Seat structure for vehicle

A seat structure for a vehicle includes front and rear seat bodies each including a seat cushion and a back rest. Each seat cushion has a front part configured to be tipped up about a rear part of the seat cushion. Each back rest has an upper part configured to be tilted backward and forward about a lower part of the back rest. The seat structure also includes first slide rails supporting the front and rear seat bodies in a fore and aft arrangement respectively. The front and rear seat bodies are configured to move backward and forward along the first slide rails. The seat structure further includes a lock member coupled to the front seat body for selectively securing the front seat body relative to the first slide rails. The lock member is movable between a locked position and a released position. The seat structure further includes a push member coupled to the rear seat body. The push member engages the front seat body to move the lock member into the released position so that the front seat body can be moved forward by the rear seat body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/JP2005/003777 filed on Mar. 4, 2005, which claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-346033 filed on Nov. 30, 2004. The entire disclosures of International Application No. PCT/JP2005/003777 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-346033 are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a seat structure for a vehicle including a seat body having at least a seat cushion whose front part is capable of being tipped up about its rear part and a back rest whose upper part is capable of tilting backward and forward about its lower part.

It is generally known to provide a seat structure for a vehicle that includes seats including at least a seat cushion and a back rest. The seat cushion has a front part capable of being tipped up about its rear part from a seated position. The back rest has an upper part capable of tilting backward and forward about its lower part. The seat cushions are slidable backward and forward, the seats are capable of being collected together in a place. Such a seat structure has been widely used in vehicles such as RVs, vans and the like, which have a vehicle compartment serving as a cargo room and a passenger compartment, or in which a single space is created for the two purposes. An example of such a seat is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 2002-104039. Seats of this kind, however, have to be operated and moved one by one. Such a requirement makes poor operability with which the seats are collected together in a place.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a seat capable of solving the above-mentioned problem. There is also a need to provide a vehicle seat structure that has an improved operability for collecting seats together in a place in a forward portion of the seat structure.

SUMMARY

One exemplary embodiment relates to a seat structure for a vehicle. The seat structure includes a front seat body including a seat cushion with a front part configured to be tipped up about a rear part of the seat cushion from a seated position and a back rest with an upper part configured to be tilted backward and forward about a lower part of the back rest. The seat structure also includes a rear seat body including a seat cushion with a front part configured to be tipped up about a rear part of the seat cushion from a seated position and a back rest with an upper part configured to be tilted backward and forward about a lower part of the back rest. The seat structure further includes first slide rails supporting the front seat body and the rear seat body in a fore and aft manner respectively, each of the front and rear seat bodies being configured to move backward and forward along the first slide rails to an appropriate position and stopping there. The seat structure further includes operating means for moving the back rest of each of the front and rear seat bodies to a position where the back rest stands substantially upright, for concurrently tipping up the seat cushion of each of the front and rear seat bodies, and for positioning the front seat body to be moved forward by the rear seat body.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a seat structure for a vehicle. The seat structure includes front and rear seat bodies each including a seat cushion and a back rest. Each seat cushion has a front part configured to be tipped up about a rear part of the seat cushion. Each back rest has an upper part configured to be tilted backward and forward about a lower part of the back rest. The seat structure also includes first slide rails supporting the front and rear seat bodies in a fore and aft arrangement respectively. The front and rear seat bodies are configured to move backward and forward along the first slide rails. The seat structure further includes a lock member coupled to the front seat body for selectively securing the front seat body relative to the first slide rails. The lock member is movable between a locked position and a released position. The seat structure further includes a push member coupled to the rear seat body. The push member engages the front seat body to move the lock member into the released position so that the front seat body can be moved forward by the rear seat body.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of selectively moving a first seat body and a second seat body within a vehicle. The method includes the steps of providing front and rear seat bodies each including a seat cushion and a back rest, providing first slide rails supporting the front and rear seat bodies in a fore and aft arrangement respectively, providing a lock member coupled to the front seat body for selectively securing the front seat body relative to the first slide rails, providing a push member coupled to the rear seat body and allowing the lock member to move to the released position when the push member engages the front seat body so that the front seat body can be moved forward by the rear seat body. Each seat cushion has a front part configured to be tipped up about a rear part of the seat cushion. Each back rest has an upper part configured to be tilted backward and forward about a lower part of the back rest. The front and rear seat bodies being configured to move backward and forward along the first slide rails. The lock member is movable between a locked position and a released position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the FIGURES, a seat structure for a vehicle is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The seat structure includes a front seat body and a rear seat body. The front seat body includes a seat cushion and a back rest. The seat cushion has a front part capable of being tipped up about its rear part from a seated position. The back rest has an upper part capable of tilting backward and forward about its lower part. The rear seat body also includes a seat cushion and a back rest. The seat cushion has a front part capable of being tipped up about its rear part from a seated position. The back rest has an upper part capable of tilting backward and forward about its lower part. In such an embodiment, at least one front seat body and at least one rear seat body are arranged fore and aft respectively on the same slide rails, and each of the front and rear seat bodies are capable of moving backward and forward to an appropriate position, and of stopping at such a position. In addition, operating means causes the back rest of each of the front and rear seat bodies to move to a position where the back rest stands almost upright, concurrently causes the seat cushion of each of the front and rear seat bodies to be tipped up, and thus makes the rear seat body capable of moving the front seat body forward.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the operating means causes each of the front and rear seat bodies to move to the position where the back rest stands almost upright, concurrently causes the seat cushion of each of the front and rear seat bodies to be tipped up, and thus makes the rear seat body capable of moving the front seat body forward. In such an embodiment, the front seat body is capable of being moved forward by operating only the rear seat body after a predetermined operation thereby improving the operability with which the seat bodies are collected together in a place.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the front seat body includes forward/backward slide locking means and interlocking means, the rear seat body includes pressing means, and the forward/backward sliding means and the interlocking means are capable of being released by the pressing means.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the forward/backward slide locking means and the interlocking means are capable of being released by the pressing means of the rear seat body. In such an embodiment, by the pushing of the back of the front seat body from the rear seat body, the pressing means releases the forward/backward slide locking means and the interlocking means. Thus, using a force with which the rear seat body is pushed forward, the front seat body can move forward as well.

According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the front and rear seat bodies includes a tip-up mechanism for tipping up the seat cushion. The tip-up mechanism includes seated position holding means, tip-up releasing means, biasing means, holding means and return release means. The tip-up means releases the seated position holding means of the seat cushion by moving the back rest to the position where the back rest stands almost upright. The biasing means tips up the seat cushion, made ready to be tipped up by the tip-up releasing means, to a predetermined position. The holding means holds the seat cushion that has been moved to the tipped-up position at the same tipped-up position. The return release means is capable of releasing the holding means.

According to an exemplary embodiment, when the back rest is moved to a position where the back rest stands almost upright, the tip-up mechanism makes it possible to release the holding means of the seat cushion held in the seated position, to thus cause the biasing means to tip up and move the seat cushion, and to hence cause the holding means to hold the seat cushion that has been tipped up at the same position. In addition, the tip-up mechanism includes the return release means capable of releasing the holding means. This makes it possible to return the seat cushion to its original position.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the pressing means of the rear seat body includes a push plate arranged in a forward portion of the rear seat body. The front seat body includes moving means. The forward/backward slide locking means includes stopper means. The moving means of the front seat body includes a release bracket capable of moving forward when pressed by the push plate, and slide lock releasing means releasing the stopper means of the forward/backward slide locking means when pushed forward by the release bracket. The front seat body also includes interlock releasing means releasing the interlocking means when pushed forward by the release bracket.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the stopper means of the forward/backward slide locking means and the interlocking means can be released when the release bracket of the front seat body is pushed by the push plate of the rear seat body. For this reason, the front seat body can be moved when pushed by the rear seat body.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the seat structure has the configuration in which a forefront side portion of the push plate of the rear seat body is located in a position jutting out forward of the seat cushion in the state of being tipped up. The forefront side portion of the push plate of the rear seat body is located in the position jutting out forward of the seat cushion in the state of being tipped up. For this reason, whenever the rear seat body is moved forward, the moving means of the front seat body is always pressed, and thus the front seat body can be moved securely along with the rear seat body.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2in particular, reference numeral1denotes a driver's seat of an automobile shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Reference numeral2denotes a passenger's seat (e.g., “front seat body”) of the automobile shown according to an exemplary embodiment that is arranged next to the driver's seat1. Reference numeral3denotes a first rear seat (e.g., a first “rear seat body”) of the automobile shown according to an exemplary embodiment that is arranged rearward RR of the driver's seat1. Reference numeral4denotes a second rear seat (e.g., a second “rear seat body”) of the automobile shown according to an exemplary embodiment that is arranged rearward RR of the passenger's seat2.

According to the embodiment illustrated, the driver's seat1includes slide units7, a seat cushion8, a back rest9and a head rest10. Each of the slide units7is constructed between blocks6on a floor5. The seat cushion8is supported by the slide units7. The back rest9is supported by the seat cushion8. The head rest10is supported by the top of the back rest9. The back rest9is capable of pivoting backward and forward about the bottom of the back rest9with a pair of reclining units11and11provided symmetrically to the seat cushion8. Only one side of the seat cushion8may be provided with a reclining unit11while the other side of the seat cushion8pivotally supports the back rest9about the bottom of the back rest9. Reference numeral18denotes side sills which are formed respectively in the right and left end portions of the floor5.

The passenger's seat2and the second rear seat4are arranged fore and aft respectively on long slide units12and13that are arranged in parallel to each other on the floor5. Specifically, the passenger's seat2and the second rear seat4are placed, respectively, in a front and rear part FR and RR of the slide unit12and13. The first rear seat3is arranged on short slide units16and17that are arranged in parallel to each other on the floor5rearward RR of the driver's seat1.

According to the embodiment illustrated, the passenger's seat2includes base units14and14arranged symmetrically in the passenger's seat and supported respectively by the slide units12and13in a way that the base units14and14are capable of sliding backward and forward on the slide units12and13. The passenger's seat2also includes a seat cushion19and a back rest20supported by the base units14and14and a head rest10supported by the top of the back rest20. Referring toFIGS. 4 and 7, reference numerals101,102and103denote first, second and third frames respectively, which are shaped like a pipe, and which are bridged between the base units14and14.

According to the embodiment illustrated, the second rear seat4includes base units15and15(one of the two base units15and15can not be seen on some figures) arranged symmetrically in the first rear seat3, and supported respectively by the slide units12and13in a way that the base units15and15are capable of sliding backward and forward on the slide units12and13. The second rear seat4is also shown as including a seat cushion21and a back rest22supported by the base units15and15and a head rest10supported by the top of the back rest22. Reference numeral104(shown inFIG. 4) denotes a fourth frame which is shaped like a pipe, and which is bridged between the base units15and15.

According to the embodiment illustrated, the first rear seat3includes base units15and15(one of the two base units15and15cannot be seen on some figures) arranged symmetrically in the first rear seat3, and supported respectively by slide units16and17in a way that the base units15and15are capable of sliding backward and forward on the slide units16and17. The first rear seat3is also shown as including a seat cushion21and a back rest22supported by the base units15and15and a head rest10supported by the top of the back rest22. Another fourth frame, which is not illustrated, is bridged between these base units15and15as well.

Referring toFIG. 3, the seat cushion19of the passenger's seat2is shown as including a cushion frame23looking like a closed loop when viewed from the above, and supported by the base unit14in a way that the cushion frame23is capable of pivoting about its rear portion RR so that the front portion of the cushion frame23is capable of being tipped up from a seated position which is virtually horizontal as shown. The seat cushion19is also shown as including S-shaped springs24suspended in the cushion frame23. The cushion frame23is paced on, and held by, the first frame101while in the seated position which is virtually horizontal.

The back rest20of the passenger's seat2is shown as including a back frame26, S-shaped springs27and a lower frame28. The back frame26is supported by the base unit14having a reclining unit25in between in a way that the back frame26is capable of pivoting about its bottom backward and forward between a neutral position and an upright position and between the neutral position and a fully reclined position. The neutral position is that in which the upper portion of the back rest20tilts slightly backward as shown inFIG. 3. The upright position is that in which the back rest20stands virtually upright, and which is located in the front FR of the neutral position. The upright position is indicated by long dashed double-short dashed lines inFIG. 3. The fully reclined position (which is the virtually horizontal position in which the back rest20swings backward RR is not illustrated inFIG. 3. The back frame26looks like an upturned-U shape when viewed from the front. The S-shaped springs27are suspended in the back frame26. The lower frame28is constructed between the two bottom ends of the back frame26.

The second rear seat4is illustrated as representing one of the first and second rear seats3and4as shown inFIG. 3. The first and second rear seats3and4are formed symmetrically next to each other. According to an exemplary embodiment, the seat cushion21of the second rear seat4includes a cushion frame29and spring bodies30. The cushion frame29is supported by the base unit15in a way that the cushion frame29is capable of pivoting about its rear end RR between a seated position and a tipped-up position. The seated position is indicated by the solid lines. The tipped-up position (indicated by the other long dashed double-short dashed lines inFIG. 3) is that in which the front portion of the cushion frame29is tipped up. The cushion frame29looks like a closed loop when viewed from the above. The spring bodies30are constructed in the cushion frame29and are made of steel. The cushion frame29is placed on, and held by, the fourth frame104while in the seated position that is virtually horizontal.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the back rest22of the second rear seat4includes a back frame32and spring bodies33. The back frame32is supported by the base unit15having a reclining unit31in-between in a way that the back frame32is capable of pivoting about its bottom backward end forward between an upright position and a fully reclined position. The upright position is shown inFIG. 3and the fully reclined position is not shown inFIG. 3. The back frame32has an upturned-U shape when viewed from the front. The spring bodies33are constructed in the back frame32and are made of steel.

Use of operating means, which is not illustrated, makes it possible to move the back rest20of the passenger's seat2as well as the back rest22of each of the first and second rear seats3and4to their respective upright positions, to tip up the seat cushion19of the passenger's seat2as well as the seat cushion21of each of the first and second rear seats3and4, and to move the passenger's seat2forward through the first and second rear seats3and4. Backward/forward slide locking means34and interlocking means35of the passenger's seat2(shown inFIG. 7) are capable of being released by a push plate36which, in this embodiment, is “pushing means” of each of the first and second rear seats3and4.

Referring toFIG. 7, tip-up mechanisms37and38of the seat cushions19and21are shown as including tip-up releasing means48and49, first coiled springs50and51, first and second tip-up lock plates52and53and first and second interlock pin plates54and55. According to the embodiment illustrated, the tip-up releasing means48and49release tip-up brackets40and41, which, in this embodiment, are, in this embodiment, “seated position holding means” of the seat cushions19and21, when the back rests20and22are moved to the upright positions. The first coiled springs50and51, in this embodiment, are “biasing means” tipping up the seat cushions19and21, which are made capable of being tipped up by the tip-up releasing means48and49, to predetermined positions. The first and the second tip-up lock plates52and53are, in this embodiment, “holding means” holding the seat cushions19and21, which have been moved to the tip-up positions, at the same tip-up positions. The first and the second interlock pin plates54and55are, in this embodiment, “return release means” making the first and the second tip-up lock plates52and53capable of being released.

The tip-up brackets40and41, which are the “seated position holding means”, are pivotally supported by the base units14and15of the seat cushions19and21in a way that first pivotally supporting parts42and43make the tip-up brackets40and41capable of pivoting. Fifth coiled springs105and106are suspended between portions, closer to lower end portions40band41bthan the first pivotally supporting parts42and43of the tip-up brackets40and41, and rear portions RR of the base units14and15. Thereby, the tip-up brackets40and41are biased counterclockwise inFIG. 7. The second frame102has a function of stopping the counterclockwise rotation of the tip-up bracket40. When the operating means is operated, the reclining units25and31move the back rests20and22from the neutral positions or the fully reclined positions to the upright positions (rotate the back rests20and22forward FR). Thereby, upper end portions40aand41aof the tip-up brackets40and41are in the relationship with a device arm39(FIG. 9), in which the upper end portions40aand41aof the tip-up brackets40end41are pushed backward RR by the device arm39which rotates along with the back rests20and22while supported by the back rests20and22.

The tip-up brackets40and41rotate clockwise about the first and second pivotally supporting parts42and43, respectively, inFIGS. 7 and 9. Protrusions44and45move from positions at which the protrusions44and45block long holes46and47to positions at which the protrusions44and45do not block the long holes46and47respectively. The protrusions44and45are formed respectively in the tip-up brackets40and41in a way that the protrusions44and45protrude from the tip-up brackets40and41. The long holes46and47are formed respectively in the base units14and15.

According to an exemplary embodiment, stopper rods60and61constantly biased by the first coiled springs50and51, which, in this embodiment, are the “biasing means,” are detached from upper end portions46aand47aof the long holes46and47. The stopper rod60and61are pivotally supported by brackets58and59which extend backward RR from rotation center members56and57of the cushion frames23and29, and are capable of sliding within the long holes46and47. These are the tip-up releasing means48and49in this embodiment, respectively.

It should be noted that the long holes46and47are formed in arcs centering around the centers of the rotation center members56and57, respectively. In addition, the first coiled springs50and51are suspended between the stopper rods60and61, and lock pins81and82protruding from the base units14and15of the seat cushions19and21. Thereby, the first coiled springs50and51bias the stopper rods60and61in order to constantly pull the stopper rods60and61.

The first and second tip-up lock plates52and53, which, in this embodiment, are the “holding means”, are pivotally supported by the base units14and15of the seat cushions19and21in a way that second pivotally supporting parts62and63make the first and second tip-up lock plates52and53capable of pivoting, respectively.

According to the embodiment illustrated, the first tip-up lock plates52and53include claw portions52aand53a. The claw portions52aand53aare biased by second coiled springs64and65in a way that the claw portions52aand53aface lower portions46band47b(reference numeral47bis not shown because it exists behind the stopper rod61) of the long holes46and47, in order to hold the cushion frames23and29of the seat cushions19and21, which are tipped-up to predetermined positions shown inFIG. 7by the first coiled springs50and51, at the predetermined positions. Before tipped-up, the cushion frames23and29of the seat cushions19and29are in a state of being capable of being tipped up by the tip-up releasing means48and49. In addition, the claw portions52aand53aengage with the stopper rods60and61in order to prevent the stopper rods60and61from moving to the upper end portions46aand47aof the long holes46and47again.

The second coiled springs64and65are suspended between end portions52cand53cand second lock pins83and84. The end portions52cand53care the opposite side of the first and second tip-up lock plates52and53from the claw portions52aand53a, having the second supporting parts62and63in the middle between the end portions52cand53c, and the claw portions52aand53a. The second lock pins83and84protrude from the base units14and15of the seat cushions19and21. Thereby, the second coiled springs64and65bias the first tip-up lock plates52and53in order to constantly pull the first and second tip-up lock plates52and53.

Referring toFIGS. 9 and 11, the first interlock pin plate54is shown as being pivotally supported by the base unit14of the seat cushion19in a way that a third pivotally supporting part66makes the first interlock pin plate54capable of pivoting. The first interlock pin plate54is shaped almost like a letter L. The first interlock pin plate54includes an upper end portion54aand a lower end portion54b. The upper end portion54ais formed in a protruded arc. In addition, the upper end portion54ais arranged in a way that the upper end portion54afaces a pressing member52bextending from the first tip-up lock plate52.

A fourth pivotally supporting part72is supported by the lower end portion54b, and is capable of sliding in a long hole77which is formed in the base unit14of the seat cushion19, and which is vertically long. With the fourth pivotally supporting part72, the lower end portion54bengages with an upper end portion69aof an interlock pin69which is capable of being engaged with, and detached from, the interlocking means35arranged in any one of the slide units12and13.

A lock part76protrudes from a portion between the upper end portion54aand the lower end portion54b. A wire connected to the operating means, which is not illustrated, is locked by the lock part76. A protruding part78is further formed in the lower end portion54b. A third coiled spring80is suspended between the protruding part78and a cut-and-raised piece79formed by cutting and raising a portion of the base unit14of the seat cushion19. Thereby, the lower end portion54bis constantly biased clockwise.

The second interlock pin plate55is configured of a first plate70and a second plate71, as shown inFIG. 7.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first plate70is formed as follows. The first plate70is pivotally supported by the base unit5of the seat cushion21in a way that a fifth pivotally supporting part67makes the first plate70capable of pivoting, and is shaped almost like a letter L. A first end portion70aof the first plate70faces the second tip-up lock plate53. The first plate70is capable of lifting up the second tip-up lock plate53forward FR of the second pivotally supporting part63.

A second end portion70bof the first plate70is pivotally supported by a first end portion71aof the second plate71in a way that a sixth pivotally supporting part73makes the second end portion70bcapable of being pivotally supported. A long hole74is formed in a part in the second end portion70b, by which the sixth pivotally supporting part73is supported.

The second plate71is pivotally supported by the base unit15of the seat cushion21in a way that a seventh pivotally supporting part75makes the second plate71capable of pivoting, and is shaped almost like a letter L. The fourth pivotally supporting part72makes a second end portion71bof the second plate71engage with the upper end portion69aof the interlock pin69, which is capable of being engaged with, and detached from, the interlocking means35arranged in any one of the slide units12and13. In addition, the second end portion71bis constantly biased in the counterclockwise direction inFIG. 7by a sixth coiled spring107whose lower portion is suspended from the base unit15.

The push plate36which, in this embodiment, is “pushing means” is arranged in a forward portion FR in the base15of the second rear seat4. As shown inFIG. 7, a forefront side portion36aof the push plate36in the second rear seat4protrudes forward FR from the base unit15so that the forefront side portion36ashould protrudes forward FR from the seat cushion21of the second rear seat4, which is in the state of being tipped up.

Moving means85of the main body of the passenger's seat2includes a release bracket86, a lock releasing plate89and interlock releasing means90. The release bracket86is capable of moving forward FR when pushed by the push plate36. The lock releasing plate89, in this embodiment, is “slide lock releasing means” releasing a stopper lock pin87, which, in this embodiment, is “stopper means,” from the backward/forward slide locking means34in any one of the slide units12and13while pressed forward FR by a pressing part86aof the release bracket86. The interlock releasing means90releases the interlock pin69of the interlocking means35from locking means in any one of the slide units12and13.

The release bracket86extends longitudinally in the forward-backward direction. A penetration hole91is formed on the release bracket86, and has a long hole extending in the forward-backward direction. An eighth pivotally supporting part88, protruding from the lower end portion40bof the tip-up bracket40, is inserted in, and supported by, the penetration hole91. A rear end portion86bof the release bracket86is formed in a flange which is at a right angle to the forefront side portion36aso that the release bracket86can receive an input from the forefront side portion36aof the push plate36.

The interlock releasing means90is shaped like a letter L, and is pivotally supported by the base unit14in a way that a ninth pivotally supporting part92makes the interlock releasing means90capable of pivoting. An upper end portion90aof the interlock releasing means90is pivotally supported by the release bracket86in a way that a tenth pivotally supporting part93makes the upper end portion90acapable of pivoting. A lower end portion90bof the interlock releasing means90is connected to the interlock pin69with the fourth pivotally supporting part74. The third frame103has a function of restricting the rotation of the interlock releasing means90.

Further detailed descriptions will be provided for the forward/backward slide locking means34. According to an exemplary embodiment, the forward/backward slide locking means34includes a lock plate95pivotally supported by a movable rail94in any one of the slide units12and13in a way that the lock plate is capable of pivoting in the horizontal direction, a stopper lock pin87being “stopper means” in this embodiment, which is drooped from the lock plate95, and a fourth coiled spring96biasing the lock plate95in a direction in which the lock plate95is locked.

Further detailed descriptions will be provided for the lock releasing plate89. According to an exemplary embodiment, a pressure receiving part97is formed in a flange in a portion of the lock releasing plate89which contacts the pressing part86aof the release bracket86. An upper end portion89aof the lock releasing plate89is pivotally supported by the base unit14in a way that an eleventh pivotally supporting part98makes the upper portion89acapable of pivoting. A lower end portion89bof the lock releasing plate89is arranged in a position where the lower end portion89bcontacts the lock plate95. A long hole100is formed between the upper end portion89aand the lower end portion89bof the lock releasing plate89. The long hole100extends in the forward-backward direction and is formed in an arc centering around the eleventh pivotally supporting part98so that the long hole100is capable of sliding backward and forward relative to a third lock pin99protruding from the base unit14.

Descriptions will be provided next for the interlock mechanism in any one of the slide units12and13(in this case, the slide unit is denoted by reference numeral13). According to an exemplary embodiment, the slide unit13includes a fixed rail108, which is buried in the floor5, and a movable rail94, which is capable of moving backward and forward relative to the fixed rail108. Rail plates109are arranged respectively in only portions in the bottom surface108aof the fixed rail108, which portions correspond to a first mode area A and a third mode area C shown inFIG. 8. In each of the portions provided with the respective rail plates109, a lock hole110formed in the bottom surface108aof the fixed rail108is closed. Thus, the interlock pin69is designed to be incapable of engaging with the lock hole110as shown inFIG. 13.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first mode area A in the bottom surface108aof the fixed rail108is a forward area FR, where the seat cushions19and21are capable of sliding by every 15 mm to 100 mm pitch while in the state of being tipped up. Similarly, a second mode area B is located in the rear RR of the first mode area A, and is an area where the seat cushion19is capable of sliding by every 12 mm pitch. In the second mode area B, the seat cushion19in the state of being tipped up is capable of returning to the seated state, and is also capable of being interlocked. Similarly, the third mode area C is located in the rear RR of the second mode area B. In the third mode area C is an area where the seat cushions19and21are capable of sliding by every 150 mm to 200 mm pitch, and where the forward/backward slide locking means34is capable of being locked only while the seat cushions19and21are tipped up. Thus, the third mode area C is an area where neither the seat cushions19nor21is capable of being interlocked as described above. A fourth mode area D is located in the rear RR of the third mode area C. In the fourth mode area D, the seat cushion19is capable of sliding by every 30 mm to 100 mm pitch. In the fourth mode area D, the seat cushion19in the state of being tipped up is capable of returning to the seated state, and of being interlocked. It should be noted that, as shown inFIG. 8, a seat belt anchor point is located in the third mode area C, and is capable of supporting a seat belt for holding the lumbar of a passenger who is seated in the passenger's seat2.

The interlock pin69is capable of being operated only by the operating means which is operated against the third coiled spring80and the sixth coiled spring107. For this reason, while the passenger's seat2and the second rear seat4are in a luggage compartment which is the fourth mode area D, and where a passenger can be seated, the interlock pin69is capable of engaging with the interlocking means35. However, the back rests20and22are in their upright positions, forward FR respectively of their neutral positions, and the seat cushions19and21are tipped up. As a result, a passenger can not be seated in the passenger's seat2or the second rear seat4.

When the passenger's seat2and the second rear seat4are in the third mode area C, their interlock pins69are on the respective rail plates109, and thus are lifted up. At this time, in the passenger's seat2, the interlock pin plate54pivots about the third pivotally supporting part66clockwise, and thus the upper end portion54aof the first interlock pin plate54is detached from the pressing member52bof the first tip-up lock plate52. For this reason, the claw portion52aof the first tip-up lock plate52engages with the stopper rod60. This makes it possible to hold the seat cushion19in the tip-up state.

In addition, in the second rear seat4, the second plate71pivots about the seventh pivotally supporting part75clockwise, and the first plate70pivots about the fifth pivotally supporting part67counterclockwise. Thus, the first end portion70a, protruding from the first plate70, is detached from a portion forward FR of the second pivotally supporting part63of the first tip-up lock plate53. For this reason, the claw portion53aof the first tip-up lock plate53engages with the stopper rod61. This makes it possible to hold the seat cushion21in the tip-up state.

When the passenger's seat2and the second rear seat4are in the second mode area B, the interlock pin69engages with the lock hole110formed in the bottom surface108aof the fixed rail108. The first interlock pin plate54and the second plate71of the second interlock pin plate55pivot counterclockwise respectively about the third pivotally supporting part66and the seventh pivotally supporting part75inFIG. 7.

The upper end portion54aof the first interlock pin plate54, which is pivoted, presses the pressing member52bextending from the first tip-up lock plate52. Thus, the first tip-up lock plate52pivots clockwise about the second pivotally supporting part62. Hence, the claw portion52ais detached from a position where the claw portion52ajuts out into the long hole46. This makes the stopper rod60capable of moving along the long hole46, and thereby the seat cushion19is made capable of moving to the seated position.

Similarly, the upper end portion71aof the second plate71of the second interlock pin plate55which is pivoted causes the first plate70, which is connected to the upper end portion71awith the sixth pivotally supporting part73, to pivot clockwise about the fifth pivotally supporting part67. Thus, the first end portion70aprotruding from the first plate70pushes up a portion of the first tip-up lock plate53, which portion is located forward FR of the second pivotally supporting part63. Hence, the first tip-up lock plate53pivots clockwise about the second pivotally supporting part63, and the claw portion53aof the first tip-up lock plate53is detached from a position where the claw portion53ajuts out into the long hole47. This makes the stopper rod61capable of moving along the long hole47, and thereby the seat cushion21is made capable of moving to the seated position.

Descriptions will now be provided for the operation of the exemplary embodiment detailed above.

Regarding the passenger' seat2and the second rear seat4, the back rests20and22are capable of moving to their respective positions where the back rests20and22stand almost upright, and the seat cushions19and21are capable of being tipped up, by operating means which is not illustrated. This configuration makes the passenger's seat2capable of being moved forward FR by operating only the second rear seat4after the predetermined operation. Specifically, this configuration improves the operability, with which the passenger's seat2and the second rear seat4are collected together in a place, to a large extent.

In, addition, the forward/backward slide locking means34and the interlocking means35of the passenger's seat2are capable of being released by the push plate36of the second rear seat4. For this reason, the push plate36releases the forward/backward slide locking means34and the interlocking means35only by pushing the back of the passenger's seat2with the second rear seat4. Thus, the passenger's seat2is capable of moving forward to FR with a force with which the second rear seat4is pushed forward FR.

Furthermore, the tip-up mechanisms37and38of the seat cushions19and21include the tip-up releasing means48and49for releasing the tip-up brackets40and41of the seat cushions19and21, the first coiled springs50and51for tipping up the seat cushions19and21, which are made capable of being tipped up by the tip-up releasing means48and49, to the predetermined positions, and the first and second tip-up lock plates52and53for holding the seat cushions19and21, which have been moved to the tip-up positions, at the same tip-up positions. When the back rests20and22are moved to their respective positions where the back seats20and22stand almost upright, the foregoing configuration makes it possible to release the first tip-up lock plates52and53respectively of the seat cushions19and21held in their seated positions, to thus cause the first coiled springs50and51to tip-up and move the seat cushions19and21, respectively, and to hence cause the first and second tip-up lock plates52and53to hold the seat cushions19and21, which have been tipped up, at their respective tipped-up positions. In addition, the tip-up mechanism37and38include the first and second interlock pin plates54and55which are capable of releasing the first and second tip-up lock plates52and53, respectively. This makes it possible to return the seat cushions19and21to their original positions.

Moreover, the stopper lock pin87of the forward/backward slide locking means34and the interlocking means35are designed to be capable of being released when the release bracket86of the passenger's seat2is pushed by the push plate36of the second rear seat4. Thus, the passenger's seat2is also capable of moving when pushed by the second rear seat4.

Additionally, the forefront side portion36aof the push plate36of the second rear seat4is located in the position jutting out forward FR of the seat cushion21of the second rear seat4in the state of being tipped up. For this reason, whenever the second rear seat4is moved forward FR, the second rear seat4is always capable of pressing the moving means85of the passenger's seat2. This makes it possible to securely move the passenger's seat2, together with the second rear seat4, forward FR.

The foregoing example has been described with reference to a configuration where the passenger's seat2is the front seat body, and the second rear seat4is the rear seat body. However, the example is not limited to this case. The driver's seat1may be the front seat body, and the first rear seat3may be the rear seat body.

Further, it is important to note that the present invention is not limited to what has been described for the foregoing embodiment of the present invention. The present invention can be carried out in various modes through modifications depending on the necessity.

It should be noted that all of the contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-346033 (filed on Nov. 30, 2004) are incorporated in the description of the present invention through the references