WO2021229280A1

WO2021229280A1 - Seating arrangement in a passenger vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2021229280A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/056011
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gulab Singh SOLANKI; Mohit SOLANKI
Original assignee: Gulab Singh SOLANKI
Priority date: 2020-05-11
Filing date: 2020-06-25
Publication date: 2021-11-18

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a passenger vehicle comprising: a vehicle body (102) fitted on a chassis of the passenger vehicle (100); at least two wheels (108) mounted on a floor of the vehicle body (102), configured to perform axis of rotation at the geometrical centre of the polygon, wherein said wheels being operatively coupled to an engine to the passenger vehicle (100) to thereby transmit torque from the engine to the surface in opposition to a desired travel direction of said vehicle; a drive member (104) movably configured with said wheels (108) to revolve around the at least two wheels (108); and one or more seats (106) having central longitudinal axis movably disposed at a distance above a vehicle floor; wherein each seats (106) are coupled to said drive member (104) such that one or more seats revolve around the at least two wheels (108), when said drive member (104) revolves around the at least two wheels (108). 0369

Description

SEATING ARRANGEMENT IN A PASSENGER VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates, in general, to cabin of a passenger vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a seating arrangement for passengers in cabin of a passenger vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed disclosure, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Pandemic outbreak involves an infectious disease that is prevalent over a widespread geographic area and that affects a large proportion of a population (i.e., the public) in that geographic area. A pandemic is significant and concerning because of the potential that all the individuals of the population may be at risk of suffering serious illness or even death. A pandemic can cause fear and apprehension, and can close schools, places of business, transportation, and other public places. A pandemic can also potentially disrupt economic activity and development, thereby introducing other far-reaching effects. The rampant nature by which a pandemic can spread may require a large proportion of available healthcare resources and providers to treat the victims of the illness. People cannot use the existing transportation facility to travel to any places or to work due to fear of getting affected.

[0004] To overcome certain situations, social/physical distance between human being may be necessary to prevent them from further spreading of infectious diseases. Due to this arising need, the transport system operated should be manipulated in such a way that social distance is maintained by people and thereby business and the economy of the country can be maintained. [0005] Therefore, there is a need for a means to provide a simple and efficient solution suitable to maintain physical or social distancing in a vehicle during pandemic outbreak by solving the aforementioned problems. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a passenger vehicle that can enable social/physical distancing between passengers and can also maintain the economy of the industry during critical situations.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide passenger vehicle with multiple passenger seats required to be connected and rotated along with drive member in such a way that the passengers can travel comfortably.

[0008] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a passenger vehicle with partition member used to optimally and automatically position a passenger to maintain social/ physical distance between other passengers in a vehicle to maximize safety and comfort.

SUMMARY

[0009] The present disclosure relates, in general, to cabin of a passenger vehicle. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a seating arrangement for passengers in cabin of a passenger vehicle.

[0010] The present disclosure relates to a passenger vehicle comprising: a vehicle body fitted on a chassis of the passenger vehicle; at least two wheels mounted on a floor of the vehicle body, configured to perform axis of rotation at the geometrical centre of the polygon, wherein said wheels being operatively coupled to an engine to the passenger vehicle to thereby transmit torque from the engine to the surface in opposition to a desired travel direction of said vehicle; a drive member movably configured with said wheels to revolve around the at least two wheels; and one or more seats having central longitudinal axis movably disposed at a distance above a vehicle floor; wherein each seats are coupled to said drive member such that one or more seats revolve around the at least two wheels, when the drive member revolves around the at least two wheels.

[0011] In an aspect, the present disclosure relates to a passenger vehicle, wherein the vehicle body comprises at least one door cavity with an opening to allow ingress and egress of the passenger in the passenger vehicle.

[0012] In another aspect, the ingress of the passenger are allowed when at least one seat out of the one or more seats is present in front/in axis of the entry door, and the egress of the passenger are allowed when at least one seat out of the one or more seats is present in front/in axis of the exit door. [0013] In an aspect, the at least two wheels comprise sprockets or any combination thereof and drive member comprises belt, chain, or any combination thereof.

[0014] In another aspect, the passenger vehicle comprises a controller to control cooperation of the at least two wheels.

[0015] Further, the passenger vehicle comprises at least one partition member configured between two adjacent seats of the one or more seats to maintain a distance between passengers on the respective adjacent seats.

[0016] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0017] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary representation of a seating arrangement in cabin of a passenger vehicle, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0020] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.

[0021] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0022] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

[0023] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non - claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0024] Specifically, the present disclosure relates to the seating arrangement for passengers in a vehicle for use in land, air, sea, or space.

[0025] The present disclosure relates to a passenger vehicle (100) comprising: a vehicle body (102) fitted on a chassis of the passenger vehicle (100); at least two wheels (108) mounted on a floor of the vehicle body (102), configured to perform axis of rotation at the geometrical centre of the polygon, wherein said wheels being operatively coupled to an engine to the passenger vehicle (100) to thereby transmit torque from the engine to the surface in opposition to a desired travel direction of said vehicle; a drive member (104) movably configured with said wheels (108) to revolve around the at least two wheels (108); and one or more seats (106) having central longitudinal axis movably disposed at a distance above a vehicle floor; wherein each seats (106) are coupled to said drive member (104) such that one or more seats revolve around the at least two wheels (108), when the drive member (104) revolves around the at least two wheels (108).

[0026] In an aspect, the present disclosure relates to a passenger vehicle (100), wherein the vehicle body comprises at least one door cavity (110, 112) with an opening to allow ingress and egress of the passenger in the passenger vehicle (100).

[0027] In another aspect, the ingress of the passenger are allowed when at least one seat out of the one or more seats is present in front/in axis of the entry door, and the egress of the passenger are allowed when at least one seat out of the one or more seats is present in front/in axis of the exit door.

[0028] In an aspect, the at least two wheels comprise sprockets or any combination thereof and drive member comprises belt, chain, or any combination thereof.

[0029] In another aspect, the passenger vehicle (100) comprises a controller to control cooperation of the at least two wheels.

[0030] Further, the passenger vehicle (100) comprises at least one partition member configured between two adjacent seats of the one or more seats to maintain a distance between passengers on the respective adjacent seats.

[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates a structural implementation of the passenger vehicle (100), in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, passenger vehicle (100) (also referred to as vehicle(s)) include but not limiting to buses, railway carriages, aeroplanes, ships. The vehicle has a body structure (102) with front and rear portions. The vehicle can also include a passenger compartment in which the seating arrangement is located and body structure (102) can also include multiple road wheels. The vehicle has a longitudinal length and a transverse or lateral width. The passenger vehicle (100) can be provided with longitudinally stepped floor having a lower level and an upper level.

[0033] In an embodiment, body structure (102) can be fitted on a chassis of the passenger vehicle (100). Multiple wheels (108) can be mounted at first distance on the vehicle floor of the vehicle body (102) and being operatively coupled to an engine to the passenger vehicle (100) to enable rotation of the wheels (108). The wheels (108) (also referred to as sprockets (108)) can be fitted according to the length of the vehicle. In an aspect, sprockets (108) are driven by an engine of the machine to rotate the chains of the tracks and push the ground engaging pads against a work surface, thereby transmitting torque from the engine to the surface in opposition to a desired travel direction of the machine.

[0034] In an embodiment, drive member (104) such as chain or belt can be wrapped around the wheels to enable rotation with the wheels (108). The wheel (108) can be connected to the engine, which can be operated by the vehicle operator or passenger through automatic equipment based on the requirement. Multiple seats (106) can be movably at a distance above the vehicle floor of the vehicle body (102). The seating arrangement has a driver's seat mounted forward by a stagger distance of a pair of passenger seats. The passenger seats (106) are coupled to the drive member (104) such that the one or more seats (106) revolve around the wheels (108) with the drive member (104).

[0035] In another embodiment, the seat (106) for use in any known vehicle, such as a commercial bus, school bus, military bus, or any other type of vehicle such as aeronautical, maritime or the like. The seat is generally used in a bus according to the present disclosure. The seat (106) can be generally covered in a vinyl trim cover material, however any other known fabric, such as cotton, a natural fabric, leather, or any other known covering for a seat may also be used for the bus seat according to the present disclosure. The bus seat (106) may or may not include seat belts according to the present disclosure.

[0036] In another embodiment, the vehicle has a door cavity opening (110, 112) for ingress and egress from a passenger compartment in the vehicle. The vehicle may include an outer wall and inner wall enclosing a door cavity (110, 112). The door cavity may preferably include a closed position blocking the opening and an open position enabling ingress and egress through the opening. The ingress of the passenger are allowed when at least one seat out of the one or more seats is present in front/in axis of the entry door, and the egress of the passenger are allowed when at least one seat out of the one or more seats is present in front/in axis of the exit door.

[0037] In an embodiment, the number of passenger seats required can be connected and rotated along with drive member (104) in such a way that there is no discomfort and the passengers in the seat can remain comfortable. [0038] In an implementation, when the passenger wanted to exit from the vehicle, the passenger seat (106) can be rotated by the drive member (104) that can be coupled to the wheels to reach the out position of the door (112), so that egress of the passenger can be enabled through the lower level of stepped floor, similarly when a passenger wanted to enter the vehicle, the passenger seat (106) can be rotated by the drive member (104) that can be coupled to the wheels and can reach the in position, which can enable the passenger to enter and sit on the passenger seat (106) by entering through the upper level of the stepped floor of the vehicle.

[0039] In an embodiment, the vehicle can include a controller to control cooperation of the wheels. In an aspect, the vehicle can include partition member configured between adjacent seats (106) of the one or more seats to maintain a distance between passengers on the respective adjacent seats. The partition member may be used to optimally and automatically position a passenger to maintain social/ physical distance between other passengers in a vehicle to maximize safety and comfort.

[0040] In another embodiment, the seat of the existing vehicle may remain the same or can be modified based on the requirement. For example, if the bus height is 7-8 feet, then the number of seats can be varied, which can reduce the operating cost, if the number of 2x2 seats is 42, then in the same vehicle with 84 seats can be applied, however due to short distance between the seats, passengers may find uncomfortable to travel. To overcome certain drawbacks, the present disclosure can provide multiple seats as per the requirement in the vehicle body wherein the passengers can be seated comfortably and can even lie down in the passenger vehicle (100). By enabling a partition between the seats, the facility of social distancing can be maintained as there are no other seats in front of the passenger in the vehicle.

[0041] The vehicle has a central longitudinal axis that extends from a front end of the vehicle to a rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle can be powered by any known source of motive power including, but not limited to, a combustion engine, an electric motor, or a combination of the same. The source of motive power can be mounted at the front of the vehicle or at the rear of the vehicle and can drive the vehicle by any suitable form of transmission. A conventional suspension system is used to connect the four wheels to the body structure of the vehicle.

[0042] In an embodiment, the seating arrangement includes a front seat, a rear seat or any combination thereof arranged in a staggered relationship to one another. The front seat is mounted in the vehicle forward relative to the rear seat by an amount equal to the stagger distance. For example, the front seat is mounted closer to the front end of the vehicle than the rear seat. In this case, the front seat may include seat for a driver of the vehicle and the rear seat may include seat for a passenger of the vehicle. A stagger distance between the seats can provide a good compromise between vehicle compactness and comfort for the occupants.

[0043] In an embodiment, the seat (106) may include a seat squab, seat belt and a backrest arranged at an obtuse angle with respect to the seat squab. The seat squab is attached to the floor of the vehicle by means of a seat mounting member. The seat mounting member can be used to mount the respective seat squab on the floor of the vehicle and may provide the ability to adjust the seat at least in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle so as to suit occupants of differing stature. Each of the seats may include a respective central longitudinal axis arranged in this case parallel to the central longitudinal of the vehicle.

[0044] In another embodiment, the seat mounting member can mount the respective seat squab in a low or normal position on the floor of the vehicle and may provide the ability to adjust the seat at least in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle so as to suit occupants of differing height and stature, in which case a minimum stagger distance can be maintained at all times.

[0045] In another embodiment, multiple seats (106) can be movably at a second distance above the vehicle floor of the vehicle body (102). The seating arrangement has a driver's seat mounted forward by a stagger distance of a pair of passenger seats. The passenger seats (106) are coupled to the drive member (104) such that the one or more seats (106) revolve around the wheels (108) with the drive member (104). The drive member (104) such as chain or belt can be wrapped around the wheels (108) to enable rotation with the wheels (108). The wheel (108) can be connected to the engine, which can be operated by the vehicle operator or passenger through automatic equipment as per the requirement.

[0046] In an embodiment, the seats (106) are shown spaced apart so that there is no overlap between the seats. The number of passenger seats (106) required can be connected and rotated along with drive member (104) in such a way that there is no discomfort and the passengers in the seat can remain comfortable. The vehicle may include partition member configured between adjacent seats of the one or more seats (106) to maintain a distance between passengers on the respective adjacent seats. The partition member may be used to optimally and automatically position a passenger to maintain social/ physical distance between other passengers in a vehicle to maximize safety and comfort. [0047] In an implementation, when the passenger wanted to exit from the vehicle, the passenger seat (106) can be rotated by the drive member (104) to reach the out position of the door, so that egress of the passenger can be enabled through the lower level of stepped floor of the vehicle, similarly when a passenger wanted to enter the vehicle, the passenger seat (106) can be rotated by the drive member (104) and can reach the in position, which can enable the passenger to enter and sit on the passenger seat by entering through the upper level of the stepped floor of the vehicle.

[0048] During pandemic outbreak, an infectious disease that is prevalent over a widespread geographic area and that affects a large proportion of a population (i.e., the public) in that geographic area. The pandemic can cause people to stay at home which can also potentially disrupt economic activity and development of the country. The present disclosure can overcome those situations by providing multiple seats as per the requirement in the vehicle body wherein the passengers can be seated comfortably and can even lie down in the passenger vehicle (100). By enabling a partition between the seats, the facility of social distancing can be maintained as there are no other seats in front of the passenger in the vehicle.

[0049] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive patent matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “includes” and “including” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ....and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practised with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0050] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0051] The present disclosure provides a passenger vehicle that can enable social/physical distancing between passengers and can also maintain the economy of the industry during critical situations.

[0052] The present disclosure provides a passenger vehicle that can provide multiple passenger seats required can be connected and rotated along with drive member in such a way that there is no discomfort and the passengers can remain comfortable.

[0053] The present disclosure provides a passenger vehicle that can include partition member used to optimally and automatically position a passenger to maintain social/ physical distance between other passengers in a vehicle to maximize safety and comfort.

Claims

aim:

1. A passenger vehicle comprising: a vehicle body (102) fitted on a chassis of the passenger vehicle (100); at least two wheels (108) mounted on a floor of the vehicle body (102), configured to perform axis of rotation at the geometrical centre of the polygon, wherein said wheels being operatively coupled to an engine to the passenger vehicle (100) to thereby transmit torque from the engine to the surface in opposition to a desired travel direction of said vehicle; a drive member (104) movably configured with said wheels (108) to revolve around the at least two wheels (108); and one or more seats (106) having central longitudinal axis movably disposed at a distance above a vehicle floor, wherein each seat (106) are coupled to said drive member (104) such that one or more seats revolve around the at least two wheels (108), when said drive member (104) revolves around the at least two wheels (108).

2. The passenger vehicle as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the vehicle body comprises at least one door cavity (110, 112) with an opening to allow ingress and egress of the passenger in the passenger vehicle (100).

3. The passenger vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ingress of the passenger are allowed when at least one seat out of the one or more seats is present in firont/in axis of the entry door, and the egress of the passenger are allowed when at least one seat out of the one or more seats is present in firont/in axis of the exit door.

4. The passenger vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two wheels comprise sprockets or any combination thereof.

5. The passenger vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive member comprises belt, chain, or any combination thereof.

6. The passenger vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the passenger vehicle (100) comprises a controller to control cooperation of the at least two wheels.

7. The passenger vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein passenger vehicle (100) comprises at least one partition member configured between two adjacent seats of the one or more seats to maintain a distance between passengers on the respective adjacent seats.