Vehicle seat connective arrangement

Abstract: An arrangement for connecting a vehicle seat (7) in at least two positions is provided. The arrangement includes a floor first surface (32); a cross pin (56) having a cross section with a first larger width (60) and a second smaller width (62); a chair leg (14) having a slot (46) which has a first section (50) wider than the cross pin first width (60), the slot (46) also having a neck (52) and a closure section (54) divided away from the slot first section (56) by the neck (52), the closure section (54) having a dimension less than the cross pin first width (60) and greater than the cross pin second width (62); and a latch arm (70) with a finger (78) for locking on to the cross pin (56) about the second width (62) to entrap the pin (56) in the closure section (5) of the slot (46). Thus, in a normal first seating position, the chair leg (14) is positioned to place the cross pin (56) in close proximity to the neck (52) of the slot (46), and in a second fold-up storage position, the chair leg (14) is held in a second position extending more vertically upward than in the first position by the latch arm (76) locking on to the second width (62) of the cross pin (56).

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The field of the present invention is that of vehicle seats, particularly van-type seats having a normal seating position and an upright storage position. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many vans and minivans have detachable seating. Not only are the seats removable from the vehicle van floor, but typically the vehicle seat will also have a normal seating position, a seat back fold-down position, and an upright storage position wherein the rear seat legs of the vehicle seat are detached from the vehicle floor and the seat stands up on its first legs. Examples of such vehicle seats may be found in a review of US Patents 5,393,116, Bosworth et al and 5,482,345, Bosworth et al, both commonly assigned. In US-A-5 482 345 is disclosed an arrangement for connecting a vehicle seat to a vehicle in at least two positions, the arrangement comprising: a cross pin suitable to be fixed with respect to a vehicle floor top surface a chair leg connected to the vehicle seat the chair leg also having an end with a slot, the slot having a first section wider than the cross pin width the slot also having a closure section away from the slot first section , the closure section having a dimension greater than the cross pin width, and a latch arm pivotally connected to said chair leg, said latch arm having a finger for locking on to the cross pin, wherein in a normal first seating position the chair leg is positioned to place the cross pin in close proximity to the closure section of the slot and in a second fold-up storage position wherein the chair leg is held in a second position extending more vertically upward than in the first position by the latch arm finger locking on to the cross pin to entrap the cross pin in the closure section of the slot. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The problem to be solved by the present invention may be regarded as to provide a vehicle seat connective arrangement primarily useful for the front seat legs of a van-type vehicle seat which can be utilized as an alternative to the front leg connective arrangement described in the aforementioned references. This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a vehicle seat according to the present invention with the upholstery material removed for clarity of illustration. Figure 2 is a side elevational view partially sectioned of the vehicle seat shown in Figure 1 with the connective arrangement of the present invention. Figures 3A, 3B and 3C are side elevational views with relevant portions sectioned demonstrating operation of the vehicle seat from its normal position to its upright storage position. Figures 4A, 4B and 4C are enlarged sectional views of the connective arrangement according to the present invention corresponding to the positions shown in Figures 3A, 3B and 3C, respectively. Figure 5 is a partial side elevational view of a front leg shown in Figures 1 through 4C with portions removed for clarity of illustration. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to Figures 1-5, a vehicle seat 7 has a bun platform 10 with a pivotally connected seat back 12. The bun frame 10 has a pair of rear legs or risers 13 and front legs or risers 14. Each rear leg 13 has a fork bolt 15 which is biased by a spring 16 to pivot clockwise around a pin 18 to grasp a cross pin 20 which is located within a pocket 22 of a vehicle floor 24. The fork bolt 15 may be released from the cross pin 20 by an appropriate pull on a rod or cable 26 via a latch arrangement 28 similar to that provided in the aforementioned Bosworth patent 5,393,116 as manipulated by a hand lever 30. When the seat 7 is in a normal seating position as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3A and 4A, the rear legs 13 are constrained in both a fore and aft direction in the horizontal and in an up and down direction in the vertical. Appropriate lateral contact with optional radial walls (not shown) of the cross pin 20 or along a lateral side of the rear leg 13 by a portion of the floor 24 maintains lateral seat position in a direction transverse the seat 7 in the vehicle. The vehicle floor 24 along its front end has a top surface 32. Fixably connected by appropriate fasteners or welding tc the top surface 32 is a pocket member 34. Pocket 34 has a base 36 along with two generally perpendicular extending side walls 38 and 40. Side wall 40 additionally has a portion inclined toward the rear leg 13, providing an inclined surface 42. The front legs 14 have one end 44 connected to the remainder of the frame 10 and a second end 46. The second end 46 has a slot 48 with a first end 50, a throat or neck region 52, and capture section 54 (see Figure 5). Mounted within the pocket 34 is a cross pin 56. The cross pin 56 has a flat 58. Along the cross pin main diameter 60, it has a first larger width, and along the flat 58, it has a second smaller width or diameter 62 (see Figure 5). The slot first section 50 will be larger than the diameter 60, allowing entry of the cross pin 56. Cross pin 56 will not normally be allowed to enter the capture section 54 as shown in its normal seating position in Figures 1, 2, 3A and 4A due to the fact that the neck 52 is smaller than the width 60. The width 62 will be closely adjacent to the neck 52. In a normal seating position, the cross pin 56 will be captured between sides 70 and 72 of the front leg. Therefore, the seat 7 will be restrained from further forward movement but will be unrestrained from rearward movement. However, since the rear leg 12 is secured to the cross pin 20, the seat will be secured. When it is desired to move the seat 7 to a storage position of Figure 3C, the seat back 12 is folded downwardly and the rear legs 13 are released from the cross pin 20. Upon pivoting upward (Figure 3B), the cross pin 56 can now pass through the neck 52 of the slot 48, allowing the cross pin 56 to enter into the capture section 54. The front legs 14 also have pivotally connected thereto a latch arm 76, biased as shown in the figures in a counterclockwise direction around a pin 79 by a spring 80. An operator-controlled pull cable 82, which is manipulatable by a known latch system may be utilized to control such operation. The latch arm 76 has a finger 78 which hooks around the flat end of the cross pin 56 to lock it in the capture section 54 (see Figure 4c). The leg 14 lateral ends 84 and 86 are aligned with side walls 38 and 40 to provide lateral support to maintain the vehicle seat 7 in an upright storage position. The alignment or close positioning of lateral end 84 with the side wall 38, plus the contact of the pin flat 58 in the capture section 54 straight sections, provides double assurance against rearward seat movement. To release the seat to allow it to return to its normal seating position, pull cable 82 is manipulated, causing the latch arm 76 to act against the biasing spring 80. Simple pivotal movement of the seat 7 clockwise as shown in Figure 4C to the position shown in Figure 4B will eventually bring the vehicle seat back to a position for re-engagement with the vehicle floor 24. While this invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated that other forms could readily be adapted by one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is to be considered limited only by the following claims.

Claims: An arrangement for connecting a vehicle seat (7) to a vehicle in at least two positions, the arrangement comprising: a cross pin (56) suitable to be fixed with respect to a vehicle floor top surface (32), the cross pin (56) having a cross section with a first larger width (60) and a second smaller width(62); a chair leg (14) connected to the vehicle seat (7), the chair leg (14) also having an end (46) with a slot (48), the slot (48) having a first section (50) wider than the cross pin first width (60), the slot (48) also having a neck (52) and further having a closure section (54) divided away from the slot first section (50) by the neck (52), the closure section (54) having a dimension less than the cross pin first width (60) and greater than the cross pin second width (62); and a latch arm (76) pivotally connected to said chair leg (14), said latch arm (76) having a finger (78) for locking on to the cross pin (56), wherein in a normal first seating position the chair leg (14) is positioned to place the cross pin (56) in close proximity to the neck (52) of the slot (48) and in a second fold-up storage position wherein the chair leg (14) is held in a second position extending more vertically upward than in the first position by the latch arm finger (78) locking on to the cross pin (56) about the second width (62) to entrap the cross pin (56) in the closure section (54) of the slot (48). An arrangement for connecting a vehicle seat (7) to a vehicle as described in claim 1, further characterized by a pocket (34) suitable to be fixed to said vehicle floor top surface (32), said pocket (34) including two generally perpendicularly extending side walls (38,40) to provide lateral support to said chair leg end (46) in said second position.

Inventors: GLINTER JEFFREY ALAN, VAN NIEULANDE KEVIN JOHN, GLINTER, JEFFREY ALAN, VAN NIEULANDE, KEVIN JOHN
Applicants: LEAR CORP, LEAR CORPORATION
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B60N2
IPC codes: B60N2