IES970175A2 - A method and apparatus for extending the goods carrying floor space in a vehicle - Google Patents

A method and apparatus for extending the goods carrying floor space in a vehicle

Info

Publication number
IES970175A2
IES970175A2 IE970175A IES970175A IES970175A2 IE S970175 A2 IES970175 A2 IE S970175A2 IE 970175 A IE970175 A IE 970175A IE S970175 A IES970175 A IE S970175A IE S970175 A2 IES970175 A2 IE S970175A2
Authority
IE
Ireland
Prior art keywords
floor
supporting framework
vehicle
floor supporting
drivers
Prior art date
Application number
IE970175A
Inventor
James Derek Walton
Original Assignee
James Derek Walton
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by James Derek Walton filed Critical James Derek Walton
Priority to IE970175 priority Critical patent/IES76118B2/en
Publication of IES970175A2 publication Critical patent/IES970175A2/en
Publication of IES76118B2 publication Critical patent/IES76118B2/en
Priority to IE980168A priority patent/IE980168A1/en
Priority to GB9804912A priority patent/GB2323820B/en

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60NSEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/005Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles, e.g. dismountable auxiliary seats
    • B60N2/015Attaching seats directly to vehicle chassis
    • B60N2/01508Attaching seats directly to vehicle chassis using quick release attachments
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60NSEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/02Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
    • B60N2/04Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
    • B60N2/06Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60NSEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/30Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
    • B60N2/3088Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats characterised by the mechanical link
    • B60N2/3093Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats characterised by the mechanical link slides
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60NSEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/30Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
    • B60N2/3097Dismountable seats storable in a non-use position
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62DMOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D25/00Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
    • B62D25/20Floors or bottom sub-units
    • B62D25/2054Load carrying floors for commercial vehicles

Abstract

A method for extending the goods carrying floor space (2) into a drivers area (3) and the front passenger area (4) of a vehicle (1), for example, a van or jeep, comprises placing a floor supporting framework (8) in the driver's area (3) and the front passenger area (4) and placing an extension floor (7) on the floor supporting framework (8). The driver and passenger seats (5,6) are mounted on carriers (19) which are slidably carried on the floor supporting framework (8). A pair of anchor brackets (26) secured to the floor supporting framework (8) carry seatbelt receivers (25) for the driver and passenger seatbelts. The floor supporting framework (8) is secured to seat anchoring locations (16) on the floor (11) of the vehicle (1) by floor engaging supports (15) which extend from the floor supporting framework (8).<Fig.2>

Description

A method and apparatus for extending the goods carrying floor space in a vehicle The present invention relates to a method for extending the goods carrying floor space of a vehicle, and in particular, for extending the goods carrying floor space of a jeep, an estate type vehicle or a van. The invention also relates to apparatus for extending the goods carrying floor space of such a vehicle.
According to the invention there is provided a method 10 for extending the goods carrying floor space of a vehicle, for example, a jeep, an estate vehicle or a van into at least the drivers area of the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of removing the drivers seat from the drivers area, locating a floor supporting framework in the drivers area for supporting an extension floor extending from the goods carrying floor, providing a mounting means on the floor supporting framework for securing the drivers seat to the floor supporting framework, providing an anchoring means on the floor supporting framework for anchoring a seatbelt receiver to the floor supporting framework for the drivers seat seatbelt, and placing an extension floor panel on the floor supporting framework to form the extension floor.
OPEN TO PUB IJC INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 26 AND RULE 23 IE 970175 In one embodiment of the invention the floor supporting framework is located in both the drivers area and a front passenger area, and both the drivers and passengers seats are removed prior to locating the floor support framework in the vehicle.
In another embodiment of the invention an anchoring means is provided on the floor supporting framework for anchoring each seatbelt receiver to the floor supporting framework.
In another embodiment of the invention the seatbelt receiver is carried on a carrier cable, and a retracting mechanism is provided for retracting the carrier cable and the seatbelt receiver for in turn returning the individual sitting in the seat to the seat. Preferably, an impact monitoring means is mounted in the vehicle, and the retracting mechanism of the seatbelt receiver is responsive to the monitoring means for retracting the carrier cable and the seatbelt receiver in the event of an accident. Preferably, the impact monitoring means is mounted on the central tunnel of the vehicle. Advantageously, the impact monitoring means is an inertia switch.
Advantageously, each anchoring means is located on the floor supporting framework adjacent a side of the IE 970175 corresponding seat which is adjacent the central tunnel of the vehicle.
In one embodiment of the invention each anchoring means comprises an anchoring bracket mounted on the floor supporting framework.
In another embodiment of the invention a floor engaging support means extends from the floor supporting framework for securing the floor supporting framework to anchoring locations on the floor of the vehicle which are provided for anchoring the respective seats to the floor of the vehicle.
Preferably, a seat carrier for carrying and supporting each seat is slidably carried on the floor supporting framework, and preferably, is slidably carried on a telescoping mechanism.
Additionally the invention provides a floor supporting framework for extending the goods carrying floor space of a jeep, an estate vehicle, van or the like into at least the drivers area of the vehicle, the floor supporting framework comprising a mounting means for securing the drivers seat to the floor supporting framework, and an anchoring means for receiving and anchoring a seatbelt receiver to the floor supporting IE 970175 framework for the drivers seat seatbelt.
Preferably, the floor supporting framework is adapted for extending into the drivers area and a front passenger area of the vehicle, and a pair of mounting means are provided on the floor supporting framework for mounting the drivers seat and the passenger seat thereon.
Preferably, a pair of anchoring means are provided for anchoring the seatbelt receiver to the floor supporting framework for the seatbelts of the respective drivers and passenger seats.
Preferably, the anchoring means is adapted for receiving a seatbelt receiver of the type comprising a carrier cable which carries the seatbelt receiver, the carrier cable being connected to a retracting mechanism for retracting the carrier cable and in turn the seatbelt receiver on impact for returning the individual in the seat into the seat, the retracting mechanism being responsive to an impact monitoring means located in the vehicle for causing the retracting mechanism to retract the seatbelt receiver on an impact. Preferably, the impact monitoring means is an inertia switch, and the inertia switch is mounted on the central tunnel of the vehicle.
IE 970175 In another embodiment of the invention each anchoring means is mounted on the floor supporting framework at a location adjacent a side of the corresponding seat, which in use is adjacent the central tunnel of the vehicle.
Preferably, a floor engaging support means is provided extending from the floor supporting framework for engaging and securing the floor supporting framework to anchoring locations on the floor of the vehicle which are provided for anchoring each seat to the vehicle floor.
In another embodiment of the invention the mounting means for mounting each seat to the floor supporting framework comprises a slidable mounting means, and advantageously, the mounting means comprises a seat carrier which is slidably carried on the floor supporting framework, and preferably, is slidably carried on a carrier rail which preferably, comprises a telescoping mechanism.
Additionally, the invention provides a vehicle comprising the floor supporting framework according to the invention mounted in the vehicle using the method according to the invention.
IE 970175 The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a rear view of a vehicle according to the invention in which the goods carrying floor space to the rear of the vehicle has been extended into the drivers area and front passenger area using a method according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a cut-away perspective view of a portion of the vehicle of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a framework for use in the method for extending the goods carrying floor space for use in the method according to the invention, Fig. 4 is another perspective view of the framework of Fig. 3, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the vehicle during extension of the goods carrying floor space of the vehicle, Fig. 6 is a rear perspective view of the vehicle, IE 970175 also during extension of the goods carrying floor space of the vehicle, and Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of a portion of the vehicle in which the goods carrying floor space has been extended.
Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a vehicle according to the invention which is indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. In this embodiment of the invention the vehicle 1 is a jeep in which a goods carrying floor space 2 to the rear has been extended into a drivers area 3 and a front passenger area 4 of the vehicle beneath a drivers seat 5 and a front passengers seat 6, respectively, by an extension floor 7, using a method according to the invention. The extension floor 7 comprises a floor supporting framework 8 also according to the invention of box section steel which is located and secured as will be described below in the drivers and passenger areas 3 and 4, and a floor panel 9 is secured to the floor supporting framework 8. The floor supporting framework 8 comprises a rear portion 10 which extends across the floor 11 of the vehicle 1 adjacent the goods carrying space 2. A pair of front portions 12 extend forwardly from the rear portion 10 into the drivers area 3 and the passenger area 4, respectively. Floor IE 970175 engaging support means which comprise downwardly extending floor engaging supports 15 of box section steel extend downwardly from the front portions 12 of the floor supporting framework 8 for engaging corresponding seat anchoring locations 16 on the floor 11 of the vehicle 1 in the drivers and passenger areas 3 and 4, respectively. The floor engaging supports 15 are adapted for engaging the seat anchoring locations 16 and for being secured thereto in similar fashion to that by which the driver and passenger seats 5 and 6, respectively, are anchored. The mounting arrangements for mounting the driver and passenger seats onto the floor of such a vehicle 1 will be well known to those skilled in the art.
A pair of mounting means for mounting the driver and passenger seats 5 and 6 to the floor supporting framework 8 comprises a pair of seat carriers 19 onto which the driver and passenger seats 5 and 6 are secured. The seat carriers 19 are slidably carried on the floor supporting framework 8 on telescoping slidable rails 20. A pair of spaced apart rails 20 are provided for each seat carrier 19. The seat carriers 19 are welded to one of the rails of the telescoping rails 20, while the other of the rails of each telescoping rails 20 is welded to the floor supporting framework 8. The mounting of the seat carrier 19 on IE 970175 the rail 20 facilitates forward and rearward adjustment of the driver and passenger seats 5 and 6.
A locking mechanism (not shown) for locking the seat carriers 19 at a desired position is also provided for each seat, and each locking mechanism is operable by a corresponding lever (not shown) which is pivotally carried on the floor supporting framework 8. The levers (not shown) of each seat carrier 19 are located on the outer side of the floor supporting framework 8 on the corresponding side of the seat carrier 19.
A pair of anchoring means for anchoring the seatbelt receivers 25 for the driver and passenger seats 5 and 6 comprises a pair of anchor brackets 26 which are secured to the floor supporting framework 8. The anchor brackets 28 are located on the floor supporting framework 8 adjacent the inner side of the corresponding seat 5 or 6 which is adjacent a central tunnel 27 of the vehicle 1. In this embodiment of the invention each seatbelt receiver 25 is of the type which comprises a retracting mechanism 28 which retracts a carrier cable 29 on which the seatbelt receiver 25 is carried in the event of the vehicle 1 being subjected to an impact. Such retracting mechanisms 28 will be well known to those skilled in the art. The retracting mechanisms 28 are provided for IE 970175 urging an occupant into the seat in the event of an impact for preventing injury to the occupant of the seat from an air bag. A housing 30 of each seatbelt receiver 25 is secured to the corresponding anchor bracket 26 by a screw 32 through the housing 30 and the anchor bracket 26.
An impact monitoring means which in this embodiment of the invention is provided by an inertia switch (not shown) for monitoring for an impact is located on the central tunnel 27, and the retracting mechanism 28 is responsive to the inertia switch, so that in the event of the vehicle being involved in an accident, on the impact of the accident, the retracting mechanism 28 is operated in response to the inertia switch for retracting the seatbelt receiver 25.
To mount the extension floor 7 in the vehicle 1 the following procedure is adopted. The driver and passenger seats 5 and 6 together with their conventional mounting arrangements, namely, slidable runners, etc. are removed from the vehicle 1, thus, exposing the floor 11 of the vehicle 1 in the drivers area 3 and the passenger area 4. The floor supporting framework 8 with the seat carriers 19 slidably mounted by the rails 20 on the floor supporting framework 8, and with the anchor brackets 28 also secured on the IE 970175 floor supporting framework 8 is located in the vehicle 1 so that the rear portion 10 of the floor supporting framework 8 extends across the vehicle to the rear of the drivers area 3 and passenger area 4, and the front portions 12 are located in the drivers area 3 and the passenger area 4. The floor engaging supports 15 are located on the seat anchoring locations 16 and secured thereto. The seatbelt receivers 25 are secured to the floor supporting framework 8 by securing the housing 30 of the seatbelt receivers 25 to the anchor brackets 26 by the screws 32. The inertia switch (not shown) is secured to the central tunnel 27 and electrically connected to the retracting mechanism 28. This procedure will be known to those skilled in the art.
The driver and passenger seats 5 and 6 are then secured to the seat carriers 19 and the floor panel 9 is gv secured to the floor supporting framework 8 by suitable fastening means, for example, self-tamper screws, pop rivets or the like. As can be seen pairs of spaced slots 33 are provided in the floor panel 9 for accommodating the frame 34 of the driver and passenger seats 5 and 6.
The advantages of the invention are many. A particularly important advantage achieved by the invention is additional safety for both the driver and passenger. By virtue of the fact that the anchoring IE 970175 means are provided for anchoring the seatbelt receiver to the floor supporting framework, there is little danger of an occupant of either the driver or passenger seat being catapulted through the front windscreen or otherwise of the vehicle. This is a particular advantage over known methods for anchoring the seatbelt receiver, which in general, is anchored to the seat.
In such cases, should the seat come adrift as a result of an impact, the seat and passenger may be catapulted through the front windscreen or otherwise of the vehicle. Since by virtue of the fact that the floor supporting framework is securely located to the floor of the vehicle 1 there is little danger of the floor supporting framework coming adrift from the vehicle, and thus, no danger of the anchoring means and seatbelt receivers coming adrift in the event of an impact.
The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims (5)

1. A method for extending the goods carrying floor space of a vehicle, for example, a jeep, an estate vehicle or a van into at least the drivers area of the vehicle, the method comprising the steps of removing the drivers seat from the drivers area, locating a floor supporting framework in the drivers area for supporting an extension floor extending from the goods carrying floor, providing a mounting means on the floor supporting framework for securing the drivers seat to the floor supporting framework, providing an anchoring means on the floor supporting framework for anchoring a seatbelt receiver to the floor supporting framework for the drivers seat seatbelt, and placing an extension floor panel on the floor supporting framework to form the extension floor.
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 in which the floor supporting framework is located in both the drivers area and a front passenger area, and both the drivers seats and the front passenger seat are removed prior to locating the floor supporting framework in the vehicle, and an anchoring means is provided on the floor supporting framework for anchoring each seatbelt receiver to the floor supporting framework.
3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or 2 in which the IE 970175 floor supporting framework comprises a floor engaging support means extending downwardly therefrom, and the floor supporting framework is supported on the floor of the vehicle by engaging the floor engaging support 5 means in anchoring locations which are provided in the floor of the vehicle for anchoring the respective seats to the floor of the vehicle.
4. A floor supporting framework for use in the method as claimed in any preceding claim for extending the 10 goods carrying floor space of a vehicle, for example, a jeep, an estate vehicle or a van into at least the drivers area of the vehicle, the floor supporting framework comprising a mounting means for securing the drivers seat to the floor supporting framework, and an 15 anchoring means for receiving and anchoring a seatbelt receiver to the floor supporting framework for the drivers seat seatbelt.
5. A vehicle comprising the floor supporting framework as claimed in Claim 4, and in which the goods 20 carrying floor space of the vehicle has been extended into at least the drivers area of the vehicle by the method as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3.
IE970175 1997-03-11 1997-03-11 A method and apparatus for extending the goods carrying floor space in a vehicle IES76118B2 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IE970175 IES76118B2 (en) 1997-03-11 1997-03-11 A method and apparatus for extending the goods carrying floor space in a vehicle
IE980168A IE980168A1 (en) 1997-03-11 1998-03-09 A method and a floor supporting framework for extending the¹goods carrying floor space in a vehicle.
GB9804912A GB2323820B (en) 1997-03-11 1998-03-10 A method and a floor supporting framework for extending the goods carrying floor space in a vehicle

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IE970175 IES76118B2 (en) 1997-03-11 1997-03-11 A method and apparatus for extending the goods carrying floor space in a vehicle

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
IES970175A2 true IES970175A2 (en) 1997-10-08
IES76118B2 IES76118B2 (en) 1997-10-08

Family

ID=11041412

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
IE970175 IES76118B2 (en) 1997-03-11 1997-03-11 A method and apparatus for extending the goods carrying floor space in a vehicle
IE980168A IE980168A1 (en) 1997-03-11 1998-03-09 A method and a floor supporting framework for extending the¹goods carrying floor space in a vehicle.

Family Applications After (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
IE980168A IE980168A1 (en) 1997-03-11 1998-03-09 A method and a floor supporting framework for extending the¹goods carrying floor space in a vehicle.

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2323820B (en)
IE (2) IES76118B2 (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6752443B1 (en) 1999-06-07 2004-06-22 Johnson Controls Technology Company Load floor system
WO2001015931A2 (en) * 1999-06-07 2001-03-08 Johnson Controls Technology Company Load floor system
US6499787B2 (en) 2000-07-26 2002-12-31 Lear Corporation Collapsible vehicle seat assemblies
FR2846607B1 (en) * 2002-10-31 2005-01-21 Ducarme Sa METHOD OF ARRANGEMENT WITHIN A FUNERAL VEHICLE
DE102016108858A1 (en) * 2016-05-13 2017-11-16 Aguti Produktentwicklung & Design Gmbh Device for mounting a seat arrangement on a vehicle and vehicle
DE102020127529A1 (en) * 2020-10-20 2022-04-21 Audi Aktiengesellschaft Subassembly for a sliding vehicle seat

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4941702A (en) * 1989-02-23 1990-07-17 Southward James F Underseat expansion bed vehicle for transporting long load material

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2323820A (en) 1998-10-07
IE980168A1 (en) 1998-09-23
GB9804912D0 (en) 1998-04-29
GB2323820B (en) 2001-03-28
IES76118B2 (en) 1997-10-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6431586B1 (en) Vehicle occupant restraint device
JP3805404B2 (en) Vehicle safety device
EP1615805B1 (en) An airbag arrangement
US5476283A (en) Selectively deployable vehicle knee restraint
US6193317B1 (en) Back seat arrangement for passenger compartments
US5121964A (en) Motor-vehicle seat sitting unit equipped with a raisable central part for receiving a child&#39;s seat
JP2992961B2 (en) Automotive airbag equipment
US4569534A (en) Passenger restraint system
GB2130977A (en) Safety devices for securing wheelchairs in vehicles
US20140062160A1 (en) Bus seating system
IES970175A2 (en) A method and apparatus for extending the goods carrying floor space in a vehicle
GB2287645A (en) Dual vehicle seat with belt attachment beam
GB2291628A (en) Seat and seat belt anchorage arrangements for buses and minibuses
US5857751A (en) Airbag barrier cage
JP2001080445A (en) Installation structure of side air bag
JP2008265401A (en) Vehicle having luggage compartment
GB2379913A (en) Restraint for restraining a wheelchair occupant in a vehicle
GB2279863A (en) Split folding seat backs with seatbelt anchor means
GB2293315A (en) Vehicle seat support
JP2003312340A (en) Seat for automobile
JP2574250Y2 (en) Transport case
WO2005039921A1 (en) Vehicle child seat assembly
JPH085877Y2 (en) Seat belt lock device
JPH08310334A (en) Safety device for vehicle
GB2293317A (en) Vehicle seat assembly

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
MK9A Patent expired