VEHICLE BODY

Abstract: The cabin (2) of a sports car has a single, centrally arranged driver's seat (4) and two transversely aligned, spaced rear passenger seats (6). The driver's seat (4) is arranged generally in front of the two rear passenger seats (6) but extends rearwardly beyond the front thereof. The driver's seat (4) also extends transversely to overlap part of each rear passenger seat (6). The seating arrangement utilises the fact that the trunk of a human is wider than the legs to provide a compact arrangement which is comfortable and to which there is easy access.

Description: VEHICLE BODY^ The present invention relates to a seating arrangement for a vehicle, and to a cabin structure for a vehicle, and to a vehicle. Vehicles are often formed to have their engine, transmission, or other weighty parts arranged substantially intermediate their length for stability. This means that the driver's position is more forwardly than in a front- engined vehicle, for example, and this can result in the driver's controls being offset because of the intrusion of the front wheel arch into the passenger cabin. A forward driver position can also make it difficult to provide an aerodynamic body shape and yet provide sufficient head room for the occupants of the front seats. The front pillars can also restrict the driver's visibility. The present invention seeks to provide a seating arrangement for a vehicle, or a vehicle structure, which provides better ergonomics for the driver. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a seating arrangement for a vehicle, said seating arrangement having at least three seats and comprising two spaced rear passenger seats aligned substantially transversely, and a driver's seat arranged substantially centrally and in front of said two rear passenger seats, wherein said front driver's seat extends transversely to overlap part of each said rear passenger seat. It would be possible for a common rear bench seat to be provided in which said two rear passenger seats are formed. Alternatively, two separate spaced rear passenger seats may be provided. In either case, the two rear passenger seats are spaced such that advantage can be taken of the fact that the human passenger generally has a wider trunk or body than legs, and specifically has shoulders of greater width than the width of the legs. This enables passengers to be comfortably seated on the respective rear seats with which the front driver's seat overlaps. This overlapping arrangement enables the cabin of a vehicle to be kept relatively narrow and yet provide accommodation for the driver and for at least two passengers sat side by side. The arrangement also enables relatively easy access to the passenger seats. The driver's seat is centrally positioned to give enhanced vision and in line controls for the driver. In a preferred embodiment, said centrally positioned driver's seat extends rearwardly beyond the front of each said rear passenger seat. Again this overlapping of the driver's seat with the passenger seats enables a compact, but comfortable and accessible, passenger cabin to be provided. The invention also extends to a seating arrangement for a vehicle, said seating arrangement having at least three seats and comprising two spaced rear passenger seats aligned substantially transversely, and a driver's seat arranged substantially centrally and in front of said two rear passenger seats, wherein said front driver's seat extends rearwardly beyond the front of each said rear passenger seat. In an embodiment, the driver's seat extends rearwardly beyond the front of each said rear passenger seat by a distance which is an approximation to the thigh length of an average human. In a preferred embodiment, the driver's seat projects forwardly of the two rear passenger seats by a distance of the order of 320mm. By this means, the trunk of each passenger is kept to the rear of the driver for comfort and to avoid interference by the passengers with the driver's visibility, whilst the passengers can extend their legs to the sides of the driver. Preferably, said centrally positioned, front driver's seat extends transversely to overlap part of each said rear passenger seat. This keeps the overall width of the cabin restricted. The amount of the overlap will depend upon the relative sizes of the ' seats, their shapes and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the distance between the centre line of the driver's seat and the centre line of each said rear passenger seat is of the order of 410mm. The present invention also extends to a vehicle incorporating a seating arrangement as defined above. In a preferred embodiment, said vehicle has an engine which is disposed substantially intermediate of the length of the vehicle. Preferably, the vehicle has a fuel tank which is disposed substantially intermediately of the length of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment the fuel tank is located rearwardly of the driver's seat. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle is provided with front wheel arches which form foot rests for each of the rear passenger seats. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a cabin structure for a vehicle, said cabin structure having a monocoque construction defining a support floor and roof supports, and being arranged to support a centrally positioned driver's seat and two spaced rear passenger seats. In a preferred embodiment, the monocoque cabin structure itself defines the two spaced rear passenger seats. Preferably, said two spaced rear passenger seats are aligned substantially transversely. Preferably, two spaced front wheel arches are defined by the cabin structure, and each said wheel arch is aligned longitudinally with a respective rear passenger seat. A driver's seat is arranged to be supported on said cabin structure such that it extends rearwardly of the front of each defined rear passenger seat. Preferably, the cabin structure is arranged to support a fuel tank behind the position for the driver's seat. In an embodiment, part of the monocoque construction forming the cabin structure is arranged to extend on each side of the driver position. Preferably, part of the floor defined by the monocoque construction is removable upon opening of a door. The present invention also extends to a vehicle incorporating a cabin structure as defined above. In a preferred embodiment, said vehicle has an engine which is disposed substantially intermediate of the length of the vehicle. Preferably, the vehicle has a fuel tank which is disposed substantially intermediately of the length of the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment the fuel tank is located rearwardly of the driver's seat. In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle is provided with front wheel arches which form foot rests for each of the rear passenger seats. Embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be defined, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 shows schematically a plan view from above of an embodiment of a seating arrangement of the present invention, Figure 2 shows a plan view from above of a sports car incorporating the seating arrangement of Figure 1, Figure 3 shows a further plan view of the seating arrangement showing dimensions of the arrangement and the provision of a fuel cell or tank, and Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a cabin structure of the present invention providing the seating arrangement illustrated. Figure 1 shows schematically a plan view from above of a cabin 2 of a vehicle, such as a sports car, showing the seating arrangement therein. It will be seen, that there is a single, centrally arranged driver's seat 4 and two spaced rear passenger seats 6 which are aligned substantially transversely. Although the driver's seat 4 is arranged generally in front of the two rear passenger seats 6 it does extend rearwardly beyond the front of each said rear passenger seat 6. In addition, the driver's seat 4 extends transversely to overlap part of each said rear passenger seat 6. The three seat arrangement shown in Figure 1 is comfortable and provides easy access to the seats 4, 6 for all of their occupants. It will be immediately apparent that the seating arrangement is such as to keep the overall width and length taken up by the seats as small, as is possible. This compact arrangement is achieved, whilst also providing the necessary space and comfort to the occupants, by utilising the fact that the shoulders and hips of a human, or the trunk generally, is wider than the legs. It is therefore possible to seat a person comfortably behind the driver and provide room for the rear passengers to extend their legs to either side of the driver. Figure 2 shows a plan view of a three-seat sports car incorporating the seating arrangement of Figure 1. As previously, two spaced rear seats 6 are provided rearwardly with respect to the driver's seat 4. In Figure 2 the body 8 of the car is indicated, together with its wheels 10, and it will be immediately seen that the central position of the driver's seat 4 enables this seat 4 to be aligned with control pedals 12 and a steering wheel 14. Thus, as indicated in Figure 2, even where the car is made to be mid-engined having its engine intermediate the length of the car, and the driver relatively forwardly, the driver's seat is aligned with the controls and is not offset as is conventional. It will also be appreciated that in the forward central position the ergonomics of the seat for the driver are enhanced as compared with known cars, and the vision for the driver is greatly enhanced. In this respect, it is possible to ensure that no forward pillars intrude into the driver's field of vision. It will be apparent from Figure 2 that the driver is to be seated with his legs extending between the two front wheels 10. As is described with reference to Figure 4, this enables part of the primary structure to be extended on either side of the driver's legs, greatly increasing the crash strength of the vehicle. The central position for the driver means that there is no need to restrict or otherwise compromise on the positioning and size. of the front wheel arches, and this means that the wheel lock available and the consequent turning circle can be chosen as required. The two passenger seats 6 are generally each substantially longitudinally aligned with a respective front wheel arch, indicated at 16, and these arches 16 can be formed to provide foot rests for the rear passengers. Thus, it will be appreciated from a consideration of Figure 2, that the central driver's position obviates problems normally associated with two and four seat mid- engined sports cars, for example, caused by the front wheel arches intruding into the passenger cabin. The central driving position also makes it unnecessary to provide left and right hand drive versions. In addition, the particular seating arrangement as shown in Figure 1 enables these advantages to be gained from a central driving position without having to substantially increase the width of the passenger cabin 2. Figure 3 shows a further plan view of an embodiment of a seating arrangement of the invention shown within a passenger cabin 2 having a maximum width of 1,432mm. This compares favourably with the width of currently available two-seat sports cars. For example, a Ferrari Testarossa is 1,494mm wide, whilst the Lamborgini Countach is 1,710mm. In this respect, in the arrangement of Figure 3, the central driver's seat 4 is offset forwardly of substantial transverse alignment with the two rear passenger seats 6 by a distance of 320mm. The distance between the centre of the central driver's seat 4 and the centre of each rear passenger seat 6 is 410mm. The positioning of the driver's seat forwardly of the two rear passenger seats 6 enables a safety fuel tank 20 to be located in the vehicle behind the driver's seat 4. This is in the safest possible position for a fuel tank in the event of a crash. Also, for a mid-engined vehicle this central position of the fuel tank coincides with the centre of gravity of the vehicle. The vehicle will therefore have no change in its centre of gravity no matter how full or empty the tank. This gives the car extremely safe dynamic balance characteristics. Figure 4 shows schematically a perspective view of a cabin structure for a mid-engined sports car embodying the present invention. This cabin structure 50 is of a monocoque construction of any suitable material, for example, of steel. It will be seen that the cabin structure 50 defines roof supports 52 and a front window frame 54. The cabin structure 50 also defines a floor 56 and a front boot space 58. Front wheel arches 60 are defined on either side of the boot space 58. The cabin structure 50 is fabricated as one piece to include two spaced rear passenger seat supports 62. It will be appreciated that it is only necessary to support appropriate upholstery on the two supports 62 to form the two rear seats 6. Thus, the seat supports 62 are formed as an integral part of the cabin structure 50 and no mounting points therefor are required. Because the passenger seat supports 62 are an integral part of the monocoque structure it will be appreciated that far more of the cross-section of the passenger cabin 2 is part of the primary structure which greatly improves the stiffness of the vehicle chassis and occupant safety. Having the passenger seat supports 62 moulded into the primary cabin structure 50 enables parts 64 of that structure to be provided to extend on each side of the

Claims: driver's legs as noted above. The two parts 64 extend from the seat supports 62 and define a well in the cabin structure 50 in which the driver's seat 4 is mounted. Of course, it is generally preferred to mount the driver's seat 4 on the cabin structure 50 for movement wi.th respect thereto so that an appropriate driving position can be chosen. In a preferred embodiment, one of the parts 64 and an adjacent part of the floor 56 is mounted to be removable when a door (not shown) mounted on the cabin structure is opened. This enables the driver in the central sitting position to swing his feet to the ground as the door opens. This may be achieved by forming the part 64 and part of the floor 56 integral with the door. It will be appreciated that although the driver's seat is forwardly of the two passenger seats, the tops of the three seats, supporting the heads of the occupants, are in a similar part of the passenger cabin 2 so that it is a simple matter to provide sufficient headroom at that position. The embodiment has been described above with particular reference to a three-seater, mid-engined sports car. However, the seating arrangement with its central driving position is advantageous in any type of vehicle, whether or not it is mid-engined. Similarly, the monocoque construction of the cabin structure may be used alone, or with the seating arrangement described and illustrated. The monocoque construction may also be used in any kind of vehicle. If the length of the vehicle is not a problem, additional rear seats may be provided behind the rear passenger seats shown. Furthermore, it would be possible to provide the two rear seats in a " suitably shaped bench seat, for example, connected by upholstery. It will be appreciated that modifications in and variations to the invention as described above may be made within the scope of the present invention. CLAIMS 1. A seating arrangement for a vehicle, said seating arrangement having at least three seats and comprising two spaced rear passenger seats aligned substantially transversely, and a driver's seat arranged substantially centrally and in front of said two rear passenger seats, wherein said front driver's seat extends transversely to overlap part of each said rear passenger seat. 2. A seating arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, comprising a common rear bench seat in which said two rear passenger seats are formed. 3. A seating arrangement as claimed in Claim 1, comprising two separate spaced rear passenger seats. 4. A seating arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said substantially centrally positioned driver's seat extends rearwardly beyond the front of each said rear passenger seat. 5. A seating arrangement for a vehicle, said seating arrangement having at least three seats and comprising two spaced rear passenger seats aligned substantially transversely, and a driver's seat arranged substantially centrally and in front of said two rear passenger seats, wherein said front driver's seat extends rearwardly beyond the front of each said rear passenger seat. 6. A seating arrangement as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said centrally positioned, front driver's seat extends transversely to overlap part of each said rear passenger seat. 7. A seating arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4 or 6, wherein the distance between the centre line of the driver's seat and the centre line of each said rear passenger seat is of the order of 410mm. 8. A seating arrangement as claimed in any of- Claims 4 to 6, wherein said driver's seat extends rearwardly beyond the front of each said rear passenger seat by a distance which is an approximation to the thigh length of an average human. 9. A seating arrangement as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the driver's seat projects forwardly of the two rear passenger seats by a distance of the order of 320mm. 10. A vehicle incorporating a seating arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim. 11. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said vehicle has an engine which is disposed substantially intermediate of the length of the vehicle. 12. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, wherein said vehicle has a fuel tank which is disposed substantially intermediately of the length of the vehicle. 13. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the fuel tank is located rearwardly of the driver's seat. 14. A vehicle as claimed in any of Claims 10 to 13, wherein said vehicle is provided with front wheel arches which form foot rests for each of the rear passenger seats. 15. A cabin structure for a vehicle, said cabin structure having a monocoque construction defining a support floor and roof supports, and being arranged to support a centrally positioned driver's seat and two spaced rear passenger seats. 16. A cabin structure as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the monocoque cabin structure itself defines the two spaced rear passenger seats. 17. A cabin structure as claimed in Claim 16, wherein part of the monocoque construction forming the cabin structure is arranged to extend on each side of the driver position. 18. A cabin structure as claimed in Claim 16 or 17, wherein part of the floor defined by the monocoque construction is removable upon opening of a door. 19. A cabin structure as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 18, wherein said two spaced rear passenger seats are aligned substantially transversely, and wherein two spaced front wheel arches are defined by the cabin structure, and each said wheel arch is aligned longitudinally with a respective rear passenger seat. 20. A cabin structure as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 19, wherein a driver's seat is arranged to be supported on said cabin structure such that it extends rearwardly of the front of each rear passenger seat. 21. A cabin structure as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 20, wherein the cabin structure is arranged to support a fuel tank behind the position for the driver's seat. 22. A vehicle incorporating a cabin structure as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 21. 23. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 22, comprising an engine which is disposed substantially intermediate of the length of the vehicle, and a fuel tank which is disposed substantially intermediately of the length of the vehicle and located rearwardly of the driver's seat. 24. A vehicle as claimed in Claim 22 or 23, wherein the vehicle is provided with front wheel arches which form foot rests for each of the rear passenger seats. 25. A seating arrangement for a vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 26. A cabin structure for a vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 27. A vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: MURRAY GORDON, MURRAY, GORDON
Applicants: MCLAREN CARS NV, MCLAREN CARS LIMITED
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B60N2
IPC codes: B60N2