WO2001015931A2 - Systeme de surface de chargement - Google Patents

Systeme de surface de chargement Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001015931A2
WO2001015931A2 PCT/US2000/040129 US0040129W WO0115931A2 WO 2001015931 A2 WO2001015931 A2 WO 2001015931A2 US 0040129 W US0040129 W US 0040129W WO 0115931 A2 WO0115931 A2 WO 0115931A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
panel
link
load floor
retractable
floor system
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/040129
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001015931A9 (fr
WO2001015931A3 (fr
Inventor
Joseph M. Thompson
Rick A. Anderson
Original Assignee
Johnson Controls Technology Company
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Johnson Controls Technology Company filed Critical Johnson Controls Technology Company
Priority to US10/009,234 priority Critical patent/US6752443B1/en
Publication of WO2001015931A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001015931A2/fr
Publication of WO2001015931A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001015931A3/fr
Publication of WO2001015931A9 publication Critical patent/WO2001015931A9/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/32—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles convertible for other use
    • B60N2/36—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles convertible for other use into a loading platform
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/30—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
    • B60N2/3002—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements
    • B60N2/3004—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements by rotation only
    • B60N2/3009—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements by rotation only about transversal axis
    • B60N2/3011—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements by rotation only about transversal axis the back-rest being hinged on the cushion, e.g. "portefeuille movement"
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/30—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
    • B60N2/3038—Cushion movements
    • B60N2/3063—Cushion movements by composed movement
    • B60N2/3065—Cushion movements by composed movement in a longitudinal-vertical plane
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/30—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
    • B60N2/3072—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats on a lower level of a multi-level vehicle floor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/30—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
    • B60N2/3088—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats characterised by the mechanical link
    • B60N2/309—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats characterised by the mechanical link rods
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/32—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles convertible for other use
    • B60N2/36—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles convertible for other use into a loading platform
    • B60N2002/363—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles convertible for other use into a loading platform characterised by provisions for enhancing the cargo floor surface, e.g. elements closing gaps or enlarging the back-rest surface
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2205/00—General mechanical or structural details
    • B60N2205/30—Seat or seat parts characterised by comprising plural parts or pieces
    • B60N2205/35—Seat, bench or back-rests being split laterally in two or more parts

Definitions

  • This invention generally relates to load floor systems. More specifically, this invention relates to load floor systems for a vehicle with a seat assembly, a structural member under the seat assembly, and a floor space adjacent the seat assembly.
  • One of the problems associated with placing a second row of seats in an extended cab pickup truck is that it reduces the storage capacity of the bed of the pickup truck if the overall vehicle length remains the same. That is, the presence of the rear seats interferes with the ability to store objects such as toolboxes, machine parts and other cargo that require relatively large flat surfaces for storage. While effort has been placed into designing seats that could be removed or placed in a retracted position to thereby increase the usable space within the extended cab pickup truck, the resulting area is relatively small and the surface upon which cargo could be placed is generally non-planar and therefore hinders the storage of relatively large items. Accordingly, it is desirable to have a load floor system that could be used to accommodate relatively large amount of cargo when the rear seats are not being used. At the same time, it would be desirable to have a load floor system that does not interfere with the occupants of the rear seats when the rear seats are being used.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective " view of a load floor system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in a retracted position;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the floor pan with a set of storable seats in a stored position;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the load floor system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in an extended position;
  • FIG. 4 is a side view of the load floor system of FIG. 3, shown in both the retracted position and the extended position;
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of the load floor system of FIGS. 3 and 4, shown in both the retracted position and the extended position, and shown again with a darker color during a transition between the retracted position and the extended position;
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a load floor system according to a first alternative embodiment of the present invention, shown in an extended position;
  • FIG. 7 is a side view of the load floor system of FIG. 6, shown in both a retracted position and the extended position;
  • FIG. 8 is a side view of the load floor system of FIGS. 6 and 7, shown in both the retracted position and the extended position, and shown again with a darker color during a transition between the retracted position and the extended position;
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a load floor system according to a second alternative embodiment of the present invention, shown in an extended position;
  • FIG. 10 is a side view of the load floor system of FIG. 9, shown in a retracted position; and FIG. 11 is a side view of the load floor system of FIGS. 9 and 10, shown in the extended position.
  • a load floor system 10 may be installed in the rear portion of an extended-cab pickup truck under a set of forward-facing storable seats 12 with a "60/40 split."
  • the load floor system 10 can be used in other environments, such as under side- facing jump seats of pickup trucks, under removable or retractable seats of a station wagon, sport utility vehicle or van, or in any other transporter with storable seats.
  • storable seat includes seat assemblies that have a retractable or removable seat cushion.
  • 60/40 split refers to a common seating assembly that is split transversely in two sections, with a "sixty-percent section” for one or two passengers, and a “forty-percent section” for one passenger.
  • Seating assemblies with a “60/40 split” allow one section to be used as a seat, and another to be stored.
  • the load floor system 10 of the present invention can also be used under other seating assemblies, such as bench seats and so-called bucket seats.
  • the system 10 is optimized as a two-section unit with a "60/40 split” installed under the set of forward-facing storable seats 12 with a corresponding "60/40 split.” Accordingly, these storable seats 12 will provide the background environment in the following description. Further, since the "sixty-percent section" of the load floor system 10 is nearly identical to the "forty-percent section", only the "forty-percent section" will be discussed.
  • the structural member 14 encloses two sides of a space or cavity 20, which is made accessible through the load floor system 10.
  • the cavity 20 is further bound by a power train tunnel 22, by a so-called "waterfall" 24 between a lowered floor pan 26 and a raised floor pan
  • the load floor system 10 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a secondary panel 30, an access panel 32, an upper link 34, and a retractable panel 36.
  • the load floor system 10 is movable between a retracted position that does not encroach on the leg area of the vehicle (shown in FIG. 1), and an extended position that provides a load floor 38 and that allows access to the cavity 20 (shown in FIG. 3).
  • the retractable panel 36 In the retracted position, the retractable panel 36 abuts the structural member 14 and neatly tucks under the storable seat cushion 16 on the upper link 34.
  • the load floor system 10 is nearly hidden in this position and does not encroach on the leg area or floor space of the vehicle.
  • the secondary panel 30, the access panel 32, the upper link 34, and the retractable panel 36 all cooperate to form the load floor 38, as best shown in FIG.4.
  • the secondary panel 30 is supported by a structural bracket 40 at one end and by the structural member 14 at the other end. Between the structural bracket 40 and the structural member 14, the secondary panel 30 forms a recessed portion 42 that accommodates and supports the upper link 34, as detailed below.
  • the retractable panel 36 is supported by the connection to the upper link 34 at one end and by a leg panel 44 attached to the retractable panel 36 at the other end.
  • the load floor 38 provides a generally flat surface to secure objects such as toolboxes, machine parts, or other cargo.
  • the load floor 38 may include a tie-down 46 or other devices, such as hooks, clamps, or VELCRO® strips, which function to secure objects to the load floor 38.
  • the load floor system 10 incorporates a four-bar mechanism 48 to advance from the retracted position to the extended position.
  • the four-bar mechanism 48 includes (1) the upper link 34, later referenced as a "first link”, (2) the retractable panel 36, (3) and a lower link 50, later referenced as a "second link”.
  • the secondary panel 30 cooperates as the fourth link of the four-bar mechanism 48 between two fixed points 52 and 54.
  • a hinge HI pivots the upper link 34 to the secondary panel 30; a hinge H2 pivots the upper link 34 to the retractable panel 36; a hinge H3 pivots the retractable panel 36 to the lower link 50; and hinge
  • H4 pivots the lower link 50 to the structural member 14.
  • the hinges HI and H4 are fixed points and are not displaced during the transition from the retracted position to the extended position.
  • the access panel 32 and the secondary panel 30 enclose the cavity 20, which would otherwise be open when the storable seat cushion 16 is stored and the retractable panel 36 is extended. In this manner, the access panel 32, the secondary panel 30, the structural member 14, the waterfall 24, and the lowered floor pan 26 cooperate as a storage container 58 for smaller cargo.
  • the access panel 32 extends nearly the entire length of the cavity 20 to increase the accessibility of the storage container 58.
  • the upper link 34 contains a rearward-facing notch 60. As best shown in FIG. 4, the upper link 34 folds over the access panel 32 in the retracted position, and rests on the recessed portion 42 of the secondary panel 30 in the extended position.
  • the retractable panel 36 may include a beveled corner 62, as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the beveled corner 62 of the retractable panel 36 follows the general contours of the structural member 14 in the retracted position.
  • the beveled comer 62 and the structural member 14 are so designed to allow unimpeded egress and ingress of a passenger through a small opening of a vehicle.
  • the retractable panel 36 may be designed with a sharper comer.
  • the load floor system 10 advances from the retracted position to the extended position. It is anticipated, however, that several possible variations of the four-bar mechanism 48 would accomplish these functions. Two of these variations are described below with similar reference numerals signaling elements with similar physical properties and functional attributes. Further, it is anticipated that commonly known mechanical elements may be used to replace or supplement a portion or the entirety of the four- bar mechanism 48. As an example, a pin-and-track device may replace a bar of the four-bar mechanism 48.
  • a load floor system 10' of a first alternative embodiment of the present invention includes a folding panel 64 and a retractable panel 36'.
  • the retractable panel 36' In the retracted position, the retractable panel 36' abuts the structural member 14 and neatly tucks under the storable seat cushion 16 and rests on a structural bracket 40'.
  • the load floor system 10' is nearly hidden in this position and does not, in any manner, encroach on the leg area or floor space of the vehicle.
  • the folding panel 64 and the retractable panel 36' cooperate to form a load floor 38", as best shown in FIG. 7.
  • the folding panel 64 is supported by the structural bracket 40' at one end and by the connection to the retractable panel 36' at the other end.
  • the retractable panel 36' is supported by the structural member 14 at one end and by a leg panel 44' attached to the retractable panel 36' at the other end.
  • the load floor 38' provides a generally flat surface to secure objects such as toolboxes, machine parts, or other cargo.
  • the load floor 38' may include a tie-down or other devices, such as hooks, clamps, or VELCRO® strips, which function to secure objects to the load floor 38'.
  • a hinge H6 pivots the rear link 66 to a rear side of the structural member 14; a hinge H7 pivots the rear link 66 to the retractable panel 36'; a hinge H8 pivots the retractable panel 36' to the forward link 68; and a hinge H9 pivots the forward link 68 to a front side of the structural member 14.
  • the hinges H6 and H9 are fixed points and are not displaced during the transition from the retracted position to the extended position.
  • the hinges H7 and H8 are movable points and are displaced through arcs A3 and A4, respectively, during the transition.
  • the load floor system 10' further incorporates a hinge H10 between the folding panel 64 and the retractable panel 36' that allows the folding panel 64 to be folded to a rearward position and to form the load floor 38'.
  • the load floor system 10' may include a handle to induce the transition of the load floor system 10' between the retracted position and the extended position.
  • a load floor system 10" of a second alternative embodiment of the present invention includes a secondary panel 30" and a retractable panel 36".
  • the retractable panel 36" neatly tucks under the storable seat cushion 16 on the secondary panel 30", as shown in FIG. 10.
  • the load floor system 10" is nearly hidden in this position and does not encroach on the leg area or floor space of the vehicle.
  • the secondary panel 30" and the retractable panel 36" cooperate to form a load floor 38", as best shown in FIG. 11.
  • the secondary panel 30" is supported at one end by a structural bracket 40" and by the structural member 14 at the other end.
  • the retractable panel 36" is supported by the structural member 14 at one end and by a folding leg 74 at the other end.
  • the load floor 38" provides a generally flat surface to secure objects such as toolboxes, machine parts, or other cargo.
  • the load floor 38" may include a tie-down or other devices, such as hooks, clamps, or VELCRO® strips, which function to secure objects to the load floor 38".
  • the load floor system 10 like the load floor systems 10 and 10', incorporates a four-bar mechanism 48" to advance the refractable panel 36" and the folding leg 74 from the retracted position to the extended position.
  • the four-bar mechanism 48" includes ( 1 ) the retractable panel 36", (2) a short link 76, later referenced as a "second link”, (3) a long link 78, later referenced as a "first hnk”, and (4) the distance between two fixed points 80 and 82.
  • a hinge HI 1 pivotally connects the retractable panel 36" to the secondary panel 30" about a first axis; a hinge H12 pivots the retractable panel 36" to the short link 76; a hinge HI 3 pivots the short link 76 to the long link 78; and a hinge H14 pivotally connects the long link 78 to the secondary panel 30" about a second axis.
  • the hinges HI 1 and HI 4 are fixed points and are not displaced during the transition from the retracted position to the extended position.
  • the hinges HI 2 and HI 3 are movable points and are displaced through arcs during the transition.
  • Each of the elements of the load floor systems 10, 10', and 10" may be made from conventional materials and with conventional methods.
  • the secondary panels 30, 30', and 30" and the retractable panels 36, 36', and 36" may be stamped from steel.
  • Other materials, such as plastics, aluminum, and fiber composites, may be used in the interest of weight and cost reduce so long as the structural aspects of the load floor system are maintained.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système de surface de chargement destiné à un véhicule doté d'un assemblage de sièges, d'un élément de structure situé sous l'assemblage de sièges et d'un espace plancher adjacent à l'assemblage de sièges. Le système de surface de chargement comprend un panneau rétractable couplé à l'élément de structure, un premier et un second liens couplés au panneau rétractable. Le panneau rétractable et les premier et second liens coopèrent en tant qu'éléments d'un mécanisme à quatre barres afin de déplacer, par translation, le panneau rétractable à partir d'une position rétractée sous l'assemblage des sièges en une position étendue sur l'espace plancher, ce qui permet de former une surface de chargement.
PCT/US2000/040129 1999-06-07 2000-06-07 Systeme de surface de chargement WO2001015931A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/009,234 US6752443B1 (en) 1999-06-07 2000-06-07 Load floor system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US13799699P 1999-06-07 1999-06-07
US60/137,996 1999-06-07

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001015931A2 true WO2001015931A2 (fr) 2001-03-08
WO2001015931A3 WO2001015931A3 (fr) 2002-01-10
WO2001015931A9 WO2001015931A9 (fr) 2002-08-01

Family

ID=22479976

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/040129 WO2001015931A2 (fr) 1999-06-07 2000-06-07 Systeme de surface de chargement

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2001015931A2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7907057B2 (en) 2006-05-04 2011-03-15 Nxp B.V. Communication device and an electric circuit for a communication device

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3147656C2 (de) * 1981-12-02 1986-07-24 Audi AG, 8070 Ingolstadt Fahrzeugrücksitz für Beifahrer mit Blick nach rückwärts
JP3455270B2 (ja) * 1994-02-24 2003-10-14 ダイハツ工業株式会社 車両用折り畳みシ−ト
JPH09104271A (ja) * 1995-10-11 1997-04-22 Central Motor Co Ltd フラットデッキ構造
IES970175A2 (en) * 1997-03-11 1997-10-08 James Derek Walton A method and apparatus for extending the goods carrying floor space in a vehicle

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7907057B2 (en) 2006-05-04 2011-03-15 Nxp B.V. Communication device and an electric circuit for a communication device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2001015931A9 (fr) 2002-08-01
WO2001015931A3 (fr) 2002-01-10

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