WO2015190982A1

WO2015190982A1 - Vehicle chair

Info

Publication number: WO2015190982A1
Application number: PCT/SE2015/050652
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Carlsson
Original assignee: BAE Systems Hägglunds Aktiebolag
Priority date: 2014-06-10
Filing date: 2015-06-04
Publication date: 2015-12-17
Also published as: SE538026C2; SE1450707A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle chair comprising a seat (12) and a back support (22), which is connected to an operable fastening device (38) by means of at least one load carrying wire (23) of the back support (22), wherein the operable fastening device (38) in a first position is arranged to hold the at least one load carrying wire (23) for keeping the back support (22) upfolded, and in a second position is arranged to release the at least one load carrying wire (23) for folding down the back support (22). The fastening device (38) comprises a first actuating member (40) for bringing the fastening device (38) to the second position and releasing the at least one load carrying wire (23).

Description

VEHICLE CHAIR

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a vehicle chair according to the preamble of claim 1 .

BACKGROUND ART

Vehicle chairs in certain vehicle types, such as military vehicles, need to be designed such that a person sitting in the chair is retained in the chair if the vehicle is subjected to heavy impacts due to uneven ground surfaces or if the vehicle overturns. Furthermore the vehicle may be subjected to very heavy impacts by an explosive charge, such as a mine, detonating underneath the vehicle. If the vehicle needs to be evacuated and the person sitting in the chair and the person is not himself able to leave the vehicle the chair needs to be designed such that the person quickly and easily may be assisted out of the vehicle without the chair constituting an obstacle. The same applies if the person himself or a co-passenger tries to leave the vehicle, the chair may not constitute an obstacle for the escape.

Document US-A1 -1010/0102602 discloses a vehicle chair with a seat and a back support, which are connected by means of straps. The back support is in its lower end connected to the side wall and at its upper end connected to the sealing of the vehicle. By disassembling the upper portion of the back support from the sealing, access to a storage area behind the back support is permitted.

Document EP-A2-2127940 discloses a vehicle chair with a seat and a back support, which are connected to the vehicle by means of straps. The back support may be disassembled for the purpose of admitting a passage. In certain types of vehicles, such as terrain and combat vehicles it is desired to quickly be able to escape the vehicle in the event of danger. Vehicle chairs present in the vehicle then need to be designed such that they admit a free passage for facilitating a quick and efficient evacuation of the vehicle.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle chair, which facilitates evacuation of a person sitting in the vehicle chair.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a vehicle chair, which facilitates a quick and efficient evacuation of the vehicle during evacuation needs.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a vehicle chair, which may be operated by both driver and passenger in order to facilitate evacuation of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above mentioned objects are provided by the vehicle chair according to claim 1 .

The vehicle chair will admit free passage during an escape of the vehicle, since the operable fastening device in the second position is arranged to release the at least one wire for folding down the back support. When the back support is folded down, a person sitting in the vehicle chair will quickly and easily be assisted out of the vehicle without the vehicle chair constituting an obstacle. At the same time the vehicle chair will not constitute an obstacle if a co-passenger tries to leave the vehicle during escape. The operable fastening device may be operated by both the person sitting in the vehicle chair and by other persons in the vehicle. The vehicle chair may for example be constituted by a vehicle chair intended for the driver of the vehicle. In case the vehicle is a combat vehicle the only possible escape route may be out of the vehicle backwards and passed the space occupied by the back support when in upfolded position. Thereby the back support needs to be folded down in order to facilitate the escape. In the first, upfolded position the operable fastening device is arranged to hold the at least one wire, such that the back support forms a support for the person sitting in the vehicle chair. The fastening device comprises a first actuating member for bringing the fastening device to the second position and releasing the at least one wire. The operable fastening device may be operated by both the person sitting in the vehicle chair and by other persons in the vehicle. During an escape of the vehicle the back support may thus quickly and efficiently be folded down such that a person sitting in the vehicle chair or other persons in the vehicle quickly and easily may be evacuated out of the vehicle without the vehicle chair constituting an obstacle.

The back support of the vehicle chair receives according to an embodiment a very compact shape in the folded down position and is thereby not in the way for personnel about to leave the vehicle during evacuation. According to an embodiment the first actuating member comprises a first actuating lever, controlling the fastening device via a cable. The first actuating lever may thereby be arranged at a suitable place in relation to the vehicle chair. Motion and force from the actuating lever is transferred via the cable to the fastening device. According to an additional embodiment the fastening device comprises a fastening element arranged for the at least one wire. The wire may thereby be efficiently connected to the fastening device.

According to an additional embodiment the fastening device comprises a locking mechanism, which in the first position locks the fastening element and in the second position releases the fastening element. The wire may thereby quickly and efficiently be released from the fastening device by releasing the fastening element by means of the locking element.

According to an additional embodiment the fastening device comprises a pivot shaft on which the locking mechanism is arranged. By arranging the locking mechanism on the pivot shaft the fastening device may be compactly designed, which makes the fastening device less space consuming.

According to an additional embodiment the cable is connected to a lever arranged on the pivot shaft. The motion and the force from the first actuating lever may thereby be transferred to the pivot shaft for actuating the locking mechanism and the fastening element in order to quickly and efficiently bringing the back support to the second, folded down position.

According to an additional embodiment a second actuating lever is arranged on the pivot shaft. Thereby the locking mechanism and the fastening element may be operated by actuating the second actuating lever arranged on the pivot shaft. Preferably the pivot shaft and thereby the second actuating lever are arranged at the vehicle chair such that a person being behind the vehicle chair and back support may actuate the second actuating lever for folding down the back support. Thereby the person sitting in the vehicle chair or other persons in the vehicle may quickly and easily be evacuated out of the vehicle without the vehicle chair constituting an obstacle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is closer described in the following with reference to the enclosed drawings, showing embodiments of the invention, in which: fig. 1 shows a perspective view from the front of a vehicle chair according to the present invention, fig. 2 shows a perspective view from the back of a vehicle chair according to the present invention, fig. 3 shows a perspective view from the back of a vehicle chair according to the present invention, fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a fastening device for a vehicle chair according to the present invention, and fig. 5 shows a fastening device for a vehicle chair according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 shows a vehicle chair 1 according to the present invention. The vehicle chair 1 comprises a base portion 2 for attachment in a vehicle 4. The base portion 2 is built up of a framework 6, being connected to the vehicle 4. On the framework 6 a seat 12 is arranged, which is articulately connected to the base portion 2. The seat 12 comprises a non-rigid support surface 14, which is arranged at and supported by a frame 16 at least partly surrounding the support surface 14. The vehicle chair 1 also exhibits a back support 22 being arranged at the framework 6. The back support 22 is preferably formed of a non-rigid material and is supported by load carrying wires 23, which are detachably connected to the framework 6. Preferably the load carrying wires 23 are formed as straps, which run about a for the respective strap arranged pin 32, being attached to the upper portion of the framework 6. The load carrying wires 23 are preferably connected at the outer ends of an upper end of the back support 22. A safety belt 26 is attached to and extending between the sides of the seat 12. The safety belt 26 is also connected to the front edge of the seat 12 and comprises an axle portion 28, being connected to the inside of a sealing 30 in the vehicle. The vehicle 4 may for example be a terrain vehicle or a combat vehicle. By means of the safety belt 26 a sitting person sitting in the vehicle chair 1 is retained if the vehicle 4 is subjected to heavy impacts due to uneven ground surface or if the vehicle 4 overturns. Furthermore the vehicle 4 may be subjected to very heavy impacts by an explosive charge, such as a mine, detonating under the vehicle 4. In fig. 1 is also shown an adjustment equipment 34 arranged on the framework 4 to adjust and adapt the vehicle chair 1 for the person sitting in the vehicle chair 1 . On the upper portion of the framework 6 is also a first actuating lever 36 arranged, the function of which is to be described below. Fig. 2 shows the vehicle chair 1 in a perspective view from behind. The framework 6 with the associated adjustment equipment 34 for the vehicle chair 1 has been removed for the purpose of clarification. For the same reason the seat belt 26 has also been removed. It is apparent how the back support 22 is supported by the load carrying wires 23, which extend in a direction upwardly from the upper end of the back support 22 to then turn downwardly behind the back support 22 after having passed the, for the respective load carrying wire, arranged pin 32, which is attached to the upper portion 6 of the framework, which is shown in fig. 1 .

If the vehicle 4 needs to be evacuated and the person sitting in the vehicle chair 1 does not himself have the ability to leave the vehicle 4 the vehicle chair 1 is designed such that the person quickly and easily may be assisted out of the vehicle 4 without the vehicle chair 1 constituting an obstacle. The same holds if the person himself or a co-passenger try to leave the vehicle 4, the vehicle chair 1 will not constitute an obstacle for the escape. For that reason the load carrying wires 23 are connected to an operable fastening device 38, which in a first position is arranged to hold the ends of the load carrying wires 23 to keep the back support 22 upfolded. In a second position the operable fastening device 38 is arranged to release the load carrying wires 23 to fold the back support 22. When the fastening device 38 releases the ends of load carrying wires 23 the weight from the person sitting in the vehicle chair 1 will press the back support downwardly, which result in that the load carrying wires 23 will run about the respective pin 32. The load carrying wires 23 will thus not keep the back support 22 upfolded when the operable fastening device 38 is guided to the second position and releases the load carrying wires 23. In case the back support 22 consists of a soft and/or non-rigid material the back support 22 will collapse when the load carrying wires 23 are released from the fastening device 38. Thereby the person sitting in the vehicle chair 1 will fall backwardly, which permits escape backwardly from the vehicle chair 1 . It is also possible to make the back support 22 of a rigid material, wherein the back support will be tipped backwardly and maintain its original shape when the operable fastening device 38 is guided to the second position and releases the load carrying wires 23. The horizontal position of the seat 12 may also be affected when the load carrying wires 23 are released from the fastening device 38. By arranging the seat 12 articulately or displaceable at the framework 6 the seat may sink downwardly in the vehicle 4 when the load carrying wires 23 are released from the fastening device 38, which result in the space for evacuating and escaping the vehicle 4 increases further. This is facilitated by connecting the lower end of the back support 22 to the seat 12, which result in that when the load carrying wires 23 are released from the fastening device 38 the back support 22 is no longer upheld by the load carrying wires 23, which in turn result in the seat 12 no longer being upheld by the back support 22.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view from behind with the back support 22 folded down. The framework 6 with the associated adjustment equipment 34 for the vehicle chair 1 is shown in the figure, and is apparent that the load carrying wires 23 have been released, which result in the back support 22 having been folded down and having ended up behind the framework 6. When the back support 22 is folded down a person sitting in the vehicle chair 1 will quickly and easily be assisted out of the vehicle 4 without the vehicle chair 1 constituting an obstacle. At the same time the vehicle chair 1 will not constitute an obstacle if a co-passenger tries to leave the vehicle 4 during the escape. The back support 22 gets a very compact shape in the folded down position when it abuts against the floor in the vehicle 1 and is thereby not in the way for personnel to get out of the vehicle 1 during evacuation. The vehicle chair 1 may for example be constituted by a driver chair, which is intended for the driver of the vehicle 4. In case the vehicle 4 is a combat vehicle the only possible escape route out of the vehicle 4 may be backwardly and passed the space occupied by the back support 22 when upfolded. Figures 4 and 5 show perspective views of the operable fastening device 38 for the vehicle chair 1 . The operable fastening device 38 is designed to be actuated by both the person sitting in the vehicle chair 1 and by other persons in the vehicle 4 and comprises a first actuating member 40, for bringing the fastening device 38 to the second position and release the load carrying wires 23. The first actuating member 40 comprises the first actuating lever 36, shown in fig. 1 . The first actuating member 40 also comprises a lever 42 of the fastening device 38 and a cable 44 or wire, which is arranged between the first actuating lever 36 and the lever 42. The first actuating lever 36 is preferably placed on a suitable place relative to the vehicle chair 1 , wherein motion and force from the first actuating lever 36 is transferred via the cable 44 to the lever 42 of the fastening device 38. According to the embodiment shown in fig. 1 the first actuating lever 36 is arranged at the upper portion of the framework 6, which results in the first actuating lever 36 being accessible for the person sitting in the vehicle chair 1 . The operable fastening device 38 may however be operated by both the person sitting in the vehicle chair 1 and by other persons in the vehicle 4.

The operable fastening device 38 comprises a fastening element 46 arranged for each load carrying wire 23, which efficiently connect the load carrying wires 23 to the fastening device 38. The fastening device 38 also comprises a locking mechanism 48 arranged for each fastening element 46, which in the first position locks the fastening element 46 and in the second position releases the fastening element 46. In fig. 4 the locking mechanism 48 is shown in the first position and in fig. 5 the locking mechanism 48 is shown in the second position. When the locking mechanism 48 locks the fastening element 46 the fastening element 46 will efficiently connect the load carrying wires 23 to the fastening device 38. When the locking mechanism 48 releases the fastening element 46 the load carrying wires 23 will quickly and efficiently be released from the fastening device, such that the back support

22 may be folded down. The fastening device 38 comprises a pivot shaft 50 on which the locking mechanisms 48 are arranged. By arranging the locking mechanisms 48 on the pivot shaft 50 the fastening device 38 may be compactly designed, which makes the fastening device 38 less space consuming. The lever 42 is arranged on the pivot shaft 50. By transferring motion and force from the first actuating lever 36 via the cable 44 to the lever 42 of the fastening device 38 a rotary motion of the pivot shaft 50 is achieved, which thereby turns the locking mechanisms 48 to the second position in fig. 5, such that the fastening element 46 is swung away by the force from the load carrying wires 23, and such that the load carrying wires

23 are released from the fastening device 38, which results in the back support 22 being folded down. Preferably a spring element 52 is arranged at the pivot shaft 50 for the purpose of bringing the fastening device 38 and thereby the pivot shaft 50 to the first position. When motion and force from the first actuating lever 36 is transferred via the cable 44 to the lever 42 the spring force of the spring element 52 is overcome such that the rotary motion of the pivot shaft 50 is achieved.

The locking mechanism 48 co-acts with the respective fastening element 46 by means of a clutch 54 or a hook, which, in the first position, abuts against and prevents the fastening element 46 to be swung away by the force from the load carrying wires 23. When the pivot shaft 50 and thereby the locking mechanisms 48 are turned to the second position for the fastening device 38 the clutch 54 or hook of the respective locking mechanism will lose contact with the fastening element 46, which result in the fastening element 46 being swung away by the force from the load carrying wires 23.

A second actuating member 48, comprising a second actuating lever 58, is arranged at the respective locking mechanism 48. With the second actuating lever 58 the respective locking mechanism 48 may be operated by actuating the second actuating lever 58 arranged on the pivot shaft 50, such that a torque is generated about the pivot shaft 50. When the torque overcomes the spring force from the spring element 52 a rotary motion of the pivot shaft 50 is achieved, which turns the locking mechanisms 48 to the second position in fig. 5, such that the fastening element 46 is swung away by the force from the lad supporting wires 23, and such that the load carrying wires 23 are released from the fastening device 38, which leads to the back support 22 being folded down. Preferably the pivot shaft 50 and thereby the second actuating lever 56 are placed at the vehicle chair 1 such that a person being behind the vehicle chair 1 and the back support 22 may actuate the second actuating lever 58. The back support 22 may thereby be folded down, such that the person sitting in the vehicle chair 1 or other persons in the vehicle 4 quickly and easily may be evacuated from the vehicle 4 without the vehicle chair 1 constituting an obstacle. Described embodiments above may be combined with each other and used at the same time on one and the same vehicle chair 1 .

Claims

1 . A vehicle chair comprising a seat (12) and a back support (22), which is connected to an operable fastening device (38) by means of at least one load carrying wire (23) of the back support (22), wherein the operable fastening device (38) in a first position is arranged to hold the at least one load carrying wire (23) for keeping the back support (22) upfolded, and in a second position is arranged to release the at least one load carrying wire (23) for folding down the back support (22), characterized in that the fastening device (38) comprises a first actuating member (40) for bringing the fastening device (38) to the second position and releasing the at least one load carrying wire (23).

2. A vehicle chair according to claim 1 , characterized in that the first actuating member (40) comprises a first actuating lever (36) controlling the fastening device (38) via a cable (44).

3. A vehicle chair according to any preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening device (38) comprises a fastening element (46) arranged for the at least one load carrying wire (23).

4. A vehicle chair according to claim 3, characterized in that the fastening device (38) comprises a locking mechanism (48), which in the first position locks the fastening element (46) and in the second position releases the fastening element (46).

5. A vehicle chair according to claim 4, characterized in that the fastening device (38) comprises a pivot shaft (50) on which the locking mechanism (48) is arranged.

6. A vehicle chair according to claim 5, characterized in that the cable (44) is connected to a lever (42) arranged on the pivot shaft (50).

7. A vehicle chair according to any of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that a second actuating lever (58) is arranged on the pivot shaft (50).