Abstract:
Vehicle seat assemblies may be foldable in a plurality of configurations. The seats may be foldable so as to provide a space between a seat bottom and a seat back. Seats may be foldable so as to provide a space in front of the seat bottom and the seat back. A moveable table may be a component of the seat assembly in the vehicle, with the table operable to provide a relatively flat surface when in an operative position. The table may utilize the space provided between the seat bottom and the seat back and/or the space provided in front of the seat bottom and the seat back when in the operative position. Additionally, the table may be stowed under the seat when not in use.

Description:
FIELD 
     The subject matter described herein relates in general to vehicle seat assemblies and, more particularly, to vehicle seat assemblies that have a foldable table. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Modern vehicles commonly have seats to secure an occupant while the vehicle is in motion. More specifically, vehicle seats may provide a surface which occupants may sit on in the moving vehicle. For example, vehicle seats commonly include a seat back and a seat bottom, with both the seat back and the seat bottom angled as to comfortably contain the occupant in the moving vehicle. While the vehicle seat is well suited for use when the vehicle is in motion, it would be advantageous to provide a seat that satisfies additional requirements when the vehicle is not in motion. For example, the occupant may desire a flat surface, such as a table, when the vehicle is at rest. Given the space constraints in the vehicle, it would be desirable that the flat surface be stowed so as to not encumber the occupant or useable space when not needed. 
     SUMMARY 
     Vehicle seat assemblies may be foldable in a plurality of configurations. The seats may be foldable so as to provide a space between a seat bottom and a seat back. Seats may be foldable so as to provide a space in front of the seat bottom and the seat back. A moveable table may be a component of the seat assembly in the vehicle, with the table operable to provide a relatively flat surface when in an operative position. The table may utilize the space provided between the seat bottom and the seat back and/or the space provided in front of the seat bottom and the seat back when in the operative position. Additionally, the table may be stowed under the seat when not in use. 
     In one respect, the present disclosure is directed to a seat assembly for a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat back, a seat bottom and a table. The seat back has opposite upper and lower ends. The seat bottom has opposite inner and outer ends and opposite upper and lower surfaces. The seat bottom moves relative to the seat back between a generally horizontal first position and a second position. The inner end of the seat bottom is adjacent the lower end of the seat back when the seat bottom is in the first position. The seat bottom is operable to support the occupant on the upper surface when in the first position. The table is operatively coupled to the vehicle. The table has a body member movable between a stowed position and an operable position when the seat bottom is in the second position. The body member, when in the stowed position, is disposed adjacent the lower surface of the seat bottom when in the first position. The body member is generally horizontally orientated when in the operative position. 
     In another respect, the present disclosure is directed to a seat assembly for a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat back, a seat bottom and a table. The seat back has opposite upper and lower ends. The seat bottom has opposite inner and outer ends and opposite upper and lower surfaces. The seat bottom moves relative to the seat back between a generally horizontal first position and a second position. The inner end of the seat bottom is adjacent the lower end of the seat back when the seat bottom is in the first position. The seat bottom is operable to support an occupant on the upper surface when the seat bottom is in the first position. The table is operatively coupled to the vehicle. The table has a body member and at least one first leg. The body member of the table is moveable between a stowed position and an operative position when the seat bottom is in the second position. The body member, when in the stowed position, is disposed adjacent the lower surface of the seat bottom when in the first position. The body member is generally horizontally orientated when in the operative position. The body member has opposite inner and outer edges. The inner edge is closer to the seat back than the outer edge when the body member is in the operative position. The at least one first leg is pivotally coupled to the body member adjacent one of the inner and outer edges. The at least one first leg extends generally downwardly from and supports the body member when in the operative position. The at least one first leg is tucked below the body member when in the stowed position. 
     In yet another respect, the present disclosure is directed to a seat assembly for a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat back, a seat bottom and a table. The seat back has opposite upper and lower ends. The seat bottom has opposite inner and outer ends and opposite upper and lower surfaces. The seat bottom moves relative to the seat back between a generally horizontal first position and a second position. The seat bottom moves forming a space either between the seat bottom and the seat back or in front of the seat back and seat bottom. The inner end of the seat bottom is adjacent the lower end of the seat back when the seat bottom is in the first position. The seat bottom is operable to support an occupant on the upper surface when in the first position. A table is operatively coupled to the vehicle. The table has a body member movable between a stowed position and an operative position when the seat bottom is in the second position. The body member, when in the stowed position, is disposed adjacent the lower surface of the seat bottom when in the first position. The body member is generally horizontally orientated when in the operative position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle in which a seat assembly according to the present disclosure may be utilized; 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view of a first embodiment of the seat assembly with a seat bottom in a first position and a table in a stowed position; 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of the first embodiment of the seat assembly with the seat bottom in a second position and the table in the stowed position; 
         FIG. 2C  is a side view of the first embodiment of the seat assembly with the table in an intermediate position; 
         FIG. 2D  is a side view of the first embodiment of the seat assembly with the table in an operative position; 
         FIG. 2E  is a side view of the first embodiment of the seat assembly with the table operatively coupled to a seat rail of the seat assembly; 
         FIG. 3A  is a fragmented perspective view of a leg operatively pivotally coupled to a floor of the vehicle; 
         FIG. 3B  is a fragmented perspective view of the a leg operatively pivotally coupled to a seat rail of the seat assembly; 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view of a latch mechanism for coupling a leg to the floor of the vehicle; 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view of a channel for coupling a leg to the floor of the vehicle; 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view of an alternate configuration of the table in the operative position wherein a leg is pivotally coupled to a track in the table; 
         FIG. 5B  is a side view of the table of  FIG. 5A  in an intermediate position; 
         FIG. 5C  is a side view of the table of  FIG. 5A  in a stowed position; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of an alternate arrangement of the first embodiment of the seat assembly wherein the table is stowed in a space in a floor of the vehicle; 
         FIG. 7A  is a side view of a second embodiment of a seat assembly with the seat bottom in the first position and a table in a stowed position; 
         FIG. 7B  is a side view of the second embodiment of the seat assembly with the seat bottom in a second position; 
         FIG. 7C  is a side view of the second embodiment of the seat assembly with the table in an intermediate position; 
         FIG. 7D  is a side view of the second embodiment of the seat assembly with the table in the operative position; 
         FIG. 7E  is a side view of an alternative arrangement of the second embodiment of the seat assembly wherein the table is disposed in the seat bottom while in the stowed position; 
         FIG. 7F  is a side view of an alternative configuration of the second embodiment of the seat assembly wherein the table has a leg portion coupled to the seat bottom; 
         FIG. 8A  is a plan view of the table of  FIG. 2  in the stowed position; 
         FIG. 8B  is a front view of the table of  FIG. 2  in the operative position; 
         FIG. 8C  is a side view of the table of  FIG. 2  in the operative position; 
         FIG. 9A  is a front view of an alternate configuration of the table in the operative position wherein there is a pair of two straight legs; 
         FIG. 9B  is a front view of an alternate configuration of the table in the operative position wherein there is a pair of straight legs angled into a generally A-shaped configuration; 
         FIG. 9C  is a front view of an alternate configuration of the table in the operative position wherein there is a pair of straight legs angled into a generally V-shaped configuration; and 
         FIG. 9D  is a front view of an alternate configuration of the table in the operative position wherein there is a single straight leg. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Detailed embodiments are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are intended only as exemplary. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the aspects herein in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of possible implementations. Various embodiments are shown in the FIGS., but the embodiments are not limited to the illustrated structure or application. 
     It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an example of a vehicle  22  is shown. As used herein, “vehicle” means any form of motorized transport. In one or more implementations, vehicle  22  can be an automobile. While arrangements will be described herein with respect to automobiles, it will be understood that embodiments are not limited to automobiles. In some implementations, vehicle  22  may be a watercraft, an aircraft, a train, a space craft or any other form of motorized transport. 
     Vehicle  22  can define an interior that can be configured to transport one or more occupants. For example, vehicle  22  can generally include a door  23  that may be opened to allow access to the interior compartment therein. In one or more arrangements, vehicle  22  can include one or more seat assemblies  20  operatively connected to the floor of vehicle  22 . The term “operatively connected” as used throughout this description, can include direct or indirect connections, including connections without direct physical contact. For example, seat assembly  20  may be operatively connected directly to the floor or to one or more rails operatively connected to the floor. Seat assembly  20  can be configured for movement within the interior. For example, seat assembly  20  can be configured for fore and aft movement along the rails. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2E , seat assembly  20  may include features to provide comfort and support for occupant. In one or more arrangements, seat assembly  20  may include a seat back  24  and a seat bottom  26 . Seat bottom  26  may have a seating surface  30  for supporting a seated occupant on seat assembly  20 . A bottom surface  32  of seat bottom  26  may be opposite seating surface  30 . Seat bottom  26  may be moveable relative to seat back  24  between a generally horizontal first position  34 , such as that shown in  FIG. 2A , and second position  36 , such as that shown in  FIGS. 2B-2E . Second position  36  may be a generally vertical position for seat bottom  26  wherein seat bottom  26  is relatively perpendicular to a horizontal axis of vehicle  22 . An occupant may sit on seat assembly  20  when seat bottom  26  is in first position  34 . Seat back  24  may have a cushioned surface for supporting a back side of a seated occupant. Seat back  24  has opposite upper and lower ends  40 ,  42 . Seat back  24  may be operatively coupled to vehicle  22  via a rear seat post  44 . Rear seat post  44  may have a recliner mechanism operable to recline seat back  24  in a forward or a rearward direction. 
     In one or more arrangements, seat assembly  20  may include a table  48  operatively coupled to vehicle  22 . Table  48  may have stowed position  50 , such as that shown in  FIGS. 2A-2B , wherein table  48  does not encumber a seated occupant in vehicle  22 . Table  48  may move to an operative position  52 , such as that shown in  FIGS. 2D-2E , wherein table  48  may provide a generally horizontal working surface  49 . When moving from stowed position  50  to operative position  52 , table  48  may occupy a space  51  between seat bottom  26  and seat back  24 .  FIG. 2C  shows an intermediate position  53  for table  48  wherein table  48  is between stowed position  50  and operative position  52 . Table  48  may include a body member  54  and a plurality of legs. Body member  54  may have opposite upper and lower surfaces  56 ,  58 . Upper surface  56  may be a generally horizontal working surface  49  when table  48  is in operative position  52 . Upper surface  56  may further include a removable top to allow for cleaning, replacement or the like. The plurality of legs may include one or more first legs  60  and one or more second legs  62 . Both first leg  60  and second leg  62  may be operatively coupled to lower surface  58  of body member  54 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A , in one or more arrangements, seat bottom  26  may include opposite inner and outer ends  64 ,  66 . Inner end  64  of seat bottom  26  may be adjacent lower end  44  of seat back  24  when seat bottom  26  is in first position  34 . Seat bottom  26  may be operable to support a seated occupant when in first position  34 . When seat bottom  26  is in first position  34 , table  48  may be in stowed position  50 . 
     In one or more arrangements, table  48  may be configured to occupy a space  70  below seat bottom  26  when in stowed position  50 . Space  70  may be between a floor  68  of vehicle  22  and bottom surface  32  of seat bottom  26 , such as shown in  FIG. 2A . Alternatively, table  48  may be configured to occupy a space  72  in floor  68  of vehicle  22 , such as shown in  FIG. 6 . It should be appreciated that other arrangements are possible. For example, table  48  may be disposed or stored inside a drawer or slot below seat bottom  26  or occupy a space in seat bottom  26 . In stowed position  50 , legs  60 ,  62  attached to body member  54  may be selectably secured within body member  54  so as to conceal them from view or encumbrance of a seated occupant. 
     In one or more arrangements, seat bottom  26  may be configured to move from first position  34  to second position  36 , as shown in  FIG. 2B . Seat bottom  26  may move in a direction toward a front of vehicle  22  such that inner end  64  of seat bottom  26  moves away from lower end  44  of seat back  24  and outer end  66  of seat bottom  26  moves adjacent floor  68  of vehicle  22 . In moving from first position  34  to second position  36 , a front seat post  74  may collapse forward about a front hinge  76 . Seat bottom  26  may maintain second position  36  (in which seat bottom  26  is moved toward floor  68  of vehicle  22 ) given the mass of seat bottom  26  inhibiting seat bottom  26  from returning to first position  34 . Additionally, a detent or lock feature may be employed, such as on front hinge  76 , to inhibit seat bottom  26  from returning to first position  34 . 
     In one or more arrangements, as shown in  FIG. 2D , body member  54  may include opposite inner and outer edges  82 ,  84  with inner edge  82  being closer to seat back  24  when table  48  is in operative position  52 . Body member  54  may be removable to allow for cleaning, replacement or the like. 
     In one or more arrangements, first leg  60  may include a first end  86  operatively pivotally coupled to lower surface  58  of body member  54  adjacent to inner edge  82  or outer edge  84 . Pivotal coupling may allow first leg  60  to fold. When in operative position  52 , such as that shown in  FIG. 8C , first leg  60  may extend generally downwardly from body member  54  such that a base  88  of first leg  60  is proximate floor  68  of vehicle  22 . In one or more arrangements, first leg  60  is a generally U-shaped leg  60 , such as that shown in  FIGS. 8A  and B. First leg  60  may be operative to support a user engaging upper/working surface  56  of body member  54  when first leg  60  is in a fully extended position  92 . Base  88  of first leg  60  may include a padded foot or other such appliance as to facilitate contact of first leg  60  with floor  68  of vehicle  22  when in fully extended position  92 . In fully extended position  92 , first leg  60  may make a reversible lock-fit engagement with floor  68  of vehicle  22  using a device such as a latch  94  or a channel  96 , as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . 
     In one or more arrangements, table  48  may be operatively coupled to floor  68  of vehicle  22 , such as in  FIGS. 2A-2D and 3A . Alternatively, table  48  may be operatively coupled to seat rail  98 , such as shown in  FIGS. 2E and 3B . When table  48  is secured to seat rail  98 , table  48  may move in all directions, including but not limited to forward, aft, and transverse, that seat assembly  20  moves. 
     In one or more arrangements, as shown in  FIG. 8C , second leg  62  may be coupled to lower surface  58  of body member  54  at either one of inner and outer edges  82 ,  84 , such that second leg  62  is coupled to lower surface  58  of body member  54  opposite first leg  60 . Second leg  62  may have first and second portions  100 , 102 . A first end  104  of first portion  100  may be pivotally coupled to lower surface  58  of body member  54  and a second end  106  of first portion  100  may be pivotally coupled to a first end  108  of second portion  102 . Pivotal coupling allows second leg  62  to fold upon itself. A second end  110  of second portion  102  may be operatively pivotally coupled to floor  68  of vehicle  22 , as is shown in  FIG. 3A . Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 2E and 3B , second end  110  of second portion  102  may be operatively pivotally coupled to seat rail  98 . The lengths of first portion  100  and second portion  102  may be equivalent or, alternatively, one portion may be longer than the other portion. 
     In one or more arrangements, second leg  62  may comprise a single leg portion  112 , such as shown in  FIG. 5A . Single leg portion  112  may have a first end  114  pivotally coupled to a track  116  on a side portion  118  of body member  54 . Track  116  may run along an outer side or an inner side of body member  54 . First end  114  of single leg portion  112  may be moveable along track  116  as body member  54  moves between stowed position  50 , as shown in  FIG. 5C , an intermediate position  120 , such as that shown in  FIG. 5B , and operative position  52 , as shown in  FIG. 5A . In intermediate and stowed positions  120 ,  50 , second leg  62  may occupy a space  122  proximate lower surface  58  of body member  54 . 
     In one or more arrangements, as shown in  FIG. 8A , both first leg  60  and second leg  62  may tuck into space  122  proximate lower surface  58  of body member  54 . Both first leg  60  and second leg  62  may be selectably held in place by a securing mechanism such as latch  94  or channel  96  shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , securing legs in a space  122  proximate lower surface  58  of body member  54  when table  48  is in stowed position  50 . 
     In a second embodiment of the invention, seat assembly  220  may move in a different manner. In one or more arrangements, as shown in  FIG. 7A , seat assembly  220  may include seat bottom  26  having opposite inner and outer ends  64 ,  66  with inner end  64  adjacent lower end  42  of seat back  24  when seat bottom  26  is in a first position  234 . Seat bottom  26  may be operable to support a seated occupant when in first position  234 . When seat bottom  26  is in first position  234 , table  48  may be in a stowed position  250 . Table  48  may be configured in stowed position  250  to have a plurality of legs reversibly secured within the body member  54  so as to conceal the legs from view or encumbrance of a seated occupant. In stowed position  250 , table  48  may occupy a space  270  below seat bottom  26  between floor  68  and bottom surface  32  of seat bottom  26 , as shown in  FIG. 7A . Alternatively, table  48  may occupy a space  272  inside seat bottom  26 , as shown in  FIG. 7E . Other arrangements are possible. For example, table  48  may be disposed or stored inside a drawer or slot below seat bottom  226 . In one or more arrangements, table  48  may move in all directions, including but not limited to forward, aft, and transverse, that seat assembly  220  moves. 
     In one or more arrangements, seat bottom  26  may be configured to move to a second position  236 , such as that shown in  FIG. 7B . Seat bottom  26  may move in a direction toward a rear of vehicle  22  such that outer end  66  of seat bottom  26  moves toward upper end  40  of seat back  24  and inner end  64  of seat bottom  26  moves adjacent seating surface  30  of seat back  24 . Seat bottom  26  may maintain second position  236  (in which seat bottom  26  is moved adjacent to seating surface  30  of seat back  24 ) by employing a releasable locking mechanism such as but not limited to a lock, lever, clip or latch, that inhibits seat bottom  26  from returning to first position  234 . 
     In one or more arrangements, table  48  may be moveable from stowed position  250 , as shown in  FIG. 7A , through an intermediate position  278 , such as that shown in  FIG. 7C , to operative position  252 , as shown in  FIGS. 7D-7F . In intermediate position  278  first leg  60  is not yet fully deployed and in not in contact with floor  68  of vehicle  22 . When moving from stowed position  250  to operative position  252 , table  48  may occupy a space  286  in front of seat bottom  26  and seat back  24 . When seat bottom  26  is moving from second position  236  to first position  234 , a release button, lever release, latch release or the like may be employed to allow seat bottom  26  to return to first position  234 . In one or more arrangements, as shown in FIG.  7 D, inner edge  82  of body member  54  may be adjacent or proximate bottom surface  34  of seat bottom  26  when table  48  is in operative position  252 . 
     In one or more arrangements, first leg  60  may have first end  86  pivotally coupled to lower surface  58  of body member  54  adjacent one of inner edge  82  or outer edge  84 . Pivotal coupling allows first leg  60  to fold beneath body member  54 . When in operative position  252 , first leg  60  may extend generally downwardly from body member  54  such that base  88  of first leg  60  is proximate floor  68  of vehicle  22 . Base  88  of first leg  60  may include a padded foot or other such appliance so as to facilitate contact of first leg  60  with floor  68  when in fully extended position  92 . First leg  60  may be a generally U-shaped leg  60 , as shown in  FIG. 8B . First leg  60  may be operative to support an occupant engaging upper/working surface  56  of body member  54  when first leg  60  is in fully extended position  92 . In fully extended position  92 , first leg  60  may make reversible lock-fit engagement with floor  68  of vehicle  22  using a device such as latch  94  or channel  96 , as shown in  FIGS. 4A-4B . 
     In one or more arrangements, second leg  262  may be pivotally coupled to lower surface  58  of body member  54  at either one of inner edge  82  and outer edges  84 . Further, second leg  262  may be pivotally coupled to lower surface  58  of body member  54  opposite first leg  60 . Pivotal coupling allows second leg  262  to fold. Second leg  262  may have first and second portions  300 , 302 . A first end  304  of first portion  300  may be coupled to lower surface  58  of body member  54  and a second end  306  of first portion  300  may be pivotally coupled to a first end  308  of second portion  302 . A second end  310  of second portion  302  may be operatively pivotally coupled to bottom surface  34  of seat bottom  26 , as is shown in  FIG. 7D . The lengths of first and second portions  300 ,  302  of second leg  262  may be equivalent or, alternatively, one portion may be longer than the other portion. Alternatively, as shown in both  FIG. 7F , second leg  262  may comprise single leg portion  312  having a first end  314  operatively pivotally coupled to lower surface  58  of body member  54  and a second end  324  operatively pivotally coupled to bottom surface  34  of seat bottom  26 . 
     In one or more arrangements, first leg  60  of table  48  may have differing configurations, as shown in  FIGS. 9A-9D . First leg  60  may be two straight legs  60  with an attachment to lower surface  58  of body member  54  adjacent inner edge  82  or outer edge  84  with straight legs  60  extending generally vertically downward when body member  54  is in operative position  52 , such as that shown in  FIG. 8A . First leg  60  may be two angled legs  60  that extend generally downward in a generally A-shaped configuration, such as that shown in  FIG. 8B . In this configuration, legs  60  may be attached to lower surface  58  of body member  54  proximate a midpoint  330  between inner edge and outer edges  82 ,  84  of body member  54 . First leg  60  may be two angled legs  60  that extend generally downward in a generally V-shaped configuration, such as that shown in  FIG. 8C . In this configuration, legs  60  may be attached to lower surface  58  of body member  54  relatively proximate inner edge  82  and outer edge  84 . Additionally, first leg  60  may be one straight leg  60  that extends generally downward, such as that shown in  FIG. 8D . In this configuration, legs  60  may be attached to lower surface  58  of body member  54  proximate midpoint  330  between the inner edge  82  and outer edge  84 . 
     Aspects herein can be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.