Abstract:
A seat assembly for a vehicle, such as a school bus, accommodates two or three passengers, depending on the size and stature of the passengers. The seat assembly is equipped with three seatbelts and five buckles spaced along a seatback. When three passengers are utilizing the seat assembly, each of the three seatbelts and three of the buckles are utilized. When two passengers are utilizing the seat assembly, two of the seatbelts and the remaining two buckles are utilized. The seatbelts and buckles are visually coded and/or keyed to prevent improper use. When the buckles are not being utilized, they are housed in cavities formed in the seatback to avoid interference with the passengers.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/892,543 filed Mar. 2, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/966,403 filed Aug. 28, 2007, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The subject invention relates generally to a seat assembly for a vehicle. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     School bus bodies are generally standardized and generally have a common width, which means that the width of seats installed in the school bus is also generally standardized. In spite of this standardized seat width, if the school bus is used to transport grade school children, which typically have a smaller stature, then each of the seats will often accommodate three passengers. On the other hand, if the school bus is used to transport larger high school children, which typically have a larger stature, then each of the seats will accommodate only two passengers on each of the seats. 
     Each of the seats includes a seat bottom and a seatback, which are essentially flat. Accordingly, accommodating either two or three passengers on each seat is simply a matter of the seat width being able to accommodate the combined width of passengers sitting in the seat. In other words, the seats are designed to accommodate either two or three passengers, and are not customized to accommodate a pre-determined number of passengers. This has always provided school bus operators with scheduling flexibility, and has until recently not created any problems. 
     Recently, however, a longstanding debate as to whether school buses should be equipped with seatbelt assemblies has intensified, with those favoring seatbelt assembly usage on the school buses now prevailing. As a result, more and more school buses are now being equipped with seatbelt assemblies. Public pressure is building to require all school buses be equipped with seatbelt assemblies. A strong consensus has already developed requiring the seatbelt assemblies include a lap/shoulder belt combination similar to designs now installed in most modern automobiles. 
     However, this creates a very serious problem for the school bus industry because the school bus seats are now becoming customized with equipment to accommodate either two larger passengers or three smaller passengers, but not both. If the school bus seats are equipped to accommodate the three smaller passengers, the seatbelt assembly equipment is not properly positioned for use by the larger passengers. If the school bus seats are equipped to accommodate the two larger passengers, the capacity of the school bus is reduced. The reduced capacity requires school districts to increase the number of school buses to transport the same number of children, which is an expensive option for school districts. 
     Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a seat assembly that includes seatbelt assemblies that are configured to accommodate two larger passengers or three smaller passengers. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES 
     The subject invention provides a seat assembly for a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat having a seat bottom and a seatback with the seat extending between a first side and a second side for accommodating at least one passenger. A first seatbelt is disposed in proximity to the first side of the seat and a second seatbelt is disposed in proximity to the second side of the seat. A third seatbelt is disposed between the sides of the seat. A first buckle, a second buckle, a third buckle, a fourth buckle, and a fifth buckle are disposed in proximity to the seat and arranged sequentially from the first side of the seat to the second side of the seat. A first clip is coupled with the first seatbelt and engageable with the first and second buckles for securing a first passenger in the seat with the first seatbelt. A second clip is coupled with the second seatbelt and engageable with the third and fifth buckles for securing a second passenger in the seat with the second seatbelt. A third clip is coupled with the third seatbelt and engageable with the fourth buckle for securing a third passenger in the seat with the third seatbelt. 
     By utilizing five buckles in concert with three seatbelts, the seat assembly may accommodate three passengers of smaller stature or two passengers of larger stature. Therefore, a single school bus, or other vehicle, utilizing this seat assembly may service both grade school children, who typically have a smaller stature, and high school children, who typically have a larger stature. Specifically, the subject invention allows both categories of passengers to be secured to the seat with a seatbelt. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle implementing a plurality of seat assemblies; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a seat assembly showing a seat with three seatbelts and five buckles; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the seat assembly without covering on a frame of the seat; 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of a three passenger configuration of the seat assembly showing three passengers secured in the seat; 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a two passenger configuration of the seat assembly showing two passengers secured in the seat; 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the seat assembly without a seatback to reveal belt height adjusters disposed within the seatback; and 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the seat assembly to show multiple buckles supported by a single stem. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a seat assembly is shown at  10 . The seat assembly  10  is typically disposed in a vehicle such as, for example, for a standard school bus  11 . Accordingly, as is known in the art, several seats assemblies  10  will be incorporated into the school bus  11  in rows, as is shown in  FIG. 1 . It should be appreciated that the seat assembly  10  may be used in any type of vehicle including, for example, an automobile, an airplane, and a boat. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the seat assembly includes a seat  12  extending between a first side  14  and a second side  16 . The seat includes a seat bottom  18  extending generally horizontally and a seatback  20  extending generally vertically, as is commonly known. The seat bottom  18  and seatback  20  are preferably covered with a covering (not numbered) and/or cushion (not shown) over a frame (not numbered). The seat bottom  18  may include any structure commonly utilized. The seat bottom  18  typically includes the frame formed of metal or another suitable material. The seat bottom  18  may be inclined to form a ramp (not numbered) along a front edge (not numbered) for urging passengers seated in the seat  12  toward the seatback  20  and to reduce the likelihood that the passenger uncontrollably moves forward and strikes the seatback  20  in front of the passenger when the vehicle is stopped abruptly, i.e., also referred to in industry as “submarining.” The seat assembly  10  typically includes mounting pedestals  22  attached to and extending downwardly from the seat bottom. The mounting pedestals  22  may be mounted to a floor of the vehicle. 
     The seat assembly  10  shown in the illustrated embodiments is configured to hold one, two, or three passengers. Specifically, the seat assembly  10  optimally secures three passengers of smaller stature, e.g., grade school students, in a three passenger configuration, as shown in  FIG. 4 , or two passengers of larger stature, e.g., high school students or adults, in a two passenger configuration, as shown in  FIG. 5 . However, those skilled in the art will realize that the seat assembly  10  may be configured to secure additional passengers in a wider seat  12  using the teachings set forth herein. 
     The seat assembly  10  includes a plurality of seatbelt assemblies (not numbered) for securing one or more passengers  30 ,  32 ,  34  in the seat  12 . Each seatbelt assembly includes a retractor (not numbered) and a seatbelt  24 ,  26 ,  28 , selectively extendable from the retractor. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the seat assembly  10  includes a first seatbelt  24 , a second seatbelt  26 , and a third seatbelt  28 . The first seatbelt  24  is disposed in proximity to the first side  14  of the seat  12 . The second seatbelt  26  is disposed in proximity to the second side  16  of the seat  12 . The third seatbelt  28  is disposed between the sides  14 ,  26  of the seat  12  and preferably between the first and second seatbelts  24 ,  26 . In the illustrated embodiments, each seatbelt  24 ,  26 ,  28  is supported by the seat  12 . Particularly, one end (not numbered) of each seatbelt  24 ,  26 ,  28  is fastened to the seat  12 . However, in alternative embodiments (not shown), one or more of the seatbelts  24 ,  26 ,  28  may be fastened elsewhere, such as, the floor or side walls of the vehicle. 
     The seat assembly  10  preferably includes a plurality of shoulder retainers  36 ,  38 ,  40  as can be seen in  FIG. 3 . Each shoulder retainer  36 ,  38 ,  40  receives one of the seatbelts  24 ,  26 ,  28  as is well known to those skilled in the art. Each shoulder retainer  36 ,  38 ,  40  allows the associated seatbelt  24 ,  26 ,  28  to engage a shoulder area of the passenger  30 ,  32 ,  34  that is secured using the seatbelt  24 ,  26 ,  28 . In the illustrated embodiment, a first shoulder retainer  36  receives the first seatbelt  24 , a second shoulder retainer  38  receives the second seatbelt  26 , and a third shoulder retainer  40  receives the third seatbelt  28 . Each shoulder retainer  36 ,  38 ,  40  is operatively connected to and supported by the seat  12 , specifically, the seatback  20 . However, those skilled in the art realize other configurations where one or more of the shoulder retainers  36 ,  38 ,  40  are not supported by the seat  12 . Furthermore, the seat assembly  10  may be implemented without the shoulder retainers  36 ,  38 ,  40  such as with seatbelts  24 ,  26 ,  28  securing only the waist of the passenger  30 ,  32 ,  34 , i.e., a “lap belt”. 
     The seat assembly  10  preferably also includes at least one belt height adjuster  42 ,  44 , as is best seen in  FIG. 6 . Each belt height adjuster  42 ,  44  supports one of the shoulder retainers  36 ,  38  and allows adjustment of the shoulder retainer  36 ,  38  to accommodate passengers of various sizes. Specifically, each belt height adjuster  42 ,  44  defines a slot  43 ,  45 , such that the shoulder retainer  36 ,  38  may move generally vertically. In the illustrated embodiment, a first belt height adjuster  42  supports the first shoulder retainer  36  and a second belt height  44  adjuster supports the second shoulder retainer  38 . The third shoulder retainer  40  is not supported by a belt height adjuster in the illustrated embodiment since it is contemplated that the third seatbelt  28  will be typically only used by a smaller-stature passenger. However, implementation of a belt height adjuster for the third should retainer  40 , of course, may be achieved. 
     More specifically, with respect to the belt height adjuster  42 ,  44 , as best shown in  FIG. 6 , the seatback  20  includes a seatback frame (not numbered). The seatback frame defines a track and a plurality of indentations along the track. The belt height adjuster  42 ,  44  includes a slider slideably engaging the track and a pin selectively engageable with the indentations for fixing the slider at fixed positions along the seatbelt frame. It should be appreciated the embodiment including the indentations along the track is exemplary and that the movement of the belt height adjuster  42 ,  44  along the seatback frame can be accomplished in any fashion without departing from the nature of the present invention. For example, the belt height adjuster  42 ,  44  can be adjustable along an infinite number of positions along the seatback frame and can be maintained in any of the infinite number of positions by frictionally engaging the seatback frame. 
     The seatback frame includes three towers spaced from each other along the seat bottom  18 . More specifically, two of the towers are disposed on opposing ends of the seat bottom  18  and one of the towers is disposed on the seat bottom  18  approximately ⅓ of a distance from one to the other of the opposing ends. The towers each define a channel. The respective retractor is mounted at a bottom of the tower in the channel and the respective seatbelt  24 ,  26 ,  28  extends from the retractor to the shoulder retainer  36 ,  38 ,  40  in the channel. Specifically, the seatback frame has a first edge extending along an axis, a second edge spaced from the first edge and extending along the axis, and a surface extending from the first edge to the second edge defining the channel between the first edge and the second edge. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 3 , the seat assembly  10  includes a rigid cover (not numbered) having an inner surface defining a void and the void receives the seatback frame. The rigid cover provides a surface for the passengers to rest their back against. The rigid cover rigidly couples the three towers to each other. The inner surface extends from the first edge to the second edge of each tower for enclosing the seatbelt  24 ,  26 ,  28  in the channel between the retractor and the shoulder retainer  36 ,  38 ,  40 . Specifically, the inner surface of the rigid cover contacts the first and second edges of each tower. 
     The cover defines an opening and the seatbelt  24 ,  26 ,  28  extends from the channel through the opening. The belt height adjusters  42 ,  44  are selectively moveable along the opening. 
     The cover structurally reinforces the seatback  20 . In other words, the cover ties together the towers to reinforce the seatback  20 . The cover is typically formed of plastic; however, it should be appreciated that the cover may be formed of any material and by any method. 
     The seat assembly  10  further includes a plurality of buckles  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 . Specifically, the seat assembly  10  includes a first buckle  46 , a second buckle  48 , a third buckle  50 , a fourth buckle  52 , and a fifth buckle  54 . The buckles  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  are disposed in proximity to the seat  12  and arranged sequentially from the first side  14  to the second side  16  of the seat  12 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the second and third buckles  48 ,  50  are preferably positioned adjacent one another as a first pair of buckles (not numbered) and the fourth and fifth buckles  52 ,  54  are preferably positioned adjacent one another as a second pair of buckles (not numbered). The first pair of buckles, i.e., the second and third buckles  48 ,  50 , are preferably disposed about halfway between the first and second sides  14 ,  16  of the seat  12 . The second pair of buckles, i.e., the fourth and fifth buckles  52 ,  54 , are preferably disposed about a third of the way across the seat  12  from the second side  16 . The first buckles  46  is preferably disposed about a third of the way across the seat  12  from the first side  14 . 
     A clip  56 ,  58 ,  60  for engaging with one of the buckles  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  is coupled to each seatbelt  24 ,  26 ,  28  as is well known to one skilled in the art. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, a first clip  56  is coupled with the first seatbelt  24  for engaging the first buckle  46  or the second buckle  48 . A second clip  58  is coupled with the second seatbelt  26  for engaging the third buckle  50  or the fifth buckle  54 . A third clip  60  is coupled with the third seatbelt  28  for engaging the fourth buckle  46 . 
     The above described correlation of specific clips to specific buckles allows the seat assembly  10  of the subject invention to securely accommodate one, two, three passengers. Specifically, the seat assembly  10  presents both a two-passenger configuration and a three-passenger configuration. Clearly, a single passenger could utilize either configuration. Furthermore, two passengers could also utilize the three-passenger configuration. 
     The three-passenger configuration is preferably suited for three passengers  30 ,  32 ,  34  having smaller statures, as shown in  FIG. 4 . In this configuration, the first, fourth, and fifth buckles  46 ,  52 ,  54 , which are preferably disposed a third of the way across the seat  12  from one of the sides  14 ,  16  are utilized. Specifically, the first clip  56  is engageable with the first buckle  46  to secure a first passenger  30  to the seat  12  with the first seatbelt  24 . The second clip  58  is engageable with the fifth buckle  54  to secure a second passenger  32  with the second seatbelt  26 . The third clip  60  is engageable with the fourth buckle  52  to secure a third passenger  34  with the third seatbelt  28 . 
     The two-passenger configuration is preferably suited for two passengers  30 ,  32  having larger statures, as shown in  FIG. 5 . In this configuration, the first clip  56  is engageable with the second buckle  48  to secure the first passenger  30  with the first seatbelt  24  and the second clip  58  is engageable with the third buckle  50  to secure the second passenger  32 . 
     Preferably, each clip  56 ,  68 ,  60  is engageable only with certain buckles  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  to insure that each passenger  30 ,  32 ,  34  may be properly secured in the seat  12 . Specifically, in the configurations of the illustrated embodiment, the first clip  56  is keyed to engage only with the first buckle  46  or the second buckle  48 , the second clip  58  is keyed to engage only with the third buckle  50  or the fifth buckle  54 , and the third clip  60  is keyed to engage only with the fourth buckle  52 . There are numerous techniques known to those skilled in the art to accomplish the keying of the clips such that they only engage with certain buckles. For instance, each clip typically forms a hole (not numbered) which allows connection to the buckle. The size and/or position of this hole may unique to each clip  56 ,  58 ,  60  such that each clip  56 ,  58 ,  60  only engages with the proper buckle  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 . 
     The seat assembly  10  may use a visual coding technique to match each clip  56 ,  58 ,  60  up with the proper buckle  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 . The visual coding technique may be implemented as an alternative to the keying of the clips  56 ,  58 ,  70  describe above or in concert with the keying of the clips  56 ,  58 ,  60 . Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the first clip  56  is visually coded with the first and second buckles  46 ,  48 , the second clip  58  is visually coded with the third and fifth buckles  50 ,  54 , and the third clip  60  is visually coded with the fourth buckle  52 . The visual coding allows the passenger to quickly and easily match up each clip  56 ,  58 ,  60  with its corresponding buckle  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 . As one example, the visual coding may be implemented as color coding such that at least a portion of corresponding clips  56 ,  58 ,  60  and buckles  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  have a similar color. Another example of visual coding includes text printed on or embedded on the clips  56 ,  58 ,  60  and buckles  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 . 
     Preferably, as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 , and  5 , the seatback defines a plurality of cavities  62 ,  64 ,  66  for storing and housing the buckles  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  when the buckles  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  are not in use. Specifically, a first cavity  62  houses the first buckle  46 , a second cavity  64  houses the second and third buckles  48 ,  50 , and a third cavity  66  houses the fourth and fifth buckles  58 . This storage allows the buckles  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  to be moved away from contact with the passengers  30 ,  32 ,  34  to enhance their comfort while seated in the seat  12 . In the three-passenger configuration, the second and third buckles  48 ,  50  are stored to avoid contact with the third passenger  34 . In the two-passenger configuration, the first buckles  46  is stored to avoid contact with the first passenger  30  and the fourth and fifth buckles  52 ,  54  are stored to avoid contact with the second passenger  32 . 
     The seat assembly  10  also includes a plurality of stems  70  with each stem  70  supporting at least one of the buckles  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 . In one embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , each buckle  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  is supported by a single stem  70 . In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the second and third buckles  48 ,  50  are supported by a single stem  70  and the fourth and fifth buckles  52 ,  54  are supported by a single stem. 
     The seat assembly  10  further includes a plurality of hinges  72  with each hinge  72  operatively connected to one of the stems  70 . This allows the at least one buckle that is supported by the stem  70  to move between a storage position and a usage position. In the storage position, the buckle  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  is positioned in one of the cavities  62 ,  64 ,  66 . Specifically, as can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the first buckle  46  is positioned in the first cavity  62 , the second and third buckles  48 ,  50  are positioned in the second cavity  64 , and the fourth and fifth buckles  52 ,  54  are positioned in the third cavity  66 . In the usage position the buckle  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  is positioned out of one of the cavities  62 ,  64 ,  66 . 
     Each stem  70 , as well as the buckle or buckles  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  supported thereby, is biased toward its respective cavity  62 ,  64 ,  66  by a spring  74 . Specifically, the seat assembly  10  includes a plurality of springs  74 , with each spring  74  operatively connected to one of the stems  70 . Therefore, when the buckle or buckles  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  are not being utilized, i.e., connected to a clip  56 ,  58 ,  60 , the buckle or buckles  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  are moved into the storage position. 
     The present invention has been described herein in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described within the scope of the appended claims.