Adjustable seat

An adjustable seat has a seat base having a front end and a rear end, a front leg assembly having a top end engaged with the rear end of the seat base and a bottom end opposite the top end for engaging a supporting surface, and a back leg assembly having a top end engaged with the front end of the seat base and a bottom end opposite the top end for engaging the supporting surface. The back leg assembly is pivotally connected to the front leg assembly between the top end and the bottom end of the front leg assembly and the back leg assembly. The adjustable seat has an adjustment assembly for selectively locking the front leg assembly relative to the back leg assembly at one of a plurality of lockable positions between a first position and a second position.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates generally to an adjustable seat, and more specifically to an adjustable seat that may be raised and lowered to multiple heights using a ratcheting-type mechanism on the seat legs and an adjustable seat that can be disengaged from a locked position and lowered using a release handle. The adjustable seat may be used in small watercraft.

Description of Related Art

Adjustable seats are desirable for many applications. One such application is for use with small watercraft, such as kayaks and canoes. Users of kayaks and canoes generally prefer to utilize a seat that is low (close to the water) when they are paddling. The low position of the seat lowers the center of gravity of the watercraft, thereby increasing its stability. However, an elevated seat position may be preferred when the watercraft is stationary for activities such as fishing. The elevated position provides a comfortable seating position for casting and sighting. Conventional seat adjustment mechanisms in kayaks and canoes are often difficult to adjust. This is frequently due to designs where the seat adjustment mechanisms are integrated into the shell or body of the watercraft. These prior art mechanisms require the user to adjust the seat height by removing an attachment point of the seat to the watercraft and re-attaching the seat to another point or position on the watercraft. Such adjustment can often be performed only while the user is out of the watercraft. It would be desirable to develop new adjustable seats that allow for height adjustment while allowing the user to remain seated within the watercraft.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In view of the foregoing, a need exists for a stand-alone adjustable seat that is not integral or otherwise necessarily connected to the body of the small watercraft, such as a kayak or canoe. For example, the adjustable seat can be sold separately from any specific watercraft, and can be used with watercraft from various manufacturers. The adjustable seat can be used with any watercraft having a beam that is wide enough to accommodate the dimensions of the seat. The adjustable seat is not dependent upon the body of the watercraft to be either raised or lowered. Other than the points of contact where the seat is placed on the beam of the watercraft, no other point of contact between the seat and the watercraft is needed for the height of the seat to be adjusted.

A feature of the adjustable seat is its ability to raise and lower the relative height of the seat without repositioning its points of contact with the watercraft. In an embodiment, the relative height of the seat is set based upon the scissor action of the seat legs. The legs of the seat open and close in a scissor-like fashion and are held in place at varying heights by an adjustment assembly that releasably locks the position of the legs relative to one another.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, an adjustable seat may include a seat base having a front end and a rear end, a front leg assembly having a top end engaged with the rear end of the seat base and a bottom end opposite the top end for engaging a supporting surface, and a back leg assembly having a top end engaged with the front end of the seat base and a bottom end opposite the top end for engaging the supporting surface. The back leg assembly may be pivotally connected to the front leg assembly between the top end and the bottom end of the front leg assembly and the back leg assembly. The seat may have an adjustment assembly for selectively locking the front leg assembly relative to the back leg assembly at one of a plurality of lockable positions between a first position and a second position. The seat base may be elevated higher relative to the supporting surface in the second position than in the first position.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, at least one of the bottom end of the front leg assembly and the bottom end of the back leg assembly may be fixed to the supporting surface. At least one of the bottom end of the front leg assembly and the bottom end of the back leg assembly may slidably engage the supporting surface. At least one of the top end of the front leg assembly and the front end of the bottom end of the back leg assembly may be fixed to the seat base. At least one of the top end of the front leg assembly and the front end of the bottom end of the back leg assembly may slidably engage the seat base. The top end of the back leg assembly may be connected to the adjustment assembly. In the first position, the front leg assembly and the back leg assembly may be substantially parallel to the supporting surface, and, in the second position, the front leg assembly and the back leg assembly may be angled relative to the supporting surface. A vertical position of the seat base may be adjustable in equal or unequal increments.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, the adjustment assembly may have a receiver connected to at least a portion of the seat base and a locking member at the top end of the back leg assembly. The receiver may have a plurality of receiver teeth corresponding to a plurality of lockable positions, and the locking member may have one or more locking teeth configured for selectively engaging at least one of the plurality of receiver teeth. At least one of the plurality of receiver teeth may be angled toward the rear end of the seat base. The adjustment assembly may be spring loaded.

The locking member may be movable between an engaged position, where the one or more locking teeth is in contact with at least one of the plurality of receiver teeth, and a disengaged position, where the one or more locking teeth is disconnected from the plurality of receiver teeth. The locking member may be movable from the engaged position to the disengaged position by a handle. The handle may be connected to the locking member by a cable. The seat may further have a seat back connected to the seat base. An angle of the seat back relative to the seat base may be adjustable. The pivot point may have a pivot pin extending through an opening on each of the front leg assembly and the back leg assembly.

In some aspects of the present disclosure, an adjustable seat may include a seat base having a front end and a rear end, a front leg assembly having a top end engaged with the rear end of the seat base and a bottom end opposite the top end for engaging a supporting surface, and a back leg assembly having a top end engaged with the front end of the seat base and a bottom end opposite the top end for engaging the supporting surface. The back leg assembly may be pivotally connected to the front leg assembly between the top end and the bottom end of the front leg assembly and the back leg assembly. The seat may have an adjustment assembly for selectively locking the front leg assembly relative to the back leg assembly at one of a plurality of lockable positions between a first position and a second position. The adjustment assembly may have a receiver connected to at least a portion of the seat base and a locking member at the top end of the back leg assembly. The receiver may have a plurality of receiver teeth corresponding to a plurality of lockable positions, and the locking member may have one or more locking teeth configured for selectively engaging at least one of the plurality of receiver teeth. The seat base may be elevated higher relative to the supporting surface in the second position than in the first position.

A watercraft may have a hull having an interior with a supporting surface and an adjustable seat engaging the supporting surface. The adjustable seat may include a seat base having a front end and a rear end, a front leg assembly having a top end engaged with the rear end of the seat base and a bottom end opposite the top end for engaging a supporting surface, and a back leg assembly having a top end engaged with the front end of the seat base and a bottom end opposite the top end for engaging the supporting surface. The back leg assembly may be pivotally connected to the front leg assembly between the top end and the bottom end of the front leg assembly and the back leg assembly. The seat may have an adjustment assembly for selectively locking the front leg assembly relative to the back leg assembly at one of a plurality of lockable positions between a first position and a second position. The seat base may be elevated higher relative to the supporting surface in the second position than in the first position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The illustrations generally show non-limiting aspects of the devices and methods of the present disclosure. While the descriptions present various aspects of the devices, it should not be interpreted in any way as limiting the disclosure. Furthermore, modifications, concepts, and applications of the disclosure's aspects are to be interpreted by those skilled in the art as being encompassed, but not limited to, the illustrations and descriptions herein. Various modifications, equivalents, variations, and alternatives, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Any and all such modifications, variations, equivalents, and alternatives are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless otherwise expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. Further, for purposes of the description herein, the terms “end”, “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the disclosure may assume various alternative variations and steps, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Unless otherwise indicated, all ranges or ratios disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all subranges or subratios subsumed therein. For example, a stated range or ratio of “1 to 10” should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges or subratios beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, such as but not limited to, 1 to 6.1, 3.5 to 7.8, and 5.5 to 10. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing dimensions, quantities of ingredients, flow rates, pressures, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as modified in all instances by the term “about.”

Referring to the drawings in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views thereof, the present disclosure is directed to an adjustable seat for watercraft, and more particularly to an adjustable seat configured to provide both a lowered and an elevated seating position.

With initial reference toFIG. 1, an adjustable seat10(hereinafter referred to as “seat10”) may be configured for use with a watercraft5, such as a kayak, a canoe, or the like. Seat10may be positioned within an interior6of a hull8of watercraft5. In some aspects, seat10may be supported in a supporting surface13within interior6of hull8. Seat10may be removably or non-removably connected to watercraft5. In some aspects, seat10is removably installed in watercraft5. Seat10is desirably dimensioned such that it can be accommodated within a beam9of watercraft5. Seat10may be releasably connected to watercraft5, such as by fasteners, clips, snaps, magnets, or other connection means. In other aspects, seat10may be permanently installed in watercraft5. For example, at least a portion of seat10may be permanently and non-removably connected to watercraft5by fasteners, welding, molding, or other connection means. In further aspects, a first portion of seat10may be permanently installed in watercraft5, while a second portion of seat10may be removably connected to the first portion and/or watercraft5.

With reference toFIGS. 2A-2B, seat10has a seat base26and a seat back28. Seat base26and/or seat back28may be shaped to conform to a user's body to provide a more comfortable and secure position for the user. In various aspects, seat10may have a fixed or removable cushion (not shown) for use with seat base26and/or seat back28. WhileFIGS. 2A-2Bdepict one exemplary and non-limiting configuration of seat base26and seat back28, other configurations may be used. In some aspects, seat back28may be adjustable relative to seat base26. For example, an angle of inclination of seat back28may be adjustable relative to seat base26. Seat back28may be configured to fold onto seat base26when not in use. In other aspects, seat back28may be fixed relative to seat base26. A handle31(shown inFIG. 2B) may be provided for adjusting a position of seat back28relative to seat base26. Desirably, handle31is accessible to the user while in the seated position, such that adjustment of seat back28inclination can be easily accomplished by the user while seated, and even while the watercraft is moving.

In some aspects, seat10may be provided with adjustable elements (not shown), such as slide rails that allow the position of seat10to be adjusted in a fore-and-aft direction of watercraft5. In various aspects, seat10, including seat base26and seat back28, may be formed from any suitable material including, for example, fabric, foam, metal, fiberglass, molded plastic, or a combination thereof, and may be configured with various adjustment capabilities. For example, seat base26and/or seat back28may be manufactured out of a plastic material with fabric/foam/neoprene covering, or stretched canvas/nylon. In some aspects, seat base26and/or seat back28may have one or more inflatable elements to provide support to the user's body in the seated position. Front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18may be manufactured with metal/alloy/or aluminum tubing with stainless steel parts/hardware.

With reference toFIG. 2A, seat10generally includes a front leg assembly12and a back leg assembly18, which are connected at a pivot point24. In some aspects, pivot point24may have a pivot pin27extending through an opening29provided on each of front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18. Front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18are pivotally connected to one another at pivot point24at their approximate midpoint to create a scissor arrangement. There is a corresponding pivot point connecting front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18on the other side of seat10which is not shown inFIG. 1. It is to be understood that the features described herein are preferably symmetrical, although only one side is described. In some aspects; however, the features may be asymmetrical. Front leg assembly12has a bottom end14that contacts the supporting surface on which seat10is placed, such as beam9of watercraft5(shown inFIG. 1), the floor of any other structure, or the ground. In some aspects, bottom end14of front leg assembly12may be slidable on the supporting surface to allow movement of seat10from an elevated position to a lowered position. In other aspects, bottom end14of front leg assembly12may be fixed, such as by a mechanical connection, to a supporting surface. Bottom end14may have a fixed or removable contact member (not shown), such as a pad, for mounting front leg assembly12to the supporting surface. In some aspects, bottom end14may have one or more attachment members (not shown) for releasably securing bottom end14to a surface, such as beam9of watercraft5(shown inFIG. 1), the floor of any other structure, or the ground.

Front leg assembly12has a top end16that is connected to a rear end25of seat base26. In some aspects, the connection between top end16of front leg assembly12and rear end25of seat base26is a pivoting connection about a fixed or movable pivot point to allow movement of seat10from an elevated position to a lowered position. In other aspects, such as when bottom end14of front leg assembly12is fixed to a supporting surface, top end16may have a slidable connection with lower portion of seat base26between a first position corresponding to a lowered position of seat10and a second position corresponding to an elevated position of seat10.

With continued reference toFIGS. 2A-2B, back leg assembly18likewise has a bottom end20that contacts such supporting surface on which seat10is placed, such as beam9of watercraft5(shown inFIG. 1), the floor of any other structure, or the ground. In some aspects, bottom end20of back leg assembly18may be slidable on the supporting surface to allow movement of seat10from an elevated position to a lowered position. In other aspects, bottom end20of front leg assembly12may be fixed, such as by a mechanical connection, to the supporting surface. Bottom end20may have a fixed or removable contact member (not shown), such as a pad, for mounting back leg assembly18to the supporting surface. In some aspects, bottom end20may have one or more attachment members (not shown) for releasably securing bottom end20to a surface, such as beam9of watercraft5(shown inFIG. 1), the floor of any other structure, or the ground.

Back leg assembly18has a top end22that is connected to a front end23of seat base26. In some aspects, the connection between top end22of back leg assembly18and front end23of seat base26is a pivoting connection about a fixed or movable pivot point to allow movement of seat10from an elevated position to a lowered position. In other aspects, such as when bottom end20of back leg assembly18is fixed to a supporting surface, top end22may have a slidable connection with lower portion of seat base26between a first position corresponding to a lowered position of seat10and a second position corresponding to an elevated position of seat10. One or both top ends16,22may be connected at a fixed pivot point on seat base26to allow for a sliding connection of one or both bottom ends14,20to the supporting surface. In aspects where one or both top ends16,22have a sliding connection with seat base26, one or both bottom ends14,20may be fixed to the supporting surface.

Referring toFIGS. 3-6, top end22of back leg assembly18is connected to adjustment assembly30. The adjustment assembly allows the user to adjust seat base26to multiple seat heights, including a first or “lowered, “flush”, or “nested” position. The first position of seat10may be particularly desirable when a user is paddling watercraft5. The first position of seat10lowers the center of gravity of the watercraft, thereby increasing its stability, particularly in rough waters. Using adjustment assembly30described herein, the height of seat base26relative to the supporting surface can be adjusted to a second, or “raised” or “elevated” position. The second position of seat10may be preferred when the watercraft is stationary for activities, such as fishing. In some aspects, seat base26may be elevated up to 12 inches between a first position and a second position. Adjustment assembly30may be configured with various increments of adjustment. In some aspects, adjustment assembly30may be configured with 1 inch increments of height adjustment between 0 and 12 inches. However, the total height variation between the first and second position of seat base26and adjustment increments between the first and second position can be modified to any desired size.

Adjustment assembly30is configured to selectively lock the position of front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18, thereby adjusting the height of seat base26relative to the supporting surface. Due to a scissor-like configuration of front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18, adjustment assembly30can selectively lock front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18at various angles relative to each other to adjust the height of seat base26. For example, adjustment assembly30may be used to lock front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18between a first, or lowered position, where front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18are substantially parallel to the supporting surface, and a second, or elevated position, where front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18are angled relative to the supporting surface. Adjustment assembly30may be used to lock front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18in one or more positions between the first (lowered) and second (elevated) positions.

In some aspects, adjustment assembly30has an adjustment assembly receiver42that is connected to or formed on the underside of front end30of both sides of seat base26. In other aspects, a single adjustment assembly receiver42may be provided on one side of seat base26. Adjustment assembly receiver42may be removably or non-removably connected to seat base26. In some aspects, adjustment assembly receiver42is monolithically formed with at least a portion of seat base26. Adjustment assembly receiver42has an opening45with a plurality of seat height adjustment members defined on a lower end of the opening45. The plurality of adjustment members, such as a plurality of receiver teeth44, extend in a fore-and-aft direction of seat base26and are configured for engaging a corresponding locking member to fix a height of seat base26at a desired height, as described herein. Each tooth of the plurality of receiver teeth44may correspond to a specific height setting of seat10, as described herein. In some aspects, the plurality of receiver teeth44may be angled toward rear end25of seat base26.

With continued reference toFIGS. 3-6, top end22of back leg assembly18has a locking member39that is configured for selectively engaging receiver teeth on adjustment assembly receiver42. In some aspects, a pair of locking members39may be provided on lateral sides of seat base26to correspond to a pair of adjustment assembly receivers42. Locking member39is movable between an engaged position, where one or more of locking teeth40are in contact with one or more receiver teeth44, and a disengaged position, where the one or more locking teeth40are disconnected from one or more receiver teeth44. In the engaged position, locking member39locks the position of front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18to maintain the height of seat10at a desired setting and prevent front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18from moving relative to one another about pivot point24. In the disengaged position, locking member39unlocks front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18from one other such that height of seat base26may be adjusted by pivoting front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18relative to one another about pivot point24. In some aspects, locking member39may have a rod43(shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 6) extending through an opening45on top end22of back leg assembly18. Rod43may connect opposing locking members39provided on lateral sides of seat base26. With rotation of rod43about its longitudinal axis, locking member39may be moved between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

The locking member39may be movable between the engaged position and the disengaged position using a handle32. In some aspects, handle32may be provided on front end23or on a lateral side of seat base26. Handle32may be connected to locking member39by a cable47(shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 5). In aspects where a pair of locking members39is provided, cable47may be connected to one or both locking members39. In such aspects, cable47may extend through or along a bottom portion of seat base26such that two sides of cable47are attached together at handle32. In some aspects, pulling handle32away from seat base26may disengage locking member39from the engaged position to allow the height of seat base26to be adjusted.

In operation, assembly teeth40mate and engage with receiver teeth44in a ratchet-type mechanism. One or both of adjustment assembly receiver42and receiver teeth44are positioned in such a manner that the height of seat base26can be adjusted relative to the supporting surface depending on the point in receiver teeth44where assembly teeth40are engaged. One skilled in the art will understand that similar interlocking mechanisms may be used instead of the assembly teeth40and receiver teeth44without departing from the scope of the invention. In other aspects, the handle32may be replaced by a knob, wheel, button, or the like to disengage locking teeth40of locking member39from engagement with one or more receiver teeth44on adjustment assembly receiver42. Cable47may be replaced by a rigid link, a threaded rod, or a similar mechanical linkage. In some aspects, adjustment assembly30may be hydraulically, pneumatically, or electrically operated. For example, adjustment assembly30may have one or more motors powered by a power source, such as a battery, to selectively move seat base26between the lowered position and the elevated position. In some aspects, the arrangement of the adjustment assembly30may be reversed, such that adjustment assembly receiver42is provided on rear end25of seat base26, while locking member39is provided on top end16of front leg assembly12.

As described herein, height adjustment is based on the scissor action of front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18. Each possible height of seat base26is obtained by assembly teeth40engaging and operating like a ratchet with receiver teeth44in order to obtain several heights. Adjustment assembly30may be spring loaded to aid the ease of operation. For example, a spring (not shown) may be used to aid in raising seat10from a lowered position to an elevated position, or in lowering seat10from an elevated position to a lowered position. Seat height may be raised by pulling handle32to disengage locking member39and lifting seat base26to a desired height. Seat base26may be raised through a pivoting action of front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18in a scissor-like manner about pivot point24. Once a desired height of seat base26is obtained, handle32may be released to allow locking member39to lock adjustment assembly30in place. In other aspects, seat10may be raised by lifting seat base26in an upward direction while adjustment assembly30automatically moves locking member39from a first engagement position with receiver teeth44to a second engagement position with receiver teeth44. To lower the seat10from an elevated position (FIG. 7A), handle32may be pulled, thereby disengaging locking member39from engagement with receiver teeth44(FIG. 7B). Seat base26may then be lowered through a pivoting action of front leg assembly12and back leg assembly18in a scissor-like manner about pivot point24(FIG. 7C). In this manner, seat10may be lowered and raised with only a one hand operation. In some aspects, the user may remain seated during height adjustment of seat10. In other aspects, the user may sit up from seat10in order to raise or lower seat10.