Patent Application
20130076098
This invention relates in general to convertible sofas or seat beds, particularly convertible sofas for vehicles.
One type of convertible sofa includes a seat bottom and a seat back hinged relative to one another. In such an arrangement, the seat back may be in an upright position, thus forming a sofa or bench seat with the seat bottom. Alternatively, the seat back may be in a horizontal position, generally aligned with the seat bottom, thus forming a bed with the seat bottom. One hinge mechanism for such an arrangement is a jack knife hinge.
Convertible seat beds are often used in vehicles, where space is generally a premium, when it is desired to have sleeping accommodations. Most commonly, such seat beds are found in recreational vehicles. However, such seat beds may also be used in any other suitable vehicle, such as the cab of a semi-tractor, extended cab pickup trucks, vans, minivans, or the like.
This invention relates to a frame component for a convertible seat for a vehicle.
A convertible seat frame for a vehicle includes a frame component having at least a first end channel. The end channel has a base portion with at least one flange extending away from the base portion. A cross member is fixably attached to the end channel. The frame component may have a second end channel and the cross member may is fixably attached to the second end channel and extends between the first end channel and the second end channel. The frame component may be a seat back frame component or a seat bottom frame component. The cross members may be attached to the end channels by welding. Further, the convertible seat frame may include a second frame component having at least one support leg, and a hinge connected to the second frame component. The first frame component may be connected to the hinge.
Various aspects will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in
The seat base frame component 16 is formed for attachment to a vehicle, such as a recreational vehicle, the cab of a semi-tractor, extended cab pickup trucks, vans, minivans, or the like. As illustrated, the seat base frame component 16 includes a tubular leg portion 18, e.g. leg support. which may be fixed to a portion of the vehicle, such as by threaded fasteners, like bolts or screws, or by welding or by any other suitable method of fixing.
The seat back frame component 12 and the seat bottom frame component 14 are moveably attached to the seat base frame component 16 and are preferably hinged relative to one another such that the seat back frame component 12 may be in an upright position, and thus form a sofa or bench seat with the seat bottom frame component 14, or alternatively, the seat back frame component 12 may be in a horizontal position, generally aligned with the seat bottom frame component 14, and thus form a bed with the seat bottom frame component 14. As illustrated, the seat back frame component 12 and the seat bottom frame component 14 are hinged relative to one another by a jack knife hinge 20, although any suitable hinge mechanism may be utilized.
As best shown in
A plurality of spring members 30 extend between the first and second cross members 26 and 28. As illustrated, the spring members 30 are strap springs, such as those made from metal or plastic ribbon and the like.
As best shown in
As best shown in Figs, 7A-7D, the end channel 32 has a base portion 42 with a top flange 44 extending away from the base portion 42 in a generally perpendicular direction, although such is not required. A bottom flange 46 extends away from the base portion 42 in a generally perpendicular direction, although such is not required, and thus, in this example, is generally parallel to the top flange 44.
The end channel 32 includes an number of optional apertures 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, and 62, which may be used, for example, for holding to facilitate the machining or assembly process, or for the fastening of the end channel 32 to other components, such as by threaded fasteners, such as screws or bolts, or by rivets and the like.
The end channel 32 also include a number of optional recess 64, 66, 68 and 70, that correspond to associated apertures, in this example apertures 48, 52, 54 and 58. The recesses may provide clearance to allow for improved access to the apertures by tools during the assembly process. Further, in the illustrated example, fasteners extending thought the apertures 48, 52, 54 and 58 are used to attached the end channel 32 to the hinge 20.
The end channel 32 may be formed from a piece of sheet metal, for example by stamping and/or crimping or bending. Thus the end channel 32 may in at least in one instance be formed from a single stamped sheet 84, as illustrated in
For further example, the end channel 22 is illustrated in
A method for making a convertible seat for a vehicle includes providing a piece of sheet metal. The piece of sheet metal may then be formed into an end channel by stamping, cutting and or bending, as necessary. A cross member may then be provided and attached to the end channel to form a frame component for a convertible seat frame for a convertible seat for a vehicle. The cross member may be fixably attached to the end channel by a weld, or any other suitable attachment arrangement to join the parts for use in a convertible seat.
Further, a second piece of sheet metal may be provided, and formed into a second end channel. The second end channel may then be attached to the cross member to form the frame component for a convertible seat frame for a convertible seat for a vehicle.
Also, a second cross member may be provided and attached to the end channel(s) to form the frame component for a convertible seat frame for a convertible seat for a vehicle. Additionally, at least one spring member may be provided to extend between the first cross member and the second cross member.
The frame component may then be connected to other frame components, such as by a hinge or by appropriate fasteners and the like.
It must be understood that a convertible seat frame may include one or more frame components including and end channel, such as a seat back frame component or a bottom seat frame component. Further, it must be understood that such frame components may be virtually identical in design and dimensions, substantially similar in design and dimensions, or independent and different in design and dimensions.
While principles and modes of operation have been explained and illustrated with regard to particular embodiments, it must be understood, however, that this may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.
