengers, and a stowed configuration, wherein the seat is located within said base below the floor level of the vehicle to enable a wheelchair to be located upon said base.
- 20. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein said first seat is locatable within a storage compartment beneath said cover panel when in its stowed configuration.
- 21. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein a cover panel is provided for covering said storage compartment, said the cover panel is hingedly mounted on the floor section to pivot between a lowered position, wherein the cover panel forms part of the upper surface of said floor section, and a raised position, to allow the first seat to be folded between its in use and stowed configurations.
- 22. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the or each second seat comprising a substantially upright back portion and a cantilevered seat portion, said seat portion being pivotally attached to the back portion to pivot about a horizontal axis between a substantially horizontal in use position and a substantially vertical folded position, said cover panel being pivotally mounted to the floor section adjacent the second seat whereby the seat portion of the second seat must be moved to its folded position to permit the cover panel to be moved to its raised position.
- 23. A seat assembly as claimed in any of claims 19 to 22, wherein the first seat is mounted on the base by at least one forward leg pivotally attached at a lower end to the base and at an upper end to a forward region of a seat base of the first seat and at least one rear leg pivotally attached at a lower end of the base and at an upper end to a rear region of said seat base whereby the at least one forward leg and at least one rear leg are pivotally moveable between a substantially upright in use position and a substantially horizontal folded position.
- 24. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in claim 23, wherein said at least one forward leg and said at least one rear leg are substantially equal in length and mounted substantially parallel to one another, such that the forward and rear legs define a parallelogram support arrangement for the seat base to allow the seat base to remain substantially horizontal during movement of the seat between its in use and stowed configurations.
- 25. A foldable seat assembly as claimed in claim 23 or claim 24, wherein at least one channel or slot is provided in the vehicle floor through which the at least one front leg passes to permit the leg to move between its folded and in use positions.
- 26. A foldable seat assembly as claim 25, wherein said channel extends from a side of the storage compartment.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0820732A GB2465215A (en) | 2008-11-13 | 2008-11-13 | Foldable seat assembly for a public service vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0820732A GB2465215A (en) | 2008-11-13 | 2008-11-13 | Foldable seat assembly for a public service vehicle |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0820732D0 GB0820732D0 (en) | 2008-12-17 |
| GB2465215A true GB2465215A (en) | 2010-05-19 |
Family
ID=40139828
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0820732A Withdrawn GB2465215A (en) | 2008-11-13 | 2008-11-13 | Foldable seat assembly for a public service vehicle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2465215A (en) |
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2980457A1 (en) * | 2011-09-27 | 2013-03-29 | Airbus Operations Sas | Retractable armchair for cabin of aircraft, has telescopic element with lower part that swivels with regard to floor to place armchair in retracted position between reinforcements, and base connected to upper part in swiveling manner |
| WO2013085474A3 (en) * | 2011-11-03 | 2013-08-08 | Erk Sitki Alp | Modular airplane seat unit |
| CN104442468A (en) * | 2014-11-14 | 2015-03-25 | 李铭梁 | Bus enabling less people to stand |
| CN104442462A (en) * | 2014-11-14 | 2015-03-25 | 李铭梁 | Bus capable of improving comfortableness of passengers |
| CN107089241A (en) * | 2017-04-20 | 2017-08-25 | 广州铁路职业技术学院 | Subway carriage and its Riding Accommodation |
| CN107826007A (en) * | 2017-11-27 | 2018-03-23 | 洛阳理工学院 | A kind of embedded scissors fork elevating seat for bus |
| CN109774565A (en) * | 2018-12-22 | 2019-05-21 | 钟志 | A kind of bus erect-position fixator |
| US11772517B2 (en) | 2020-11-09 | 2023-10-03 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicular system capable of adjusting a passenger compartment from a child seat arrangement to a second arrangement |
| US11904732B2 (en) | 2020-11-09 | 2024-02-20 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicular system capable of adjusting a passenger compartment from a first arrangement to a child care arrangement |
| US12077068B2 (en) | 2020-11-09 | 2024-09-03 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Authorization-based adjustment of passenger compartment arrangement |
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| FR2734767A1 (en) * | 1995-06-02 | 1996-12-06 | Renault | Seat fitting on longitudinal rail in passenger transport vehicles |
| US20030193205A1 (en) * | 2000-07-26 | 2003-10-16 | Lear Corporation | Collapsible vehicle seat assemblies |
| EP1400399A1 (en) * | 2002-09-19 | 2004-03-24 | Ford Global Technologies, Inc., A subsidiary of Ford Motor Company | Vehicle seat arrangement |
| US20050269843A1 (en) * | 2004-06-07 | 2005-12-08 | Mcgowan Robert | Seat and storage bin cover assembly |
| US20080129072A1 (en) * | 2006-11-17 | 2008-06-05 | Faurecia Sieges D'automobile | Layout for an automobile seat retractable into a well of the floor of the said automobile and automobile including such a seat |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5195795A (en) * | 1992-04-01 | 1993-03-23 | Cannera Raymond C | Automotive vehicle seat assembly fully retractable below the vehicle's floor |
| FR2734767A1 (en) * | 1995-06-02 | 1996-12-06 | Renault | Seat fitting on longitudinal rail in passenger transport vehicles |
| US20030193205A1 (en) * | 2000-07-26 | 2003-10-16 | Lear Corporation | Collapsible vehicle seat assemblies |
| EP1400399A1 (en) * | 2002-09-19 | 2004-03-24 | Ford Global Technologies, Inc., A subsidiary of Ford Motor Company | Vehicle seat arrangement |
| US20050269843A1 (en) * | 2004-06-07 | 2005-12-08 | Mcgowan Robert | Seat and storage bin cover assembly |
| US20080129072A1 (en) * | 2006-11-17 | 2008-06-05 | Faurecia Sieges D'automobile | Layout for an automobile seat retractable into a well of the floor of the said automobile and automobile including such a seat |
Cited By (16)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2980457A1 (en) * | 2011-09-27 | 2013-03-29 | Airbus Operations Sas | Retractable armchair for cabin of aircraft, has telescopic element with lower part that swivels with regard to floor to place armchair in retracted position between reinforcements, and base connected to upper part in swiveling manner |
| WO2013085474A3 (en) * | 2011-11-03 | 2013-08-08 | Erk Sitki Alp | Modular airplane seat unit |
| US9327837B2 (en) | 2011-11-03 | 2016-05-03 | Sitki Alp Erk | Modular airplane seat unit |
| CN104442468A (en) * | 2014-11-14 | 2015-03-25 | 李铭梁 | Bus enabling less people to stand |
| CN104442462A (en) * | 2014-11-14 | 2015-03-25 | 李铭梁 | Bus capable of improving comfortableness of passengers |
| CN104442462B (en) * | 2014-11-14 | 2017-01-18 | 青岛文创科技有限公司 | Bus capable of improving comfortableness of passengers |
| CN104442468B (en) * | 2014-11-14 | 2017-02-15 | 青岛文创科技有限公司 | Bus enabling less people to stand |
| CN107089241B (en) * | 2017-04-20 | 2018-12-28 | 广州铁路职业技术学院 | Subway carriage and its Riding Accommodation |
| CN107089241A (en) * | 2017-04-20 | 2017-08-25 | 广州铁路职业技术学院 | Subway carriage and its Riding Accommodation |
| CN107826007A (en) * | 2017-11-27 | 2018-03-23 | 洛阳理工学院 | A kind of embedded scissors fork elevating seat for bus |
| CN107826007B (en) * | 2017-11-27 | 2019-10-18 | 洛阳理工学院 | A kind of embedded scissors fork elevating seat for bus |
| CN109774565A (en) * | 2018-12-22 | 2019-05-21 | 钟志 | A kind of bus erect-position fixator |
| CN109774565B (en) * | 2018-12-22 | 2021-04-23 | 南京灵雀智能制造有限公司 | Bus station fixer |
| US11772517B2 (en) | 2020-11-09 | 2023-10-03 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicular system capable of adjusting a passenger compartment from a child seat arrangement to a second arrangement |
| US11904732B2 (en) | 2020-11-09 | 2024-02-20 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicular system capable of adjusting a passenger compartment from a first arrangement to a child care arrangement |
| US12077068B2 (en) | 2020-11-09 | 2024-09-03 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Authorization-based adjustment of passenger compartment arrangement |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0820732D0 (en) | 2008-12-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |