1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a seat for use in a vehicle. This inventive seat is said to multi-functional because it may be used not only as a translationally movable upright seat, but also as a recliner. And, it may be folded forward to allow ingress and egress to portions of the vehicle behind the location of the seat.
2. Disclosure Information
The second and third rows of seats in vehicles such as sport utility vehicles, minivans, and crossover vehicles work best if they are multi-functional. Such second and third row seats are typically configured to fold flat to increase cargo carrying capability. Also, the second row of seats must fold so as to allow access to the third row of seats and, perhaps, to the space extending behind the third row of seats. Automotive designers have incorporated a number of different mechanisms to accomplish these desired multi-functions. Such mechanisms have, however, been complicated and, in many cases, counterintuitive for the vehicle operator. U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,684 discloses a seat mechanism which is quite complicated in its operation. U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,670, although less complicated, is not adaptable to a flat floored vehicle.
A multi-function vehicular seat according to the present invention solves problems associated with known seats by providing a cost effective and easily employed mechanism in a seat which is movable translationally, which may be folded flat, which may be reclined, and which may be moved to allow ingress or egress to seating rows and/or storage space behind the location at which the seat is mounted.
A multi-function vehicular seat includes a seat cushion and a seat back. A rotatable mounting link supports the front portion of the seat cushion. A longitudinally slidable pivot mount is connected to the bottom of the seat back, and a pivotable connection extends between a rear portion of the seat cushion and a portion of the seat back located above the bottom of the seat back, such that a lower portion of the seat back functions as a link between the longitudinally slidable pivot mount and the seat cushion. The rotatable mounting link preferably includes an upper end pivoted to the front portion of the seat cushion and a lower end pivoted to a bracket for mounting to a floor, with the lower end being selectively lockable. The longitudinally slidable pivot mount is lockable both rotationally and translationally.
The present seat is movable to a flat, folded configuration by unlocking both the lower end pivot and the pivot portion of the longitudinally slidable pivot mount, and by rotating the seat back forward, while rotating the rotatable mounting link and seat cushion in a forward direction until the seat back is superimposed upon the seat cushion. Alternatively, the seat may be moved to a flat, folded configuration by unlocking both the lower end pivot of the rotatable mounting link and the pivot portion of the longitudinally slidable pivot mount, and by rotating the seat back forward while rotating the rotatable mounting link in a rearward direction until the seat back is superimposed upon the seat cushion.
The present seat is movable translationally by unlocking both the lower end pivot of the rotatable mounting link and the slide function of the longitudinally slidable pivot mount, while leaving the pivot portion of the longitudinally slidable pivot mount locked.
The present seat is movable to an ingress/egress position by unlocking the lower end pivot of the rotatable mounting link and the pivot function of the longitudinally slidable pivot mount, as well as the slide function of the longitudinal slidable mount, so as to permit the seat back to be moved forward both rotationally and translationally as the seat cushion moves forward.
It is an advantage of a seat according to the present invention that multi-functional attributes such as the ability to fold the seat flat, the ability to recline the seat back, and the ability to rotate the seat forward to allow access to an area behind the seat, are all available in the context of a seat mechanism which is less costly and less complicated than known designs.
It is another advantage of a seat system according to the present invention that operation of the seat is intuitive and easily accomplished by a vehicle operator.
Other advantages, as well as features and objects of the present invention, will become apparent to the reader of this specification.
As shown in
Pivot 58 serves as the sole connection between seat back 18 and seat cushion 14. Pivot 58 is not lockable. Lower portion 18b of seat back 18 extends between pivot 58 and lockable pivot 50. Longitudinally slidable pivot mount 40 extends between lockable pivot 50 and track 46, which is adapted for mounting to a vehicle floor or other surface to which seat 10 is being attached. Longitudinally slidable pivot mount 40 slides in slot 48 which is provided in track 46. The sliding action of slidable pivot mount 40 is controlled by means of locking lever 42. Similarly with lockable lower pivot 30, lockable pivot 50 is lockable by means of locking lever 54.
It may easily be seen from
In essence, the present multi-function seat is adapted to be installed in a vehicle as a lever-adjustable four bar linkage. The first link is embodied as a seat cushion support, namely rotatable mounting link 22, extending between a front portion of seat cushion 14 downwardly to mounting bracket 34. The second link is seat cushion 14 itself. A third link is that portion of seat back 18 extending from a rear portion of seat cushion 14, which is shown at 14b, downwardly to longitudinally slidable rear mount 40. The fourth link is constituted when two mounting brackets 34 and 40, including track 46, are mounted to a single surface. In this configuration, at least a portion of seat back 18, labeled 18a and extending above seat cushion 14, functions as a lever arm for adjusting the position of seat 10. As described more fully below, seat 10 has at least a first operating position in which seat back 18 and seat back 14 are in the raised position shown in
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, numerous variations and alternate embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only in terms of the appended claims.