Patent Application
20170129413
The present invention relates to an articulation type supporter for seat of a means of transportation, and in particular to an articulation type supporter for seat of a means of transportation which makes it possible to stably support an article even against any change in an anterior-posterior distance between seats wherein the device of the present invention may be installed on a backside of a seat installed in front of a seated passenger in an anterior-posterior direction seat arrangement and can contact close to a backside of a seat based on the folding of arms which occurs with the aid of an articulation unit, thus being stored or when in use the arms are unfolded.
Terminals, for example, a navigation device, a PMP (Portable Media Player), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) player, a MP3 (MPEG audio layer-3) player, an electronic dictionary, a cellular phone, etc. are made compact-sized, and each function of such devices are integrated.
The above-mentioned terminal becomes easier to carry thanks to compactness and lightness, whereupon there has been a technical try to use them from the use in a home or an office to the use in a transportation means, for example, a vehicle, an airplane, etc.
As one of the representative examples, there is a support device configured to support a terminal, for example, a portable terminal, a navigation device, etc. during the driving of a vehicle.
A conventional support device in general is configured to be fixedly attached on a dashboard of a vehicle or on the surface of a front windshield using a vacuum adsorption method, an adhesive, etc. There are not enough technologies so far on the development of a technology which may allow to provide any convenience to passenger seated in a back seat in an anterior-posterior seat arrangement of a transportation means, for example, a vehicle or an airplane.
The article generally used by a person seated in a backseat is a portable terminal including a tablet PC, a document, a book, etc., not a terminal, for example, a navigation device, etc. which is generally used for convenience when driving.
However, in case of a transportation means, for example, a vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, etc., for example, in case of a vehicle, a passenger who is seated in a seat which is arranged behind a drivers seat or a passenger seat beside the driver's seat generally looks toward the backside of a forward seat (front seat), and a passageway is formed at either side of the above seat and is narrow, whereupon there is not any space for installing a support device which is configured to support an article. There may be any inconvenience in terms of use and space applicability.
An article may be fixed on a backside of a front seat or an article may be placed on a temporal shelf made in a contractible type on a backside of a front seat. In this case, a passenger who is seated on a backseat may feel hard to adjust a distance (a distance defined for the sake of an easier handling of a tablet PC, etc. or a distance for a user to read a book or document) to the article depending on a habit of each passenger, and since the front seat is designed to lean backward a little, the posture of a passenger who is seated on a backseat should inevitably change, whereupon the passenger may feel inconvenience when in use.
In addition, if a support device is installed on a backside of a front seat so as to support an article, the safety of passenger should be considered by referring to an occasion, for example, a collision of a transportation means.
In addition, in order to be placed on a front side of a passenger who is seated in a backseat from a seat backside of a front seat, it is necessary to provide an interval adjusting function between them. In addition to the above interval adjusting, it is necessary to stably maintain a spaced distance from a seat backside and a state where an article is stably supported with respect to a physical operation due to any crash halt or any vibrations on an unpaved road and the weight of an article.
Korean patent registration publication number 1321016 (Oct. 16, 2013)
Korean utility model publication number 20-1997-0001241 (Jan. 21, 1997)
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an articulation type supporter for seat of a means of transportation which in generally is installed on a backside of a front seat of a transportation means, for example, a vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, etc. When such a device is necessary to be stored, the device can be stored by folding on a backside of the front seat. When in use, the folded arms can be unfolded. The device of the present invention can stably support an article with respect to the weight of an article and any change in a spaced distance and any physical operation, for example, vibrations due to movement of a movement means. The passenger may be protected from any danger, for example, a collision, with respect to an article from collisions of a movement means.
To achieve the above object, there is provided an articulation type supporter for seat of a means of transportation, which may include, but is not limited to, a fixing bracket installed on a backside of a seat of a vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a train, etc; a swivel unit installed at the fixing bracket and rotatable in a horizontal direction; a first arm one end of which is connected through a first hinge unit to the swivel unit and is rotatable in a upward and downward direction, and the other end of which includes a second hinge unit; and a second arm one end of which is connected rotatable in an upward and downward direction to the first arm through the second hinge unit, wherein the other end thereof is connected to a backside of a support plate, and since the first arm and the second arm can be folded with the aid of the horizontal direction rotation and the upward and downward direction rotations, the position of the support plate can be freely adjusted.
The seat of a vehicle may equip with a locking unit which allows to lock the device on a backside of the vehicle or to unlock the locked state in a state where the first arm and the second arm and the support plate are folded.
The fixing bracket is configured in such a way that an inner bracket is engaged in the inside of an outer bracket. The outer bracket may include a shaft insertion unit formed at one side, and an engaging unit formed at the other side and extending from the shaft insertion unit.
The inner bracket may include a shaft support unit having a shaft support hole on the top thereof, and the fastening unit having an fastening hole may be bent from the bottom of the shaft support unit.
The swivel unit may include, but is not limited to, a swivel shaft which passes through the shaft support hole and is inserted into the shaft insertion unit with the swivel shaft being supported by the shaft support unit; a disk spring which is inserted into the swivel shaft in order for the swivel shaft to be elastically rotatable in a horizontal direction; a washers inserted into the swivel shaft; and a fluted nut which is engaged to an end of the swivel shaft and is inserted into the shaft insertion unit.
A back cover may be installed on a back surface of a seat of the vehicle. The back cover may include a mounting groove which allows the support plate to mount on the top of the backside while not being exposed to the outside. The mounting groove may include an arm insertion groove into which the first arm and the second arm can be inserted, and a bracket insertion groove into which the fixing bracket can be inserted.
The first arm may includes a through hole at a previously designed position and may further include a first cover; a second cover engaged with the first cover; and a first driving frame fixed between the first cover and the second cover.
A mounting shoulder may be formed on an outer surface of the top of the first cover, wherein the second arm contacts close and can be mounted on the mounting shoulder.
The other end of the second arm may be connected through a ball joint to the support plate, and a ball mount having a ball may be installed on the support plate, and a ball accommodation unit to which the ball is engaged may be formed at the other end of the second arm.
The second arm may include a ring and may further include a first cover; a second cover engaged with the first cover; and a second driving frame fixed between the first cover and the second cover.
The locking unit may include, but is not limited to, a locker which is installed elastically rotatable at the mounting bracket of the base frame provided at the seat of the vehicle; a push rod which is installed slidable at an inner side surface of the seat of the vehicle so as to unlock the locked locker by selectively rotating the locker; and a push button which is installed elastic at a side surface of the seat of the vehicle so as to pressurize the push rod.
The first hinge unit may include, but is not limited to, a first connection member connected to the swivel unit and installed at an end of one side of the first arm; a first clutch bearing installed at the first connection member in such a way that if a weight applies to the first arm, the rotation of the first arm is prevented in the direction of the weight while corresponding to the weight, and the rotation of the first arm is permitted in the opposite direction; a first hinge shaft which passes through the center of the first clutch bearing; a first bridge which is inserted into the first hinge shaft and is connected with the first arm; and a first brake unit (stopping unit) configured in such a way that if a force smaller than a previously set weight applies, the rotation of the first arm is prevented in the direction of the weight, and if a force larger than a previously set weight applies, the rotation of the first arm is permitted in the direction of the weight.
The first brake unit may include, but is not limited to, disk spring which is inserted into the first hinge shaft and allows to elastically pressurize the first bridge; the washer which is inserted into the first hinge shaft so as to prevent any abrasion; and a first fluted nut which is engaged to an end of the first hinge shaft.
The second hinge unit may include, but is not limited to, a second connection member which is formed at an end of the other side of the second arm; a second hinge shaft which is engaged to the center of the second connection member; a second bridge which is inserted into the second hinge shaft and is connected with the second arm; and a second brake unit configured in such a way that if a force smaller than a previously set weight applies, the rotation of the second arm is prevented in the direction of the weight, and if a force larger than a previously set weight applies, the rotation of the second arm is permitted in the direction of the weight.
The second brake unit may include, but is not limited to, second disk spring which is inserted into the second hinge shaft and allows to elastically pressurize the second bridge; the washer which is inserted into the second hinge shaft so as to reduce abrasion; and a second fluted nut which is engaged to an end of the second hinge shaft.
The device according to the present invention is installed on a backside of a seat arranged in front of a user. When it needs to store, the device can be stored folded on a backside of a seat of a vehicle. When in use, the device can be used after the folded arms are unfolded. The article can be stably supported with the aid of a clutch bearing with respect to the direction where the weight of the article applies, with respect to any change in a distance spaced apart from the supported article and any vibrations occurring due to the movements of a moving means including a vehicle.
In addition, the stored arms can be stably maintained against any collision of a moving means with the aid of a locking part, and the arms can be folded in such a way to reduce any impacts if the arms collide with an articulation type article support device including a supported article even when the passenger seated in the backseat leans forward, thus obtaining a safety of a passenger.
The terms and words used in the present specification and claims should be interpreted as a meaning and concept which correspond to a technical concept of the present invention based on a principle “an inventor can properly define the concept of a term so as to describe his invention in the best way”, not limiting to a conventional or dictionary meaning.
In addition, the exemplary embodiments in the present specification and the components illustrated in the drawings are just a preferred exemplary embodiment of the present invention, not representing all the technical concepts of the present invention. Such embodiments should be understood in such a way that there may be various equivalents and modifications which may substitute such concepts at the time the present application is filed.
In addition, the front side and backside or forward side and backward side of each component during the description of the present invention may be defined in such a way that in the arrangement of seats, the direction where a passenger looks forward may be defined as a front side or a forward side, and the opposite direction may be defined as a backside or a backward side.
In addition, the direction of weight represents a direction where the load of weight being applied from the upper side to the lower side applies, and the opposite direction represents a direction of the force occurring when a user lifts up a support from the lower side to the upper side.
In addition, the rotation in a horizontal direction may be defined as a swivel rotation, and a component related with such a swivel rotation is called a swivel unit, and the rotation in the upward and downward directions is referred to as a hinge rotation during the description.
In terms of the component having a predetermined length and its connection relationship, the descriptions on an end (one side) and the other end (the other side) may be provided in such a way that an end in the direction wherein a fixing bracket is installed or its direction is referred to as one side, and the end in the opposite direction or its direction is referred to as the other side.
The preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
In addition, a back cover 2 installed on a backside of the seat 1 may be provided integrated with the seat 1 as a part of the seat 1 or may be a component which is separately injected.
In
In
Referring to
The articulation type supporter for seat of transportation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include, but is not limited to, a fixing bracket 100 installed on a backside of a seat 1; a swivel unit 200 installed rotatable in a horizontal direction at the fixing bracket 100; a first arm 300 one end of which is connected through a first hinge unit 310 to the swivel unit 200 in such a way to be rotatable upward and downward, and the other end of which includes a second hinge unit 320; and a second arm 400 one end of which is connected rotatable in an upward and downward direction to the first arm 300 through the second hinge unit 320, and the other end of which is connected to a backside of a support plate P.
The articulation type supporter for seat of transportation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be configured in such a way that the rotations and folding operations of the first arm 300 and the second arm 400 are available based on the horizontal rotation and upward and downward rotations, and the position of the support plate “P” can be freely adjusted.
In addition, the seat 1 may include a locking unit 500 so as to lock the device on a backside of the seat 1 or unlock the locked device, with the first arm 300, the second arm 400 and the support plate “P” being folded.
More detail, a locking part is provided at first arm 300 and/or second arm 400 in the direction of the back cover 2 of the seat 1, and a locking unit 500 is installed at the seat 1 including the back cover 2 corresponding to the locking part so as to fix a state where the locking part is aligned at a previously set position and is placed or so as to remove the fixed state.
At this time, the fixing of the locking unit 500 with respect to the locking part is performed in a state where the support plate “P” is aligned inside the accommodation unit and is placed, that is, the first arm 300, the second arm 400 and the support plate “P” being folded.
In addition, the locking part is formed in a ring or hook shape protruding from the surface of the second arm 400 facing the first arm 300.
In the embodiment of according to the present invention will be described the locking and unlocking of the locking unit 500, which is presents a ring 400a formed on the second arm 400.
Mean while, the fixing bracket 100 may be configured in such a way that an inner bracket 120 is engaged to the inside of an outer bracket 110. A shaft insertion unit 111 is formed at one side of the outer bracket 110, and an engaging unit 113 formed extending from the shaft insertion unit 111 formed at the other side thereof.
In addition, at the top of the inner bracket 120, a shaft support unit 121 having a shaft support hole 121a is formed. At the bottom of the shaft support unit 121, an fastening unit 123 having an fastening hole 123a bent.
Accordingly, the inner bracket 120 is inserted into the inside of the outer fixing bracket 110 and is fastened with a bolt “B”.
The swivel unit 200 is a device for rotating the support plate “P” in a horizontal direction and include, but is not limited to, a swivel shaft 210; at least one disk spring 220; a plurality of washers 230; and a fluted nut 240.
The swivel shaft 210 passes through the shaft support hole 121a and is inserted into the shaft insertion unit 111 in a state where the swivel shaft 210 is being supported by the shaft support unit 121.
The disk spring 220 is inserted into the swivel shaft 210 in order for the swivel shaft 210 to elastically rotate in a horizontal direction.
The washer 230 is inserted into the swivel shaft 210 and is disposed at both sides of the disk spring 220.
The fluted nut 240 is fastened to an end of the swivel shaft 210 and is inserted into the shaft insertion unit 111 together with the swivel shaft 210 after it is engaged.
The back cover 2 installed on a backside of the seat 1 is a plastic injected component, which is having accommodation unit, and accommodation unit may include, but is not limited to, a mounting groove 2a on an upper side of the backside thereof in order for the support plate “P” not to be exposed to the outside when folding, and in the mounting groove 2a, there may be provided an arm insertion groove 2b into which the first arm 300 and the second arm 400 can be inserted, and a bracket insertion groove 2c into which the fixing bracket 100 can be inserted.
The first arm 300 includes a through hole “H” at a previously designed position and may include, but is not limited to, a first cover 301; a second cover 303 engaged to the first cover 301; and a first driving frame 305 fixed between the first cover 301 and the second cover 303.
On an outer surface of the top of the first cover 301, there may be formed a mounting shoulder 301a in which the second arm 400 may contact close and mount.
The other end of the second arm 400 may be connected to the support plate “P” through a ball joint 600, as an embodiment illustrated in
In addition, although not illustrated in Figure, as other embodiment, a ba II mount 610 having a ball 611 installed at the other end of the second arm 400, and a ball accommodation unit 620 to which the ball 611 is engaged may be formed on a front surface of the support plate “P”.
At this time, a ball 611 may include globular shape or polynedron shape.
The second arm 400 include a ring 400a as a the locking unit and may further include, but is not limited to, a first cover 401; a second cover 403 engaged to the first cover 401; and a second driving frame 405 fixed between the first cover 401 and the second cover 403.
The locking unit 500 allows the first arm 300 and the second arm 400 an d the support plate “P” to be reliably attached on the back cover 2 of the seat 1 when the support plate “P” is stored in the mounting groove 2a by folding the first arm 300 and the second arm 400.
At this time, the first arm 300 includes a through hole though which a part of the locking part, that is a part of ring 400a passes through, w herein the locking part faces when folding the second arm 400 about the second hinge unit 320.
The locking unit 500 may include, but is not limited to, a locker 510 locked by the ring 400a and an operation unit, selectively rotates the locker 510 to controlling the locking of locker 510 and ring 400a; operation unit may include, but is not limited to, a push rod 520; and a push button 530 which pressurizes the push rod 520.
Preferably, the locker 510 formed in a ring or hook shape.
And, a torsion spring 512 may be installed on a rotary shaft 511 of the locker 510, whereupon the elastic force of the torsion spring 512 can always be supplied to the ring 400a in the direction where the locker 510 is always locked.
The locker 510 may be installed elastically rotatable on the mounting bracket 4 of the base frame 3 disposed at the seat 1 so as to be locked with the ring 400a.
The push rod 520 is installed slidable on an inner surface of the seat 1 so as to unlock the locked state of the locker 510 by selectively rotating the locker 510.
The push button 530 is elastically installed on a side surface of the seat 1 in such a way to pressurize the push rod 520.
On a backside of the seat 1, more specifically, at the arm insertion groove 2b formed on a backside of the back cover 2, a spring “S” (refer to
The operation of the locking unit 500 will be described. When it needs to store the support plate “P” inside the mounting groove 2a by folding the first arm 300 and the second arm 400, the ring 400a of the second arm 400 is elastically engaged to the locker 510 with the aid of the torsion spring 512.
Meanwhile, if it needs to take out the support plate “P” out of the mounting groove 2a, the push button 530 is pressed, and the push rod 520 slides by the push button 530.
At this time, the push rod 520 pressurizes the locker 510. The locker 510 rotates about the rotary shaft 511 by overwhelming the elastic force of the torsion spring 512, whereupon the locking between the locker 510 and the ring 400a is unlocked.
At the same time, the support plate “P” can protrude a little outward by means of the spring “S” (refer to
The first hinge unit 310 allows to rotate upward and downward the first arm 300 (hinged rotation) with respect to the fixing bracket 100 and may include, but is not limited to, the first connection member 311 which is connected to the swivel shaft 210 of the swivel unit 200 and is installed at one side end of the firstarm 300; a first clutch bearing 313 installed at the first connection member 311; a first hinge shaft 315 which passes through the center of the first clutch bearing 313; a first bridge 317 which is inserted into the first hinge shaft 315 and is connected to the first hinge arm 300; and a first bracket unit (stopping unit) 319.
The first connection member 311 is connected to a head 211 of the swivel shaft 210 and at the same time is connected to an end of one side of the first arm 300, whereupon the first arm 300 can be rotatable in a horizontal direction and upward and downward directions.
The first connection member 311 formed in a single pipe-shaped, wherein the pipe formation is horizontal, may be connected to the head 211 of the swivel shaft 210 in an insert injection way.
The first clutch bearing 313 may be installed in the first connection member 311 in such a way that if a weight applies to the first arm 300 (for example, if an article is placed on the support plate “P”), the rotation of the first arm 300 is prevented in the direction (downward direction) of the weight with respect to the applying weight, and the rotation of the first arm 300 is permitted in the opposite direction (upward direction).
The clutch bearing is a known component, and for the understanding of the operation of the present invention, the operation principle of the first clutch bearing 313 will be schematically described with reference to
The first clutch bearing 313 is installed in the first connection member 311, and the first hinge shaft 315 positions in the center of the first clutch bearing 313. If the first arm 300 receives a force which allows a rotation in the arrow direction, since a needle roller 313a of the first clutch bearing 313 does not have any effect on the first hinge shaft 315, the first arm 300 can rotate.
However, in the opposite direction, the needle roller 313a of the first clutch bearing 313 pressurizes the first hinge shaft 315, whereupon the rotation of the first arm is prevented, thus stably supporting the article placed on the support plate P.
The first hinge shaft 315 passes through the center of the first clutch bearing 313 and is inserted inside the first connection member 311, and a stopper unit 315a formed in the center is disposed hooked by the shoulder 311a.
A first bridge 317 has one end which is inserted into the first shaft 315 and the other end is connected to the first driving frame 305 of the first hinge arm 300.
The first brake unit 319, as a stopping unit may be configured in such a way that if a force smaller than the previously set weight (for example, the weight of the article placed on the support plate) applies, the first arm 300 does not rotate in the direction of weight (by the operation of the first clutch bearing). If a force larger than the previously set weight applies (the force that the user presses the first arm downward so as to adjust the position of the support plate), the first arm 300 can rotate in the direction of the weight (downward direction).
The first brake unit 319 may include, but is not limited to, at least one first disk spring 319a which is inserted in the first hinge shaft 315 and elastically pressurizes the first bridge 317; a plurality of washers 319b which are inserted in the first hinge shaft 315 so as to prevent any abrasion; and a first fluted nut 319c which is engaged to an end of the first hinge shaft 315.
The washers 319b are provided in pair and have flat surfaces in order for the facing surfaces to slide with respect to each other and are made of a material which has a wear resistance and durability.
In other words, the washers 319b have a relation of compression with respect to each other with the aid of elastic force from the first disk spring 319a and are interposed between components which may rotate slidable in such a way that any component among the facing components can rotate slidable from another component, thus providing a function of a flat washer which may substitute any friction relationship between them.
Referring to
As mentioned earlier, with the aid of the first clutch bearing 313, the first arm 300 is always rotatable in an upward direction so as to enough support the weight of the article placed on the support plate “P”, but its rotation in a downward direction is limited.
When a user applies a force, namely, the force which is larger than the weight of the article to the first arm 300 so as to adjust the position of the support plate “P”, since the first hinge shaft 315 is compressed against the first bridge 317 by means of the first disk spring 319a and the fluted nut 319c, the first arm 300 can rotate in a downward direction together with the first bridge 317 with respect to the first hinge shaft 315.
The second hinge unit 320 allows to rotate the second arm 400 in upward and downward directions (hinge rotation) with respect to the first arm 300 and may include, but is not limited to, a second connection member 321 formed at an end of the other side of the second arm 400; a second hinge shaft 325 engaged to the center of the second connection member 321; a second bridge 327 which is inserted into the second hinge shaft 325 and is connected to the second arm 400; and a second brake unit 329.
The second connection member 321 is formed integral at an end of one side of the second arm 400.
The second clutch bearing 323 is installed in the second connection member 321 in such a way that if a weight applies to the second arm 400 (for example, an article is placed on the support plate “P”), the rotation of the second arm 400 is prevented in the direction of weight (downward direction) in response to the weight thereof, and the rotation of the second arm 400 is permitted in the opposite direction (upward direction).
The second hinge shaft 325 is inserted into the second connection member 321, and the stopper unit 325a formed at its center is hooked by the shoulder 321a.
The second bridge 327 may include one end inserted in the second hinge shaft 325 and the other end connected through a bolt “B” to the second arm 400.
Here, the second brake unit 329 is configured in such a way that if a force smaller than a previously set weight applies (weight of an article placed on the support plate), the rotation of the second arm 400 is prevented in the direction of the weight (downward direction), but if a force larger than a previously set weight (the force that a user presses the second arm downward so as to adjust the position of the support plate) applies, the second arm 400 can rotate in the direction of weight (downward direction).
The second brake unit 329 may include, but is not limited to, one or more second disk spring 329a which is inserted in the second hinge shaft 325 and elastically pressurizes the second bridge 327; a plurality of washers 329b inserted into the second hinge shaft 325 so as to reduce abrasion; and a second fluted nut 329c which is engaged to an end of the second hinge shaft 325. The washers 319b are provided in pair and have flat surfaces in order for the facing surfaces to slide with respect to each other and are made of a material having wear resistance and durability.
The washers 329b are compressed to each other with the aid of an elastic force from the second disk spring 329a and are disposed between components wherein any component among the facing components rotates slidable from the other component, thus obtaining a function of a flat washer which may substitute a friction relationship between them.
Since the second brake unit 329 operates same as the operation principle of the first brake unit 319, the operation of the second brake unit 329 will be omitted.
Referring to
Referring to
In addition, when the device of the present invention is stored, it is folded and stored on a backside of a seat of the vehicle. When in use, the device can be used by unfolding the folded arms. The device can stably support the article even through there is any change in the weight of the article which is supported, and a spaced-apart distance.
In addition, the reference character “C” which is not described represents a cable connected with an article through the articulation type support device of the present invention from the inside of the seat, and the installation of the cable “C”, as illustrated in
