Fold Flat Seating

Abstract

A folding seat for a vehicle includes a seat base fixed to an intermediate bracket, a seat back having a lower end and a support bracket fixed to the vehicle. An intermediate bracket has a first hinge point where the seat back lower end is hingedly attached to the intermediate bracket. The intermediate bracket has a second hinge point where the intermediate bracket is hingedly attached to the support bracket, and which is spatially removed from the first hinge point. Upon folding of the seat base into a vertical position, the intermediate bracket rotates on the second hinge point, which remains stationary and the first hinge point rotates upwardly and rearwardly around the second hinge point, so that the first hinge point and the lower seat back move rearwardly as the seat back and the seat base are folded into vertical orientation close to the rear vehicle wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the internal structure of a fold-down seat, constructed in accordance with and embodying the present invention, in an unfolded (seating use) position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the internal structure of the fold-down seat of FIG. 1 in a folded up position.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the internal structure of a fold-down seat of FIG. 1 in a folded down position with the rear vehicle wall folded down forwardly over the seat.

FIG. 4 is a schematic partial perspective view of the interior of a truck having an embodiment of multiple fold-down seats in accordance with the invention showing a center seat back folded down and forwardly to reveal a console having a tray and cup holder on the rear surface (upper as positioned here) of the folded down seat back.

FIG. 5A is a schematic partial perspective view of a truck having the rear seats of the present invention folded down in flat storage stadium position and with the vehicle rear doors open.

FIG. 5B is a schematic perspective view of the truck of FIG. 5A with the rear portion (roof panel) of the vehicle roof open to accommodate excessively tall cargo in the cargo bed area created by folding the rear vehicle seats down into storage position beneath the truck floor.

FIG. 5C is a schematic perspective view of the truck of FIG. 5A with the excessively tall cargo in the truck bed and the new seats folded down beneath the forwardly directed end of the cargo.

FIG. 6A is a schematic partial perspective view of a vehicle having a rear passenger compartment with the fold-down seat of the present invention folded into an upward position to permit cargo carriage between the back of the front seats and the folded upright rear seats.

FIG. 6B is a schematic partial perspective view of the vehicle of FIG. 6A showing a large item of cargo loaded into a rear passenger compartment where the fold-down seat has been folded into an upward position.

FIG. 7A is a partial schematic side elevational view of a vehicle showing the seat of the present invention in the upright seating position, with the rear cab window raised behind the new rear seats.

FIG. 7B is a partial schematic side elevational view of a vehicle showing the seat illustrated in FIG. 7A in the folded up “thin package” position to provide cargo space in front of the new seat and behind the front vehicle seat, and illustrating the truck front seat in the full forward position for maximum cargo space.

FIG. 8A is a partial schematic side elevational view of a truck having a conventional rear seat in the upright seating position and the front seat in the full forward position.

FIG. 8B is a partial schematic side elevational view of the truck of FIG. 8A showing the conventional rear seat in the seat-closed, folded up position and the front seat in full forward position, to illustrate the relative amount of space available between the front and rear seats, as compared to the seat positions of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8C is a partial schematic perspective view illustrating a conventional truck rear seat on the left of the figure as compared to an embodiment of the new stadium style fold up seat of the present invention on the right of the figure with both seats in the unfolded, seating position.

FIG. 9A is a schematic partial side elevational view of a vehicle showing the relative front seat positions full forward and full rearward relative to the positions of the rear seat in the closed, folded down stadium position, with the rear seat back substantially horizontal and parallel to the vehicle bed.

FIG. 9B is a schematic partial side elevational view of the vehicle of FIG. 9A showing the position of the cargo stop wall which flips upwardly and forwardly from the rear seat back relative to the back of the vehicle front seat to protect passengers from the cargo load.

FIG. 10A is partial left rear perspective view of a fold up stadium-style seat constructed in accordance with the present invention in the open, seating position, showing a powered actuator, the actuator being in the deployed, powered position.

FIG. 10B is a partial right rear perspective view of the seat of FIG. 10A showing the powered actuator for the fold flat seating position.

FIG. 10C is a partial left side elevational view of the seat of FIG. 10A showing the seat down in the seating position and indicating the powered actuator for the stadium position.

FIG. 10D is a partial lower right rear perspective view of the stadium fold flat seat of the present invention showing the actuator powered for the fold flat seat position, as in FIG. 10B.

FIG. 10E is a partial lower left rear perspective view of the seat of FIG. 10D showing an actuator powered for the stadium position, as in FIG. 10A.

FIG. 10F is a partial left elevational view of the seat of FIG. 10D in the stadium position with the actuator powered therefor.

FIG. 11A is a partial left rear perspective view illustrating the actuator and bracket positions for the new seat in the fold-flat position.

FIG. 11B is a partial right rear perspective view of the seat of FIG. 11A illustrating the actuator and bracket positions.

FIG. 11C is a side elevational view of the seat of FIG. 11A.

FIG. 12A is a partial side elevational view of the seat of FIG. 1 illustrating the seat base with a cushion presenter in full out position.

FIG. 12B is a partial elevational view of the seat of FIG. 1 illustrating the seat base with the cushion presenter in full in position.

FIG. 13A is a partial cut-away view illustrating the general dimensions of an optional arm rest for the seat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 13B is a side elevational view of a portion of the seat of FIG. 1, showing the armrest in a folded-down position.

FIG. 13C is a partial enlarged cut-away view of the arm rest of FIG. 13B showing the bracket and fastening mechanism for the armrest.

FIG. 13D is a side elevational view of the seat of FIG. 13C showing the arm rest in an extended position.

FIG. 13E is a partial perspective view of a seat of the present invention shown without covering and illustrating the arm rests in a retracted position adjacent the seat back.

FIG. 14A is a partial schematic side elevational view of a seat of the present invention, showing an optional arm rest with a helical actuator mechanism.

FIG. 14B is a partial enlarged perspective view of the actuator mechanism of the seat of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 14C is a partial lower perspective view of the actuator of FIG. 14B, reduced.

FIG. 14D is a lower front perspective view of the seat of FIG. 14A, reduced.

FIG. 14E is a partial left side elevational view of the actuator mechanism of FIG. 14B.

FIG. 14F is a front elevation view of the armrest actuator mechanism of FIG. 14E.

FIG. 14G is a front elevational view of the seat of FIG. 14D.

FIG. 14H is a front perspective view of the seat back of FIG. 14E showing the arm rest actuator.

FIG. 14I is a bottom plan view of the seat of FIG. 14H.

FIG. 14J is a bottom plan view of the seat of FIG. 14G

FIG. 15A is a partial side elevational view of a vehicle showing the seat of FIG. 4 in the upright position.

FIG. 15B is a perspective view of the vehicle shown in FIG. 15A in the folded flat position beneath the bed of the vehicle.

FIG. 16A is a perspective view of the vehicle seat shown in FIG. 15B in the upright sitting position and the headrests partially removed from the storage position.

FIG. 16B is a perspective view consistent with FIG. 16A, but showing the head rests moved upright for use by a passenger.

FIG. 17A is a perspective view of the seat shown in FIG. 16A with the headrests in the completely retracted position, as for storage, and the seats in the stadium upright position.

FIG. 17B is a perspective view of the seats of FIG. 16B, showing a center seat folded downwardly for use as a console and illustrating the back vehicle wall positioned for protection of the passenger cabin from cargo.

FIG. 17C is a perspective view consistent with FIG. 17B, but showing the console in use.

FIG. 17D is a perspective view consistent with FIG. 17C but showing the center seat folded up to stadium position and illustrating the position of hydraulic piston activated.

FIG. 18A is a partial perspective view of a vehicle with the new seat system in collapsed storage position, with the vehicle doors open and the roof panel partially moved to a forward position to accommodate excessively tall cargo.

FIG. 18B is a perspective view of the vehicle of FIG. 18A showing cargo in position for transport and with the roof panel open, forward and windows open to the vehicle sides to permit receipt of the cargo into the vehicle bed.

FIG. 18C is a perspective view of the vehicle of FIG. 18A showing the vehicle bed empty, seats down for storage, doors open and rear vehicle windows being closed, and the vehicle tailgate up.

FIG. 18D is a perspective view of the vehicle of FIG. 18A with the rear vehicle window closed and seats up, stadium-style (“thin-fold”) to permit entry of cargo in front of the rear seats, and behind the vehicle front seats, the front seats not being shown, for clarity of the drawings.

FIG. 18E is a perspective view of the vehicle of FIG. 18D with cargo in place in the cab of the vehicle, with vehicle doors closed.

FIG. 18F is a perspective view of the vehicle of FIG 1. 18E after the cargo has been removed, the rear seats being up in closed sitting position and the roof panel and rear vehicle window being closed.

FIG. 18G is a perspective view of the vehicle of FIG. 18F with the vehicle doors closed and front seats shown, cargo in place within the cab of the vehicle.

FIG. 19A is a partial side elevational view of a vehicle seat of FIG. 15A, in transition from upright stadium position to completely flat, stowed position.

FIG. 19B is a partial side elevational view of the seat of FIG. 19A, in completely flat, stowed position.

Claims

1. A folding seat for a vehicle comprising: a seat base fixedly attached to an intermediate bracket;a seat back having a lower end; anda support bracket fixedly attached to the vehicle;an intermediate bracket having a first hinge point at which said seat back lower end is hingedly attached to the intermediate bracket; andwherein said intermediate bracket has a second hinge point at which the intermediate bracket is hingedly attached to said support bracket, said second hinge point being spatially removed from said first hinge point, such that upon folding of said seat base into a vertical position, said intermediate bracket rotates on said second hinge point, said second hinge point remaining stationary and said first hinge point rotating upwardly and rearwardly around the second hinge point, so as to move said first hinge point and said lower portion of said seat back rearwardly as said seat back and said seat base are folded into a substantially vertical orientation in close proximity to the rear vehicle wall.

2. The folding seat of claim 1 wherein said support bracket is fixedly attached to a rear wall of said vehicle, said rear wall being disposed behind said seat.

3. The folding seat of claim 1 wherein said seat back is reclined, when the seat is in an unfolded, seating position, at an angle of between approximately 20 degrees and approximately 30 degrees relative to vertical.

4. The folding seat of claim 3 wherein said seat back is reclined at an angle of approximately 25 degrees relative to vertical.

5. The folding seat of claim 1 wherein said first hinge point is above the plane of said seat base when said seat base is unfolded.

6. The folding seat of claim 1 wherein said second hinge point is below the plane of said seat base when said seat base is unfolded.

7. The folding seat of claim 2 wherein said support bracket is hingedly attached to said vehicle at a third hinge point.

8. The folding seat of claim 7 wherein said vehicle has an approximately planar cargo bed, wherein said third hinge point is disposed below the plane of said cargo bed.

9. The folding seat of claim 8 wherein said rear wall is capable of folding forward and downward into a substantially horizontal orientation with said seat disposed thereunder in a folded position.

10. The folding seat of claim 9 wherein said rear wall is substantially co-planar with said cargo bed when said rear wall is folded downward.

11. The folding seat of claim 2 wherein a top portion of said seat back is slidably attached to said rear wall.

12. The folding seat of claim 1 further comprising a piston pivotably attached to said seat base and pivotably attached to said vehicle, said piston providing support for said seat base when in an unfolded position.

13. The folding seat of claim 1 wherein said seat back has an adjustable headrest disposed thereon.

14. The folding seat of claim 1 wherein at least one of said seat base and said seat back has an ergonomic device disposed therein.

15. The folding seat of claim 14 wherein said ergonomic device has a greater depth of space when said seat is unfolded and a lesser depth of space when said seat is folded.

16. The folding seat of claim 7 wherein said seat back folds down independently of said rear wall.

17. The folding seat of claim 1 wherein said seat comprises at least two of said seat back and at least two of said seat base, each adjacent one another and separately foldable.

18. The folding seat of claim 7 wherein at least one of said seat back and said seat base further comprises a lever attached thereto, wherein said lever actuates a latch mechanism to lock said seat back or said seat base in a folded or unfolded position.

19. The folding seat of claim 1, and further comprising a seat bracket connected to the lower end of said seat back, wherein said seat bracket is pivotally connected to the first hinge point of said intermediate bracket, thereby permitting said seat back to pivot relative to said intermediate bracket as said intermediate bracket is rotated relative to said support bracket on said second pivot point.

20. A method of folding up a seat for a vehicle, the method comprising: providing a seat base fixedly attached to an intermediate bracket by a seat bracket;providing a seat back hingedly attached to said intermediate bracket at a lower end of said seat back, wherein said seat back is hingedly attached at a first hinge point, said first hinge point being disposed above the plane of said seat base when said seat is unfolded;providing a support bracket, said support bracket being fixedly attached to a rear wall of said vehicle;hingedly attaching said intermediate bracket to said support bracket at a second hinge point, wherein said second hinge point is below the plane of said seat base when said seat is unfolded; andfolding said seat base upward, wherein said intermediate bracket rotates upward and said first hinge point moves towards said rear wall of said vehicle.

21. A folding seat for a vehicle comprising: a seat base fixedly attached to an intermediate bracket;a seat back; anda support bracket fixedly attached to a rear wall of said vehicle, said rear wall being disposed behind said seat;wherein a lower end of said seat back is hingedly attached to said intermediate bracket at a first hinge point on said intermediate bracket;wherein said intermediate bracket is hingedly attached to said support bracket at a second hinge point on said intermediate bracket, said second hinge point being spatially removed from said first hinge point;wherein said vehicle has an approximately planar cargo bed;wherein said support bracket is hingedly attached to said vehicle at a third hinge point, said third hinge point being disposed below the plane of said cargo bed;such that upon folding of said seat base into a vertical position, said intermediate bracket rotates upwards, said first hinge point being moved rearwards so as to move said first hinge point and said lower portion of said seat back rearwards so that said seat back and said seat base are folded into a substantially vertical orientation;such that upon folding said rear wall forward and downward into a substantially horizontal orientation with said seat disposed thereunder in a folded position, said rear wall is substantially co-planar with said cargo bed.

22. A cargo accommodation system for a vehicle, comprising: a vehicle folding seat, a moving roof panel, and an openable rear window;wherein said folding seat comprises: a seat base fixedly attached to an intermediate bracket;a seat back; anda support bracket fixedly attached to a rear wall of said vehicle, said rear wall being disposed behind said seat;wherein a lower end of said seat back is hingedly attached to said intermediate bracket at a first hinge point on said intermediate bracket;wherein said intermediate bracket is hingedly attached to said support bracket at a second hinge point on said intermediate bracket, said second hinge point being spatially removed from said first hinge point;wherein said vehicle has an approximately planar cargo bed;wherein said support bracket is hingedly attached to said vehicle at a third hinge point, said third hinge point being disposed below the plane of said cargo bed;such that upon folding of said seat base into a vertical position, said intermediate bracket rotates upwards, said first hinge point being moved rearwards so as to move said first hinge point and said lower portion of said seat back rearwards so that said seat back and said seat base are folded into a substantially vertical orientation;such that upon folding said rear wall forward and downward into a substantially horizontal orientation with said seat disposed thereunder in a folded position, said rear wall is substantially co-planar with said cargo bed;wherein said moving roof panel slides forward and rearward, away from and towards said cargo bed; andwherein said openable rear window comprises:a pair of panels adjacent one another, each panel being hingedly attached to said vehicle at a lateral edge of said panel.