Convertible bench seat for vans

A convertible bench seat or bed for vans and other vehicles constructed and arranged to be readily mounted between a storage position and an operative position without displacing the bench seat. The bench seat of this invention is pivoted about a first vertical axis and comprises a seat portion pivoted relative to a back portion of the seat. Means are provided for securing the convertible bench seat in its seat storage position without requiring a great deal of time-consuming labor. Similarly, a minimum amount of labor is required to lock the seat in its operative position in sufficiently spaced relation behind permanent front seats of the vehicle.

FIELD OF INVENTION 
This invention relates to convertible bench seats or beds for vehicles such 
as vans that are used to haul passengers and/or freight. 
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
In vehicles used for transporting passengers and/or cargo, such as vans, it 
is desirable to be able to rearrange the storage space of the vehicle to 
provide a greater number of seats for passengers when transporting a 
relatively small cargo and also provide for more cargo space when a 
smaller passenger load permits an increase of cargo space. The problem of 
converting passenger space to cargo space and vice versa has been faced in 
the past, but the solutions left something to be desired, mainly because 
of the awkwardness of converting prior art storage and seating apparatus, 
as will be discussed in detail in the following discussion of prior art 
patents called to the attention of the inventor as a result of a patent 
search. 
PATENTS OF INTEREST 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,396,039 to Burton et al., issued Mar. 5, 1946, discloses a 
system for storing folding aircraft seats in nested arrangement against 
the side walls of an aircraft when the aircraft is converted from 
passenger to cargo use. It is necessary in this patent to remove the seats 
from the positions they occupy for passenger seating when the seats are 
stored to provide storage space for cargo. Hence, converting at least a 
portion of available cargo space from passenger to cargo use is 
time-consuming, as is the reverse procedure of relocating the passenger 
seats for use by passengers, if one follows the teaching of this patent. 
U.S. Pat. No. 2,820,507 to Provencher, issued Jan. 21, 1958, shows a 
foldable reclining chair convertible into a flat bed and vice versa. There 
is no teaching in this patent of folding the chair and storing the chair 
in such a manner as to increase cargo space when the chair is not used 
either as a bed or a chair. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,171,684 to Carte, issued Mar. 2, 1965, discloses another 
prior art construction of a foldable seat convertible into a flat bed or 
settee. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,762,764 to McJunkin, issued Oct. 2, 1973, shows a folding 
seat for transportation vehicles having an upright back portion having a 
recess at its lower portion and a pivotable seat portion pivotable between 
an upright folded position housed in the recess and a lowered, full 
seating position extending outward from the recess of the upright back 
portion. Folding the seat portion upright provides storage space only for 
small articles whose size does not exceed the space equal to an aisle 
between adjacent seats. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,110,855 to Acker, issued Sept. 5, 1978, shows a convertible 
sofa bed unit comprising a back section 14 movable between a substantially 
vertical position along the rear of a seat section 12 when the unit is 
used as a sofa and a horizontal position along the forward edge of the 
seat section when the unit is used as a bed. 
A study of the patents just reviewed indicates the lack of an easily 
operable conversion feature for converting a passenger portion containing 
one or more passenger receiving seats into a cargo holding space. The 
prior art fails to provide a simple seat moving means for moving one or 
more seats into a location providing a large cargo area and permitting a 
return movement to the seating arrangement when it is more important to 
carry passengers than cargo, as evidenced by the previously discussed 
patents called to the attention of the inventor based on the results of 
said patent search. 
SUMMARY OF THIS INVENTION 
This invention provides a foldable bench seat or bed for a vehicle having 
an essentially vertical wall and an essentially horizontal floor. The seat 
or bed is constructed and arranged for pivoting about a vertical axis 
adjacent the vehicle wall between a folded storage position against said 
wall of the vehicle and an unfolded operative position spaced from the 
wall. Hereafter in this specification, the terms "seat" and "bench" are 
not limiting and also may be interpreted to include a bed. 
The foldable seat comprises a back portion and a seat portion. The seat 
portion is pivotably connected to the back portion about an essentially 
horizontal axis for movement between a seat portion storage position 
against the back portion and a seat portion operative position extending 
in an unfolded relation from the back portion. A first vertical pivot rod 
is supported adjacent the essentially vertical wall of the vehicle for 
pivotably supporting one longitudinal end portion (such as the outer 
forward end portion) of the foldable seat for moving the foldable seat 
about the first vertical axis formed by the first vertical pivot rod. 
A second vertical pivot rod is supported by the essentially vertical wall 
in spaced relation to the first vertical pivot rod. A locking mechanism is 
pivoted to the second vertical pivot rod to lock the longitudinal end 
portion of the seat opposite the one longitudinal end portion of the 
foldable seat against the wall. 
The locking mechanism comprises a first cooperative L-shaped locking member 
having an outer longitudinal end portion pivotably mounted to the second 
vertical pivot rod and a slotted portion, a second cooperative locking 
member preferably an eye bolt fixed to the opposite longitudinal end 
portion of the foldable seat and constructed and arranged for alignment 
with the slotted portion of the first cooperative locking member when the 
foldable seat occupies its seat storage position and the seat portion 
occupies its seat portion storage position, and a third cooperative 
locking member, preferably a locking pin constructed and arranged to 
secure the second cooperative locking member to the first cooperative 
locking member by passing through the eye of the eye bolt when the first 
and second cooperative members are aligned. The locking pin is preferably 
tethered to prevent its sliding through the eye of the eye bolt. 
The foldable seat also includes a pivotable support frame pivotably 
supported at one end thereof adjacent to the longitudinal end portion of 
the foldable seat opposite said one longitudinal end portion. Means is 
operatively connected between the pivotable support frame and the seat 
portion and is constructed and arranged to lower the pivotable support 
frame to engage the floor of the vehicle when the seat portion moves to 
its unfolded seat portion operative position and to lift the pivotable 
support frame into engagement with the seat portion when the latter moves 
into its folded seat portion storage position. 
Optionally, frame connecting means is provided to engage the pivotable 
support frame to the floor of the vehicle when the pivotable support frame 
engages the floor to selectively secure the pivotable support frame to the 
floor when the foldable seat occupies its unfolded operative position and 
the seat portion occupies its seat portion operative position unfolded 
from the back portion. Other optional elements that may be incorporated in 
the foldable bench seat of this invention are a cooperating lock pin and 
an angular member of flexible material, such as spring steel, provided 
with two apertures. The lock pin engages one of the apertures to lock the 
seat portion in the seat portion locked position and engages the other 
aperture to lock the seat portion in the seat portion operative position. 
The present invention may also have a storage shelf located in position to 
support the seat portion in its unfolded position when the seat occupies 
its seat operative position. 
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the essentially vertical wall, 
adjacent which the first vertical pivot rod and the second vertical pivot 
rod are supported in spaced relation therealong, is one longitudinal side 
wall of the vehicle. Such a vehicle has a front driver seat and a front 
passenger seat rigidly mounted to the floor of the vehicle and the first 
vertical pivot rod is supported adjacent the essentially vertical wall of 
the vehicle at such a longitudinal spacing to the rear of the front seats 
that there is sufficient clearance behind the front seat for one or more 
occupants to sit on the seat portion of the foldable seat when the 
foldable seat occupies its operative position and the seat portion 
occupies its seat portion operative position unfolded from the back 
portion of the foldable seat. 
For larger vans, each of the longitudinal side walls may have a foldable 
bench seat that is the mirror image of the foldable bench seat supported 
in the cantilever arrangement already described for one foldable bench 
seat. 
In another embodiment of this invention, the essentially vertical wall to 
which the first and second vertical pivot rods are attached is located 
adjacent a plane intersecting the rear surface of a pair of front seats of 
the vehicle, with the essentially vertical wall preferably being the rear 
wall of at least one of the front seats and the foldable seat is pivotable 
about the first vertical pivot rod which forms a vertical axis attached to 
one of the front seats and the second vertical pivot rod is adjacent to 
the other of the front seats so that the foldable seat is capable of being 
stored immediately behind one or both of the front seats in its storage 
position and is moved or pivoted to an operative position between the two 
front seats of the vehicle when the pivotable bench seat pivots to its 
operative seat position. 
In the first embodiments of this invention, the foldable seat(s) is (are) 
in the form of a bench (or benches) that is (are) stored in direct 
engagement against one (both) side wall(s) of the vehicle and assumes its 
(their) operative position(s) in spaced relation to the rear of the front 
seat or front seats at such a distance therebehind that there is 
sufficient clearance behind the front seat for one or more occupants to 
sit on the seat portion of the foldable seat(s) when the foldable seat(s) 
occupies (occupy) its (their) operative seat position(s) and the seat 
portion(s) occupies (occupy) its (their) seat portion(s) operative 
position(s) unfolded from the back portion(s). 
Details of the various elements forming the structure of the foldable seat 
of this invention will be described in further detail in a description of 
preferred embodiments of this invention that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND VARIATIONS THEREOF 
Referring to the drawings, a convertible bench 20 conforming to the 
structure taught by this invention comprises a seat portion 22 and a back 
portion 24. A first pivot hinge 25 (FIG. 7) at one longitudinal end called 
the forward or outer end of the convertible bench 20 and a second pivot 
hinge 26 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 6) at the opposite longitudinal end of said bench 
form a horizontal axis for pivoting the seat portion 22 relative to back 
portion 24 between a seat portion storage position depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 
and 3, and a seat portion operative position unfolded from back portion 24 
depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7. 
Seat portion 22 is reinforced by a reinforcing frame that comprises a first 
longitudinal frame member 27 that extends along the lower longitudinal 
portion of seat portion 22, a second longitudinal frame member 28 that 
extends along the upper longitudinal portion of the reinforcing frame, a 
first end frame member 29 that extends transversely of seat portion 22 at 
the one longitudinal end or front end of convertible bench seat 20 when 
the latter is in its stored position and a second end frame member 30 that 
interconnects the first longitudinal frame member 27 and second 
longitudinal frame member 28 at the opposite longitudinal end or rear end 
of seat 20. Seat portion 22 also contains a plywood support 31 and a cross 
brace 32 that interconnects the longitudinal center portions of first 
longitudinal frame member 27 and second longitudinal frame member 28. 
Back portion 24 (FIG. 5) is reinforced with a frame comprising a first 
longitudinal frame member 33, a second longitudinal frame member 34, a 
first end frame member 35 and a second end frame member 36 arranged in the 
form of a rectangle. A plywood support 37 interconnects the frame members 
and a cross brace 38 is provided for back portion 24 between the first 
longitudinal frame member 33 and second longitudinal frame member 34. A 
bracket 39 connects cross brace 38 with first longitudinal frame member 
33. 
A first forward support bracket 40 (FIG. 1) is mounted on the van side wall 
41. First bracket 40 comprises a horizontal support ledge 42 that extends 
horizontally from bracket 40 along a horizontal plane in the position to 
underlie and support first end frame member 29 of seat portion 22 when 
convertible bench seat 20 is pivoted into a seat operative position 
extending away from van side wall 41. 
An L-shaped bracket 44, having a floor engaging member 46 and a diagonal 
bracing member 48, is attached to side wall 41 and is used to support a 
first vertical post 50 in spaced relation to but adjacent to side wall 41. 
To accomplish this purpose, several ears 52 interconnect L-shaped bracket 
44 to first vertical post 50. Additional ears 54 are connected at one end 
to first end frame member 35 of back portion 24 and have another end 
rotatably supported around first vertical post 50. A diagonal brace 56 
interconnects bracket 39 to a lower ear 57. The latter is pivotably 
mounted to first vertical post 50 at the bottom of diagonal brace 56. Ears 
52 are rigidly fixed to vertical van side wall 41 and align post 50 for 
axial vertical movement so that post 50 is capable of supporting 
convertible bench 20 for pivoting around the vertical axis formed by first 
vertical post 50. 
Referring particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, mechanism for locking convertible 
bench seat 20 against side wall 41 is disclosed. This latter mechanism 
comprises an end lock support bracket 60 which supports a second vertical 
pivot rod 61 in closely spaced relation to side wall 41. The end locking 
mechanism comprises a first cooperative locking member 62 comprising an 
outer end portion consisting essentially of a pair of upper and lower 
horizontal legs 63. One of the horizontal legs 63 is provided with a slot 
portion 64. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the slot portion 64 in the upper leg 63. 
The end locking mechanism of FIGS. 2 and 3 comprises an end flange 65 of 
the first cooperative locking member 62. The end locking mechanism also 
comprises an eye bolt 66 which serves as a second cooperative locking 
member of the end locking mechanism. Eye bolt 66 is rigidly secured to any 
convenient portion of seat portion 22, preferably its second end frame 
member 30. A locking pin 67 serves as a third cooperative locking member 
of the end locking mechanism and its purpose will be described later. End 
locking member 62 is pivotably connected to second vertical pivot rod 61 
between an end locking position depicted in FIG. 2, wherein horizontal 
legs 63 cooperative with end flange 65 to form a corner that engages the 
rear lower corner of folded convertible bench 20 when the latter is in its 
seat storage position. At this time, eye bolt 66 extends through slot 
portion 64 of one of the horizontal legs 63 and the locking pin 67 is 
inserted through the eye of eye bolt 66 to secure end locking member 62 in 
position to lock convertible bench seat 20 in the seat storage position 
depicted in FIG. 2. A tether in the form of a chain 68 attaches locking 
pin 67 to one of the horizontal legs 63 to prevent sliding of locking pin 
67 through the eye of eye bolt 66. 
When locking pin 67 is displaced from the eye of eye bolt 66, first 
cooperation locking member 62 of the end locking mechanism is free to 
pivot into the position depicted in FIG. 3. This movement enables the 
convertible bench seat 20 to be pivoted from the seat storage position 
depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 to the seat operative position depicted in FIGS. 
5 to 7. 
The apparatus of this invention also comprises a pivotable support frame 70 
mounted on hinges 71 for pivoting relative to seat portion 22. Frame 70 
comprises a pair of longitudinally converging legs 72 interconnected by a 
cross brace 73 and further reinforced by oblique reinforcements 74 between 
legs 72 and cross brace 73. An apertured base member 75 extends between 
and interconnects the free ends of longitudinally converging legs 72. A 
pair of L-shaped externally threaded rods 76, each provided with a handle 
77 to rotate the rods 76, is received in each of a pair of apertures 78 in 
base member 75. Thus, externally threaded rods 76 serve as frame 
connecting means to connect the pivotably support frame 70 to the floor 79 
of the vehicle in which the convertible bench seat 20 is mounted. 
The apparatus of this invention also comprises a spring 80 operatively 
connected between pivotable support frame 70 and seat portion 22. While 
the connections may be at any convenient locations, one of the 
longitudinally converging legs 72 of frame 70 has been found suitable for 
connecting one end of spring 80 and first longitudinal frame member 27 of 
seat portion 22 has been found to be suitable for connecting the opposite 
end of spring 80. The apparatus also includes a flexible cable 82 having 
an enlarged end 84 fixed to frame 70, preferably at one of the 
longitudinally converging legs 72. Cable 82 extends through an aperture in 
an apertured plate 86, which is supported on a pulley support plate 87 
which is rigidly fixed to an end of seat portion 22. Cable 82 continues 
over and around a pulley 88 carried by pulley support plate 87. A hinging 
plate 89 is fixed to an end portion of back portion 24 using the other 
enlarged end portion of cable 82. Pulley support plate 87 is pivotably 
supported relative to plate 89 by second pivot hinge 26. 
A threaded lock pin 90 extends through plate 89 and is axially adjustable 
in position using lock nuts that engage lock pin 90 on opposite sides of 
plate 89. The outer longitudinal extremity of lock pin 90 extends rearward 
from its associated plate 89 to slidably engage an angular member 91 of 
flexible material such as spring steel. The angular member 91 is provided 
with apertures 92 and 93 and an enlarged end portion 94. The enlarged end 
portion 94 is secured to pulley support plate 87 so that the enlarged end 
portion 94 rotates in unison with pulley support plate 87, apertured plate 
86 and seat portion 22. 
When lock pin 91 engages aperture 92, it locks seat portion 22 in a seat 
portion storage position depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. When angular member 91 
is flexed outward to disengage aperture 92 from threaded lock pin 90, seat 
portion 22 is free to pivot relative to back portion 24 about an 
essentially horizontal pivot axis defined by pivot hinges 25 and 26. When 
seat portion 22 reaches its operative position, angular member 91 has 
rotated with seat portion 22 relative to said essentially horizontal pivot 
axis to enable lock pin 90 to enter aperture 93, which helps lock seat 
portion 22 in its seat portion operative position depicted in FIGS. 5, 6 
and 7. 
FIG. 4 depicts the convertible bench seat 20 in an intermediate position 
halfway between the seat storage position of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the seat 
operative position of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. In FIG. 4, lock pin 90 (depicted 
in phantom) is biased against flexible angular member 91 midway between 
aperture 92 and aperture 93. Simultaneously, cable 82 has pulled pivotable 
support frame 70 midway between its seat portion engaging position 
depicted in FIG. 1 and its completely lowered position depicted in FIG. 6. 
Spring 80 biases pivotable support frame 70 to prevent the latter from 
lowering too rapidly in response to the unfolding of seat portion 22 
relative to back portion 24. 
The apparatus of this invention also comprises a balancing spring 95 (FIG. 
7). Balancing spring 95 has a lower hook 96 at one end and an upper hook 
97 at its other end. Upper hook 97 engages an upper hook eye 98 fixed to 
one of the ears 54. A bracket 99 is fixed to seat portion 22 and contains 
a lower hook eye 100 which receives lower hook 96 of balancing spring 95. 
The latter prevents the adjacent end of seat portion 22 from sagging 
relative to the other end of seat portion 22. 
In order to provide comfort for a passenger, when seat portion 22 occupies 
its seat portion operative position, it is sloped at a slight angle 
downwardly toward the back portion 24. Similarly, back portion is 
permanently sloped downwardly and inwardly toward its lower end. If the 
seat portion 22 had its cushion arranged horizontally and back portion 24 
had its cushion arranged vertically, the seat in its operating position 
would not be as comfortable for an occupant as is the case in the 
illustrated embodiment. 
Convertible bench seat 20 may be used as a bed for sleeping purposes. When 
bench 20 is pivoted to its operative position, seat portion 22 is pivoted 
forward away from back portion 24 to provide a single bed instead of three 
seats. Such a single bed may be converted into a double bed by 
constructing and arranging back portion 24 so that it can be released to 
pivot rearward and downward into horizontal alignment with seat portion 
22. Pivotable support legs (not shown) may be stored within the outline 
frame of back portion 24 to support back portion 24 in horizontal 
alignment with seat portion 22 when convertible bench 20 is to be used as 
a double bed. 
It is now evident that this invention provides apparatus that facilitates 
the conversion of passenger space to cargo space and vice versa in a 
vehicle without requiring dismantling and/or reassembly of seats to effect 
such conversion. 
According to the provisions of the patent statues, the preferred 
construction and mode of operation of the present invention has been 
explained, and what are now considered to be its best embodiments have 
been illustrated and described. However, it should be understood that the 
invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and 
described as limited only by the scope of the claimed subject matter that 
follows.