MXPA00000251A - Removable vehicle seat assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a removable vehicle seat assembly for use with a motor vehicle having an interior floor structure with at least a portion thereof covered by a yieldingly deformable material. A latch and release assembly is operatively associated with a riser support structure. The latch and release assembly engages with front and rear anchor members of the interior floor structure and releasably locks in one of a range of releasably locked positions. The latch and release assembly engages with the front and rear anchor members and is releasably locked in an initial one of the range of releasably locked positions. The removablevehicle seat assembly is moved downwardly towards the interior floor structure in response to an application of a downwardly directed force thereto when the latch and release assembly is releasably locked in the initial one of the range of releasably locked positions such that the yieldingly deformable material is yieldingly compressed to a decreased thickness. The latch and release assembly moves progressively from the initial one of the range of releasably locked positions to a subsequent one of the range of releasably locked positions corresponding to the decreased thickness of the yieldingly deformable material during downward movement of the removable vehicle seat assembly. The latch and release assembly is engaged with the front and rear anchor members and releasably locked in the subsequent one of the range of releasably locked positions to thereby prevent upward movement of the removable vehicle seat assembly away from the interior floor structure and to maintain the yieldingly deformable material at the aforesaid decreased thickness.

Description

ASSEMBLY OF REMOVABLE SEAT FOR VEHICLE Field of the Invention The present invention relates to removable seat assemblies for vehicles for use in motor vehicles.

Background of the Invention The nature of vans, sports vehicles and other vehicles with relatively large cargo carrying products, often makes them desirable to increase the space that carries the cargo in the rear portion of the vehicle. To do this, it is known to provide a vehicle seat assembly that can be uncoupled from its operative position on the floor of the vehicle and withdrawn outwards by means of the rear door. Such removal creates additional cargo space that was previously occupied by the seat assembly. The conventional removable seat assembly is mounted on top of a lifting support structure. The lifting support structure typically has a groove that faces forward in a structure that depends on it REF: 32322 down and a locking and release mechanism provided on a lower rear portion thereof. The forwardly facing slot and the locking and unlocking mechanism are configured to engage the front and rear fastening members extending through the holes formed in the floor of the vehicle.

To install the conventional removable seat assembly, the forward facing slot engages with the front fastening member and the assembly is rotated downwardly until the locking and releasing mechanism engages the rear fastening member. The closing and releasing mechanism is then moved to a freely closed position to thereby secure the seat assembly in its operative position.

However, the locking and unlocking mechanism of the conventional removable seat assembly typically has only a freely closed position. This closed poreition is usually established, so that a carpet or other freely deformable material can be accommodated between the lower surface of the higher structure and the surface facing up from the floor. By way of example, if a 6 mm (1/4") carpet were to cover the floor of the vehicle, the locking and unlocking mechanism would be built to provide sufficient space between the higher structure and the floor to accommodate a carpet. 6 mm (1/4") when the lock and release mechanism is in the closed position. This arrangement can often be undesirable due to the tendency of freely deformable materials, such as carpets that wear out over time and become reduced in thickness. Also, fabrication errors of either the seat assembly or the floor structure can affect the amount of space provided between the higher structure and the floor. In situations where the carpet has become reduced in thickness or otherwise too much space is provided between the higher structure and the floor, the seat assembly can then move vertically and / or horizontally relative to the floor of the vehicle . This relative movement usually results in annoying loud noise during vehicle operation.

In the United States patent no. 5,496,088, the seat assembly is mounted on a base that is mounted on the surface of the carpet. Although this arrangement avoids the problem of carpet compression, the seat can only be installed in one place. The ability to place the seat assembly anywhere along the length of the holes, in this way is lost- Brief Description of the Invention The disadvantages of the prior art could be overcome by providing a removable vehicle seat assembly for use with a motor vehicle having an interior floor structure facing upwardly with at least a portion thereof covered by a freely deformable material. The structure of the interior floor has the members of its front and rear ection fixedly mounted on it. The removable vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat assembly removably mounted on the structure of the interior floor of the motor vehicle and which is in an operative position to support an occupant seated therein., a lifting support structure that engages the seat assembly, and a manually operated locking and release assembly that engages the higher seat. The closure and release assembly comprises a front fastening mechanism that engages the member having a slot for engaging the front fastening member, and a locking and releasing mechanism for removably engaging with the rear fastening member. The front fastening coupling member and the locking and unlocking mechanism are combined with the front and rear fastening members to removably retain the seat assembly in the operative position thereof. The lifting support structure couples the freely deformable material when the seat assembly is in the operative position. The locking and unlocking mechanism has a released position and a range of freely closed positions, whereby as the removable vehicle seat assembly moves during installation with respect to the structure of the inner floor, the closing and release assembly is It engages with the front and rear fastening members and locks freely in an initial mechanism from the range of freely closed positions. The closing and releasing mechanism moves progressively from the initial mechanism of the range of freely closed positions to a subsequent mechanism of the range of freely closed positions as the freely deformable material is compressed.

The closure and release assembly comprises a support member that includes the support fastening coupling member and which carries the closure and release mechanism. The support member has a fixed projection having a surface for coupling the back clamping member and an arched seating surface that includes a space. The closing and releasing mechanism has a movable closure member rotatably mounted to the support member and movable between an unlocked position and a closed position cooperating with the projection surface fixed to close and not close with the rear support member. A fixed toothed element is mounted on the support member. A movable toothed element is rotatably connected to the movable closure member. The movable and fixed toothed elements each have groups of teeth configured to engage with each other in an inter-mesh relationship freely, to thereby avoid relative movement between them when the closing and releasing mechanism is freely closed in a range of freely closed positions. The movable toothed element has a structure for pin seating along the surface of the arched seat. A manually engaged manual member is rotatably connected to the support member and operatively coupled to the movable toothed element to effect decoupling of the fixed toothed element. Another problem with conventional removable seat assemblies is that the seat assembly may become misaligned when the forwardly facing slot engages with the front fastening member. If this misalignment is more than a nominal amount, then the locking and unlocking mechanism located in the rear portion thereof will be forced down into engagement with the interior of the vehicle floor structure instead of being received into the cavity. associated with the rear fastening member. If the vehicle seat mount is of sufficient weight or a significant amount of downward force is applied to the seat during such rotary movement, the components of the lock and release mechanism could become damaged or released as a result of the mechanism it connects the structure of the floor. If such damage is allowed to present itself to the closing and release mechanism, it is likely that the vehicle owner will have to pay for the costs associated with the repair of the closing and release mechanism. Thus, there is a need for a removable vehicle seat assembly that prevents the locking and unlocking mechanism from moving downwardly in engagement with the floor in situations where the seat is improperly aligned during installation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a removable vehicle seat assembly is provided for use with a motor vehicle having an interior floor structure with an upward facing surface and front and rear fastening members. The structure of the interior floor has an alignment aperture of the upwardly facing seat provided therein, generally between the front and rear fastening members. The removable vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat structure supporting an occupant seated therein when the removable vehicle seat assembly is removably mounted in an operative position in the interior floor structure of the motor vehicle.

A lifting support structure supports the structure of the seat when the removable vehicle seat assembly is removably mounted in the operative position thereof. A manually operated locking and release assembly is operatively associated with the lifting support structure. The closure and release assembly engages the members of front and rear fastening of the interior floor structure when the removable vehicle seat assembly is removably mounted in the operative position thereof. The closure and release assembly includes a closing and release mechanism associated with one end of the lifting support structure. The locking and unlocking mechanism engages one of the front and rear members and locks freely in a closed position freely when the removable vehicle seat assembly is removably mounted in the operative position thereof. The locking and unlocking mechanism cooperates with the front and rear fastening members to detachably retain the vehicle seat assembly in the operative position when the locking and unlocking mechanism is in the closed position freely. The closure and release is movable with respect to a "released" position in response to manual operation when the lock and release assembly engages the front and rear fastening members, to thereby allow an operator to uncouple the closure and release assembly from the front and rear fastening members to allow the vehicle seat assembly to move out of the operative position thereof and to be removed from the vehicle. motor.

A seat alignment member depends downward on the removable vehicle seat assembly. The seat alignment member received within the seat alignment aperture provided in the interior floor structure, in general, between the front and rear fastening members during downward movement of the seat assembly towards and within the operative position thereof, such that the releasing and closing mechanism is allowed to engage one of the front and rear fastening members and to close freely in the closed position freely therefrom. The seat alignment member engages the upward facing surface of the interior floor structure when the removable vehicle seat assembly misaligns and moves downward with respect to the interior of the floor structure, such that the closing and release assembly is prevented from engaging the surface facing upwards of the interior floor structure.

Brief Description of the Drawings FIG. 1 of the drawings is a front perspective view of a removable vehicle seat assembly modeling the present invention shown after removal of the seat assembly from the rear of a truck-type vehicle.

FIG. 2 of the drawings is a rear perspective view of the lifting support structure modeled in the seat assembly shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 of the drawings is a rear perspective view of the lifting support structure of the seat assembly shown in FIG. 1, the lifting support structure is shown in dotted lines to more clearly illustrate the closing and release mechanism.

FIG. 4 of the drawings is a perspective view of the right side of a cushion-like member used in the collation and installation of the seat shown in FIG. 1 with a disassembled closing and release mechanism.

FIG. 5 of the drawings is a rear, expanded perspective view of the closing and release mechanism.

FIG. 6 of the drawings is a rear perspective view of the closing and release mechanism.

FIG. 7 of the drawings is a view in right lateral elevation of the mechanism shown in FIG. 6 FIG. 8 of the drawings is a left side elevation view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 6 FIG. 9 of the drawings is a view in left lateral elevation of the closing and releasing mechanism in a released position.

FIG. 10 of the drawings is a left side elevation view of the locking and unlocking mechanism showing the components in an initially coupled position, with respect to the rear securing member.

FIG. 11 of the drawings is a view in left lateral elevation of the closing and releasing mechanism showing the mechanism freely closed with the front and rear fastening member.

FIG. 12 of the drawings is a view in left lateral elevation of the closing and releasing mechanism showing the movement of the closing mechanism towards the released position.

FIG. 13 of the drawings is a left side elevation view of the locking and unlocking mechanism showing in a released position before removal of the rear clamping member.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Modality of the Invention Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown here a truck-type vehicle 10 including an interior floor structure, generally indicated at 12. The structure of the interior floor 12 includes a rear area that is open to the rear, but closed by a revolving rear door (which opens in both directions) upwards 14. The structure of the interior floor 12 is provided by a metal floor tank 16 covered by a freely deformable material in the shape of a carpet 18. The accessible rear area of vehicle 10 is built and arranged, such that a removable seat assembly, generally indicated at 20, is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, can be removably mounted in an operative position within the vehicle. As shown, the seat assembly 20 is in a simple fastened seat of the type that is mounted on the back of the truck-type vehicle 10 adjacent to a similar fastened seat. The seat assembly 20, however, could be of any type as supported by an occupant seated therein when the seat assembly 20 is mounted in its operative position. The seat assembly 20 includes a removable lifting support structure, generally indicated at 22, by which it is removably mounted and supported in its operative position toward the interior floor structure 12 of the vehicle 10.

The lifting support structure 22 is provided with a manually operated release and closing assembly, generally indicated at 24. As shown in FIG. 1, the seat assembly 20 could be easily inserted or removed by means of the rear access door 14 of the vehicle 10 when it is opened in both directions. The structure of the interior floor 12 of the vehicle 10 supports the seat assembly 20 in its operative position when it is inserted therein. It can be appreciated that a multiplicity of seating arrangements can be accommodated within the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the structure of the interior floor 12 of the vehicle 10 is shown accommodating the seat assembly 20 by the supply of a front seat fastening member 26 and a rear seat fastening member 28. Each fastening member 26 and 28 is preferably in the form of a conventional tie pin secured by screws or the like at the opposite ends towards the metallic floor tank 16. The front fastening member 26 extends transversely over a hole or cavity 30 formed in the floor tank 16 and the rear clamping member 28, extends transversely over a similar back hole or cavity 32. As best shown in FIG. 4, the carpet 18 could be cut in the area of the front and rear holes 30 and 32 and replaced by a different, freely deformable material in the form of a cushion-like member 34, molded of a suitable plastic material.

The lifting support structure 22 includes a lifting structure, generally indicated at 36, to which the release and closing assembly of the associated seat 24 is attached. As best shown in FIG. 2, the lifting structure 36 is formed of a pair of elevators 38 rigidly interconnected in a transversely spaced relation by a front stamped sheet 40 and a back stamped sheet 42 properly welded thereto. A pair of plastic mounting pads 44 spaced apart longitudinally on the lower portion of the lifting structure 36 is fixedly mounted.

With reference now more particularly to FIGS. 3 to 7 of the drawings, the manually operated release and closing assembly 24 comprises a main support member 46 and a release and lock mechanism 47. Basically, the release and lock assembly 24 is positioned and configured to engage with the members of front and rear fastening 26, 28 and freely locks into one of a range of freely closed positions when the removable vehicle seat assembly 20 is removably mounted in its operative position. The releasing and closing mechanism is freely closed in one of a range of freely closed positions to provide the closing and release assembly with the range of freely closed positions.

The main support member 46 is formed of metal sheet having a pair of longitudinally spaced lifting safety tabs 48 (Fig. 4) extending upwardly along the upper edge thereof. Although welded flanges are other joining means in similar devices, the stamped joint washer means is used in the present invention. The tongues 48, together with a pair of fasteners 50, serve to securely attach the support member 46 to the back and forth stamped sheet 40 and 42 of the lifting structure 36 in a pair of rectangular openings 51 (Fig. 2). ). The support member 46 includes a front fastening coupling member 52 having a forward opening slot 54 therein, which is configured to removably engage the front fastening member 26. The support member 46 also includes a fixed projection 56 which depends downwards thereof and which has a forwardly facing surface 58, which is adapted to engage the rear holding member 28. It is formed in a forward central section of the supporting member 46 in dependent relation to the bottom edge thereof, a seat alignment member 60.

As best shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the cushion-like member 34 is formed with the spaced openings 61 in the area of the forward and backward holes 30 and 32 to allow the front fastening engagement member 52 and the rearwardly fixed projection 56 of the support member 46 enters the holes 30, 32 and engages the front and rear fastening members 26 and 28. In the area between the forward and backwardly spaced openings 61, the cushion-like member 34 has a portion 62 toward forward of reduced thickness defining an alignment aperture of the seat 63 for removably receiving the seat alignment member 60 from the support member 46. The seat alignment aperture 63 of the pad-like member portion 34 cooperates with the seat member. alignment of the seat 60 to ensure that the seat assembly must be properly aligned before the installation can proceed. As set forth differently, the seat alignment member 60 is positioned and configured to engage the upwardly facing surface of the interior floor structure 12 during downward movement of the seat assembly 20 towards the interior of the floor structure 12 when the seat assembly 20 is improperly aligned, such that the lock and release assembly 24 is prevented from engaging the front and rear fastening member 26, 28 and moving to one of the range of freely closed positions. Also, the seat alignment member 60 is positioned and configured to be removably received within the seat alignment aperture 63 during downward movement of the seat assembly 20 to and in the operative position thereof when mounting. of seat 20 is properly aligned, to thereby allow the closure and release assembly 24 to engage the front and rear fastening members 26, 28.

The closing and release mechanism 47 comprises a fixed component in place, and a number of movable components. These components work together as a simple cam and link the mechanical advantage system using a roller pin that follows a contour to control the movement and position of other components. This action after the cam initiates several operations.

A fixed serrated element 64 is attached to the left side of the main support member 46, near the upper rear part of the member 46, with a pair of appropriate rivets 66. The movable parts of the locking and unlocking mechanism 47 on the left side of the main support member 46 includes a movable toothed portion 68 with a serrated surface 70 and a left movable closure member 72, which are connected together with a locking pin 73. The pin 73 attaches an upper extended portion 74 of the closure member left movable 72 towards the lower portion of the left movable toothed portion 68 by means of a round opening 75 in the serrated portion 68.

The movable parts of the locking and unlocking mechanism 47 on the right side of the main support member 46 includes a right movable non-toothed portion 76, a right movable closure member 78, a lock release lever 80 (which includes a button for thumb drive 82) and a hand-attached manual member 84 (which includes a handle 85). The manual member 84 contains a pin engaging surface 86 and a movement initiation portion 87 that are critical to uncoupling the locking and unlocking mechanism 47. The lock release lever 80 is attached to the manual member 84 with a locking pin. the latch release lever 88, at the midpoint of the latch release lever 80. The latch release lever pin 88 functions as a pivot point during opening and release of the latch and release mechanism 47 from a closed position freely. A portion of the lower end 89 of the right movable non-toothed portion 76 is attached to the right movable closure member 78 with a right lock pin 90. The right lock pin 90 connects the lower end portion 89 of the movable non-toothed portion. right 76 towards an upper extended portion 91 of the right movable closure member 78. The proper operating tendency in the manual member 84 is provided by a tilting element in the form of a return spring 92 attached at one end to a tongue 94. in the manual member 84. The other end of the return spring 92 is connected to a circumferential groove 96 grooved about a coupling end 97 of a connecting member in the form of a locking element pin-movable 98. The pin of the closure element 98 also contains a manual engagement surface 99 which is actuated by the manual member 84 when the locking and unlocking mechanism 47 is moved towards the released position and uncoupled.

The right movable closure member 78 and the left movable closure member 72 are fastened to the right and left sides, respectively of the main support member 46 with a pivot pin 100 which passes through a rotation opening 102 in the end member. main support 46 for keeping manual member 84b in place. A lower extended portion 103 of the left movable closure member 72 is adjusted in level against the main support member 46, but the left movable closure member 72 is formed so as to be bent from the main support means 46 to allow space for the serrated surface 70 of the left movable toothed member 68 to fit between the upper extended portion 74 of the left movable closure member 72 and the left rear member of the main support member 46.

A spacing washer 104 is positioned between the hand member 84 and the main support member 46 to allow adequate space for operation of the lock release lever 80 and the hand member 84. The right movable notched portion 76 and the left movable toothed portion 68 are held together by the pin of the movable closure element 98 which moves longitudinally along an upper edge surface 106 of the rear portion of the main support member 46, adjacent to a group of teeth 108 in the toothed element 64. Together, the movable toothed portion 68 and the movable non-toothed portion move in accordance with their respective rotation connections and comprise a movable toothed element. The tooth 70 of the left movable toothed portion 68 is positioned to engage the tooth 108 on the upper surface of the fixed toothed element 64 in an inter-gear ratio releasably when the locking and unlocking mechanism 47 is in one of its intervals of the freely closed positions that will be discussed later.

A cylindrical surface projecting 109 on the pin of the movable closure member 98 maintains the mating contact with the irregular upper surface of the cam-like 106 (also referred to as a handling surface) along the upper rear part of the member. of main support 46. this irregular contour of the upper edge surface 106 comprises four distinguishable regions: a grooved surface region 110, a positively inclined lifting region 112, a downwardly lowering region 113 and a toothed locking section 114 The remaining engagement position of the cylindrical surface 109 of the pin of the movable closure member 98 on the upper edge surface 106 of the main support member 46 determines the state of the closing and release mechanism 47 relative to the fixed coupling of the mounting lifting of the removable seat 22 on the 12th floor of the vehicle 10. The closing groove 1 14 provides a facility whereby the closing and releasing mechanism 47, when closed, is held in a closed position freely until the user manually initiates an action not to close the mechanism 47.

The actuation button with the thumb 82 in the closing release lever 80 does not allow closing and the actuation of the release of the closing and release mechanism 24 uncouples the two closing members 78 and 72.

The downward movement of the thumb actuation button 82 initiates a closing and releasing process which subsequently affects the toothed surface 70 at the left movable toothed portion 68 to facilitate decoupling of the toothed surface 108 on the toothed element 64 this allows the manual member 84 is moved to uncouple rearwardly of the locking and unlocking mechanism 47 of the rear fastening member 28 in the rear opening 32 of the floor of the vehicle 12, releasing the forwardly facing surface 58 of the dependent portion rearwardly. 56 of the main support member 46. The main support member 46 can then be removed from the back fastener member 28.

With reference to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 2 to 7, there are several components of the closure and release mechanism 47 that deserve consideration. These include the left movable closure member 72, the right movable closure member 78, the left movable toothed portion 68 with teeth 70, the right movable non-toothed portion 76, the fixed toothed element 64, the lock release lever 80, the manual member 84, the pin of the movable closure element 98 and a spacer pin 115.

The left movable closing member 72 is forced to close close to the rear holding member 28 by the action of the left movable toothed portion 68 with the tooth 70, as it rolls against the toothed element 64 during a closing operation as will be described later. The left movable closure member 72 rotates upwards near the pivot pin 100 which engages the member 72 in an opening of the round pivot 116, rotates the left movable closure member 72 upwardly as the closing action of the sprocket is tightened . A spacing surface 118 on the member 72 provides the coupling space for the left movable toothed portion 68 with the tooth 70 to properly engage the toothed surface 108 on the toothed element 64, thereby securing the full closing action.

The left movable closure member 72 includes a clamping surface 120 which is the first surface contacting the back clamping member 28 when the closing and releasing mechanism 47 initially contacts, before being freely closed. The left movable closing member 72 includes another clamping surface 122 which is the first surface that does not contact the back clamping member 28 when the locking and unlocking mechanism 47 is disengaged, before the lifting assembly 22 is removed of the rear door 14 of the vehicle 10. The rear support member 28 occupies a strong point attachment area 124 on the left movable closure member 72 when the lifting support structure 22 is closed in place. A cylindrical opening 126 in the left movable closure member 72 allows the left movable closure member 72 to be held by the left closure fastener 73 toward the left movable toothed portion 68.

The right movable closing member 78 is forced to close near the back clamping member 28 by the action of the right movable non-toothed portion 76. The right movable non-toothed portion 7.6 is actuated by the movement of the pin of the closing element 98 for continue with the same route as the left movable toothed portion 68. The right movable closure member 78 also rotates upwards near the rotation pin 100 which engages the right movable closure member 78 by means of a cylindrical opening 128, which rotates the right moveable locking member 78 upwards as the action of closing the sprocket is adjusted in the manner discussed in the application.

A clamping surface 130 in the right closing member 78, first contacts the rear clamping member 28 when the closing and releasing assembly 24 engages, before being closed. Another clamping surface 132 in the right closing member 78, first leaves contact with the rear clamping member 28, when the closing and release assembly 24 is uncoupled, before the lifting support structure 22 is removed from the body. rear door 14 of the vehicle 10. The rear support member 28 occupies a strong point fastening area 134 in the right closure member 78 when the lifting support structure 22 is closed in place. A cylindrical opening 136 in the right closure member 78 allows the right closure member 78 to be held by the right closure fastener 90 toward the right movable non-toothed portion 76.

The lock release lever 80 rotates near the pin of the lever 88 which connects the lock release lever 80 to the manual member 84. The thumb actuation button 82 allows the application of a force to rotate the release lever of the lever 80. closing 80 near a closing release pivot point 138 so as not to close the closure and release assembly 24 and subsequently uncoupling the right and left closure members 78 and 72, respectively. A force 140 applied to the thumb drive button 82 by the user, initiates the opening operation by means of the action of a closure element 142 on the lock release lever 80 which is forced up from the closure groove. 114. This action results in the left movable element 68 with the tooth 70, and the fixed toothed element 64 which act together in the process of progressive closing as a progressively toothed closure, to separate.

The manual member 84 is important for uncoupling the lifting support structure 22 from the rear fastening member 28. A spacing surface 144 in the hand member 84 allows the spacing apart for the right movable closure member 78 to operate freely after a force is applied to the drive button by the thumb 82 and the holder of the manual member 85 rotates near the rotation pin 100, which is connected to the manual member 84 by means of an access opening of the manual turn pin 146.

The pin of the movable closure element 98 provides the means by which the user, by means of the manual member 84, disengages the lock and release assembly 24 after the lock release lever 80 was used not to close the assembly 24. .

The spacer pin 115 connects the right closure member 78 to the left closure member 72 to maintain proper positioning of these two closure members with respect to the forward facing surface 58 in the fixed rearwardly dependent projection 56 of the member. of main support 46, and the rear holding member 28, when the pin 28 engages.

The removable lifting support structure 22 is swung to provide a stable seating platform when the seat 20 is installed in the vehicle 10. The construction of the removable lifting support structure 22 provides four point stabilizing contacts with the carpet 18 of the floor 12 of the vehicle 10 via the pair of longitudinally spaced rubber mounting pads 44 attached to the button of the lifting structure 36. The rubber mounting pads 44 are made of hard rubber and, when the lifting assembly of the removable seat 22 is installed and closed in place, the mounting pads 44 are compressed by the closing force downwardly of the closure and release assembly 24 on the carpet 18. The compression of the rubber mounting pads 44 on the carpet 18 provides the normal closing action of the closure and release assembly 24 towards the floor of the vehicle 12 by the action of assembly 2 4 and the construction of the 12th floor area when the seat 20 is mounted.

The construction of the floor of the vehicle 12 in which the removable lifting support structure 22 resides, is important for the integrity of the installation. When the seat 20 is installed, the downward force required to properly position the assembly is opposite the floor 12 of the vehicle 10, where the four plastic mounting pads 44 contact the carpet 18. The action presented in accordance with Assembly of the seat 22 is installed, causes the lifting support structure 22 to be inserted inside and adhered to the carpet 18. This downward force freely compresses the carpet to a decreased thickness. The greater downward force applied to place the lifting support structure 22, the carpet 18 will be further compressed freely. If this downward force is applied in the form of a body weight of the individual in the seat 20, at higher body weight, greater downward force is applied to place the lifting support structure 22.

The front and rear holes 30 and 32 engage the metal base floor surface 16 with the front and rear fastening members 26 and 28 transversely mounted over the holes 30 and 32. When the lifting support structure 22 is installed, the clamping action of the locking and unlocking assembly 24 near the rear clamping member 28 and a forwardly directed downward force exerted by the front clamping member 26 by the closing and releasing mechanism of the closing and releasing assembly 24, cause the seat lifting support structure 22 is also compressed freely in the carpet 18.

The pin of the movable member 98 contains the projecting cylindrical surface 109 which continues or runs along the surface contours 110., 112 and 113 of the irregular upper surface similar to cam 106 (also referred to as a seating surface) of the main support member 46. The pin of the movable closing element 98 is forced to maintain the projecting cylindrical surface. against the surface of the irregularly contoured upper edge 106. With the closure and release assembly 24 completely uncoupled from the pins of the vehicle seat attachment structure 26 and 28, the projecting cylindrical surface 109 of the pin of the movable closure member 98, is firmly sealed in the outward facing space or the grooved surface region 110 on the surface of the upper rear edge 106 of the main support member 46. In this position, the left and right movable closure members 72 and 78 they are in their most uncoupled, wide-open position, with respect to the clamping area created by the surface facing forward 58 of the backward dependent fixed projection 56 on the lower rear portion of the main support member 46.

When the closure and release assembly 24 engages completely, and closes close to the vehicle's back fastening member 28, the projecting cylindrical surface 109 of the pin of the movable closure element 98 is firmly placed in the downward sloping region 113. at the rear upper edge surface 106 of the main support member 46. In this position, the left and right movable closure members 72 and 78 close close to the pin of the attachment structure of the rear seat 28, and are rolled to through the range of freely closed positions in the coupled position, tightly closed. The exact position of the projecting cylindrical surface 109 of the pin of the movable closure element within the downward sloping region 113 depends on the degree to which the two groups of teeth 70 and 108 have been serrated together (e.g. through the range of freely closed positions). The toothed state depends on the magnitude of the external force applied to the left and right closing members 72 and 78 as they collectively engage the pin 28 of the seat attachment structure.

The force applied to the left and right movable closure members 72 and 78, is transmitted upwardly by the back clamping member 28 as the lock and release assembly 24 moves downward, rotates near the front clamping member 26. Consistent the two movable closure members 72 and 78 are urged upwards by the force exerted by the contact between the vehicle rear attachment member 28 and the lower surface of the left movable closure member 72, the left and right movable closure members 72 and 78 rotate upwards near the pivot pin 100. This action causes the rear fastening member 28 to be captured between the clamping action of the left and right movable closure members, 72 and 78, and the main support member 46. in the clamping area created by the forward facing surface 58 of the backward dependent fixed projection 56 in the lower rear portion of the limb main support 46.

With the removable seat 20 closed in place, the closure element 142 of the lock release lever 80 is sealed in the closure groove 114 in the main support member 46 and the projecting cylindrical surface 109 of the element member pin. movable closure 98, is placed in the downward sloping region 113. When the user decides to open and uncouple the removable lifting support structure 22, the user simply reaches and grasps the fastener 85 in the manual member 84 and presses the actuation button with thumb 82 on lock release lever 80 downwards.

The downward movement of the thumb button 82 causes the lock release lever 80 to rotate counterclockwise near the lock release pivot point 138, resulting in the closure element 142 being forced upward, and out of the closure groove 114. This does not close the closing and release mechanism 47 allowing the closure and release assembly 24 to move in a free position by the subsequent action of the user. - The uncoupling of the closure assembly and release 24 is performed by the user by moving the fastener 85 in the manual member 84 rearwardly near the pivot pin 100. As the manual member 84 moves, the manual engagement surface 99 on the pin of the closure member 98 contacts the the engaging surface of the pin 86 in the manual member 84 and running longitudinally along the engaging surface 86 in the manual member 84 and continues moving backwards. The irregularly curved shape of the engaging surface of the pin 86 causes the pin of the movable closure element 98 to rise as the manual member 84 moves, subsequently causing the two groups of teeth 70 and 108 to separate and become detached, whereby the closing and releasing mechanism 42 moves towards a released position.

When the manual member 84 moves to the position where the movement initiation portion 87 of the manual member 84 engages the manual engagement surface of the latch member pin 99, the left and right movable left and right tooth portions 68 and 76, connected together by the closing pin of the movable member 98, will move backwardly away from the fixed toothed element 64. After the left and right movable notched and toothed portions 68 and 76 have been moved and clarified the fixed toothed element 64, the user simply releases the fastener 85 in the manual member 84, completing the action necessary to move the closure and release assembly 24 to be freely closed in one of a range of freely closed positions in its released position. The user can now easily remove the seat 20 from the 12th floor of the vehicle 10.

In the best-known removable seat applications, the closing coupling of the assembly is uncomfortable. The operational forces required to operate the closure assembly are usually larger and, frequently, the operational space becomes clogged. Because the closure process associated with the present subject matter is a simple two-stage coupling process, the time and effort required to positively close the removable seat assembly 20 in place is measured in seconds.

The lock and release assembly 24 securely closes the removable seat 20 to the front and rear fastening members 26 and 28 of the vehicle 10 while exhibiting low engagement forces. The mechanical advantage of the closure construction allows the seat 20 to engage the rear fastening member 28 either by a moderate downward load on the seat 20 or by a moderate accelerated coupling near the front seat fastening member 26. seat 20 is first designed to engage the front fastening member 26, and then proceed to engage the rear fastening member 28.

The simple two-stage coupling process consists of first coupling the forward opening slot 54 of the front fastening member 52 to the front of the locking and unlocking assembly 24 with the front fastening member 26 of the rear or side part of the seat 20 Then, while the seat 20 is placed on the rear fastening member of the vehicle 28, a moderate downward force is applied to engage the locking and unlocking mechanism 47, or to accelerate the seat 20, while being rotated near the member. of front fastening of the vehicle 26 for coupling the locking and unlocking mechanism 47 with the rear holding member 28. The mechanical advantage of the closing and releasing attachment mechanism assists the engagement efforts and reduces the required coupling load.

With reference to the drawings, the initial steps in the process of closing the closure assembly and release 24 in place are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. The removable seat 20 is brought to the rear door 14 of the vehicle 10 and is placed in position (with the seat 20 facing forward) near the front fastening member 26 fixed on the floor of the vehicle 12. The rear part of the seat 20, first lightly rises to form an acute angle with respect to the floor 12 of the vehicle 10, and the hooked (open) portion of the forwardly open slot 54 in the front fastening coupling member 52 of the seat member. The main support 46 is slightly lowered and is placed over the front hole of the space 30 in a manner to removably engage the front fastening member 26. The seat 20 is then pressed forward until the front of the main support member 46 has engaged. the front fastening member of the vehicle 26 and can not continue forward. With a nominal downward force 148 applied backwardly, the closure and release assembly 24 then rotates downward near the front fastening member 26 until the closure and release assembly 24 is placed in the space of the rear opening 32 of the housing member. rear support 28.

When the resulting downward movement from the applied downward force 148 causes the releasing and closing assembly 24 to reach the back hole space 32, an additional downward movement causes the left and right movable closure members 72 and 78 to contact the rear fastening member 28.

As the manually applied downward force 148 continues to be applied to the closure and release assembly 24, the entire assembly 24 rotates near the front fastening member 26, with the main support member 46 eventually becoming parallel with respect to the structure. of the interior floor 12 of the vehicle 10. This causes the right movable closure member 78 and the left movable closure member 72 of the lock and release mechanism 47 to enter the back hole 32 and make contact with the rear hold-down member 28. Making contact with the back clamping member 28, causes the left movable closure member 72 to force the left movable toothed portion 68 with the tooth 70 upward, forcing the locking pin of the movable member 98 of the region of the grooved surface 110 into the surface of the upper rear edge 106 of the main support member 46, and allows the tooth 70 to initially engage the tooth 1 08 of the fixed toothed element 64, where, such that the release and closing mechanism are in an initial range of their freely closed positions.

As the action of the cog continues and the lock and release mechanism 47 continues to move progressively through its range of freely closed positions, the left and right movable closure members 72 and 78 adjust their fastener near the rear fastening member 28. , the cylindrical surface projecting from the locking pin of the movable member 109 moves somewhere in the downward sloping region 113, the closing area of the sprocket, in the upper rear edge surface 106 of the main support member 46 in wherein the cylindrical surface projecting from the closing pin 98 will remain fixed until the closing and release assembly 24 moves to its released position. During the action of the sprocket, the mat 18 is compressed to a decreased thickness corresponding to the degree to which the release and closing mechanism 47 has been lifted by the sprocket through its range of freely closed positions. When the cylindrical surface projecting from the closing pin 109 reaches the region of the high plateau 113, the closing element 142 in the closing release lever 80 engages the closing groove 114. When this is presented, the closing and releasing assembly 24 it closes freely in place as the closure element 142 is firmly positioned in the closure groove 114.

Differently established, during this installation process, the assembly of the seat 20 moves downward with respect to the surface of the interior floor 12 in response to an application of a force directed downward toward the assembly of the seat 20, such that the freely deformable material (e.g. carpet 18) is compressed to a decreased thickness between the lifting support structure 22 and the interior floor structure 12. The locking and unlocking mechanism 47 moves from an initial range of freely closed positions to a subsequent one of the range of freely closed positions corresponding to the decreased thickness of the freely deformable material. The closing and release mechanism 47 is freely closed in the subsequent range of freely closed positions, to thereby avoid upward movement of the seat assembly 20 of its floor structure 12 and to keep the material freely deformable in the decreased thickness above by virtue of the closing and releasing mechanism that engages with the rear fastening member 28.

Generally speaking, the closure and release assembly 24 moves through a range of freely closed positions, whereby the assembly of the seat 20 can be forced down with respect to the floor of the vehicle 12 to compress the carpet 18. A mechanism Closing / sprocket with ratchet is a preferred way of accomplishing this desired progressive movement.

Like the seat coupling process, the lock uncoupling process is also uncomfortable in most applications for known removable seats. Because the opening and coupling process associated with the lifting assembly of the removable seat 22 is a simple, two-stage uncoupling process, followed by a one stage removal process, the time and effort required to uncoupling and completely removing the seat 20 by means of the rear door 14 of the vehicle 10, is also greatly reduced.

The manual member 84 is operated from the rear or side of the seat 20 and the closing mechanism and the cams of the locking and unlocking mechanism 47 and the mechanical advantage of the joining system uses a cam-like device to couple the closure and reduce the necessary load for decoupling. This minimizes the decoupling process, and because the decoupling of the closure requires only moderate force to operate the cam and the mechanical attachment advantage system, and the manual member 84 is located in the rear part of the seat 20, the removal It is amplified widely.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show how the closure and release assembly 24 opens. The thumb actuation button 82 on the lock release lever 80 allows manual opening of the lock and release assembly 24. The downward movement of the thumb operation button 82 initiates an opening operation as previously described resulting subsequently on the tooth 70 on the left removable toothed portion 68 that is disengaged from the tooth 108 on the fixed toothed element 64, thereby allowing the manual member 84 to be operated to disengage the closure and release assembly 24 from the rear support member 28 on the surface of the interior floor 12 of the vehicle 10. The main support member 46 can then be uncoupled and manually removed from the rear fastening member 28 by securing the closure and release assembly 24 to the floor of the vehicle 12.

As shown in FIG. 12, after the closing and unlocking mechanism 47 opens and disengages, the upward movement of the closing and release assembly 24 is initiated by an applied upward force 150, will allow the assembly 24 to clarify the back clamping member 28 , as the left and right movable closing members 72 and 78 again fully open. The movable toothed element 68 with the tooth 70 is disengaged from the fixed toothed element 64, and the pin of the movable closure element 98 is in the uncoupled grooved surface region 110 in the contoured rear upper edge surface 106 of the main support member 46 , thereby maintaining the closure and release assembly 24 in the released position. As shown in FIG. 6, when the manual member 84 is released, the tension in the return spring 92, now in the extended position, returns the manual member 84 and the closing release lever 80 to their respective original positions. The removable seat assembly 20 is now free of limitation, and can be easily removed from the vehicle 10 by means of the rear door 14.

As the coupling and uncoupling of the removable seat assembly 20 referred to above, the removal process is also uncomfortable in most known removable seat applications. The forces required to remove the seat are usually greater and the operational space frequently becomes clogged. Due to the removal process of a simple stage, the time and effort required to completely remove the seat is reduced by means of the rear door 14 of the vehicle 10. The overall removal process consists simply of lifting the rear part of the seat 20, and lifting the seat 20 and away from the pin of the attachment structure of the front seat 26, towards the rear door 14 of the vehicle 10 and outside the rear door 14 of the vehicle. In most vehicles that convert the passenger compartment to a cargo compartment of removable seats, they are not conducive to removal of the rear of the vehicle. Because the configuration of the seat and the simplified removal process associated with the lifting assembly of the removable seat 22, these drawbacks are eliminated.

The process for removing the closure and release assembly 24 of the vehicle 10 is shown in FIG. 13. After the closure and release assembly 24 has been opened (released) and uncoupled from the floor 12 of the vehicle 10, it is a simple matter to remove the assembly 24 by lifting it slightly, sufficient for the front of the main support member 46 to clarify the rear part of the front hole 30, and applying a moderate upward force 152 toward the rear of the vehicle 10.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments of the invention, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the described modality but, on the contrary, could cover modifications and equivalent arrangements. with the proviso that they fall within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.

Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property.

Claims (9)

1. A removable vehicle seat assembly for use with a motor vehicle having an interior floor structure facing upwardly with at least a portion thereof covered by a freely deformable material, the interior floor structure having members of front and rear fastening fixedly mounted on it, the removable seat assembly for vehicle comprises: a seat assembly removably mounted on the structure of the interior floor of the motor vehicle and having an operative position to support an occupant seated therein; a lifting support structure that engages the seat assembly; A manually operated lock and release assembly that engages the seat lift, the release and lock assembly comprises: a front fastening coupling member having a slot for engaging the front fastening member, a locking and releasing mechanism for removably engaging with the rear fastening member, the front fastening coupling member and the locking and unlocking mechanism cooperating with the front and rear fastening members for removably retaining in seat assembly in the position operative thereof, characterized in that the lifting support structure engages the deformed material freely when the seat assembly is in the operative position and the locking and unlocking mechanism has a released position and a range of freely closed positions, whereby according to the removable seat assembly for The vehicle moves during installation towards the interior floor structure, the closing and release assembly engages with the front and rear fastening members and the closing and releasing mechanism locks freely in an initial position from a range of freely closed positions, and moves progressively from the initial position of a range of freely closed positions to a subsequent position of the range of freely closed positions as the freely deformable material is compressed

2. A removable vehicle seat assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure and release assembly comprises a support member including the front fastening coupling member and carrying the locking and unlocking mechanism, the support member it has a fixed projection having a surface for coupling the rear clamping member and an arched seating surface including a space, the closing and releasing mechanism comprising: a movable closure member pivotally mounted to the support member and movable between a closed position and an open position cooperating with the surface of the fixed projection to close and open with the rear support member, a fixed toothed element in the support member, a movable toothed element pivotally connected to the movable closure member, the movable and fixed toothed elements each having groups of teeth, configured to engage with each other in an inter-gear relationship freely to thereby avoid relative movement between the teeth. same when the closing and releasing mechanism is freely closed in a range of freely closed positions, the movable toothed element has a pin that engages along the surface to sit arched, and a manually coupled manual member pivotally connected to the support member and operatively engaging the movable toothed element to effect decoupling thereof from the fixed toothed element.

3. A removable seat assembly for vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the tooth in the movable toothed element is configured to be engaged with the inter-gearing relation freely with the tooth in the fixed toothed element during the progressive movement of the tooth. closing and releasing mechanism through the range of freely closed positions thereof, so that the closing and releasing mechanism moves progressively through the range of freely closed positions in a gearwheel manner.

A removable vehicle seat assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that an inclined element inclines the movable toothed element toward and in the inter-engaging coupling freely anterior with the fixed toothed element.

5. A removable vehicle seat assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the removable vehicle seat assembly is mounted in the operative position thereof by first releasably coupling the front fastening coupling member with the front fastening member of the structure. of the interior floor and then rotate the removable vehicle seat assembly near the front fastening member until the locking and unlocking mechanism engages the rear fastening member and locks freely in a position of the range of freely closed positions.

6. A removable vehicle seat assembly according to claim 2 or 5, characterized in that the movable closure member comprises a pair of movable closure positions mounted pivotally on opposite sides of the fixed projection and operatively connected together to move in accordance with the respective pivotal connections thereof.

7. A removable vehicle seat assembly according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that the closing and release mechanism moves from the released position to the initial position of the range of freely closed positions thereof in response to the coupling of the closing mechanism and releasing with the rear fastening member of the interior floor structure.

8. A removable vehicle seat assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the structure of the lifting support has rubber mounting pads for coupling the freely deformable material.

9. A removable vehicle seat assembly according to claims 1 or 8, characterized in that it further comprises a seat alignment member that is downwardly dependent on the removable vehicle seat assembly, the seat alignment member is positioned and configured to be received removably within an upwardly facing seat alignment aperture provided in the interior floor structure, generally between the front and rear fastening members during movement of the removable vehicle seat assembly towards and in the operating position of the vehicle. same, so that the closing and releasing mechanism is allowed to engage the rear clamping member and to close freely in a position of the freely closed positions, and to engage the surface facing upwards of the floor structure interior when the removable vehicle seat assembly is improperly aligned with the specific to the front and rear clamping members. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a removable vehicle seat assembly for use with a motor vehicle having an interior floor structure with at least a portion thereof covered by a freely deformable material. A closure and release assembly is operatively associated with a lifting support structure. The closing and releasing assembly with the front and rear clamping members of the interior floor structure and locks freely in one of the positions of the range of freely closed positions. The lock and release assembly engages the front and rear fastening members and locks freely in an initial position from a range of freely closed positions. The removable vehicle seat assembly moves down toward the interior floor structure in response to an application of a force directed downward therein when the closure and release assembly locks freely in an initial position of a range of positions closed freely, so that the freely deformable material is compressed freely to a reduced thickness. The closure and release assembly moves progressively from an initial position from a range of freely closed positions, to a subsequent position of a range of freely closed positions, corresponding to the decreased thickness of the freely deformable material during the downward movement of the assembly of the removable seat for vehicle. The lock and release assembly engages the front and rear fastening members and locks freely in the subsequent position of the range of freely closed positions, to thereby prevent the upward movement of the removable vehicle seat assembly away from the structure. of the interior floor and to keep the material freely deformable in the previous reduced thickness.