WO1998019879A1 - Lightweight bucket seat for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Lightweight bucket seat for motor vehicles Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1998019879A1
WO1998019879A1 PCT/US1997/019625 US9719625W WO9819879A1 WO 1998019879 A1 WO1998019879 A1 WO 1998019879A1 US 9719625 W US9719625 W US 9719625W WO 9819879 A1 WO9819879 A1 WO 9819879A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
seat
frame portion
periphery
automobile
rail
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1997/019625
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Del C. Schroeder
William Lentini
Donald E. Jay
Joseph E. Nuber
Original Assignee
Chrysler Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Chrysler Corporation filed Critical Chrysler Corporation
Priority to AU50942/98A priority Critical patent/AU5094298A/en
Publication of WO1998019879A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998019879A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
    • B60N2/04—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
    • B60N2/06—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable
    • B60N2/08—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable characterised by the locking device
    • B60N2/0831—Movement of the latch
    • B60N2/0862—Movement of the latch sliding
    • B60N2/0868—Movement of the latch sliding in a transversal direction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
    • B60N2/04—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
    • B60N2/06—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable
    • B60N2/07—Slide construction
    • B60N2/0702—Slide construction characterised by its cross-section
    • B60N2/0715—C or U-shaped
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
    • B60N2/04—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
    • B60N2/06—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable
    • B60N2/07—Slide construction
    • B60N2/075—Slide construction roller-less
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
    • B60N2/04—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable
    • B60N2/06—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable
    • B60N2/08—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the whole seat being movable slidable characterised by the locking device
    • B60N2/0812—Location of the latch
    • B60N2/0825—Location of the latch outside the rail
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/58—Seat coverings
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/70—Upholstery springs ; Upholstery
    • B60N2/7011—Upholstery springs ; Upholstery of substantially two-dimensional shape, e.g. hammock-like, plastic shells, fabrics

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to automobiles, and more particularly to occupant seating in lightweight automobiles.
  • the present invention recognizes that it is possible to provide an effective and useful automobile, the cost of which can be minimized by minimizing the weight of the automobile and by using the novel structure disclosed herein.
  • the present invention recognizes that the cost of an automobile can be minimized by minimizing the weight of the automobile. This is because a lightweight automobile, among other things, can be propelled by a relatively small, fuel-efficient motor. Additionally, certain lightweight materials happen to be inexpensive, and easy to manufacture.
  • a lightweight, useful, low-cost automobile which has a molded plastic body consisting essentially of a molded left half side bonded to a molded right half side. After molding, the body is attached to a steel frame which supports the body and drive components. It will readily be appreciated that a molded plastic body is both lightweight, compared to metal automobile bodies, and relatively inexpensive.
  • such seating be adjustable as desired by, e.g., the driver of the automobile, while comfortably and effectively supporting the driver. It is further desirable that such seating be strong, and be easily and efficiently manufactured.
  • an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight seat for an automobile occupant which is lightweight and comfortable. Another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight seat for an automobile occupant which is strong, and which can be adjusted by an occupant to suit the occupant. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight seat for an automobile occupant that is easy to use and cost-effective to manufacture.
  • a seat for a motor vehicle includes a unitary plastic seat frame formed with a back frame portion that defines a periphery. Additionally, the frame is formed with a seat frame portion that is oriented generally orthogonally to the back frame portion, and the seat frame portion defines a periphery. Also, an elastic fabric back cover is attached to the back frame portion, and the back cover extends substantially across the periphery of the back frame portion. Likewise, an elastic fabric seat cover is attached to the seat frame portion, and the seat cover extends substantially across the periphery of the seat frame portion.
  • the periphery of the back frame portion defines an upper edge and a lower edge
  • the back cover is formed with an upper engagement section, a back support section, and a lower engagement section.
  • the engagement sections are folded back against the support section to establish respective upper and lower pockets for receiving the upper and lower edges, respectively, therein. Thereby, the back cover is held onto the back frame portion.
  • the periphery of the seat frame portion defines a rear edge and a front edge
  • the seat cover is formed with a rear engagement section, a seat support section, and a front engagement section.
  • the engagement sections of the seat cover are folded against the support section to establish respective rear and front pockets for receiving the rear and front edges, respectively, of the seat frame portion therein.
  • the seat cover is held onto the seat frame portion.
  • the back and seat frame portions are interconnected by left and right back support braces, with the back support braces being molded integrally with the back and seat frame portions.
  • at least a first mounting blade is formed integrally on the seat frame portion and depends downwardly therefrom for slidably engaging the vehicle.
  • a rail is mounted on the vehicle longitudinally relative thereto, and the mounting blade is slidably engageable with the rail.
  • the rail is formed with a plurality of pin receptacles, and the seat further comprises a pin reciprocatingly engaged with the blade and rail.
  • the pin has an adjust position, wherein the pin is distanced from the receptacles and the seat can be moved longitudinally relative to the vehicle, and a set position, wherein the pin engages a selected one of the receptacles to hold the seat stationary relative to the vehicle.
  • the present invention provides a seat that is conformed for ergonomically supporting an adult occupant.
  • the periphery of the back frame portion defines left and right side edges, with each side edge of the back frame portion having a breakpoint generally intermediate the upper and lower edges of the back frame portion.
  • each side edge of the back frame portion defines a respective upper side edge extending generally upwardly and rearwardly away from the breakpoint of the respective side edge when the seat is installed in the vehicle.
  • an automobile includes a plastic automobile body and a steel automobile frame supporting the body.
  • the frame includes at least one seat rail.
  • At least one plastic rail blade is slidably engaged with the at least one seat rail.
  • a seat which includes a unitary frame is formed integrally with the at least one rail blade.
  • a seat for combination thereof with an automobile including a plastic automobile body and a steel automobile frame supporting the body.
  • the frame of the automobile includes at least one seat rail, and the seat is engaged with the seat rail.
  • the seat includes a unitarily formed plastic frame and an elastic cover attached thereto to support a person.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bucket seat of the present invention, shown installed in an automobile having a plastic body, with portions shown in phantom;
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of the unitarily-molded plastic frame of the present invention, with the fabric covers and rail blades removed for clarity;
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bucket seat of the present invention, shown in operable engagement with the seat rail of the automobile, with portions of the rail cut away;
  • Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, as seen along the line 4-4 in
  • Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view, as seen along the line 5-5 in Figure 3;
  • Figure 6 is a perspective of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, showing an alternate engagement structure between the seat and rail, with portions of the rail cut away;
  • FIG 7 is a perspective view of yet another alternate embodiment, showing a unitarily-molded plastic bench-type frame with the fabric covers and rail blades removed for clarity.
  • an automobile bucket seat generally designated 10
  • the automobile 100 includes a power train 102 and a plastic body 104 mounted on a steel frame 106, shown in phantom in Figure 1. Details of the automobile 100 are disclosed in the above-referenced patent application.
  • the automobile body 104 is made by injection molding of a plastic composite fiberglass-reinforced engineering plastic material.
  • the seat 10 includes a unitary frame which is defined by a plastic molded back frame portion 12 and a plastic molded seat frame portion 14.
  • the frame of the seat 10 is made of an injection molded fiberglass-reinforced composite plastic material such as the material disclosed above. It is to be understood that as intended by the present invention, the seat frame of the present invention is made of plastic, and the plastic of the seat frame can, in the preferred embodiment, be composite plastic.
  • the back frame portion 12 defines a hollow, roughly rectangular periphery 16, and the periphery 16 of the back frame portion 12 in turn defines a solid upper edge 18 and a solid lower edge 20.
  • the plastic seat frame portion 14 defines a hollow, generally rectangular periphery including a solid rear edge 22 and a solid front edge 24.
  • left and right solid L-shaped back support braces 26, 28 are integrally molded with the frame portions 12, 14 and interconnect the frame portions 12, 14, with the seat frame portion 14 being oriented generally orthogonally to the back frame portion 12.
  • the braces 26, 28 strengthen the seat 10 and support the back frame portion 12 in its generally upright position with respect to the seat frame portion 14.
  • the frame portions 12, 14 are configured to conform to an adult occupant's body when the occupant is seated in the automobile 100.
  • the periphery 16 of the back frame portion 12 defines solid left and right side edges 30, 32.
  • Each side edge 30, 32 of the back frame portion 12 has a respective midpoint 30a, 32a that is located generally intermediate the upper and lower edges 18, 20 of the back frame portion 12.
  • each side edge 30, 32 of the back frame portion 12 defines a respective upper side edge 30b, 32b which extends generally upwardly and rearwardly away from the midpoint 30a, 32a of the respective side edge 30, 32.
  • the left and right braces 26, 28 are integrally connected to the back frame portion 12 near the respective midpoints 30a, 32a of the side edges 30, 32.
  • the periphery of the seat frame portion 14 defines solid left and right side edges 34, 36, with each side edge 34, 36 having a respective midpoint 34a, 36a generally intermediate the rear and front edges 22, 24 of the seat frame portion 14.
  • Each side edge 34, 36 of the seat frame portion 14 defines a respective front side edge 34b, 36b which extends generally downwardly and frontwardly away from the respective midpoint 34a, 36a.
  • the left and right braces 26, 28 are integrally connected to the seat frame portion 14 near the respective midpoints 34a, Figures 3 and 4 show additional details of the seat 10.
  • the frame of the seat 10 is covered by at least one cover, and preferably the frame is covered by back and seat covers 38, 40.
  • each seat cover 38, 40 is made of an elastic, strong, lightweight, easily cleaned fabric.
  • each seat cover 38, 40 is made of Dymetrol ® made by , although other suitable fabrics may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • the seat covers 38, 40 are made with pockets that fit snugly over segments of the peripheries of the frame portions 12, 14. This arrangement can best be appreciated in cross-reference to Figures 3 and 4, taking the upper pocket of the back cover 38 as an example. It is to be understood that the back cover 38 includes a lower pocket, and the seat cover 40 includes rear and front pockets, which are substantially identical in configuration and operation to the upper pocket described below.
  • the back cover 38 is formed with an upper engagement section 42 which is folded back against a back support section 44 of the cover 38 to establish an upper pocket 46 therebetween.
  • the upper pocket 46 snugly surrounds the upper edge 18 of the back frame portion 12, and indeed snugly surrounds a substantial part of the upper half of the periphery 16 of the back frame portion 12. It can further be appreciated that the upper pocket 46 extends down about to the midpoints 30a, 32a of the side edges 30, 32. To hold the upper engagement section 42 against the back support section 44, the sections 42, 44 are sewn together along their common periphery.
  • Figure 3 shows that the back cover 38 includes a lower engagement section 48 which is folded back against the back support section 44 to establish a lower pocket for snugly fitting around the lower part of the periphery 16 of the back frame portion 12.
  • the seat cover 40 is formed with a rear engagement section 50, a seat support section 52, and a front engagement section 54, with the engagement sections 50, 54 being folded against the support section 52 to establish respective rear and front pockets for receiving the rear and front edges 22, 24, respectively, of the seat frame portion 14 therein. With this arrangement, the covers 38, 40 can easily be manually removed from the seat 10 for cleaning and replacement.
  • the seat 10 is mounted on the automobile 100 for longitudinal reciprocating movement of the seat 10 relative to the automobile 100.
  • such mounting permits an occupant of the seat 10 to move the seat 10 forwardly and rearwardly in the automobile 100 as desired by the occupant.
  • Figures 3 and 5 show one means by which the seat 10 is mounted on the automobile 100.
  • the seat 10 includes solid plastic rigid rail blades 56, 58 that are molded integrally with the right side edge 36 of the seat frame portion 14 of the seat 10 and that depend downwardly therefrom.
  • the rail blades 56, 58 may depend downwardly from the left side edge 34 of the seat frame portion 14.
  • additional rail blades may depend downwardly from both side edges 34, 36, if desired. For clarity of disclosure, only the blades 56, 58 shown in Figures 3 and 4 will be discussed.
  • the blades 56, 58 engage a rail 60 for slidable reciprocating movement therealong.
  • the rail 60 is affixed to the frame 106 of the automobile 100 by a plurality of bolts (only one bolt 62 shown in Figures 3 and 5).
  • Figure 5 best shows that the rail 60 is formed with a longitudinal groove 64 in a right side surface 66 of the rail 60.
  • the blade 56 is formed with a downwardly- oriented shank 68 that is integrally formed on one end with the seat frame portion 14 and, on its end opposed from the seat frame portion 14, is integrally formed with an inwardly oriented engagement lip 70 which slidably engages the groove 64.
  • the blade 56 is somewhat C-shaped, with the engagement lip 70 establishing ' the bottom bar of the "C".
  • a plurality of pin receptacles 72 are formed, preferably as holes, in the side surface 66 of the rail 60.
  • a longitudinal shaft 74 of a rigid pin 76 extends through a pin channel 78 that is formed in the blade 56, and the shaft 74 can be advanced into one of the pin receptacles 72 to a set position (shown in Figure 5) to hold the seat 10 stationary relative to the rail 60.
  • the pin 76 is T-shaped, but it is to be understood that the pin 76 can be L-shaped or have some other shape suitable to permit it to be grasped by a person's hand.
  • the pin 76 can be manipulated outwardly from the pin receptacle 72 to an adjust position, wherein the shaft 74 is distanced from the receptacle 72.
  • the seat 10 may be moved longitudinally relative to the rail 60 and, hence, relative to the automobile 100.
  • Figure 5 shows that the pin 76 is biased to the set position. More particularly, the pin 76 is formed with a flange 80 which circumscribes the shaft 74, and a spring 82 is trapped in compression between the flange 80 and the blade 56 to urge the pin 76 toward the set position.
  • the blade 58 is in all essential respects identical in configuration and operation to the blade 56, except that no pin and, hence, no pin channel, need be provided in the blade 58.
  • Figure 6 shows an alternate embodiment for slidably engaging the seat of the present invention with the rail of the present invention. More specifically, as shown in Figure 6 a seat 84 includes a T-shaped blade 86 formed with a downwardly projecting shank 88 terminating in outwardly-projecting ears 90.
  • the shank 88 extends through a channel 92 that is formed in a top surface 94 of a hollow rail 96.
  • the hollow rail 96 defines an interior passageway 98, and the ears 90 are slidably engaged with the rail 96 within the interior passageway 98.
  • the ears 90 are retained in the passageway by the top surface 94 of the rail 96.
  • the blade 86 can be formed with a pin receptacle (not shown), and that a pin (not shown) can extend through one of a plurality of holes (not shown) formed in the rail 96 to engage the receptacle of the blade 86 to hold the blade 86 stationary relative to the rail 96, using the principles disclosed above.
  • a seat 150 includes a unitary bench-style frame 152 which is defined by a plastic molded back frame portion 154 and a plastic molded seat frame portion 156.
  • the plastic molded back frame portion 154 and plastic molded seat frame portion 156 are established by integrally forming together, side-by-side, two of the back frame and seat frame portions 12, 14 shown in Figure 2. Thereby, the bench-style frame 152 is established.

Abstract

A bucket seat for lightweight automobile has a unitary molded plastic frame defining a seat frame portion (52) and a back frame (44) portion oriented generally orthogonally to the seat frame portion. A back cover that is made of elastic fabric includes pockets which engage the back frame portion to hold the cover (38) onto the back frame portion. Likewise, a seat cover (40) that is made of elastic fabric includes pockets which engage the seat frame portion to hold the cover onto the seat frame portion. The seat is formed with at least one rail blade that is slidably engaged with a rail mounted on the steel frame of the automobile, to permit adjusting the seat in the longitudinal direction as desired by the occupant of the automobile.

Description

LIGHTWEIGHT BUCKET SEAT FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
The present invention relates generally to automobiles, and more particularly to occupant seating in lightweight automobiles.
As is well known, consumers demand a choice between many different models of automobiles. Depending on the circumstances, some consumers might desire a simple yet effective automobile, with the principal and indeed overriding consideration being cost. With this in mind, the present invention recognizes that it is possible to provide an effective and useful automobile, the cost of which can be minimized by minimizing the weight of the automobile and by using the novel structure disclosed herein.
More specifically, the present invention recognizes that the cost of an automobile can be minimized by minimizing the weight of the automobile. This is because a lightweight automobile, among other things, can be propelled by a relatively small, fuel-efficient motor. Additionally, certain lightweight materials happen to be inexpensive, and easy to manufacture.
Indeed, as envisioned by the present invention, a lightweight, useful, low-cost automobile can be provided which has a molded plastic body consisting essentially of a molded left half side bonded to a molded right half side. After molding, the body is attached to a steel frame which supports the body and drive components. It will readily be appreciated that a molded plastic body is both lightweight, compared to metal automobile bodies, and relatively inexpensive.
As further recognized by the present invention, it is advantageous to further reduce the weight of such an automobile by providing effective, comfortable, and lightweight occupant seating. It is desirable that such seating be adjustable as desired by, e.g., the driver of the automobile, while comfortably and effectively supporting the driver. It is further desirable that such seating be strong, and be easily and efficiently manufactured.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lightweight seat for an automobile occupant which is lightweight and comfortable. Another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight seat for an automobile occupant which is strong, and which can be adjusted by an occupant to suit the occupant. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight seat for an automobile occupant that is easy to use and cost-effective to manufacture.
A seat for a motor vehicle includes a unitary plastic seat frame formed with a back frame portion that defines a periphery. Additionally, the frame is formed with a seat frame portion that is oriented generally orthogonally to the back frame portion, and the seat frame portion defines a periphery. Also, an elastic fabric back cover is attached to the back frame portion, and the back cover extends substantially across the periphery of the back frame portion. Likewise, an elastic fabric seat cover is attached to the seat frame portion, and the seat cover extends substantially across the periphery of the seat frame portion.
Preferably, the periphery of the back frame portion defines an upper edge and a lower edge, and the back cover is formed with an upper engagement section, a back support section, and a lower engagement section. Per the present invention, the engagement sections are folded back against the support section to establish respective upper and lower pockets for receiving the upper and lower edges, respectively, therein. Thereby, the back cover is held onto the back frame portion.
Similarly, the periphery of the seat frame portion defines a rear edge and a front edge, and the seat cover is formed with a rear engagement section, a seat support section, and a front engagement section. The engagement sections of the seat cover are folded against the support section to establish respective rear and front pockets for receiving the rear and front edges, respectively, of the seat frame portion therein. Thereby, the seat cover is held onto the seat frame portion. In the presently preferred embodiment, the back and seat frame portions are interconnected by left and right back support braces, with the back support braces being molded integrally with the back and seat frame portions. Moreover, at least a first mounting blade is formed integrally on the seat frame portion and depends downwardly therefrom for slidably engaging the vehicle.
In accordance with the present invention, a rail is mounted on the vehicle longitudinally relative thereto, and the mounting blade is slidably engageable with the rail. Further, the rail is formed with a plurality of pin receptacles, and the seat further comprises a pin reciprocatingly engaged with the blade and rail. As disclosed in detail below, the pin has an adjust position, wherein the pin is distanced from the receptacles and the seat can be moved longitudinally relative to the vehicle, and a set position, wherein the pin engages a selected one of the receptacles to hold the seat stationary relative to the vehicle. The present invention provides a seat that is conformed for ergonomically supporting an adult occupant. Accordingly, the periphery of the back frame portion defines left and right side edges, with each side edge of the back frame portion having a breakpoint generally intermediate the upper and lower edges of the back frame portion. As envisioned by the present invention, each side edge of the back frame portion defines a respective upper side edge extending generally upwardly and rearwardly away from the breakpoint of the respective side edge when the seat is installed in the vehicle.
In addition, the periphery of the seat frame portion defines left and right side edges, and each side edge of the seat frame portion has a breakpoint that is generally intermediate the rear and front edges of the seat frame portion. To further ergonomically conform the seat, each side edge of the seat frame portion defines a respective front side edge which extends generally downwardly and frontwardly away from the respective breakpoint when the seat is installed in the vehicle. In another aspect of the present invention, an automobile includes a plastic automobile body and a steel automobile frame supporting the body. The frame includes at least one seat rail. At least one plastic rail blade is slidably engaged with the at least one seat rail. A seat which includes a unitary frame is formed integrally with the at least one rail blade. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a seat is disclosed for combination thereof with an automobile including a plastic automobile body and a steel automobile frame supporting the body. The frame of the automobile includes at least one seat rail, and the seat is engaged with the seat rail. Per the present invention, the seat includes a unitarily formed plastic frame and an elastic cover attached thereto to support a person.
The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals Tefer to like parts, and in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the bucket seat of the present invention, shown installed in an automobile having a plastic body, with portions shown in phantom; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the unitarily-molded plastic frame of the present invention, with the fabric covers and rail blades removed for clarity;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bucket seat of the present invention, shown in operable engagement with the seat rail of the automobile, with portions of the rail cut away; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, as seen along the line 4-4 in
Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view, as seen along the line 5-5 in Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a perspective of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, showing an alternate engagement structure between the seat and rail, with portions of the rail cut away; and
Figure 7 is a perspective view of yet another alternate embodiment, showing a unitarily-molded plastic bench-type frame with the fabric covers and rail blades removed for clarity. Referring initially to Figure 1, an automobile bucket seat, generally designated 10, is shown installed in an automobile, generally designated 100. As shown, the automobile 100 includes a power train 102 and a plastic body 104 mounted on a steel frame 106, shown in phantom in Figure 1. Details of the automobile 100 are disclosed in the above-referenced patent application. As disclosed in the above-referred to application, the automobile body 104 is made by injection molding of a plastic composite fiberglass-reinforced engineering plastic material.
Referring now to Figure 2, the seat 10 includes a unitary frame which is defined by a plastic molded back frame portion 12 and a plastic molded seat frame portion 14. In the presently preferred embodiment, the frame of the seat 10 is made of an injection molded fiberglass-reinforced composite plastic material such as the material disclosed above. It is to be understood that as intended by the present invention, the seat frame of the present invention is made of plastic, and the plastic of the seat frame can, in the preferred embodiment, be composite plastic.
As shown, the back frame portion 12 defines a hollow, roughly rectangular periphery 16, and the periphery 16 of the back frame portion 12 in turn defines a solid upper edge 18 and a solid lower edge 20. Similarly, the plastic seat frame portion 14 defines a hollow, generally rectangular periphery including a solid rear edge 22 and a solid front edge 24.
As further shown, left and right solid L-shaped back support braces 26, 28 are integrally molded with the frame portions 12, 14 and interconnect the frame portions 12, 14, with the seat frame portion 14 being oriented generally orthogonally to the back frame portion 12. The braces 26, 28 strengthen the seat 10 and support the back frame portion 12 in its generally upright position with respect to the seat frame portion 14.
In one particularly preferred embodiment, the frame portions 12, 14 are configured to conform to an adult occupant's body when the occupant is seated in the automobile 100. In the embodiment shown, the periphery 16 of the back frame portion 12 defines solid left and right side edges 30, 32. Each side edge 30, 32 of the back frame portion 12 has a respective midpoint 30a, 32a that is located generally intermediate the upper and lower edges 18, 20 of the back frame portion 12. As can be appreciated in reference to Figure 2, each side edge 30, 32 of the back frame portion 12 defines a respective upper side edge 30b, 32b which extends generally upwardly and rearwardly away from the midpoint 30a, 32a of the respective side edge 30, 32. Also, the left and right braces 26, 28 are integrally connected to the back frame portion 12 near the respective midpoints 30a, 32a of the side edges 30, 32.
Likewise, the periphery of the seat frame portion 14 defines solid left and right side edges 34, 36, with each side edge 34, 36 having a respective midpoint 34a, 36a generally intermediate the rear and front edges 22, 24 of the seat frame portion 14. Each side edge 34, 36 of the seat frame portion 14 defines a respective front side edge 34b, 36b which extends generally downwardly and frontwardly away from the respective midpoint 34a, 36a. The left and right braces 26, 28 are integrally connected to the seat frame portion 14 near the respective midpoints 34a, Figures 3 and 4 show additional details of the seat 10. As shown in Figure 3, the frame of the seat 10 is covered by at least one cover, and preferably the frame is covered by back and seat covers 38, 40. More particularly, the back cover 38 extends substantially across the periphery of the back frame portion 12, while the seat cover 40 extends substantially across the periphery of the seat frame portion 14. Each seat cover 38, 40 is made of an elastic, strong, lightweight, easily cleaned fabric. In the presently preferred embodiment, each seat cover 38, 40 is made of Dymetrol® made by , although other suitable fabrics may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
To tightly connect the seat covers 38, 40 to the respective back and seat frame portions 12, 14, the seat covers 38, 40 are made with pockets that fit snugly over segments of the peripheries of the frame portions 12, 14. This arrangement can best be appreciated in cross-reference to Figures 3 and 4, taking the upper pocket of the back cover 38 as an example. It is to be understood that the back cover 38 includes a lower pocket, and the seat cover 40 includes rear and front pockets, which are substantially identical in configuration and operation to the upper pocket described below.
More specifically, the back cover 38 is formed with an upper engagement section 42 which is folded back against a back support section 44 of the cover 38 to establish an upper pocket 46 therebetween. As can be appreciated in reference to Figures 3 and 4, the upper pocket 46 snugly surrounds the upper edge 18 of the back frame portion 12, and indeed snugly surrounds a substantial part of the upper half of the periphery 16 of the back frame portion 12. It can further be appreciated that the upper pocket 46 extends down about to the midpoints 30a, 32a of the side edges 30, 32. To hold the upper engagement section 42 against the back support section 44, the sections 42, 44 are sewn together along their common periphery.
Additionally, Figure 3 shows that the back cover 38 includes a lower engagement section 48 which is folded back against the back support section 44 to establish a lower pocket for snugly fitting around the lower part of the periphery 16 of the back frame portion 12. In accordance with the principles discussed above, it can readily be appreciated thaf the seat cover 40 is formed with a rear engagement section 50, a seat support section 52, and a front engagement section 54, with the engagement sections 50, 54 being folded against the support section 52 to establish respective rear and front pockets for receiving the rear and front edges 22, 24, respectively, of the seat frame portion 14 therein. With this arrangement, the covers 38, 40 can easily be manually removed from the seat 10 for cleaning and replacement.
Preferably, the seat 10 is mounted on the automobile 100 for longitudinal reciprocating movement of the seat 10 relative to the automobile 100. As the skilled artisan will recognize, such mounting permits an occupant of the seat 10 to move the seat 10 forwardly and rearwardly in the automobile 100 as desired by the occupant.
Figures 3 and 5 show one means by which the seat 10 is mounted on the automobile 100. As shown, the seat 10 includes solid plastic rigid rail blades 56, 58 that are molded integrally with the right side edge 36 of the seat frame portion 14 of the seat 10 and that depend downwardly therefrom. It is to be understood that alternatively, the rail blades 56, 58 may depend downwardly from the left side edge 34 of the seat frame portion 14. Still further, additional rail blades (not shown) may depend downwardly from both side edges 34, 36, if desired. For clarity of disclosure, only the blades 56, 58 shown in Figures 3 and 4 will be discussed.
As shown, the blades 56, 58 engage a rail 60 for slidable reciprocating movement therealong. In turn, the rail 60 is affixed to the frame 106 of the automobile 100 by a plurality of bolts (only one bolt 62 shown in Figures 3 and 5).
To facilitate slidable engagement of the blades 56, 58 with the rail 60, Figure 5 best shows that the rail 60 is formed with a longitudinal groove 64 in a right side surface 66 of the rail 60. The blade 56 is formed with a downwardly- oriented shank 68 that is integrally formed on one end with the seat frame portion 14 and, on its end opposed from the seat frame portion 14, is integrally formed with an inwardly oriented engagement lip 70 which slidably engages the groove 64. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the blade 56 is somewhat C-shaped, with the engagement lip 70 establishing'the bottom bar of the "C". Alternatively, the blade
56 can be L-shaped and have an engagement lip that establishes the bottom bar of the "L".
In cross-reference to Figures 3 and 5, a plurality of pin receptacles 72 are formed, preferably as holes, in the side surface 66 of the rail 60. A longitudinal shaft 74 of a rigid pin 76 extends through a pin channel 78 that is formed in the blade 56, and the shaft 74 can be advanced into one of the pin receptacles 72 to a set position (shown in Figure 5) to hold the seat 10 stationary relative to the rail 60.
In the embodiment shown, the pin 76 is T-shaped, but it is to be understood that the pin 76 can be L-shaped or have some other shape suitable to permit it to be grasped by a person's hand.
As can be appreciated in reference to Figure 5, the pin 76 can be manipulated outwardly from the pin receptacle 72 to an adjust position, wherein the shaft 74 is distanced from the receptacle 72. When the pin 76 is held in the adjust position, the seat 10 may be moved longitudinally relative to the rail 60 and, hence, relative to the automobile 100.
Figure 5 shows that the pin 76 is biased to the set position. More particularly, the pin 76 is formed with a flange 80 which circumscribes the shaft 74, and a spring 82 is trapped in compression between the flange 80 and the blade 56 to urge the pin 76 toward the set position. As intended by the present invention, the blade 58 is in all essential respects identical in configuration and operation to the blade 56, except that no pin and, hence, no pin channel, need be provided in the blade 58.
Figure 6 shows an alternate embodiment for slidably engaging the seat of the present invention with the rail of the present invention. More specifically, as shown in Figure 6 a seat 84 includes a T-shaped blade 86 formed with a downwardly projecting shank 88 terminating in outwardly-projecting ears 90.
The shank 88 extends through a channel 92 that is formed in a top surface 94 of a hollow rail 96. As shown, the hollow rail 96 defines an interior passageway 98, and the ears 90 are slidably engaged with the rail 96 within the interior passageway 98.
It can be appreciated that with the above-disclosed combination of structure, the ears 90 are retained in the passageway by the top surface 94 of the rail 96. It is to be understood that the blade 86 can be formed with a pin receptacle (not shown), and that a pin (not shown) can extend through one of a plurality of holes (not shown) formed in the rail 96 to engage the receptacle of the blade 86 to hold the blade 86 stationary relative to the rail 96, using the principles disclosed above.
Now referring to Figure 7, a seat 150 includes a unitary bench-style frame 152 which is defined by a plastic molded back frame portion 154 and a plastic molded seat frame portion 156. Essentially, the plastic molded back frame portion 154 and plastic molded seat frame portion 156 are established by integrally forming together, side-by-side, two of the back frame and seat frame portions 12, 14 shown in Figure 2. Thereby, the bench-style frame 152 is established.

Claims

- C L A I M S 1. A seat for a motor vehicle, comprising: a unitary plastic seat frame including a back frame portion defining a periphery and a seat frame portion oriented generally orthogonally to the back frame portion, the seat frame portion defining a periphery; an elastic fabric back cover attached to the back frame portion and extending substantially across the periphery of the back frame portion; and an elastic fabric seat cover attached to the seat frame portion and extending substantially across the periphery of the seat frame portion.
2. The seat of claim 1, wherein the periphery of the back frame portion defines an upper edge and a lower edge, and the back cover is formed with an upper engagement section, a back support section, and a lower engagement section, the engagement sections being folded back against the support section to establish respective upper and lower pockets for receiving the upper and lower edges, respectively, therein to thereby hold the back cover onto the back frame portion.
3. The seat of claim 2, wherein the periphery of the seat frame portion defines a rear edge and a front edge, and the seat cover is formed with a rear engagement section, a seat support section, and a front engagement section, the engagement sections being folded against the support section to establish respective rear and front pockets for receiving the rear and front edges, respectively, of the seat frame portion therein to thereby hold the seat cover onto the seat frame portion.
4. The seat of claim 3, wherein the back and seat frame portions are interconnected by left and right back support braces, the back support braces being molded integrally with the back and seat frame portions.
5. The seat of claim 4, further comprising at least a first mounting blade formed integrally on the seat frame portion and depending downwardly therefrom for slidably engaging the vehicle.
6. The seat of claim 5, further comprising a rail mounted on the vehicle longitudinally relative thereto, the mounting blade being slidably engageable with the rail.
7. The seat of claim 6, wherein the rail is formed with a plurality of pin receptacles, and the seat further comprises a pin reciprocatingly engaged with the blade and rail, the pin having an adjust position, wherein the pin is distanced from the receptacles and the seat can be moved longitudinally relative to the vehicle, and a set position, wherein the pin engages a selected one of the receptacles to hold the seat stationary relative to the vehicle.
8. The seat of claim 2, wherein the periphery of the back frame portion defines left and right side edges, each side edge of the back frame portion having a midpoint generally intermediate the upper and lower edges of the back frame portion, each side edge of the back frame portion defining a respective upper side edge extending generally upwardly and rearwardly away from the midpoint of the respective side edge when the seat is installed in the vehicle.
9. The seat of claim 3, wherein the periphery of the seat frame portion defines left and right side edges, each side edge of the seat frame portion having a midpoint generally intermediate the rear and front edges of the seat frame portion, each side edge of the seat frame portion defining a respective front side edge extending generally downwardly and frontwardly away from the respective midpoint when the seat is installed in the vehicle.
10. An automobile, comprising: a plastic automobile body; a steel automobile frame supporting the body, the frame including at least one seat rail; at least one plastic rail blade slidably engaged with the at least one seat rail; and a seat including a unitary frame formed integrally with the at least one rail blade.
11. The automobile of claim 10, wherein the unitary frame includes: a plastic molded back frame portion defining a periphery, the periphery of the back frame portion defining an upper edge and a lower edge; a plastic seat frame portion integrally connected to the back frame portion and oriented generally orthogonally thereto, the seat frame portion defining a periphery, the periphery of the seat frame portion defining a rear edge and a front edge; and left and right back support braces integrally molded with the frame portions and interconnecting the frame portions.
12. The automobile of claim 11, wherein the seat further comprises: an elastic fabric back cover attached to the back frame portion and extending substantially across the periphery of the back frame portion, the back cover being formed with an upper engagement section, a back support section, and a lower engagement section, the engagement sections being folded back against the support section to establish respective upper and lower pockets for receiving the upper and lower edges of the back frame portion, respectively, therein to thereby hold the back cover onto the back frame portion; and an elastic fabric seat cover attached to the seat frame portion and extending substantially across the periphery of the seat frame portion, the seat cover being formed with a rear engagement section, a seat support section, and a front engagement section, the engagement sections being folded against the support section of the seat to establish respective rear and front pockets for receiving the rear and front edges, respectively, of the seat frame portion therein to thereby hold the seat cover onto the seat frame portion.
13. The automobile of claim 12, wherein the rail is formed with a plurality of pin receptacles, and the automobile further comprises a pin reciprocatingly engaged with the blade and rail, the pin having an adjust position, wherein the pin is distanced from the receptacles and the seat can be moved longitudinally relative to the automobile, and a set position, wherein the pin engages a selected one of the receptacles to hold the seat stationary relative to the automobile.
14. The automobile of claim 13, wherein: the periphery of the back frame portion defines left and right side edges, each side edge of the back frame portion having a midpoint generally intermediate the upper and lower edges of the back frame portion, each side edge of the back frame portion defining a respective upper side edge extending generally upwardly and rearwardly away from the midpoint of the respective side edge; and wherein the periphery of the seat frame portion defines left and right side edges, each side edge of the seat frame portion having a midpoint generally intermediate the rear and front edges of the seat frame portion, each side edge of the seat frame portion defining a respective front side edge extending generally downwardly and frontwardly away from the respective midpoint.
15. In an automobile including a plastic automobile body, a steel automobile frame supporting the body, the frame including at least one seat rail, a seat engaged with the seat rail and including a unitarily formed plastic frame and an elastic cover attached thereto to support a person.
16. The seat of claim 15, further comprising: at least one plastic rail blade slidably engaged with the at least one seat rail and formed integrally with the frame; a plastic molded back frame portion defining a periphery, the periphery of the back frame portion defining an upper edge and a lower edge; a plastic seat frame portion integrally connected to the back frame portion and oriented generally orthogonally thereto, the seat frame portion defining a periphery, the periphery of the seat frame portion defining a rear edge and a front edge; and left and right back support braces integrally molded with the frame portions and interconnecting the frame portions.
17. The seat of claim 16, further comprising: an elastic fabric back cover attached to the back frame portion and extending substantially across the periphery of the back frame portion, the back cover being formed with an upper engagement section, a back support section, and a lower engagement section, the engagement sections being folded back against the support section to establish respective upper and lower pockets for receiving the upper and lower edges of the back frame portion, respectively, therein to thereby hold the back cover onto the back frame portion; and an elastic fabric seat cover attached to the seat frame portion and extending substantially across the periphery of the seat frame portion, the seat cover being formed with a rear engagement section, a seat support section, and a front engagement section, the engagement sections being folded against the support section of the seat to establish respective rear and front pockets for receiving the rear and front edges, respectively, of the seat frame portion therein to thereby hold the seat cover onto the seat frame portion.
PCT/US1997/019625 1996-11-04 1997-10-30 Lightweight bucket seat for motor vehicles WO1998019879A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU50942/98A AU5094298A (en) 1996-11-04 1997-10-30 Lightweight bucket seat for motor vehicles

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US74306496A 1996-11-04 1996-11-04
US08/743,064 1996-11-04

Publications (1)

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ID=24987381

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
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WO (1) WO1998019879A1 (en)

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GB2340745A (en) * 1998-07-24 2000-03-01 Daimler Chrysler Ag Bucket seat for vehicles
EP1228962A1 (en) * 2001-02-05 2002-08-07 Société Industrielle et Commerciale de Matériel Aéronautique Aircraft seat element with upholstery fabric and assembly method for said element
WO2006131717A1 (en) * 2005-06-04 2006-12-14 Space Net Technology Limited A child vehicle seating system
US7399036B2 (en) 2006-12-01 2008-07-15 Sabic Innovative Plastics Ip B.V. Molded plastic universal seat
US8152182B2 (en) 2005-06-04 2012-04-10 Space Net Technology Limited Pushchair
US8289973B2 (en) 2004-04-05 2012-10-16 Verizon Business Global Llc System and method for indicating classification of a communications flow
USD703457S1 (en) 2013-06-07 2014-04-29 Herman Miller, Inc. Chair
FR3006254A1 (en) * 2013-06-03 2014-12-05 Renault Sa BENCH FOR MOTOR VEHICLE
US9211014B2 (en) 2011-12-08 2015-12-15 Herman Miller, Inc. Composite body support member and methods for the manufacture and recycling thereof
EP4349647A1 (en) * 2022-10-06 2024-04-10 Grammer Ag Vehicle seat with backrest made of frame element and knitted fabric

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GB2340745A (en) * 1998-07-24 2000-03-01 Daimler Chrysler Ag Bucket seat for vehicles
EP1228962A1 (en) * 2001-02-05 2002-08-07 Société Industrielle et Commerciale de Matériel Aéronautique Aircraft seat element with upholstery fabric and assembly method for said element
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US7399036B2 (en) 2006-12-01 2008-07-15 Sabic Innovative Plastics Ip B.V. Molded plastic universal seat
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USD703457S1 (en) 2013-06-07 2014-04-29 Herman Miller, Inc. Chair
USD723851S1 (en) 2013-06-07 2015-03-10 Herman Miller, Inc. Backrest support
EP4349647A1 (en) * 2022-10-06 2024-04-10 Grammer Ag Vehicle seat with backrest made of frame element and knitted fabric

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