MXPA00011918A - Kneeling and tumbling automotive seating assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

An automotive seat assembly has a seat cushion assembly and a seat back assembly. A pair of rear seat supports are pivotally mounted to the rearward end of the seat cushion assembly for supporting a rear portion of the seat assembly. A pair of front seat supports, which each include a pair of legs, are mounted to the forward end of the seat cushion assembly for supporting a front portion of the seat assembly. A link interconnects each of the front seat supports to a corresponding rear seat support for moving the rear seat supports between a seating position and a tumbled position. In the seating position, the front and rear seat supports extend downwardly from the seat cushion assembly. In the tumbled position, the seat cushion assembly pivots upward about the front seat supports and the rear seat supports fold against the seat cushion assembly. The seat assembly is characterized by each of the front seat supports being pivotally mounted to the seat cushion assembly for movement between the seating position an a kneeled position with the front and rear seat supports collapsed against the seat cushion assembly and the vehicle floor. Additionally, the seat assembly may be tumbled forward from the kneeled position.

Description

ASSEMBLY OF AUTOMOTIVE SEAT PROSTERNABLE AND ABATIBLE Field of the Invention The present invention relates to tiltable and collapsible automotive seat assemblies.

Description of the Previous Art Conventional automotive seat assemblies include a seat cushion and seat back mounted to a seat pedestal. The seat pedestal typically includes a pair of front and rear seat mounts, mounted to the floor of a vehicle. Many of today's vehicles, such as vans, minivans, and utility sports vehicles (SUVs), have a second and / or third seat row that can be manipulated to provide additional storage space inside the vehicle. There have been a large number of different designs to reduce the amount of space a seat occupies within a vehicle. Some seat mounts have latches on both Ref. 125074 seat supports, so that the seat can be completely removed from the vehicle. Other seat mounts have latches on the back seat support, so that the seat can be "folded" forward, around the front seat support, an example of such a seat pivot assembly is described in US Patent No. 5,662,368. Still, another seat design is making the assembly of a seat "dessert" against the floor of the vehicle. An example of a prosternal seat assembly is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,932,706. However, none of the seat assemblies of the preceding art is capable of combining the advantages of a folding seat, with those of a prosternable seat. There is a need for an automotive seat mount that is capable of both forward and / or forward folding, to provide additional cargo space within the vehicle.

Brief Compendium and Advantages of the Invention The disadvantages of the prior art can be solved by providing a seat assembly that can be either folded forward and / or reclined backwards to create additional cargo space within a vehicle. It is also desirable to provide a seat assembly that can be folded forward, from the prostrate position. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an automotive seat assembly comprising a seat cushion assembly having front and rear ends. A seat back assembly is pivotally mounted to the seat cushion assembly, a pair of rear seat supports are pivotally mounted to the rear end of the seat cushion assembly to support a rear portion of the seat assembly. A pair of front seat supports are mounted to the front end of the seat cushion assembly, to support a front portion of the seat assembly. A joint interconnects each of the front seat supports to a corresponding rear seat support to provide a relative concurrent movement of the front and rear seat supports, between a seating position with the front and rear seat supports extending downwardly. from the seat cushion assembly, to support a seat occupant, on top of the floor of a vehicle and a folded down position with the seat cushion assembly rotating, pivotally, upwards, around the front seat supports and the rear seat supports folding against the seat cushion assembly. The seat assembly is characterized in that each of the front seat supports is pivotally mounted to the seat cushion assembly, to move between a seating position with the front and rear seat supports extending downward from the seat cushion. seat cushion assembly, and a prostrate position with the front and rear seat supports collapsed against the seat cushion assembly and the vehicle floor.

Brief Description of the Drawings Other advantages of the present invention will be immediately appreciated, since it will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a vehicle incorporating a seat assembly in accordance with the present invention; the Fi'g. 2 is a side view of a second row seat assembly in a sitting position; Fig. 3 is a side view of the seat assembly in a collapsed position; Fig. 4 is a side view of the seat assembly in a prostrate position; Fig. 5 is a side view of the seat assembly in a prostrate and folded position; Fig. 6 is an elongated detailed view of a front seat support; and Fig. 7 is an elongated detailed view of a rear seat support.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Modality Referring to the Figures, in which identical numerals indicate to identical or corresponding parts throughout the various views, a vehicle having a plurality of seat mounts 12, 14 is generally shown at 10. Vehicle 10 is illustrated as a passenger car. type truck (SUV) or minivan, as is known in the art. Seat assemblies include a pair of front seat seats 12 and a second seat row of bench type 14. For purposes of the present invention, the second seat bench seat 14 of the second row will be discussed in greater detail, and incorporates the aspects of the present invention. As can be appreciated, the present invention can be implemented within a seat in a third row and / or the front seats 12. Referring to Figs. 2 to 5, the seat assembly of the second row 14 comprises a seat cushion assembly 13 comprising a cushion 15 and a frame 16 having front ends 18 and rear 20. A seat back assembly 17 comprises a frame 22, which is mounted, like a pivot, to the rear end 20 of the frame 16 of the seat cushion. The seat cushion assembly 13 and the seat back assembly 17 are in a conventional structure, as is known in the art. As is also known to those skilled in the art, each of the seat cushion assemblies 13 and the seat back assembly 17 preferably includes a foam mattress and a suitable clothing material, such as cloth or leather. A pedestal assembly, shown generally as 24, supports the seat cushion frame 16 and subsequently the complete seat assembly 14, above a floor 26 of the vehicle 10. The seat pedestal 24 includes a pair of rear seat supports. 28, mounted, as a pivot, to the rear end 20 of the seat cushion frame 16, to support a rear portion of the seat assembly 14. The seat pedestal 24 also includes a pair of front seat supports 30, mounted at front end 18 of the seat cushion frame 16, for supporting a front portion of the seat assembly 14. For illustrative purposes, only one side of the seat assembly and a set of front 30 and rear seat supports 28 are shown and discussed in detail. It is understood that the opposite side of the seat assembly 14 and the corresponding front and rear seat supports 28 are substantially identical to those shown. Each of the rear seat supports 28 preferably includes a latch 32 to selectively secure the rear seat supports 28 to the floor of the vehicle 26. A front control cable 34 is mounted to the latch 32 to control the operation of the latch 32, from a remote handle (not shown). One of the front seat supports 30 preferably includes first legs 36 and second legs 38. The front and rear seat supports 30 and their operation are discussed in more detail below. As can be seen, the front 30 and rear 28 seat supports can have any suitable design or configuration without deviating from the general scope of the present invention. A joint 40 interconnects each of the front seat supports 30 to a corresponding rear seat bracket 28 to provide a concurrent movement relative to the front 30 and rear seat 28 supports. Again, for illustrative purposes, only the joint 40 is shown. The joint 40 moves the front support 30 and the rear support 28 between a sitting position, as shown in Fig. 2 and a collapsed position, as shown in FIG. Fig. 3. The seating position is also shown in Fig. 1 by means of the solid lines and the collapsed position is shown in dashed lines. The seating position has front 30 and rear seat 28 supports extending downwardly from the seat cushion frame 16 to support an occupant above the floor of the vehicle 26 (Fig. 2). The lowered position pivotally moves the seat cushion frame 16 upwards around the front seat supports 30 and the rear seat supports 28 are folded against the seat cushion frame 16 (Fig. 3). ). Each of the joints 40 includes first and second ends with the first end mounted, like a pivot, to the second leg 38, to define an intermediate pivot point 42 on the second leg 38. The second end of each of the joints 40 is pivotally mounted to a corresponding back seat bracket 28 and includes an integral slot 44 to allow a relative sliding movement between the joint 40 and the rear seat bracket 28. This support / joint configuration In particular, it allows the rear seat support 28 to collapse against the seat cushion frame 16, once the seat is moved to the folded position, as shown in Fig. 3. Specifically, the rear control wire 34 operates to each of the latches 32 from a secured condition to an unsecured condition, to release the rear seat supports 28, thereby, selectively releasing the supports rear seats 28 when the seat assembly 14 moves to a folded position.

The seat assembly 14 is characterized in that each of the front seat supports 30 is pivotally mounted to the seat cushion frame 16, to move between a sitting position, Fig. 2 and a prostrate position as shown in FIG. shows Fig. 4. The prostrate position collapses the front 30 and rear seat 28 supports against the seat cushion frame 16 and the floor of the vehicle 26. The prostrate position is also shown in dotted lines within Fig. 1. Preferably, the first and second legs are each pivotally mounted to the seat cushion frame 16. A mounting plate 46, having first and second ends, rotatably secures each of the legs 36, 38 of the front seat supports 30, to the floor of the vehicle 26. The first leg 36 is mounted, as a pivot, to the first end of the mounting plate 46 and the second leg 38 is mounted, in a manner of p ivote, to the second end of the mounting plate 46, to create a substantially triangular support configuration. This triangular support configuration provides a secure structure for the seat assembly 14, when the seat assembly 14 is in the sitting position. Consequently, the seat assembly 14 can not collapse in the collapsed position, without eliminating this triangular support configuration. Preferably, the first end of the mounting plate 46 includes an integral arcuate groove 48 and the second end of the mounting plate 46 includes a pivot point 50. Still more preferably, the first leg 36 is mounted, like a pivot, within the arcuate groove 48 and the second leg 38 is pivotally mounted to the pivot point 50. A front control cable 52 moves the front seat supports 30 from the sitting position, extending downward from 16 , to the prostrate position with the front seat supports 30 collapsed against the seat cushion frame 16. Specifically, the front control cable 52 is connected to the first leg 36 to selectively move the first leg 36, within the arched groove 48 towards pivot point 50, thereby eliminating the substantially triangular support configuration and allowing the front seat support 30 to collapse against of the seat cushion frame 16. Referring also to Figs. 6 and 7, the front 30 and rear 28 seat supports are shown in greater detail. With particular reference to Fig. 6, the first leg 36 includes a first stop 54 which is secured to the intermediate pivot point 42 of the second leg 38 when the seat assembly 14 is moved to the lowered position, so that the Seat assembly 14 is secured in the folded down position. The first leg 36 also includes a second stop 56, which is secured to the intermediate pivot point 42 of the 38, when the seat assembly 14 is moved to the prostrate position, such that the seat assembly 14 is secured in the prostrate position. During the operation of the seat assembly 14, the seat back frame 22 is initially placed in the sitting position, relative to the seat cushion frame 16, as shown in Fig. 2. The user then releases the back frame. of seat 22 and pushes the seat backrest frame 22 to overcome the seat cushion frame 16. The user now has the option, either to fold the seat assembly 14 forward, or to set the seat assembly 14 downwards. . To lower the seat assembly 14, the user operates the rear control cable 3_ which releases the latches 32. The user then raises the seat assembly 14 upwards, until the intermediate pivot point 42 which is on the second leg 38 is attached to the first stop 52 on the first leg 36, as shown in Fig. 3. The joints 40 cooperate with the movement of the second leg 38 and pull the rear latches 32 inwardly., towards the seat cushion frame 16. This is an advantage since the rear seat supports 28 do not project outwardly from the seat cushion frame 16, which could potentially cause an injury. The lowered position of the seat assembly 14 provides an additional loading space for the interior of the vehicle 10. To set the seat assembly 14 from the sitting position, the user operates the front control wire 52, which pulls the second 38 leg backwards. Specifically, the second leg 38 slides back into the arcuate slot 48, toward the pivot point 50, to collapse to the triangular support configuration. The user can then push the seat assembly 14 down towards the floor of the vehicle 26 and the front seat 30 and rear seat supports 28 automatically collapse against the seat cushion frame 16, as shown in Fig. 4 The intermediate pivot point 42 is attached to the second stop 56 on the first leg 36 to keep the seat assembly 14 in the prostrate position. The seat assembly 14 can also be folded down from this prostrate position, which creates an additional position for the seat assembly 14. Specifically, the user drives the rear control cable and lifts the seat assembly 14 upwards, from the position prostrate The first 36 and second 38 legs remain substantially in the prostrate position and the joint 40 pulls the rear seat supports 28 against the seat cushion frame 16 as shown in Fig. 5. The seat assembly 14 is abated. forward, until the front ends of the seat cushion and the seat cushion frame 16, are connected to the floor 26 of the vehicle 10. This seat mounting position 14, provides even more cargo space inside the vehicle 10. The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it should be understood that the terminology that has been used herein has been designated to have a nature of description words, rather than limitation. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible, in view of the above instructions. It should therefore be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced in a manner different from that specifically described. It is noted that, with regard to this date, the best method known by the requested, to carry out the present invention, is that which is clear from the present, discovering the invention. Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property.

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS An automotive seat assembly, comprising: a seat cushion frame having front and rear ends; a seat back frame mounted, pivotally, to the seat cushion frame; a pair of rear seat supports mounted pivotally to the rear end of the seat cushion frame to support a rear portion of the seat assembly; a pair of front seat supports mounted to the front end of the seat cushion frame, to support a front portion of the seat assembly; Y a joint interconnecting each of the front seat supports to a corresponding rear seat support, to provide a relative concurrent movement of the front and rear seat supports between a sitting position, the front and rear seat supports extending towards down from the seat cushion frame to support a seat occupant above the floor of the vehicle and a folded down position with the seat cushion frame pivoting, upwardly, around the front seat supports and the rear seat supports folding at the center of the seat cushion frame, the seat assembly characterized in that each of the front seat supports is pivotally mounted to the seat cushion frame to move between the sitting position with the front and rear seat supports extending down from the cushion frame of The seat cushion and the floor of the vehicle are collapsed in a postrode position with the front and rear seat supports collapsed. A compliance assembly, claim 1, characterized in that each of the rear seat supports includes a latch for selectively securing the rear seat supports to the vehicle floor and selectively releasing the rear seat supports, when the seat assembly is move to the down position. The assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that it includes a rear control cable for actuating the latches, from a secured condition to an unlocked condition, to release the rear seat supports. The assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that it additionally includes a front control cable for moving the front seat supports, from a sitting position extending. down from the seat cushion frame, to a prostrate position, with the front seat supports collapsed against the seat cushion frame. An assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that each of the front seat supports comprises first and second legs mounted, as a pivot, to the seat cushion frame. The assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that it additionally includes a mounting plate having first and second ends to rotatably secure each of the legs of the front seat supports to the floor of the vehicle. The assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that the first leg is mounted, as a pivot, to the first end of the mounting plate and the second leg is mounted, like a pivot, to the second end of the mounting plate , to create a substantially triangular support configuration. The assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the first end of the mounting plate includes an integral arched groove and the second end of the mounting plate includes a pivot point. The assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the first leg is mounted, in the manner of a pivot, within the arcuate slot and the second leg is mounted, as a pivot, to the pivot point. The assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that front control cable is connected to the first leg, to selectively move the first leg within the arcuate slot, towards the pivot point, thereby eliminating the substantially triangular support configuration and allowing the front seat supports to collapse against the seat cushion frame. The assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that each of the joints includes first and second ends, with the first end mounted, like a pivot, to the second leg, to define an intermediate pivot point on the second leg. leg. The assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that a second end of each of the links is mounted, like a pivot, to a corresponding back seat support, and includes an integral slot to allow a sliding movement between the joint and the rear seat supports. The assembly according to claim 12, characterized in that the first leg includes a first stop which is fastened to the intermediate pivot point of the second leg, when the seat assembly is moved to the folded position, in such a way that the assembly of seat is secured in the down position. The assembly according to claim 13, wherein the first leg includes a second stop that is fastened to the intermediate pivot point of the second leg, when the seat assembly is moved to the prostrate position, such that the mounting seat is secured in the prostrate position. A pedestal assembly for an automotive seat assembly having a seat cushion assembly with a front and rear ends and a seatback mount mounted, pivotally, to the seat suspension, the seat pedestal assembly characterized because ccmprende: a pair of rear seat supports mounted pivotally to the rear end of the seat cushion frame to support a rear portion of the seat assembly; a pair of front seat supports mounted to the front end of the seat cushion frame, to support a front portion of the seat assembly; Y a joint interconnecting each of the front seat supports to a corresponding rear seat support, to provide a relative concurrent movement of the front and rear seat supports between a sitting position, the front and rear seat supports extending towards down from the seat cushion frame to support a seat occupant above the floor of the vehicle and a folded down position with the seat cushion frame pivoting, upwardly, around the front seat supports and the rear seat supports folding against the seat cushion frame, the seat assembly characterized in that each of the front seat supports is pivotally mounted to the seat cushion frame to move between the seating position with the front and rear seat supports extending downwardly from the seat frame. seat cushion and a prostrate position with the front and rear seat supports collapsed against the seat cushion frame and the vehicle floor. The assembly in accordance with the claim 15, characterized in that each of the front seat supports comprises first and second legs mounted, as a pivot, to the seat cushion frame. The assembly in accordance with the claim 16, characterized in that it additionally includes a mounting plate having first and second ends to rotatably secure each of the legs of the front seat supports, to the floor of the vehicle. The assembly according to claim 17, characterized in that the first leg is mounted, as a pivot, to the first end of the mounting plate and the second leg is mounted, like a pivot, to the second end of the mounting plate , to create a substantially triangular support configuration. The assembly according to claim 18, characterized in that the first end of the mounting plate includes an integral arcuate groove and the second end of the mounting plate includes a pivot point. The assembly in accordance with the claim 19, characterized in that the first leg is mounted, in the manner of a pivot, within the arcuate groove and the second leg is mounted, as a pivot, to the pivot point. The assembly j < = compliance with the claim 20, characterized in that front control cable is connected to the first leg, to selectively move the first leg within the arcuate groove, towards the pivot point, thereby eliminating the substantially triangular support configuration and allowing the front brackets of seat, collapse against the seat cushion frame. Summary of the Invention An automotive seat assembly 14 has a seat cushion assembly 13 and a seat backrest assembly 17. A pair of rear seat supports 28 are mounted, pivotally, to the rear end of the seat cushion assembly 13, to support a rear portion of the seat assembly 14. A pair of front seat supports 30, which include a pair of legs 36, 38, are mounted to the front end 18 of the seat cushion assembly 13, to support a front portion. of the seat assembly 14. A joint 40 interconnects each of the front seat supports 30 to a corresponding rear seat support 28, to move the rear seat supports 28 between a sitting position and a collapsed position. In the sitting position, the front seat support 30 and the rear seat support 28 extend downward from the seat cushion assembly 13. In the lowered position, the seat cushion assembly 13 is moved in a of pivot, upwards, around the front seat supports 30 and the rear seat supports 28 are folded against the seat cushion assembly 13. The seat assembly 14 is characterized in that each of the front seat supports 30 is mounted, as a pivot, to the seat cushion assembly 13 to move between a sitting position and a prostrate position, with the front 30 and rear seat 28 supports collapsed against the seat cushion assembly 13 and the floor of the vehicle 26. Additionally, the seat assembly 14 can be folded forward, from the prostrate position.