WO2024069652A1

WO2024069652A1 - Seat for a saddle-type vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2024069652A1
Application number: PCT/IN2023/050892
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tamminaina Sai GOWTHAM; Veeragandham EASWAR
Original assignee: Gowtham Tamminaina Sai; Easwar Veeragandham
Priority date: 2022-09-27
Filing date: 2023-09-27
Publication date: 2024-04-04

Abstract

The present invention relates to a seat for a saddle-type vehicle comprising a base (102) slidably coupled to a frame of the vehicle (200), the base (100) adapted to rotate between a resting position and an upright position, a backrest (106) hingedly coupled to the base (102), the backrest (106) having a headrest (110) movable in a vertical direction, a pair of side panels (114) positioned at sides of the backrest (106) in a lateral direction of the vehicle (200), and an actuation assembly (500) for moving the headrest (110) of the backrest (106) in the vertical direction, and simultaneously moving the pair of side panels (114) in the lateral direction of the vehicle (200). The seat (100) is capable of being converted into a storage box, and includes a 5-point harness to be worn by the pillion rider, to protect the pillion rider while riding or during any accident.

Description

SEAT FOR A SADDLE-TYPE VEHICLE

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to seats for saddle-type vehicles, and more specifically to a seat for ensuring safety of a pillion rider while riding a saddle-type vehicle, and during an accident.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely because of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may correspond to implementations of the claimed technology.

[0003] Saddle-type vehicles, such as motorcycles or scooters, are provided with various types of seats for comfort of drives and passengers. Such seats can be coupled to the saddletype vehicles in a variety of ways, including hinging the seat to a frame of the vehicle, or bolting the seat to the frame. Some vehicles are provided with a single seat for conveying a single rider. Other vehicles are provided with a forwardly-oriented rider seat and a rearwardly-oriented passenger seat for conveying two riders at the same time.

[0004] A seat for the saddle-type vehicle is generally required to provide sufficient degree of freedom of movement to a driver of the vehicle. However, such a requirement for degree of freedom of movement is not necessary for a pillion rider of the vehicle. On the contrary, the degree of freedom of movement of the pillion rider is required to be minimized to ensure stability of the vehicle in driving conditions.

[0005] Efforts have been made in the past to develop seats for saddle-type vehicles that are able to improve comfortability of the driver as well as the pillion rider of the vehicle. However, such seats lack sufficient means to limit undesired movement and provide proper support to the pillion rider, and are not usable if the pillion rider is, for instance, an elderly person, a child or a specially- abled person. This limits functioning as well as usability of the saddle-type vehicles. Moreover, such conventional seats fail to ensure safety for the pillion rider while riding or during an accident.

[0006] There is, therefore, a need in the art for developing cost-effective seat for saddletype vehicles capable of addressing above-mentioned shortcomings, while providing comfortable seating and proper support to the driver as well as the pillion rider.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a seat for a saddle-type vehicle capable of providing comfortable seating and proper support to the driver as well as the pillion rider.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a seat for a saddle-type vehicle for providing adjustable seating positions to the pillion rider to improve comfortability thereof.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a seat for a saddle-type vehicle for improving functionality and usability of the vehicle.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a seat for a saddle-type vehicle for providing comfortable and secure seating to the pillion rider, even for travelling long distances using the vehicle.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a seat for ensuring safety of the pillion rider while riding and during an accident.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a seat for a saddle-type vehicle capable of being converted into a box for storage of items, such as, vegetables, medical supplies, electric components, clothes, etc.

[0013] Still another object of the present invention is to develop a seat for a saddle-type vehicle capable be easily fitted with existing saddle-type vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0014] The summary is provided to introduce aspects related provide a seat for a saddletype vehicle, and the aspects are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0015] An aspect of the present invention relates to provide a seat for a saddle-type vehicle for ensuring safety of a pillion rider while riding and during an accident. The seat includes a base slidably coupled to a frame of the vehicle. The base is adapted to rotate between a resting position and an upright position. The seat includes a backrest hingedly coupled to the base, the backrest having a headrest movable in a vertical direction, and a pair of side panels positioned at sides of the backrest in a lateral direction of the vehicle. The seat also includes an actuation assembly for moving the headrest of the backrest in the vertical direction, and simultaneously moving the pair of side panels in the lateral direction of the vehicle.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the actuation assembly includes a lead screw assembly having a plunger coupled with the headrest of the backrest for moving the headrest in the vertical direction, and a plurality of connecting members, each connecting member having a distal end operably connected to a side panel of the pair of side panels and a proximal end connected to the plunger, for simultaneously moving the pair of side panels in the lateral direction with movement of the headrest in the vertical direction.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plunger is attached to a groove of the headrest of the backrest for moving the headrest in the vertical direction when a lead screw of the lead screw assembly is rotated.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the distal end of each of the plurality of connecting members is coupled to a widening plate attached to the side panel.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the actuation assembly includes a plurality of protrusions to limit movement of the widening plate in the lateral direction. The plurality of protrusions are positioned in proximity of the plunger. [0020] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the seat enables a pillion rider to sit on the base when the base is in the resting position.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the seat includes a closing lid hingedly coupled to the headrest. When the base is in the upright position, the headrest is folded with respect to the backrest along an axis therebetween, and the closing lid is folded over the headrest to form a storage box adapted to store a plurality of items, including, vegetables, medical supplies, electric components, clothes, etc.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the backrest comprises a cushioning member attached to the headrest.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the base is slidably coupled to the frame by a plurality of sliding rails.

[0024] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the seat includes a 5-point harness to be worn by the pillion rider, to protect the pillion rider during any accident. The 5-point harness may be a seat belt passing from various predetermined locations of the seat to ensure optimal safety of the pillion rider.

[0025] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0026] The accompanying drawings constitute a part of the description and are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. Such accompanying drawings illustrate the embodiments of the present invention used to describe the principles of the present invention. The embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this invention are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and they mean at least one. In the drawings: [0027] Figs. 1A and IB illustrate various representations of a seat of a saddle-type vehicle including a base positioned in a resting position and an upright position, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of the saddle-type vehicle with the base of the seat positioned in the resting position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figs. 3A and 3B illustrate top views of the seat mounted to the saddle-type vehicle in a slidable manner, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figs. 4A to 4C illustrate various perspective views of the saddle-type vehicle provided with the seat, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figs. 5A and 5B illustrate various representations of a backrest of the seat, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0032] Figs. 6A to 6C illustrate various representations of the seat, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration of the present invention and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

[0034] 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. [0035] The present invention relates to a seat for ensuring safe and comfortable seating of a pillion rider of a saddle-type vehicle. The seat provides proper support and safety to the pillion rider of the vehicle. The seat provides adjustable seating positions to the pillion rider to improve comfortability thereof, and provides comfortable and secure seating to the pillion rider, even for travelling long distances using the vehicle. The seat is capable of being converted into a box for storage of items, such as, vegetables, medical supplies, electric components, clothes, etc. Referring now to Figs. 1A and IB, where various representations of a seat 100 of a saddle-type vehicle, such as a motorcycle, a scooter, a three-wheeled vehicle, etc., are shown. The seat 100 includes including a base 102 slidably coupled to a frame of the vehicle through a plurality of rails 104. The rails 104 may be joined to the frame by a suitable joining process, such as welding, fastening, riveting, and the likes. The base 102 may be mounted on the rails 104 using sliding joints, such that the base 102 is movable in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the rails 104. The base 102 may be slided in forward or rearward direction of the vehicle using a lever (not shown). The seat 102 also includes a backrest 106 coupled with the base 102. The base 102 may be hingedly coupled to the backrest 106, to allow the base 102 to fold with respect to the backrest 106. The base 102 may be provided with a cushion to improve comfortability of the rider occupying the base 102.

[0036] The base 102 may be positioned in a resting position as shown in Fig. 1A, in which the base 102 is substantially perpendicular to the backrest 106 and positioned parallel to the rails 104. The base 102 may be folded over the backrest 106 from the resting position to an upright position as shown in Fig. IB, in which the base 102 is positioned perpendicular to the rails 104. In the resting position, the base 102 allows a pillion rider, such as a child, to sit thereon.

[0037] The backrest 106 has a support portion 108 for supporting back of a rider, such as a child, occupying the seat 100, and a headrest 110 movable in a vertical direction with respect to the support portion 108. The headrest 110 may include a cushioning member 112 having a plurality of curved cushions that serve as a head protector to protect head of the pillion rider. The cushioning member 112 may be attached to the headrest 110 of the backrest 106. The headrest 110 may hingedly coupled with the support portion 108, to enable folding of the headrest 110 over the support portion 108. The seat 100 also includes a pair of side panels 114 positioned at sides of the backrest 106 in a lateral direction of the vehicle. The side panels 114 are adapted to protect hands of the pillion rider occupying the seat 100. The backrest 106 may be provided with a closing lid 116 hingedly coupled to the headrest 110. The closing lid 116 may be disposed on a rear surface of the backrest, such that the closing lid 116 is foldable with respect to the headrest 110.

[0038] The seat 100 may include a 5-point harness to be worn by the pillion rider, to protect the pillion rider during any accident. The 5-point harness may be a seat belt passing from various predetermined locations 118-1, 118-2, 118-3, 118-4 and 118-5 of the seat 100 to ensure optimal safety of the pillion rider. The harness locations 118-1 and 118-2 may be located in the headrest 110. The harness locations 118-3 and 118-4 may be located in the support portion 108. The harness location 118-5 may be located in the base 102, as shown in Fig. IB. Safety of the pillion rider while riding is ensured by the 5-point seat belt which helps the pillion rider, such as a child, not to slip off from the vehicle.

[0039] Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of a saddle-type vehicle 200 with the base 102 of the seat 100 present in the resting position. The seat 100, in the resting position, allows a pillion rider, including, an elderly person, a child or a specially-abled person, to comfortably sit on the base 102 with the backrest 106 supporting the pillion rider from the back. The seat 100 also includes the cushioning member (also referred to as “head protector” hereinafter) 112 and side panels (also referred to as “hand protector” hereinafter) 114 to protect the head and hands of the pillion rider occupying the seat 100. When there is an accident, such as vehicle falling to either side, the head protector 112 and the hand protectors 114 protect the hands and head of the pillion rider, and save the pillion rider from injuries.

[0040] Figs. 3A and 3B illustrate top views of the seat 100 mounted to the saddle-type vehicle 200 in a slidable manner. The base 102 of the seat 100 is slidably coupled to the frame of the vehicle 200 through the rails 104, as shown in Fig. 1A. The base 102 is mounted on the rails 104 such that the base 102 is movable in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the rails 104. The rails 104 may be arranged parallel to each other to provide a guide path for translation of the base 102 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The seat 100 may be mounted over a pre-existing seat of the vehicle 200, to allow the pillion rider to have easily adjustable seating positions.

[0041] Fig. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a saddle-type vehicle provided with the seat 100. The base 102 of the seat 100, when present in the resting position, allows a pillion rider, such as a child, to have a comfortable seating position while being protected from side and rear directions. Figs. 4B and 4C illustrate perspective views of a saddle-type vehicle provided with the seat 100. As shown, the seat 100 may be folded with respect to the rails 104, such that when the base 102 is present in the upright position, in which the base 102 is positioned perpendicular to the rails 104, the seat 100 is converted into a box capable of storing or accommodating a plurality of items, such as such as, vegetables, medical supplies, electric components, clothes, etc. In the upright position of the base 102, the headrest 110 may be folded with respect to the backrest 108. The folding occurs along an axis between the headrest 110 and the backrest 108 to form a box with an open face. The closing lid 116 may then be folded with respect to the headrest 110 to close the box with the open face, to form the storage box, as shown in Fig. 4B. The backrest 106 is hingedly coupled to the base 102, such that when the base 102 is present in the upright position, the backrest 106 may be folded over the base 102, and the seat may be moved forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to serve as a back support of a driver or a rider of the vehicle. The seat 100 in its original form or in the form of the storage box can be rotated with the help of revolute joints between seat 100 and rails 104 which results in tumbling back to the vehicle 200, as shown in Figs. 4B and 4C. This improves functionality and usability of the vehicle by providing multiple seating positions to the rider of the vehicle.

[0042] Referring now to Figs. 5A and 5B, the seat 100 also includes an actuation assembly 500 for moving the headrest 110 of the backrest 106 in the vertical direction, and simultaneously moving the pair of side panels 114 in the lateral direction of the vehicle. The actuation assembly 500 may include a lead screw assembly 502 having a plunger 504 coupled with the headrest 110 of the backrest 106 for moving the headrest 110 in the vertical direction when a leadscrew of the lead screw assembly 502 is rotated. The plunger 504 may be attached to a groove 508 of the headrest 110 of the backrest 106 for moving the headrest 110 in the vertical direction with respect to the support portion 108. The actuation assembly 500 also includes and a plurality of connecting members 508. Each connecting member 508 has a distal end operably connected to a side panel 114, and a proximal end connected to the plunger 504 through revolute joints. This configuration of the connecting members 508 and the plunger 504 enables simultaneously movement of the side panels 114 in the lateral direction with movement of the headrest 110 in the vertical direction, when the lead screw is rotated. The lead screw of the lead screw assembly 502 may be rotated either manually or by means of a rotary drive, such as a motor, a belt-pulley drive or a gear train.

[0043] The distal end of each of the connecting members 508 may be coupled to a widening plate 510 attached to the side panel 114. When the lead screw is rotated, the headrest 110 containing the cushioning member 112 moves in the vertical direction, and the connecting members 508 simultaneously move the widening plates 510 in the lateral direction of the vehicle to increase or decrease a width between the side panels 114. The actuation assembly 500 also include a plurality of protrusions 512 appropriately positioned to control movement of the connecting members 508 to efficiently limit inward movement of the widening plates 510 in the lateral direction. The protrusions 512 are may be positioned in proximity of the plunger 504 of the lead screw assembly 502, to prevent the widening plates 510 from contacting each other or colliding during their movement towards each other. The actuation assembly 500 is accommodated within an enclosure of the backrest 106, and may be used to adjust height as well as width of the seat 100, such that the rider occupying the seat can easily adjust a height of the headrest 110 and the width between the side panels 114 for a comfortable and secure seating position.

[0044] Fig. 6A illustrates a front view of the seat 100 with the base 102 folded over the backrest 106. In this upright position of the base 102, the seat 100 may be translated forward in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to provide back support of the driver or rider of the vehicle. Figs. 6B and 6C illustrate a side view and a perspective view of the seat 100 with the base 102 present in the resting position, in which the seat 100 allows the pillion rider, such as a child, to have a safe and comfortable seating position on the base 102 with the head protector 112 protecting the head of the pillion rider and the hand protectors 114 protecting the hands of the pillion rider. The height of the cushioning member 112 attached to the headrest 110 of the backrest 106 and the width between the side panels 114 may be easily adjusted with the actuation assembly 500.

[0045] Thus, the present invention provides a seat for a saddle-type vehicle capable of allowing a pillion rider to have a safe and secure seating position, even for travelling long distances using the vehicle. The seat efficiently protects hand and head of the pillion rider, during an accident. The seat provides easily adjustable seating positions to the pillion rider to improve comfortability thereof, and improving functionality and usability of the vehicle. The seat is also capable of being converted into a storage box for storing various items, such as, vegetables, medical supplies, sports goods, electric/electronic components, clothes, etc.

[0046] In view of the present disclosure, which describes the present invention, all changes, modifications and, variations within the meaning and range of equivalency are considered within the scope of the invention. It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiment of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiment may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A seat (100) for a saddle-type vehicle (200), comprising: a base (102) slidably coupled to a frame of the vehicle (200), the base (102) adapted to rotate between a resting position and an upright position; a backrest (106) hingedly coupled to the base (102), the backrest (106) having a headrest (110) movable in a vertical direction; a pair of side panels (114) positioned at sides of the backrest (106) in a lateral direction of the vehicle (200); and an actuation assembly (500) for moving the headrest (110) of the backrest (106) in the vertical direction, and simultaneously moving the pair of side panels (114) in the lateral direction of the vehicle (200).

2. The seat (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuation assembly (500) comprises: a lead screw assembly (502) having a plunger (504) coupled with the headrest (110) of the backrest (106) for moving the headrest (110) in the vertical direction; and a plurality of connecting members (508), each connecting member (508) having a distal end operably connected to a side panel (114) of the pair of side panels (114) and a proximal end connected to the plunger (504), for simultaneously moving the pair of side panels (114) in the lateral direction with movement of the headrest (110) in the vertical direction.

3. The seat (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plunger (504) is attached to a groove (506) of the headrest (110) of the backrest (106) for moving the headrest (110) in the vertical direction when a lead screw of the lead screw assembly (500) is rotated.

4. The seat (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the distal end of each of the plurality of connecting members (508) is coupled to a widening plate (510) attached to the side panel (114).

5. The seat (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the actuation assembly (500) comprises a plurality of protrusions (512) to limit movement of the widening plate (510) in the lateral direction.

6. The seat (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the plurality of protrusions (512) are positioned in proximity of the plunger (504).

7. The seat (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat (100) enables a pillion rider to sit on the base (102) when the base (102) is in the resting position.

8. The seat (100) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a closing lid (116) hingedly coupled to the headrest (110), wherein when the base (102) is in the upright position, the headrest (100) is folded with respect to the backrest (108) along an axis therebetween, and the closing lid (116) is folded over the headrest (110) to form a storage box adapted to store a plurality of items.

9. The seat (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the backrest (106) comprises a cushioning member (112) attached to the headrest (110).

10. The seat (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base (102) is slidably coupled to the frame by a plurality of sliding rails (104).

11. The seat (100) as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a 5-point harness to be worn by the pillion rider.