MXPA00011222A - A stowable automotive seat assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

An automotive seating assembly (10) having a seat cushion (22) which is selectively stowed within a floor (14) of a vehicle. A rear support bracket defines a rear portion (36) of the seat cushion (22) and moves between a use position supporting the rear portion (30) above the floor (14) and a stowed position disposed within the floor (14). A front beam (40) defines a front portion (32) of the seat cushion (22) and moves between a use position supporting the front portion (32) above the floor (14) and a stowed position disposed within the floor (14). A flexible mesh material (56) is secured to the front beam (40) at one end (58) and is secured to the rear support bracket (36) at the other end (60) to define a seating portion (34) of the seat cushion (22). The mesh material (56) moves between a support position extending between the front (32) and rear (34) portions above the floor (14) and a retracted position collapsed below the floor (14). A retractor (64) is integrally connected with the mesh material (56) to mount one end of the mesh material to the rear support bracket (36). The retractor (64) retracts the mesh material (56) between the support position with the mesh material (56) unwound from the retractor (64) and the retracted position with the mesh material (56) is stored within the retractor (64) when the rear support bracket (36) and the front beam (40) are in the stowed position disposed within the floor (14).

Description

ASSEMBLY OF AUTOMOTIVE SEAT STORAGE Technical Field The present invention relates to an automotive seat assembly which can be partially stored within the floor of a vehicle.

Description of the Previous Technique Many vehicle seat assemblies include a bench type seat having a cushioned portion for the seat and a seat back portion. Bank-type seats are commonly found on passenger sedans, sports vehicles, delivery trucks, trucks, and vans. The backrest of the seat can be fixedly mounted or pivotably mounted to the cushioned part of the seat. An elevator is typically mounted to the cushioned portion of the seat to support the bench seat above the floor of the vehicle. For certain vehicle applications, such as in passenger sedans, the lift is permanently bolted to the vehicle floor. The attempt in the Ref.124852 industry of sports vehicles, trucks, and vans is to removably mount the elevator to the floor in such a way that the bench seat can be easily removed from the vehicle. These elevators are commonly mounted to the floor by a number of releasable attachment pieces. These bench seats are typically the rear seats of the second or third row. To remove the rear seat, a user first releases the fixing parts on the lift. The rear seat can then be carried, slid, or transported with wheels out of the vehicle. It is desirable to remove these rear seats to provide additional cargo space for the transport of large or bulky items. Due to the size and weight of the rear seat, its removal can sometimes be problematic and difficult to effect. In addition, the removal can also be impractical and can damage the interior of the vehicle. Finally, the rear seat assembly is relatively large and once removed from the vehicle it can be difficult to maneuver and store. A solution to the above recognized problem is to have a storable seat assembly which is hung or deployed to the floor of a vehicle. Examples of some of the storable seat assemblies of the prior art are shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,195,795 and 5,269,581. These collapsible seat assemblies have the backrest of the seat and the cushioned part of the seat folded together and then fold or sink into a cavity within the floor. The backrest of the seat and the cushioned part of the seat are of a typical manufacture which includes a frame, a foam pad and decorative cover material. The seat assembly is therefore relatively bulky and requires a relatively large cavity to be formed within the floor. These common designs take up a substantial amount of space and in many vehicle designs can be prohibitively large. Accordingly, it is desirable to develop a seat assembly which can be stored within a vehicle, preferably stored at least partially within the floor of the vehicle, without occupying a large amount of interior space. It is also desirable that the storable seat be easy to use, lightweight and comfortable.

Brief Description of the Invention A car seat assembly is adapted to be stored at least partially within the floor of a vehicle. The seat assembly comprises a cushioned portion for the seat having a back portion and a front portion with a seat portion positioned therebetween. A rear support bracket defines the rear portion of the cushioned portion of the seat and is adapted for movement between a use position supporting the rear portion above the floor and a stored position positioned within the floor. A front beam defines the front portion of the cushioned part of the seat and is adapted for movement between a use position supporting the front portion of the floor and a stored position positioned within the floor. A substantially flexible mesh material has a first end secured to the front beam and a second end secured to the rear support bracket to define the seat portion of the cushioned part of the seat and is adapted for movement between a support position that it extends between the front and rear portions above the floor and a retracted position, lowered or sunk under the floor. The seat assembly is characterized by a retractor integrally connected to one end of the mesh material to mount the mesh material to one of the rear support bracket and the front beam to retract the mesh material between the support position with the mesh material wound around the retractor and the retracted position with the mesh material wound inside the retractor so that the mesh material is stored inside the retractor when the rear support bracket and the front beam are in the stored position placed inside the floor. Accordingly, the subject invention provides a cushioned part of the seat which can be easily stored within the floor of a vehicle. The cushioned part of the seat of the subject invention is of a unique and novel construction such that the cushioned part of the seat is collapsed or its sinking to a relatively flat or thin profile for storage in a relatively small cavity within the floor. The cushioned part of the seat is also easy to unfold and store and a mesh material provides a comfortable seating surface.

Brief Description of the Drawings Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated when they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in a manner related to the appended drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a car seat assembly in a position of use; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the mounting for seating in a stored position; Figure 3 is a side view partially in cross section of a cushioned part of the seat in a stored position; Figure 4 is a side view partly in cross section of the cushioned part of the seat in an open position; Figure 5 is a side view partly in cross section of the cushioned part of the seat in a first partially unfolded position; Figure 6 is a side view partly in cross section of the cushioned part of the seat in a second partially unfolded position; Figure 7 is a side view partially in cross section in a fully unfolded position; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of the attachment piece for securing the cushioned part of the seat in the deployed position.

De-carved Description of the Preferred Modality With reference to the Figures, where like reference numbers indicate similar parts 0 corresponding in all the various views, an automotive seat assembly adapted to be stored at least partially within a floor of a vehicle is generally shown at 10 in Figures 1 and 2. The seat assembly 10 is shown at a position of use in the Figure 1 and in a position stored in Figure 2. The seat assembly 10 is shown as a bench type seat, mounted inside a van type vehicle 12. The vehicle 12 includes a substantially flat floor 14 with a pair of side walls 16. The floor 14 can be covered with a carpet material or the like. Typically, the side walls 16 include an internal metal frame (not shown) covered by a molded plastic which offers a pleasing aesthetic appearance. A tailgate 18 is positioned within the vehicle 12 such that the gate 18 can be opened to allow access to the rear of the vehicle 12. The seat assembly 10 includes a seat back 20 and a cushioned seat portion 22 which are both designed to be stored within the interior of the vehicle 12, as shown in Figure 2. The backrest 20 of the seat is preferably adapted for pivotal movement between a position of use which abuts the cushioned part 22. of the seat and a stored position that makes butt contact with the roof (not shown) of the vehicle 12. A fastening bolt 24 extends from each side of the seat back 20. The fastening bolt 24 is adapted for the selective fastening coupling with a fastening piece 26 on the vehicle 12 to secure the backrest 20 of the seat in the use and stored positions. The specific characteristics of the backrest of the pivoting seat form the subject matter of an independent invention which is described in the application Serial No. WO 98/41419. Referring also to Figures 3 to 7, movements of the cushioned portion 22 of the seat between the use and stored positions are shown in greater detail. In general, the cushioned part 22 of the seat is designed to be selectively stored within a cavity 28 in the floor 14 of the vehicle 12. Figure 3 shows the cushioned part 22 of the seat in a stored position; Figure 4 shows the cushioned part 22 of the seat in an open position; Figures 5 and 6 show the cushioned part 22 of the seat in the partially deployed positions; and Figure 7 shows the cushioned part 22 of the seat in a fully unfolded position. The cushioned portion 22 of the seat generally has a rear portion 30 and a front portion 32 with a portion 34 of the seat positioned therebetween. The cushioned part 22 of the seat extends across the entire width of the interior of the vehicle 12 and, as described in greater detail below, is fixed or secured to each of the side walls 16. A rear support bracket 36 defines the rear portion 30 of the cushioned portion 22 of the seat and is adapted for movement between a position of use that supports the rear portion 30 above the floor 14 and a stored position placed within the floor 14. The side walls of the cavity 28 are provided with stops or detents 37 which limit the pivoting movement of the bracket 36 in the position of use . Preferably, the rear support bracket 36 has a substantially rectangular configuration and is pivotally mounted to the floor 14. The support bracket 36 has an outer surface 38 for substantially coplanar alignment with the floor 14 of the vehicle 12 when the support bracket 36 is in the stored position. The outer surface 38 preferably includes a carpet material or the like which is combined with the like material on the floor 14 of the vehicle 12. In other words, the support bracket 36 becomes an integral part of the floor 14 when it is in a stored position (Figure 2). The support bracket 36 also hides the components of the cushioned part of the seat and closes the cavity 28 within the floor 14 when in the stacked position. As will be appreciated, the support bracket 36 may be above the floor 14 and / or may be detachable from the floor 14 itself. Alternatively, the support bracket 36 may have a U-shaped configuration (not shown) in such a way that the cavity 28 within the floor 14 is removed and the components of the cushioned part of the seat are housed within the support bracket 36 against the floor 14 of the vehicle. The support bracket 36 may also be housed within the cavity 28 such that there is a separate removable cover (not shown) to hide the components of the cushioned part in the company of the support bracket 36.

A front beam 40 defines the front portion 32 of the cushioned portion 22 of the seat and is adapted for movement between a use position that supports the front portion 32 above the floor 14 and a stored position positioned within the floor 14. The front beam 40 has first 42 and second 44 edges with a curved top 46 and a substantially flat bottom 48 that forms a substantially hollow beam. As will be appreciated, the front beam 40 can be of any design or configuration. At least one securing device 50 is mounted to the front beam 40 for securing the front beam 40 to an interior of the vehicle 12. Preferably, there is a securing device 50 mounted on each of the edges 42, 44 for securing of both edges 42, 44 of the front beam 40 to the interior of the vehicle 12. The securing devices 50 are bolts that extend from the first 42 and second 44 edges of the front beam 40. The securing devices, or bolts, 50 are mounted to the corresponding fixing pieces 52, placed on an interior surface of the vehicle 12. Preferably, the fixing pieces 52 have grooves 54 substantially C-shaped and are secured to the side walls 16, or cavities for the wheels, of the interior surface of the vehicle 12. The fixing pieces 52 may include a fixing mechanism, as is commonly known in the art, and are angled s forward to assist in the assembly of the front beam 40. FIG. 8 depicts the attachment piece 52 with the C-shaped slot 54 having an inclined entry surface 55 for receiving the bolt 50 therein. It will be appreciated that the fixing pieces 52 and the bolts 50 can be of any suitable design or configuration. In addition, it will be appreciated that the fixing pieces 52 and the bolts 50 can be mounted to the front beam 40 with the bolts 50 extending from the side walls 16 of the vehicle 12. A substantially flexible mesh material 56 has a first end 58 secured to the front beam 40 and a second end 60 secured to the rear support bracket 36 to define the seat portion 34 of the cushioned portion 22 of the seat. The mesh material 56 is adapted for movement between a support position extending between the front 32 and rear 34 portions above the floor 14 and a retracted position below the floor 14. Specifically, the first end 58 of the 56 mesh material it is mounted to the first edge 42 of the front beam 40 with the material of the mesh 56 that extends over the front beam 40 when the front beam 40 is in the position of use. The mesh material 56 also extends completely through the longitudinal width of the front beam 40 to provide a complete seating surface for the cushioned portion 22 of the seat. A foam pad 62 is placed over at least a portion of the flexible mesh material 56. Specifically, the foam pad 62 is mounted to the mesh material 56 adjacent the first end 58 with the foam pad 62 which also extends over the foam pad 62. the front beam 40 when the front beam 40 is in the position of use. This location of the foam pad 62 is desirable such that the mesh material 56 can be retracted easily and completely in the retracted position. The foam pad 62 provides a cushioned surface for the leading edge, or the first edge 42, of the front beam 40. As will be appreciated, the foam pad 62 can be made of any suitable material and can be secured to any portion of the mesh material 56. The seat assembly 10 is characterized by a retractor 64 integrally connected with one of the ends 58, 60 of the mesh material 56 for mounting the mesh material 56 to one of the rear support brackets 36 or to the beam 40. The retractor 64 retracts the mesh material 56 between the extended support position with the unrolled mesh material 56 of the retractor 64 and the retracted position with the mesh material 56 wound inside the retractor 64 such that the the mesh 56 is stored around the retractor 64 when the rear support bracket 36 and the front beam 40 are in the stored position placed within the floor 14. Prefer completely, the retractor 64 is fixedly mounted to the rear support bracket 36 with the second end 60 of the mesh material 56 connected to the retractor 64. Specifically, the retractor 64 is mounted to an inner surface of the support bracket 36 of such so that the support bracket 36 hides the retractor 64 when it is in the stored position. The retractor 64 therefore moves at the same time with the support bracket 36 between the positions of use and stored. The retractor 64 can be of any suitable design as is known in the art. As shown in Figure 3, the retractor 64, the mesh material 56, the foam pad 62, the front beam 40 and other components of the cushioned part 22 of the seat, are housed within the cavity 28 in the floor 14 when it is in the stored position. In other words, the components of the cushioned part of the seat are captured between the support bracket 36 and the cavity 28.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the mesh material 56 is completely wound within the retractor 64. Figures 5 and 6 describe the partially rolled mesh material 56 and Figures 1 and 7 show the 56 mesh material fully unwound. of the retractor 64. Preferably, the first end 58 of the mesh material 56 is always outside the retractor 64 and the second end 60 of the mesh material 56 is always secured within the retractor 64. The deployment of the cushioned portion 22 of the seat is effected for the next operation. The support bracket 36 is moved "oscillating firstly upwardly from the floor 14 to expose the front beam 40, as shown in Figure 4. The front beam 40 is then pulled up and out in the company of the mesh material 56. moving away from the support bracket 36, as shown in Figure 5. When the front beam 40 and the mesh material 56 are removed by pulling, the mesh material 56 is automatically unwound from the retractor 64. Specifically, the material of mesh 56 extends from the retracted position rolled up inside the retractor 64 to the support position unwound from inside the retractor 64. The second edge 44 of the front beam 40 is then secured to the first fixing piece 52 which is spaced from the support bracket 36. Specifically, the bolt 50 extending from the second edge 44 of the front beam 40 engages the groove 54 within the first fastening parts 5. 2 to pivotally retain the second edge 44 of the front beam 40 against the side walls 16. Simultaneously, the mesh material 56, which has the foam pad 62 mounted thereto, is partially unwound from the retractor 64 and the pad foam 62 is straightened as shown in Figure 6. The first end 42 of the front beam 40 is then raised and the front beam 40 is rotated substantially 180 ° around the second edge 44 as indicated by the arrows. The first edge 42 of the front beam 40 is then secured to the second fixing piece 52 which in turn secures the cushioned part 22 of the complete seat to the side walls 16. As described above, the mesh material 56 is secured to the first edge 42 of the front beam 40. Accordingly, the mesh material 56 is unwound simultaneously from the retractor 64 when the front beam 40 is oscillated 180 ° such that the mesh material 56 extends over the front beam 40. The mesh material 56 is now fully extended to provide a teaching of the seat surface between the front beam 40 and the rear support bracket 36, as shown in Figure 7. The mesh material 56 shown fully can now support. the weight of a passenger. As will be appreciated, the mesh material 56 can be mounted to second edge 44 of the front beam 40 such that the mesh material 56 and the foam pad 62 do not extend over the front beam 40. In addition, the front beam 40 can move pivotally through more or less 180 ° or it can not move at all. Although not specifically shown, a fastening device may be positioned within the retractor 64 to prevent any further deployment of the mesh material 56. Alternatively, the mesh material 56 could be of a specific length such that the entire length is removed when it is in the fully deployed position. To return the cushioned part 22 of the seat to the position stored within the cavity 28, the user releases the first 42 and second 44 edges of the front beam 40 from the side walls 16 and moves the front beam 40, accompanied by the material of 56 mesh and the foam pad 62, near the support bracket 36. The retractor 64 automatically rolls up the mesh material 56. The user then places all of the components of the cushioned part of the seat into the cavity 28 and then closes the supporting bracket 36 at the same level as the 14th floor of the vehicle, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used, is proposed to be natural with respect to the words of the description, instead of a limitation. It will now be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than that specifically described.

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, property is claimed as contained in the following

Claims (20)

1. An automotive seat assembly adapted to be stored at least partially within the floor of a vehicle, the seat assembly comprising: a cushioned portion of the seat having a rear portion and a forward portion with a portion of the seat positioned therebetween, a rear support bracket that defines the rear portion of the cushioned portion of the seat and adapted for movement between a use position supporting the rear portion above the floor and a stored position placed within the floor, a front beam defining the front portion of the cushioned part of the seat and adapted for movement between a position of use supporting the front portion above the floor and a stored position placed within the floor, and a substantially flexible mesh material having a first end secured to the front beam and a second end secured to the rear support bracket to define the seat portion of the cushioned part of the seat and adapted for movement between a support position extending between the front and rear portions above the floor and a retracted position collapsed or sunk below the floor, the seat assembly is characterized by a retractor integrally connected with one end of the mesh material for mounting the mesh material to one of the rear support bracket and the front beam to retract the mesh material between the support position with the mesh material unwound from the retractor and the retracted position with the mesh material wound inside the retractor so that the mesh material is stored within the retractor when the rear support bracket and the front beam are in the stored position placed within the floor.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that it also includes at least one securing device mounted to the front beam to secure the front beam to the interior of a vehicle.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the front beam includes first and second edges with a securing device mounted on each of the edges for securing both edges of the front beam to the interior of the vehicle.

4. An assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the first end of the mesh material is mounted to the first edge of the front beam with the mesh material extending over the front beam when the front beam is in the position of use.

5. An assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that the mesh material extends completely through the longitudinal width of the front beam to provide a complete seating surface for the cushioned part of the seat.

6. An assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that it also includes a foam pad placed on at least a portion of the flexible mesh material.

7. An assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the foam pad is mounted to the mesh material adjacent to the first end with the foam pad extending over the front beam when the front beam is in the position of use.

8. An assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the retractor is fixedly mounted to the rear support bracket and moves at the same time with the support bracket between the use and stored positions.

9. An assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the rear support bracket is pivotally mounted to the floor and has an exterior surface for alignment with the vehicle floor when the support bracket is in the stored position.

10. An assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that it also includes a backrest of the seat adapted for the pivoting movement between a position of use that makes butt contact with the cushioned part of the seat and a stored position that makes butt contact with the ceiling of a vehicle.

11. A mounting according to claim 10, characterized in that it also includes a fixing bolt extending from each side of the backrest of the seat adapted for the selective attachment coupling with a fixing part on the vehicle to secure the backrest of the vehicle in the Positions of use and stored.

12. A cushioned part of the seat having a rear portion and a forward portion with a seat portion positioned therebetween, a rear support bracket defining the rear portion of the cushioned portion of the seat and adapted for movement between a position of use which supports the rear portion above the floor and a stored position positioned within the floor, a front beam defining the front portion of the cushioned portion of the seat and adapted for movement between a position of use supporting the front portion of the floor and a stored position positioned within the floor, and a substantially flexible mesh material having a first end secured to the front beam and a second end secured to the rear support bracket to define the seat portion of the cushioned portion of the seat and adapted for movement between a support position that extends between the front and rear portions On the floor and a retracted position collapsed or sunken under the floor, the cushioned part of the seat is characterized by a retractor integrally connected to one of the ends of the mesh material to mount the mesh material to one of the bracket of the mesh. back support and the front beam to retract the material of the mesh between the support position with the unrolled mesh material of the retractor and the retracted position with the mesh material wound inside the retractor such that the mesh material be stored inside the retractor when the rear support bracket and the front beam are in a stored position placed inside the floor.

13. A cushioned part of the seat according to claim 12, characterized in that it also includes a securing device mounted to the front beam to secure the front beam to an interior part of the vehicle.

14. A cushioned part of the seat according to claim 13, characterized in that the front beam includes first and second edges with a securing device mounted on each of the edges, for securing both edges of the front beam to the interior of the vehicle.

15. A cushioned part of the seat according to claim 14, characterized in that - the first end of the mesh material is mounted to the first edge of the front beam with the mesh material extending over the front beam when the front beam is in the position of use.

16. A cushioned part of the seat according to claim 15, characterized in that the mesh material extends completely through the longitudinal width of the front beam to provide a complete seating surface for the cushioned part of the seat.

17. A cushioned part of the seat according to claim 15, characterized in that it also includes a foam pad placed on at least a portion of the flexible mesh material.

18. A cushioned part of the seat according to claim 17, characterized in that the foam pad is mounted to the mesh material adjacent to the first end, with the foam pad extending over the front beam when the front beam is at the front. position of use.

19. A cushioned part of the seat according to claim 18, characterized in that the retractor is fixedly mounted to the rear support bracket and moves at the same time with the support bracket between the use and stored positions.

20. A cushioned part of the seat according to claim 19, characterized in that the rear support bracket is pivotally mounted to the floor and has an exterior surface for alignment with the vehicle floor when the support bracket is in the stored position. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an automotive seat assembly (10) having a cushioned part of the seat (22) which is selectively stored within the floor (14) of a vehicle. A rear support bracket defines a rear portion (36) of the cushioned portion of the seat (22) and moves between a use position that supports the rear portion (30) above the floor (14) and a stored position positioned within the floor (14) A front beam (40) defines a front portion (32) of the cushioned portion of the seat (22) and moves between a position of use that supports the front portion (32) above the floor (14) and a stored position placed therein. of the floor (14). A flexible mesh material (56) is secured to the front beam (40) at one end (58) and is secured to the rear support bracket (36) at the other end (60) to define a seat portion (34). ) of the cushioned part of the seat (22). The mesh material (56) moves between a support position extending between the front (32) and rear (34) portions above the floor (14) and a retracted position folded down or sunk below the floor (14). A retractor (64) is integrally connected to the mesh material (56) for mounting one end of the mesh material to the rear support bracket (36). The retractor (64) retracts the mesh material (56) between the support position with the mesh material (56) unwound from the retractor (64) and the retracted position with the mesh material (56) which is stored within the re - Tractor (64) when the rear support bracket (36) and the front beam (40) are in the stored position placed inside the floor (14).