Multi-linkage marine seat hinge

A multi-linkage hinge assembly is provided for pivoting a seat cushion between flat and upright positions. The hinge assembly includes a base bracket, a seat bracket having a support surface, a front linkage member pivotally attached between the seat bracket and base bracket, a rear linkage assembly having a lower linkage member pivotally attached to an upper linkage member, and a tie linkage connecting the front linkage member to the rear linkage assembly. The tie linkage synchronizes movement of the front linkage and rear linkage assembly when the hinge is operated to move between an upright and flat position.

FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of seat support assemblies. More particularly, this disclosure relates to a multi-linkage hinge assembly for moving a seat cushion between upright and flat positions.

BACKGROUND

Typical watercraft may include a variety of seating arrangements of passengers in the watercraft. While many passengers may be seated throughout a watercraft, it is often difficult to seat a passenger such that the passenger is in a rear-facing position. For example, watercraft used for watersports such as wakeboarding and wake surfing include a bench-type seat along at least a passenger side of the watercraft. However, passengers seated along the bench surface may have difficulty in comfortably facing a rearward direction from the watercraft, such as to observe a person engaged in an activity behind the watercraft, and the bench is not typically convertible to support a user in a rear-facing position.

Attempts have been made to provide for convertible rear-facing seats within a watercraft. However, many rear-facing seating configurations reduce a number of seats available for passengers on the watercraft, and further reduce an amount of storage typically available under seats on the watercraft. Other attempts have required complicated mechanisms that require large amounts of space under the seat or are not sufficiently robust to withstand a weight of a user in combination with chop or other rough surface conditions encountered by the watercraft. Similar attempts are also cumbersome, and require movement of several cushion sections and other components to convert a bench-type seat to a support for a user in a rear-facing position.

What is needed, therefore, is a multi-linkage marine seat hinge for converting a cushion of a bench-type seat to a backrest for supporting a user in a rear-facing position on a watercraft.

SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met by a multi-linkage hinge assembly for moving a seat cushion between upright and flat positions. In a first aspect, a multi-linkage hinge assembly is provided for pivoting a seat cushion from a flat position to an upright backrest position, the hinge assembly including: a base bracket; a seat bracket including a first end, a second end, and a support surface for attaching a seat cushion to the seat bracket; a front linkage member having a first end and a second end, the front linkage member pivotally attached at the first end to the first end of the seat bracket and pivotally attached to the base bracket between the first end and the second end; a rear linkage assembly connecting the seat bracket to the base bracket, the rear linkage assembly including: a lower linkage member having a first end and a second end, the lower linkage member pivotally attached to the base bracket at the first end of the lower linkage member, and an upper linkage member pivotally attached at a first end to the second end of the lower linkage member and pivotally attached at a second end to the seat bracket; a tie linkage member connecting the front linkage member to the rear linkage assembly, the tie linkage member pivotally attached at a first end to the lower linkage member and at a second end to the front linkage member. The tie linkage synchronizes movement of the front linkage and rear linkage assembly when the hinge is operated to move between an upright and flat position.

In one embodiment, the second end of the tie linkage is attached to a lobe formed on the second end of the front linkage. In another embodiment, the first end of the tie linkage member is attached at a midpoint of the lower linkage member of the rear linkage assembly.

In yet another embodiment, the multi-linkage hinge assembly further includes a hinge stop formed in the seat bracket for preventing the hinge from pivoting beyond a desired angle when the hinge is in the upright position. In one embodiment, the hinge stop includes a tab formed in the seat bracket and a projection formed in the upper linkage member, wherein the projection in the upper linkage member contacts the tab of the seat bracket when the hinge is in the upright position.

In one embodiment, the multi-linkage hinge assembly further includes a seat cushion attached to the seat bracket.

In another embodiment, when the hinge is in the upright backrest position, an angle between an axis along a length of the lower linkage member and an axis along a length of the upper linkage member is less than 180°.

In another embodiment, the base bracket is attached to a bench frame.

In one embodiment, the multi-linkage hinge assembly further includes: a first flat cushion positioned on the bench frame adjacent to the base bracket, wherein when the multi-linkage hinge assembly is in the flat position, a front edge of the seat cushion abuts an edge of the first flat cushion such that an upper surface of the seat cushion is aligned with an upper surface of the first flat cushion, and wherein when the hinge assembly is in the upright position, a bottom portion of the seat cushion is adjacent an edge of the first flat cushion such that the seat cushion is configured to support a back of a user seated on the first flat cushion.

In another embodiment, the multi-linkage hinge assembly further includes a second flat cushion positioned on the bench frame adjacent the base bracket wherein when the multi-linkage hinge is in the flat position, a back edge of the seat cushion abuts an edge of the second flat cushion such that an upper surface of the seat cushion is aligned with an upper surface of the second flat cushion.

In a second aspect, a multi-linkage hinge assembly is provided for pivoting a seat cushion from a flat position to an upright backrest position, the hinge assembly including a pair of parallel hinges. Each of the hinges includes: a base bracket; a seat bracket including a first end, a second end, and a support surface for attaching a seat cushion to the seat bracket; a front linkage member having a first end and a second end, the front linkage member pivotally attached at the first end to the first end of the seat bracket and pivotally attached to the base bracket between the first end and the second end; a rear linkage assembly connecting the seat bracket to the base bracket, the rear linkage assembly including: a lower linkage member having a first end and a second end, the lower linkage member pivotally attached to the base bracket at the first end of the lower linkage member, and an upper linkage member pivotally attached at a first end to the second end of the lower linkage member and pivotally attached at a second end to the seat bracket; a tie linkage member connecting the front linkage member to the rear linkage assembly, the tie linkage member pivotally attached at a first end to the lower linkage member and at a second end to the front linkage member; wherein the tie linkage synchronizes movement of the front linkage and rear linkage assembly when the hinge is operated to move between an upright and flat position.

In one embodiment, the multi-linkage hinge assembly further includes a cross-bar extending from a rear linkage assembly of one of the parallel hinges to a rear linkage assembly of the other parallel hinge.

In another embodiment, the cross-bar is attached at a first end to one of the pair of parallel hinges and at a second end to the other of the pair of parallel hinges. In yet another embodiment, the multi-linkage hinge assembly further includes a handle cutout formed in the cross-bar.

In a third aspect, a multi-linkage hinge assembly is provided for pivoting a seat cushion from a flat position to an upright backrest position, the hinge assembly including: a base bracket; a seat bracket including a first end, a second end, and a support surface for attaching a seat cushion to the seat bracket; a front linkage member having a first end and a second end, the front linkage member pivotally attached at the first end to the first end of the seat bracket and pivotally attached to the base bracket between the first end and the second end; a rear linkage assembly connecting the seat bracket to the base bracket, the rear linkage assembly including: a lower linkage member having a first end and a second end, the lower linkage member pivotally attached to the base bracket at the first end of the lower linkage member, and an upper linkage member pivotally attached at a first end to the second end of the lower linkage member and pivotally attached at a second end to the seat bracket; a tie linkage member connecting the front linkage member to the rear linkage assembly, the tie linkage member pivotally attached at a first end to the lower linkage member and at a second end to the front linkage member; and a cross-bar attached at a first end to one of the pair of parallel hinges and at a second end to the other of the pair of parallel hinges; wherein the tie linkage synchronizes movement of the front linkage and rear linkage assembly when the hinge is operated to move between an upright and flat position.

In one embodiment, the multi-linkage hinge assembly further includes a handle cutout formed in the cross-bar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various terms used herein are intended to have particular meanings. Some of these terms are defined below for the purpose of clarity. The definitions given below are meant to cover all forms of the words being defined (e.g., singular, plural, present tense, past tense). If the definition of any term below diverges from the commonly understood and/or dictionary definition of such term, the definitions below control.

A multi-linkage hinge assembly is provided for moving a seat cushion between an upright backrest position and a flat cushion position.FIG. 1shows a basic embodiment of a multi-linkage hinge assembly10. A seat cushion12is attached to the hinge assembly10and is pivoted between the upright backrest position (FIG. 1) and a flat seat cushion position (FIG. 2). A first flat cushion14is positioned adjacent the seat cushion12. When the seat cushion12is in the flat position illustrated inFIG. 2, a top of the seat cushion12is aligned with a top of the first flat cushion to form a bench-type seat. When the seat cushion12is in the upright position shown inFIG. 1, the seat cushion12is configured as a backrest for a user seated on the first flat cushion14.

Referring now toFIG. 3, the multi-linkage hinge assembly10includes a base bracket16and a seat bracket18. The seat bracket18is supported above the base bracket16by a front linkage member20and a rear linkage assembly22. The front linkage member20and rear linkage assembly22are connected by a tie linkage member24attached at either end to the front linkage20and rear linkage assembly22to coordinate movement of the front linkage20and rear linkage assembly22during movement of the hinge10.

The base bracket16is configured to attach the multi-linkage hinge assembly10to a seat frame26(FIG. 8). As shown inFIG. 4, the base bracket16is substantially L-shaped and includes a vertical portion28having one or more bores30formed therethrough for receiving one or more fasteners for securing the front linkage member20and rear linkage assembly22to the base bracket16. The base bracket16further includes a horizontal portion32having a substantially flat surface34arrange to extend over at least a portion of the seat frame26. The base bracket16is attached to the seat frame26using one or more fasteners inserted through the flat surface34and into the seat frame26. The horizontal portion32may be formed separate from the vertical portion28and attached to the vertical portion28using one or more fasteners. Alternatively, the horizontal portion32and vertical portion28may be formed of a single piece. While the above describes a separate base bracket16configured to be attached to the seat frame26, it is also understood that all or portions of the base bracket16may be integrally formed in the seat frame26.

Referring toFIG. 5, the seat bracket18is formed in an elongate L-shaped bracket and includes a first end36and a second end38that is distal from the first end36. The seat bracket18includes a support surface40formed along a length of the seat bracket18. The support surface40forms a surface area for contacting the seat cushion12and includes one or more bores formed therethrough for receiving one or more fasteners, the one or more fasteners extending through the bores and into a back of the seat cushion12to secure the seat cushion to the support surface40of the seat bracket18. The seat bracket18may include a first pivot bore42formed adjacent the first end36of the seat bracket and a second pivot bore44formed between the first pivot bore42and the second end38of the seat bracket18. A stop tab46is extends from a side of the seat bracket18between the first pivot bore42and the second pivot bore44. InFIG. 3, the seat bracket18is shown as transparent to better illustrate the stop tab46.

Referring again toFIG. 3, the front linkage member20is formed of an elongate body including a first linkage end48and a second linkage end50distal from the first linkage end48. The first linkage end48of the front linkage member is pivotally attached to the first end36of the seat bracket18. At least a first lobe52is formed on the second linkage end50of the front linkage member20. In one embodiment, the second linkage end50includes a second lobe54, with the first lobe52and second lobe54being substantially off-set from a centerline aligned with a length of the front linkage member20. The front linkage member20is pivotally attached to the base bracket16at a point between the first linkage end48of the front linkage member20and the at least one lobe52formed in the second linkage end50of the front linkage member20. The at least first lobe52is preferably formed on a side of the pivot connection of the front linkage member20to the base bracket16that is opposite the pivot connection of the front linkage member20to the seat bracket18.

The rear linkage assembly22connects the second pivot bore44(FIG. 5) of the seat bracket18to the base bracket16. Rear linkage assembly22includes both a lower linkage member56and an upper linkage member58that are pivotally attached to one another and are configured to substantially collapse as the hinge assembly10moves from the upright position to the flat position, as discussed in greater detail below.

The lower linkage member56is pivotally attached at a first end to the base bracket16and at a second end to the upper linkage member58. The upper linkage member58extends to and is pivotally attached to second pivot bore44of the seat bracket18. The upper linkage member includes a projection59formed on a surface of the linkage member that is configured to contact the stop tab46of the seat bracket18as described in greater detail below.

With further reference toFIG. 3, the tie linkage member24is formed of an elongate body that is pivotally attached at one end to the lower linkage member56and at another end to the first lobe52of the front linkage member20. The tie linkage member24is pivotally attached to the lower linkage member56preferably adjacent a mid-point of the lower linkage member56. While the above description and accompanying figures illustrate one configuration of the tie linkage member24, it is also understood that the tie linkage member24may be attached between the front linkage member20and rear linkage assembly22such that the tie linkage member24coordinates movement of both the front linkage member20and rear linkage assembly22. For example, the tie linkage member24may be attached to a mid-point of the front linkage member20at one end and to a lower end of the lower linkage member56. In another alternative, the tie linkage member24may be attached to the front linkage member24and to the upper linkage member58. In these configurations, the tie linkage member24coordinates counter-rotation of the front linkage member20and rear linkage assembly22.

The elements described above that are pivotally attached to one another may be attached using one or more of a bearing, bushing, fastener, or other similar component to allow the components to pivot with respect to one another. For example, a suitable pivotal attachment may include a sealed bearing inserted into one or more of the pivot bores, and a fastener may extend into or through a center of the sealed bearing such that the elements are secured to one another but allowed to rotate with respect to each other.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a pair of multi-linkage hinge assemblies10A and10B is preferably provided, with each of the multi-linkage hinge assemblies including base brackets16A and16B, seat brackets18A and18B, front linkage members20A and20B, and rear linkage assemblies22A and22B. Each of the hinge assemblies10A and10B are preferably formed as described above such that the brackets hinge from an upright position to a flat position.

A cross-bar60is attached at a first end62to the rear linkage assembly22A of the first hinge10A and at a second end64to the rear linkage assembly22B of the second hinge10B. The cross-bar60is preferably attached to each of the rear linkage assemblies22A and22B at a lower end of the upper linkage members58A and58B adjacent to a point at which the upper linkage members58A and58B are pivotally attached to the lower linkage members56A and56B. The cross-bar60may be attached to the lower linkage members56A and56B using, for example, one or more fasteners inserted through the lower linkage members56A and56B and threadably inserted into the cross-bar.

The cross-bar60includes an elongate cut-out66formed along a length of the cross-bar60. The cut-out66is formed to receive a hand of a user and configured to operate as a handle to allow a user to pull the cross-bar60when the hinge assemblies10A and10B are in the upright position.

Each of the linkage members and brackets are preferably formed of a metal, such as steel or aluminum, and may be formed by one of stamping, machining, or other processes suitable to form each linkage. Alternatively, some or all of the linkage members and brackets may be formed of other suitable materials, such as a lightweight polymer or composite material.

The pair of multi-linkage hinges are preferably installed in a watercraft, such as a watercraft configured to tow a user behind the watercraft for water activities such as wakeboarding or wake surfing. The multi-linkage hinges are attached to the seat frame26that is configured run along a length of a side of the boat to substantially form a center-facing bench seat67(FIG. 7). The multi-linkage hinges10A and10B may be installed along sides of the seat frame26adjacent to the first flat cushion14that may be resting on the seat frame26, as shown inFIG. 8.

In operation, the hinges10A and10B are configured to move the seat cushion12between a flat position, in which a top of the seat cushion12is aligned with a top of the adjacent flat cushion14, to an upright position, in which the seat cushion12is held in an upright position to support a back of a user seated on the flat cushion14. When a user is seated on the flat cushion14with the user's back supported by the upright seat cushion12, the user is comfortably positioned in a rearward facing direction to view activities occurring behind the watercraft.

FIG. 9shows a side view of the hinge assembly10in the flat position, in which the seat bracket18is parallel to the seat frame26, and the upper linkage member58is folded relative to the lower linkage member56. Further, when the hinge assembly10is in the flat position, linkages of the hinge assembly10do not extend greatly below a bottom edge of the base bracket16such that any space below the seat cushion12and linkage assembly10may be suitable for storage. A weight of the seat cushion12and friction of the linkage pivots maintains the seat cushion12in the flat position.

When a user desires to move the seat cushion12into an upright position, an edge68of the seat cushion12may be grasped by the user and pulled in an upward direction.FIG. 10illustrates the seat cushion12in a partially upright position between the flat position and upright position. As the hinge assembly10moves from the flat position, the second end38of the seat bracket18begins to rise relative to the first end36of the seat bracket18. As the edge68of the seat cushion12is urged upwards, the upper linkage member58and lower linkage member56begin to unfold. The lower linkage member56rotates in a counter-clockwise direction relative to the view ofFIG. 10as the lower linkage member is pulled in an upward direction.

When the lower linkage member56rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, the tie linkage24pushes the lobe52of the front linkage member20such that the front linkage member rotates in a clockwise direction relative to the view ofFIG. 10. As the front linkage member20begins to rotate, the first end36of the seat bracket18is pulled away from the adjacent flat cushion14.

Referring now toFIG. 11, the seat cushion12is urged upwards until the seat cushion12is in the upright position. Upon reaching the upright position, the projection59of the upper linkage member56contacts the stop tab46of the seat bracket18to prevent the hinge10from moving beyond the upright position. When the hinge10is in the upright position, an angle between an axis extending along a length of the lower linkage member56and an axis extending along a length of the upper linkage member58is less than 180° such that the rear linkage assembly22is angled towards the front linkage member20. In this position, with the upper linkage projection59contacting the stop tab46and the angle between the upper linkage member56and lower linkage member58being less than 180°, the hinge assembly10is substantially locked such that when a weight of a user is leaned against the upright seat cushion12the hinge assembly10will not allow the seat cushion12to collapse to the flat position.

When a user desires to return the seat cushion12to the flat position illustrated inFIG. 2, the user first grasps the cut-out66formed in the cross-bar60to initially pull the upper linkage member58and attached lower linkage member56and unlock the hinge assembly10. After initially unlocking the hinge assembly10, the user may urge the seat cushion edge68downward, thereby returning the seat cushion12to the flat position. As the hinge assembly10returns to the flat position, the front linkage20urges the first seat bracket end36towards the flat cushion14such that when the hinge assembly10is fully collapsed and is in the flat position, any gap between the seat cushion12and flat cushion14is minimized. When the seat cushion12is returned to the flat position, the seat cushion12is supported by the base bracket16or seat frame26such that the seat cushion12is capable of supporting a weight of the user when in the flat position.

The multi-linkage hinge assembly10of the present disclosure advantageously provides a strong and simple mechanism for moving the seat cushion between the flat and upright positions. The hinge assembly10allows the seat cushion to quickly move to the upright position and remain locked in that position without requiring additional complex mechanisms such as a ratchet or other device to lock the hinge in the upright position. The tie linkage, cross-bar, and other components of the hinge synchronize movement of linkage members of the hinge to prevent binding of the hinge during movement. Further, the hinge is relatively low profile such that any storage space beneath the hinge assembly and seat cushion is not substantially compromised by use of the seat cushion. Finally, the hinge assembly10repositions an edge of the seat cushion away from the adjacent flat cushion as the cushion moves from the flat to upright position and towards the adjacent flat cushion when moving from the upright to flat position. This movement of the seat cushion prevents interference between the seat cushion and adjacent flat cushion and also ensures that any gap between the two cushions in the flat position is substantially minimized. This allows for thicker cushions to be used without compromising operation of the hinge assembly. While the above contemplates use of the hinge assembly in a marine environment, such as on a watercraft, it is also understood that the hinge assembly may be implemented in a number of other applications, such as on a deck chair or other bench on which it may be desirable to move a seat cushion between upright and flat positions.

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The described preferred embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the disclosure to the precise form(s) disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments are chosen and described in an effort to provide the best illustrations of the principles of the disclosure and its practical application, and to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the concepts revealed in the disclosure in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.