LOAD BEARING AUTOMOTIVE BENCH SEAT ASSEMBLY

Abstract: An automotive bench seat assembly which may be removable from a vehicle, has a seat (2), a seatback (4) adjacent to the seat, a pair of relatively spaced stanchions (6, 8) having an upper portion secured to the seat, and a lower floor engaging portion. The seat has a front rail (12), a rear rail (10), and a pair of side members (14, 16) connecting the front and rear rails. A pair of belt supporting towers (72, 74) are operatively associated with shoulder belts and serve to transmit impact loads to the floor through the stanchions (6, 8). The stanchions have upper portions supportingly secured to towers (72, 74) or the rear rail (10) intermediate the ends thereof and to the front rail (12) intermediate the ends thereof. The stanchions have the floor engaging portion positioned inwardly of the side members (14, 16). Lap belts also transmit impact loads through the stanchions to the floor. The stanchions may be generally V-shaped and have sidewalls composed of reinforced sheet members. Reinforced sheet members may be provided in the seatback (4) and seat (2).

Description: LOAD BEARING AUTOMOTIVE BENCH SEAT ASSEMBLY The present invention relates to an improved automotive bench seal assembly which may be removable and provides improved impaα load characteristics, particularly, in respect of impact loads applied to either shoulder belts or lap belts, or both. One of the requirements in certain land vehicles, such as mini-vans and trucks, is the ability to remove a seat when added space is desired, thereby, converting a seating region to a cargo region. In order to provide adequate protection for occupants of the vehicle using the seat, appropriaie seat bets are also required. One of the difficulties which has been encountered in past systems, has been the need to provide very bulky and heavy support systems in order to absorb impact loads from rear end or front end collisions. This makes the seat somewhat unwieldy and the extra weight, due to the strength requiremenL makes it more difficult to remove and replace the seat As it is desirable to have the shoulder belts and lap belts, as well as the support systems therefor, self-contained, such as they are removed with the seat, rather than being anchored in part to the vehicle body, the loads imposed on the belts have typically been transferred to the structural members of the seaL For example, it has been conventional to provide a seat, a seatback. with a pair of seat supports at the sides of the seat member. With the shoulder belt and lap belt forces being transmmed to the rear rail, which cooperates with the front rail and side members to establish the frarning for the seat, severe deformation or fracture of the rear rail has occurred as a result of the large moments resulting from the forces applied between the supports for the rear rail. Such applied forces created by impact loads have also been known to weaken welded joints on the seal construction. Also, placing the seat supports underlying the sides of the seat, frequently makes it difficult for users to pass around the seat as foot access is restricted. It has been known to employ metal tubes in providing the seat framework, but these had to be cushioned substantially in order to make them reasonably comfortable for the user. While it has also been known to employ sheet metal seatbacks to make the seat more comfortable, these, in general, have lacked adequate strength for the intended purpose. There remains, therefore, a very real and substantial need for an improved automotive bench seat which will provide desired strength and safety while providing a lighter weight, removable seat with foot clearance being enhanced. The present invention has met the above described need. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, an automotive bench seat will have a seat, a seatback adjacent to the seat, and a pair of relatively spaced stanchions having an upper portion secured to the seat and a lower floor engaging portion. The seat will have a front rail, a rear rail and a pair of side members connecting the front rail and the rear raiL The stanchions have their upper portions supportingly secured to the rear rail intermediate the ends thereof and to the front rail intermediate the ends thereof. The seatback will have a pair of belt supporting towers which are operatively associated with shoulder belts. The stanchions have an upper portion secured to the front and rear rails and floor contacting portions which are disposed inwardly from the side members of the seat to thereby provide effective foot clearance. The belt upporting towers are generally aligned with ai least a portion of the stanchions such that impaα Joads applied to the shoulder beb will be transferred through the towers to the floor through the stanchions. Similarly, Jap belt andiorage to the rear rail will cause impaα forces applied thereto to bt transfeired through the stanchions to the vehicle floor. In a preferred embodiment, the stanchion will have sidewalls composed of integrally reinforced metal sheet which may have a plurality of projecting frustoconical members, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,244,745, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention. A pair of such sheets may be superposed with the free ends of the frustoconical portioαs being generally aligned and secured to each other. In a • further embodiment of the invention, a pair of superposed sheets which are integrally reinforced by frustoconical deformations may be employed in the seatback to provide enhanced shear strength and stiffness therefor. It is an objeα of the present invention to provide an improved automotive, energy absorbing, bench seat which has effective strength to resist impaα loads applied by front or rear collisions. It is a further objeα of the present invention to provide such a seat which may be employed as a removable vehicle seat and avoids the need to anchor shoulder belts and lap belts directly to the vehicle body. It is a further objeα of the present invention to provide a structure which effectively transmits forces from three passengers applied to the seats through belt means to the floor of the vehicle while employing only to stanchions. It is a further objeα of the present invention to provide a tench seat construction which has adequate strength to meet the load requirements and yet requires less cushioning for passenger comfort than prior art constructions. It is a further objeα of the present invention to provide an energy absorbing automotive bench seat which has a comfortable, stiffened seatback member. It is a further objeα of the present invention to provide such an automotive bench seat which is lighter, economical to manufacture, and wQl resist plastic deformation of the framing members or collapse thereof. These and-other objects of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following description of the invention on reference to the drawings appended hereto. Figure 1 is a partially schematic perspective view of the main structural components of the automotive bench seat of the present invention. Rgure2 is a front elevational view of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a rear rail employable in the seat of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a front rail employable in the present invention. Figure 5 is a portion of a stanchion employable in the seat of Figure 1. Figure 6 is another component of a stanchion employable in the invention. Figure 7 is a bracket employable for securing components of the present invention. Figure 7 A is a cross-sectional view through the bracket of Figure 7 taken along 7A- 7 A with several cooperating elements of the assembly illustrated. Figure X is an end view of a floor engaging track member of the present invention. Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the bench of Figure 1 with the belts secured thereto. Figure 10 is a front elevational view of a preferred form of stanchion of the present invention. Figure 11 is a perspective view of the stanchion of Figure 10. Figure 11 A is a fragmentary • illustration of a modification of the embodiment of Figures 10 and 11. Figure 12 is a perspective view of two stanchioas of the present invention secured to the rear and front rails of the seat. Figure 13 is a partially exploded view of a form of seatback of the present invention. Figure 14 is a rear perspective illustration of a modified form of seatback usable in ti e present invention. As used herein, reference to "automotive" or "vehicle" shall refer to mini-vans, tracks, school buses, as well as other type of land vehicles, water craft and aircraft, where the protective features of the present invention are desired regardless of whether the features are employed in a removable or permanently installed seat. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown the structural framework for one embodiment of the present invention. The bench seat consists of a eal 2. a seatback 4. and supporting stanchion members 6. X. The bench 2 includes a rear rail 10, a generally parallel front rail 12. and side members 14. 1 (FIG. 3) which, in the form shown, are connected, respectively, to portions of stanchioas 6. 8. As shown Figure 3. the rear rail may be a square aluminum extrusion. The front rail 12 may be an extrusion or may be formed from an aluminum sheet having a generally LrShaped configuration. Stanchion 6 has an upper portion 20, which is secured to the rear rail 10, intermediate ends 22, 24 thereof, and to the front rail 12, intermediate ends 30, 32 thereof. As shown in Figure 5. the stanchion 6, in the foim illustrated, has a cutout portion 46 which reduces the weightand has continuous legs 47, 49, respectively, underlying or adjacent to rear rail 10 and front rail 12. In a preferred embodiment, rear rail 10 may be secured to rear surface 51 and overlying projection 53 as by welding. In the form shown, the seatback is rotaiable in a counterclockwise direction about brackets 22. 24 which, respectively, have brackets 68, 70, each having a pair of spaced apertured tabs aligned, respectively, with openings in legs 76. 78 of U-shaped seatback member 66 with suitable mechanical fasteners, such as bete' (not shown) and nuts serving to effeα securement of the assemblies while peimitring rearward rotation of the seatback. In the form shown, the stanchions 6 are aluminum castings which have upwardly projecting, integrally formed brackets 55, 57, having a pair of spaced tabs having openings, such as 56, 59 which cooperate, respectively, with aligned openings in the lower portion of towers 72, 74 and the use of mechanical fasteners, such as bolts and nuts (not shown), to resist separation of the towers 72, 74 from the brackets 55, 57, while peπr±ting rearward rotation of the seat. Conventional locking means may be employed to resist undesired seatback rotation. Side member 14 has re-entrant angularly disposed legs 34, 36 as shown in Figures 1 and 6. The stanchion member 6 terminates in a floor engaging portion 40 which, in the form shown, is a track member adapted to be secured to the complimentary anchoring means (not shown) secured to the vehicle floor by track elements which may be conventional floor mounted means. The included angle between the stanchion member 6 and side member 14. which consists of side member 14 and legs 34.36 is preferably about 45° to 135°. Similarly, stanchion 8. which may be generally the mirror image of stanchion 6, has an angularly disposed portion 50 and an underlying track member 54. Side member 16 has a side rail 17 and re-entrant angularly disposed legs 52 (one not shown) substantially identical to legs 34, 36 of side member 14. Stanchion 8 has an upper portion 58 which is secured to rear rail 10, intermediate ends 22, 24 thereof and to front rail 12 intermediate ends thereof. It will be noted with reference to Figures 2 and 8 that the stanchions 6, 8 engage the floor through floor engaging portions 40, 54. respectively, at a position spaced inwardly from side members 14. 16. The floor engaging portions 40, 54 are channel-shaped and may be removably or permanently secured to the vehicle floor by conventional means. Also, side members 14, 16 slope inwardly, respectively, toward the floor engaging portions 40, 54. This facilitaies improved foot clearance for vehicle occupants who are moving around the seat when it is positioned in a vehicle. Referring to Figures 2 and 6. the distance D between the side member portion 15, 17, respectively, (as measured along the floor of the vehicle) and the floor engaging means 40, 50, respectively, center to center, is about 10 to 20 percent of the width of the seat and, preferably, about 14 to 18 percent of the total width of the sea , Le., the distance between the outermost portions of side members 15, 17 of 14, 16. The distance X between towers 72, 74, measured center to center, is about 20 to 60 percent of the width of the seat and, preferably, about 28 to 44 percent of the width of the seat. As shown in Figure 1, the seatback has a generally U-shaped frame member 66 which is secured to rear rail 10 by brackets 55. 57, 68.70. Frame member 66 has legs 76, 78 and connecting portion 80. A detail of a suitable bracket 68. 70 for the seat sides is shown in Figure 7 and Figure 7 A. The bracket 68 has a base portion 77 which is connected to a pair of spaced, generally parallel apertured tabs 79. 81 through which a bolt (not shown) may pass in securing an apertured lower end ofleg 76 with a nut (not shown) securing the α inection. Side member 14 has the portion 19 (FIG. 6) connecting upper portion 15 and leg 34 welded to the bracket 68. It may be secured between forward portions 83, 84 of the tabs 79, 81. The rear rail 10 may be welded to the inner side of bracket 68. Similar connections may be made with respeα to bracket 70, tower 66, side member 17 and the other end of rear rail 10. It will be appreciated that these means of connecting these components form no part of the invention j_τ f_, and other means may be employed, if desired. Shoulder belt supporting towers 72, 74 are disposed intermediate the ends 22, 24 of the rail and receive portion 80 of the back frame member within forwardly • facing notches 82, 84 formed therein. The towers 72, 74 are preferably secured, as by welding, either to the upper portions of stanchions 6 and 8. as shown in Figure 1. or to the rear rail 10 in the general regions where the upper portions of stanchions 6, 8 are connected to the rear rail 10, such that impaα loads applied to the tower 72, 74 through shoulder belts, in a manner to be discussed hereinafter, will be transmitted through the stanchions 6, 8 to the floor of the vehicle. Similarly, in a manner to be disclosed hereinafter, lap belts will tiansrnit impaα forces through the stanchions 6, 8 to the floor. As the specific manner by which the safety belts are secured to the seat forms no part of the invention Der se, any desired or conventional means may be employed. The impaα loads applied to the belts by passengers will be absorbed and transferred by the structures disclosed herein. In this manner, with the structural support provided in the intermediate portions of rear rail 10 and front rail 12. plastic deformation thereof or undesired fracture is resisted with the loads being transferred to the floor by the stanchioas. It will be appreciated thai the combination of side member 14 and stanchion 6 provide a generally U-shaped configuration with the side member 14 supporting the seat end and die stanchion 6 supporting the front rail 12 and rear rail 10. This relationship is best seen in Figure 2. The towers 72, 74 may be tubular and may be made of steel or alurninum. The remaining structural components of this sheet may be made of castings or extrαsions, or in the case of the front rail 12, also by sheet For example, stanchions 6, 8, respectively, may be made of castings as may the brackets 68, 70 and the towers 72, 4. Aluminum extrusions may be employed in the seatback frame member 66. the rear rail 10, side members 14, 16, and the floor engaging portioas 40, 54. The front rail 12 may be conveniently made out of aluminum sheet which has been roll formed or a closed or open extrusion. While preference of casting versus extrusion versus roll forming will depend to an extent upon the specific design parameters, any of these approaches may be employed. With respeα to alurninum extrusions, the preferred alloys are those in the 6XXX series, such as 6063 or 6061. A preferred casting alloy would be heat treatable and may preferably be selected from the group consisting of Cl 19, CZ29 and A356. A preferred sheet alloy would be of the 6XXX series with 6111, 6009, and 6013 being preferred. The components may be joined by any desired means, such as welding or the use of mechanical fasteners, such as rivets, for example. It will be appreciated from the foregoing that die stanchion 6, 8 will be so positioned that a downwardly directed force from a tower 72, 74 will be applied to an upper portion of the stanchion 6, 8 which will be in supporting position so as to transmit the load to the floor. The angle of stanchion portion supporting the load with respeα to the floor will determine the veαoral component of the force traasrni ted therethrough. Referring now to Figure 9, there is shown the bench of Figure 1 with the belts in place for a three passenger seaL It will be appreciaied thai the invention may also be employed with seats holding a different number of passengers, such as two, for example. In the embcxiiment shown, two of the passengers will have the benefit of shoulder belts and three will have lap belts. As the specific belt locks are not part of the invention, any conventional or desired means may be employed. Assuming that three passengers are seated on the bench seat, the center passenger will have the benefit of lap belt 100 and the adjacent passengers will have lap belts 102, 104. The lap belts 100, 102, 104 are secured to rear rail 10 by having one portion wrapped therearound and having securing means 1 8, 110, which may coasist of mechanical fasteners or welded connections, for example, securing the same. The outer ends of belts 102, 104 are secured, respectively, within conventional-_3iching meaas 1 16. 118. Center lap belt 100 may be secured by similar means (not shown). A first shoulder belt 120 will be secured around the passenger sitting in the left- hand most portion of the seat as viewed in Figure 9 and shoulder belt 124 will be secured around the passenger sitting in the right-hand most portion of seat as shown in Figure 9. In the event of an impaα providing a shock-load to the vehicle, the forward forces, as shown by LI , L2 and L3, wul be applied by the passengers, respectively, to lap belts 102, 100, 104 and forward forces S 1 and S2 win be applied, respectively, to shoulder belts 120, 124. It will be appreciated that all of this impaα loads of the present invention will be transmitted to the floor through stanchions 6, 8. If desired, while not shown, headrests may be secured to the upper portion of U- shaped seatback member 66 and projeα upwardly therefrom or they can be secured to upper portions of towers 73.74. Referring to Figures 10 and 1 1. there is shown another embodiment of invention wherein the stanchion is generally V-shaped and has a base 1 0 and a pair of sidewalk 132. 1 4. The sidewalk are preferably composed of a pair of heet members with each having integrally formed reirrforcing means. For example, sidewall 132 has a first sheet 140 and a second sheet 142, each of which has a plurality of generally, frustoconically-shaped protrusions 144, 146 to reinforce the sheet lnthefoπnillustrated, * the -rotrusionsarein aligned relationship and are secured to each other to thereby secure the sheets. These sheets 140, 142 may be secured to each other by spot welding or riveting in the regions where the frustoconical portions 144, 146 touch each other. Similarly, leg 134 has sheets 150, 152. As shown in Figure 11, sheet 142 has a plurality of frustoconical protrusions, such as 160, 162 which terminate in tops 170, 172, which are generally circular and secured to a corresponding circular portion of the adjacent sheet, as by welding. If desired in this embodiment of the stanchion, one sheet may have reinforcing means and the other may be planar. Figure 11A fllusnates a preferred structure that may be incorporated in the stanchions of Figures 10 and 11. A pair of sheets 176, 178. which may form a leg of the stanchions ofFigures lO and 11, has a plurality of integrally formed reinforcing projections 179. 180. 181. 182, for example. The perimeter of the sheets may be provided with an integrally formed hollow beam 186 which may be continuous with profile shown in Figure 11 A and secure three sides of each leg 134, 142. The beam 186 may be secured by rivets, such as 190 or by welding, for example. Rivets 192, 194 join me projections 179. 181 and 180, 182. respectively. Referring to Figure 12, there is shown a preferred form of support of the present invention, wherein two generally V-shaped stanchioas 194. 196 which have upper portions secured to the front rail 198 and rear rail 199, both (a) within intermediate portions thereof, and (b) adjacent the sides thereof. The stanchions 1 4. 196. therefore, provide central support through legs 216 and 217 for the intermediate portions of rails 198. 199 and support legs 215.218 for the ends of the rails 198, 199. The stanchions 194. 1 6 are each generally V-shaped and have, respectively, floor engaging portions .213, 214, generally diverging leg portions 215-216 and 217-218, which terminate in upwardly projecting, angularly offset portions 210-219 and 220-221 , respectively. Referring now to Figure 13, there is shown a partially exploded view wherein a modified form of seatback consisting of a pair of integrally forced reinforced sheets 222, 224 have a plurality of frustoconical projections, such as 226, 228 which extend toward each other and may be secured to each other in the same manner as disclosed in respeα of Figures 10 through 12. If desired, one sheet may be planar and the other may have integrally formed reinforcing -means. The sheets 222. 224 may be secured to the rear rail and otiier portions of the seatback by any desired means which will be well known to those skilled in the art In the preferred form, the reinforced sheets will be disposed in front of towers 72, 74. As shown in Figure 13. the sheets 222. 224 have tapered flanges, such as 230, 232. which have greater width toward die bottom where larger moments would be applied in impaα loading to resist undesirεd deformation of the seatback. If desired, this type of reinforced sheet construction could be employed in the seat portion also. Referring to Figure 14, there is shown a modified form of the invention wherein the towers 240, 242 are disposed behind ieirtforang sheet 260 and are received within recesses of seatback sheet 260. The seatback frame 262 has a generally U-shaped member to which the sheet 260, which is disposed in front of it, is secured. This embodiment provides a very stiff seatback. While the seatback and seat of the present invention will be upholstered for comfort, substantially less cushioning is required than with prior art constructions. It will be appreciated, therefore, that the present invention provides an improved load bearing automotive bench seat which may be removable and rotatable and provides for effective traasfer of impact loads to the vehicle. Improved load bearing seat supports cooperate with a reinforced seatback to provide efficient impaα load absorption and transfer. Ako, the seat supports provide larger foot clearance for people moving around the bench seat Whereas particular embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the detaik may be made without departing from me invention as described in the appended claims.

Claims: C L A I M S 1. An automotive bench seal assembly comprising a seat portion, a seatback adjacent to said seat portion, a pair of relatively spaced stanchions having an upper portion secured to said seat portion and a lower floor engaging portion, said seat portion having a front rail and rear rail and a pair of side members connecting said front rail and said rear rail and said stanchions having upper portions supportingly secured to said rear rail intermediate the ends tiiereof and to said front rail intermediate the ends tiiereof. 2. The automotive bench seat of claim 1 including said seatback having a pair of belt supporting towers. 3. The automotive bench seal of claim 2 including said stanchions being generally V-shaped. 4. The automotive bench seat of claim 3 including said towers each having a lower portion generally aligned with a portion of one of said stanchions to facilitate transfer of load from said belt supporting towers to said stanchions. 5. The automotive bench seat of claim 4 including said floor engaging portions of aid stanchions being spaced inwardly from the upper portion of said seat side members. 6. The automotive bench seat of claim 5 including said automotive bench seat being a removable seat 7. The automotive bench seat of claim 6 including said seatback being rσtatable. 8. The automotive bench seat of claim 2 including shoulder belt means operatively associated witi. said belt supporting towers, whereby impaα loads applied to said shoulder belt means will be • transferred by said belt supporting towers through said stanchions to said vehicle floor. 9. The automotive bench seat of claim 1 including lap belt means operatively associated with said seat, whereby impaα loads applied to said lap belt means will be transferred through said stanchions to said vehicle floor. 10. The automotive bench seat of claim 1 including each said stanchion being generally V-shaped having a base and a pair of upwardly diverging sidewalk. 1 1. The automotive bench seat of claim 10 including at least one of said idewalk beinc made from reinforced metal sheet. 12. The automotive bench seat of claim 11 including said reinforced metal sheet having a plurality of stiffening deformations. 13. The automotive bench seat of claim 12 including said deformations being generally frustoconical. 14. The automotive bench seat of claim 13 including each said sidewall having a plurality of said frustoconical deformations aligned witii and contacting frustoconical deformations • of-the otiier said sidewalL 15. The automotive bench seat of claim 1 including said seatback having a generally U-shaped frame member having both ends secured to said rear rail adjacent the ends thereof. 16. The automotive bench seat of claim 15 including said frame member being disposed generally forwardly of said belt supporting towers. 17. The automotive bench seat of claim 16 including said belt supporting towers having recesses through which said frame member extends. 1 . The automotive bench seat of claim 2 including said seatback having integrally reinforced sheet members disposed in front of said belt supporting towers. 19. The automotive bench seat of claim 18 including said reinforced sheet means having a pair of sheets with generally aligned contacting stiffening deformations. 20. The automotive bench seat of claim 3 including each said stanchion having a first leg secured to said intermediate front and rear rail portions and a second leg secured to and supporting a said side member. 21. The automotive bench seat of claim 1 including each said stanchion floor engaging portion being dkposed between the closer adjacent said side member and said upper portion of said stanchion. 22. The automotive bench seat of claim 20 including said floor engaging portion being spaced about 10 to 20 percent of the width of said seat portion from the side member measuring along the vehicle floor. 23. The automotive bench seat of claim 22 including said towers being spaced center to center about 20 to 60 percent of the width of said seat portion from each other. 24. The automotive bench seat of claim 19 including flanges dkposed at opposite ends of said reinforced sheet members, and said flanges diverging generally downwardly. 25. The automotive bench seat of claim 2 including said bench seat being secured to said floor solely at said two floor engaging portions. 26. The automotive bench seal of claim 19 including said seatback having a first sheet with integrally formed stiffening deformations and a generally planar sheet secured thereto. 27. An automotive bench seat assembly comprising a seat portion, a seatback portion, a pair of generally V-shaped stanchion members having floor engaging portions spaced inwardly from the sides of said seat portions. 28. The automotive bench seat of claim 27 including said floor engaging portions being spaced inwardly from each of said sides of said seat portions by about 10 to 20 percent of the width of said seat pαrtion 29. The automotive bench seat of claim 27 including each said stanchion having a base and a pair of upwardly diverging sidewalk. 30. The automotive bench seat of claim 29 including at least one of said sidewalk beinc made from reinforced metal sheet 31. The automotive bench seat of claim 30 including said reinforced metal sheet having a plurality of stiffening deformations, and said deformations being generally ■ frustoconical 32. The automotive bench seat of claim 31 including each said sidewall having a plurality of said frustoconical deformations aligned with and contacting frustoconical deformations of the other said sidewalL 33. The automotive bench seat of claim 29 including said seat portion having a front rail and a rear rail with a pair of side members connecting said front rail and said rear raiL and one said sidewall of each said stanchion supportingly engaging said front rail intermediate the ends thereof and said rear rail intermediate the ends thereof. 34. The automotive bench seat of claim 33 including one said sidewall of each said stanchion supportingly engaging a side member of said seat portion. 35. The automotive bench seat of claim 34 including said seatback having a pair of belt supporting towers, and said towers each having a lower portion generally aligned with a sidewall of one of said stanchions to facilitaie transfer of load from said belt supporting towers to said stanchions. 36. The automotive bench seat of claim 35 including said seatback having integrally reinforced sheet members dkposed in front of said belt supporting towers. 37. The automotive bench seat of claim 36 including said xeinforced sheet means having a pair of sheets with generally aligned contacting stiffening deformations. 38. A vehicle equipped with at least one automotive bench seat comprising said bench seat having a seat portion, a seatback adjacent to said seal portion, a pair of relatively spaced stanchions having an upper portion secured to said seat portion and a lower floor engaging portion, said seat portion having a front rail and rear rail and a pair of side members connecting said front rail and said rear raiL and said stanchions having upper portions supportingly secured to said rear rail intermediate the ends thereof and to said front rail intermediate the ends thereof, and said floor engaging portions secured to the floor of said vehicle. 39. The vehicle of claim 38 including said seatback having a pair of belt supporting towers. 40. The vehicle of claim 39 including said stanchions being generally V- shaped. 41. The vehicle of claim 40 including said towers each having a lower portion generally aligned with a portion of one of said stanchions to facilitate, transfer of load from said belt supporting towers to said stanchioas. 42. The vehicle of claim 39 including said floor engaging portions of said stanchions being spaced inwardly from the upper portion of said seat side members. 43. The vehicle of claim 42 including said floor engaging portion being spaced about 10 to 20 percent of the width of said seat portion from the side member measuring along the vehicle floor. 44. The vehicle of claim 39 including said seatback having integrally reinforced sheet members dkposed in front of said belt supporting towers. 45. The vehicle of claim 44 including said reinforced sheet means having a pair of sheets with generally aligned contacting stiffening deformations. 46. The vehicle of claim 38 including said seat having integrally reinforced sheet members.

Inventors: KANE SUSAN L, NOVAK MILOSLAV, SUMME ISABEL M, TRAGESER ANDREW B, KANE, SUSAN, L., NOVAK, MILOSLAV, SUMME, ISABEL, M., TRAGESER, ANDREW, B.
Applicants: ALUMINUM CO OF AMERICA, KANE SUSAN L, NOVAK MILOSLAV, SUMME ISABEL M, TRAGESER ANDREW B, ALUMINUM COMPANY OF AMERICA, KANE, SUSAN, L., NOVAK, MILOSLAV, SUMME, ISABEL, M., TRAGESER, ANDREW, B.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B60N2
IPC codes: B60N2