Abstract:
A vehicle seat allowing an occupant to either face in a first direction or a second opposed direction is provided. The seat comprises a base that allows for the back rest of the seat to be moved, alternatively, forward or back on a cushion such that the user may select whether he will ride facing towards the direction of the automobile&#39;s movement or facing away from the direction of movement. The seat further comprises a pop-up seat cushion which allows the occupant to open up the seat cushion to sit more securely within the seat cushion while having side cushions for added support and impact resistance. The present invention provides better security for small children and pregnant, elderly or otherwise more fragile adults. The seat allows children to be placed such that they do not face the direction of oncoming traffic and instead ride in the more generally agreed to be secure direction of travel.

Description:
[0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/480,407, filed Jan. 11, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/368,193, filed Aug. 4, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,945 issued Mar. 13, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to vehicle occupant seats, and in particular to new and improved occupant seat assemblies wherein the seat assemblies may be modified to enable an occupant to face opposite the vehicle&#39;s normal forward traveling direction.  
           [0003]    Vehicle occupant safety, particularly the safety of small children and infants is a major concern to both vehicle owners as well as vehicle manufacturers. In most vehicles, the occupant seats are oriented in a forward-facing position. Conventional vehicle seats, for example, include backrests engaged by the occupant&#39;s back while disposed on the set facing in the forward direction of normal vehicle travel. In the event of a sudden stop, such as generally occurs in a vehicle front or rear end collision, the occupant will generally be subjected to a sudden force of inertia acting in the direction of vehicle travel. The potential for injury resulting from such collisions has been reduced somewhat by the mandatory use of seat belts. Although seat belts have proven to be relatively safe for adults, the same cannot be said for small children and infants. Moreover, forward-facing vehicle seats, and particularly front seats, subject children to numerous front seat hazards, such as high-pressure air bags, and generally provide inadequate child restraint systems even with contemporary children&#39;s car seat. It is highly important that a vehicle provide the utmost safety for all occupants large and small. It is also important that added vehicle safety remain affordable for car owners as well as manufacturers.  
           [0004]    Most forward-facing vehicle seats are fixed in a forward directed position and are incapable of modification to improve safety by reducing the inertia forces imparted to forwardly facing passengers in the event of a collision or the like. Attempts have been made to provide adjustable vehicle passenger seats that may be positioned for forwardly facing or rearwardly facing passenger use. However, known vehicle passenger seats adaptable for both forward-facing and rearward-facing positions are generally relatively complex and expensive, and require at least a 180 degree seat base rotation.  
           [0005]    The known reverse-adjustable vehicle seat designs require a complete redesign of the entire base of the seat in order to incorporate both a forward and rearward-facing feature. Thus, a need exists for a vehicle assembly that overcomes the disadvantages of known vehicle seats and provides safety for infants and small children, as well as adults.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    In accordance with the present invention a vehicle seat, comprising a seat frame having a seat back, a first seating area, comprising a seat cushion, and a second seating area generally below said seat cushion is provided. The seat cushion is comprised of at least two cushion elements, the cushion elements each have a first end, which are in contact with each other, such that they are generally abutting one another on one end, in a first position. Each cushion element is pivotally attached to the seat base at a second end (the end opposite from the end which abuts the other cushion element), such that the cushion elements may be pivoted apart, from one another, to an open position, to reveal a second seating area. The cushion elements can subsequently be pivoted back to re-form the first seating area. When the cushion elements are pivoted apart, and the second seating area is exposed, the pivoted up cushion elements become arm rests and side protection elements.  
           [0007]    In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pop-up cushion elements are provided with an internal frame that provides support for the cushion elements when they are pivoted out and form a protective structure about an individual seated in the lower seating area of the car seat. For this reason, the seat structure of the present invention provided ideal safety support for a child seat or for persons in fragile states such as pregnant women, young children and the elderly.  
           [0008]    In the illustrative embodiment, the seat of the present invention is also provided with a back rest that may be adjusted such that the rider may face in the direction of forward vehicle travel or alternatively, may face away from the direction of forward vehicle travel. It has been found that traveling in a rearward position provides greater safety and survivability for passengers. The present invention provides several different means of moving a back seat rest from a first, forward facing position, to a second rearward facing position. With the seat in a position such that the passenger is in a rearward facing position, a child restraint seat, having a seat-back attachment collar, may be used to providing an exceptionally safe mode of child transportation. Further, the parent applications of the present applications, which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference, include a number of other means for providing seats with alternative seating positions.  
           [0009]    Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate like elements throughout several views. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vehicle seat assembly in accordance with the present invention that enables modification for rearward facing passenger seating;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vehicle seat assembly of FIG. 1 but illustrating the movable backrest portion in a forward position on the set base to facilitate rearward facing passenger seating;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the movable backrest assembly of FIG. 1 but with the back support assembly moved to a position mid-length of the seat base and with portions broken away to illustrate the backrest positioning mechanism;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the contour of the cushion type seat base employed in the seat assembly of FIGS. 1 and 3 when the backrest is positioned generally midlength of the seat base;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cushion type set base of FIG. 4 but schematically showing the seat base contour with the backrest applying pressure to an end of the inflated seat base.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention that enables an infant or small child to sit in a rearwardly facing position;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle seat assembly of FIG. 6;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mounting assembly for the child restraint seat of FIG. 6 but with the pivotal support bars in down non-use positions;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 9 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 8 but showing the pivotal support bars in upright support positions;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 10 is an elevational view taken along line  10 - 10  of FIG. 9, showing a cross-shaped slot to receive a pivotal support bar.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a pivotal support bar, employed in the mounting assembly of FIG. 9 with a guide pin;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a vehicle seat assembly in accordance with the present invention that enables rearwardly facing passenger seating;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the vehicle seat assembly of FIG. 12 but showing the primary backrest returned to its upright position for storing the forward or secondary backrest;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 14A is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a vehicle seat assembly in accordance with the present invention shown with the rearwardly facing seat in the down position;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 14B is a perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly of FIG. 14A shown with the rearwardly facing seat in the upright position that enables an infant or small child to sit in a rearwardly facing position;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly of FIG. 14A shown with the rearwardly facing seat in the upright position and with portions broken away to show the frame locking system that enables an infant or small child to sit in a rearwardly facing position;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 16 is an elevational view of the frame locking system taken along lines A-A′ of FIG. 15.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a portion of the frame locking system and the pop-up seat back of FIGS. 14A and 14B with the seat back shown with solid lines in the down position and show in phantom lines in the upright position.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a vehicle seat assembly in accordance with the present invention that enables modification for rearward facing passenger seating;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the vehicle seat assembly of FIG. 18 but illustrating the headrest portion, shown with portions broken away to show the air bag, in an extended position and the movable seat back portion in a downward position on the seat base to facilitate rearward facing passenger seating; and  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the extension frame located within the internal portion of the seat back and headrest portions of FIG. 19.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 21 is a perspective view, partially cut away, of an automobile constructed with the seats of the present invention.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a set of seats constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 23A is a perspective view of a row of seats constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, two seats being shown in ghost view and the right rear passenger seat in a first position.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 23B is another view of the seats of FIG. 23A, with the right rear passenger seat is a second position.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 23C is another view of the seats of FIG. 23B, showing the “pop-up” cushion feature of the present invention.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 23D is a series of perspective views of a row of seats constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, showing the utilization of a child restraint seat system as part of the seat back of the seats of FIG. 23A.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 23E is a perspective view of a child restraint seat that may be utilized with the seat of FIG. 23A.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 23F is a perspective view of the seat of FIG. 23E in a first on-seat position.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the interior frame and mechanism of a seat constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 24 a  is another perspective view of the interior frame and mechanism of a seat constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the frame of one element of the “pop-up” cushion feature of the present invention, showing placement of cushioning material in ghost lines.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 25 a  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the frame of one element of the “pop-up” cushion feature of the present invention.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the interior frame and mechanism of another seat cushion constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 26A is a perspective view of the mounting frame and other elements of the seat of FIG. 26.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 26B is a partial perspective view of the direction changing element of the seat of FIG. 26.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of the seat of FIG. 26.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 28 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the interior frame and mechanism of another seat cushion constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0048]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is shown in the drawings a number of presently preferred embodiments that are discussed in greater detail hereafter. It should be understood that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. It should be further understood that the title of this section (“Detailed Description”) relates to a requirement of the United States Patent Office, and should not be found to be limiting to the subject matter disclosed herein.  
         [0049]    Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS.  1 - 5 , a vehicle seat  100  for a vehicle (not shown) is constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle seat  100  provides for both occupant travel facing in a forward or first direction, and occupant travel facing in a rearward or second direction. The vehicle seat  100  includes a seat frame  101  having a front flanged edge  102  and a posterior flanged edge  103  for securing the vehicle seat directly to the vehicle floor (not shown). Alternatively, the seat frame  101  can be mounted to a conventional slidable track (not shown) enabling forward and backward positioning of the seat frame  101 , if desired.  
         [0050]    The vehicle seat  100  includes a seat base  104  mounted on top of the seat frame  101 , a back support assembly  105  and a slide assembly  110 . The seat base  104  covers the seat frame  101 , preferably in a manner spanning an entire length and width of the seat frame  101 . The seat base  104  provides cushioned support for a seated occupant and has a variable thickness (t), defined by a top surface  135  and a bottom surface  136  of the seat base  104 .  
         [0051]    The back support assembly  105  enables occupant travel facing in a forward or first direction and occupant travel facing in a rearward or second direction. The back support assembly  105 , including a backrest structure  106 , plural support bars  115 , and a first mounting plate  11 . The backrest structure  106  rests in a generally vertical position, transverse to the seat frame  101 . The backrest structure  106  is an integral structure with dual surfaces comprising a first backrest  107  and a second backrest  108  positioned in opposite directions.  
         [0052]    When the back support assembly  105  is positioned at the posterior end  117  of the seat frame  101 , the first backrest  107 , in combination with the seat base  104  and seat frame  101  provide for occupant travel facing in a forward or first direction. To interchangeably provide for occupant travel facing in a rearward or second direction, the back support assembly  105  slides longitudinally from the posterior end  117  of the seat frame  101  to the front end  118  of the seat frame  101 . In this arrangement, an occupant resting his back against the second backrest  108 , faces in a rearward or second direction.  
         [0053]    The back support assembly  105  engages an external track  109  and a slide assembly  110 . The external track  109  and slide assembly  110  cooperatively facilitate longitudinal movement of the back support assembly  105  along the frame  101 .  
         [0054]    The back support assembly has support bars  115 , which are vertically aligned with a side portion  140  of the backrest structure  106 . The side portion  140  of the backrest structure  106  is pivotally mounted to the support bars  115 . Preferably, the support bars  115  are bolted or coupled to a lower end of the side portion  140  of the backrest structure  106 , in a manner enabling radial adjustment of the backrest structure  106 . A radial positioning lever provides radial movement of said backrest structure  106  such that an occupant may adjust the backrest structure  106  to lock in an angular position comfortable for the occupant.  
         [0055]    The support bars  115  are attached underneath the seat frame  101  with an interposing first mounting plate  111  as illustrated in FIG. 1. The first mounting plate  111  has two end portions, which are connected to the support bars  115 . It is preferable that the first mounting plate  111  is welded to the support bars  115  for an optimally strong connection.  
         [0056]    As previously mentioned, the slide assembly  110  facilitates the longitudinal sliding movement of the back support assembly  105  along the set frame  101 . The slide assembly  110  includes a coupling member  121 , which connects the first mounting plate  111  of the back support assembly  105  to a sliding member  122 . Preferably, the coupling member  121  has a L-shaped cross-section, as seen in FIG. 3, providing a lower flanged portion  132  for connection to the first mounting plate  111  and an upright portion  134  for connection to the sliding member  122 . The L-shaped coupling member  121  can be used in conjunction with a second L-shaped coupling member  121  such that cooperatively each coupling member  121  connect a sliding member  122  to the mounting plate  111 , as seen in FIG. 3.  
         [0057]    The sliding member  122  cooperatively engages an internal track  123  as illustrated in FIG. 3, such that the sliding member  122  slides along the internal track  123 . The sliding member  122  can be a roller, a bearing, a slide rod, or any other device, which provides for low friction sliding in conjunction with an internal track  123 .  
         [0058]    The internal track  123  is mounted on an opposite side of the seat base  104 , which may also be defined as an underside portion of the seat frame  101 . The internal track  123  extends from the posterior end  117  of the set frame  101  to the front end  118  of the set frame  101  providing a flanged rail  128  for the sliding member  122  to slide from one end of the seat frame  101  to the other end. The internal track  128  may have two or more flanged rails  128  for engagement with multiple sliding members  110 , if desired.  
         [0059]    The slide assembly  110  includes a cylinder housing  125  and a longitudinal guide rail  127  for providing additional stability to the slide assembly  110  when the back support assembly  105  slides longitudinally along the seat frame  101 . The cylinder housing  125  is preferably mounted on top of the first mounting plate  111  in a center portion of the plate to provide maximum support. The cylinder housing  125  has a bore  126  for engaging the longitudinal guide rail  127 . The longitudinal guide rail  127  is rigidly connected to the posterior end  117  and frontal end  118  of the seat frame  101  in a manner that provides stabilization of the back support assembly  105  when the back support assembly  105  slides longitudinally along the seat frame  101 .  
         [0060]    The back support assembly  105  includes a longitudinal positioning lever  129 , which operatively engages the external track  109  to control longitudinal positioning of the back support assembly  105  relative to the seat frame  101 . The external track  109  is mounted to the side portion of the seat frame  110 , extending from the posterior end  117  of the seat frame  101  to the front end  118  of the set frame  101 . The longitudinal positioning lever  129 , in a locked position, engages the external track  109 , preventing movement of the back support assembly  105  along the external track  109  of the seat frame  101 . For example, the longitudinal positioning lever  129  can have a stop (not shown), which rigidly engages a slot  160  on the external track thereby locking the back support assembly  105  in position.  
         [0061]    The longitudinal positioning lever  129 , in an unlocked position, provides free movement of the back support assembly  105  along the seat frame  101  and external track  109 , such that the back support assembly  105  slides from the posterior end  117  of the seat frame  101  to the frontal end  118  of the seat frame  101 .  
         [0062]    As illustrated in FIG. 5, the seat base  104  has an inner chamber  150  containing an impressionable mass (not shown) to provide a resilient cushion. The mass can be fluid such as a gas or liquid or any combination thereof. The thickness (t) of the seat base  104  at a particular location depends on the volume of mass in the inner chamber  150  at that particular portion. The thickness (t) of the seat base  104  at a certain location varies such that when the volume of mass in the inner chamber  150  at a portion decreases, the thickness (t) of the seat base  104  at that corresponding location decreases. Conversely, when the volume of mass at a portion in the inner chamber  150  increases, the thickness (t) of the seat base  104  at that location increases.  
         [0063]    The seat base  104  deforms such that when the back support assembly  105  is positioned at the posterior end  117  of the seat frame  101 , a bottom portion of the backrest structure  106  depresses the seat base  104  at the posterior end  117 , urging the matter inside the chamber to move from the posterior end  117  of the seat base  104  toward the front end  118 , thereby increasing the thickness of the seat base at the front end  118 , as illustrated in FIG. 5.  
         [0064]    Furthermore, when the back support assembly  105  is positioned at the front end  118  of the seat frame  101 , the bottom of the backrest structure  106  depresses the seat base  104  at the front end  118 , causing the mass inside the chamber  150  to shift from the front end  118  of the seat  
         [0065]    base  104  toward the posterior end  117 , thereby increasing the thickness of the seat base at the posterior end  117 .  
         [0066]    If desired, a second mounting plate  112  can be mounted underneath the backrest structure  106  in a position interposed between the support bars  115  such that the second mounting plate  112  depresses the seat base  104  and provides additional support to the back support assembly.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a vehicle seat  200  constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle seat  200  provides occupant travel in both a forward-facing and rearward-facing position. The vehicle seat  200  comprises a set frame  201  having a front flanged edge  202  and posterior flanged edge  203  for securing the vehicle seat  201  to the vehicle floor (not shown). Alternatively, the set frame  202  can be mounted to a conventional slidable track (not shown) on the vehicle floor enabling forward and backward adjustment of the seat frame  102 , if desired.  
         [0068]    The vehicle seat  200  has a first backrest  204  positioned for occupant travel facing in a forward position or first direction. The seam frame  201  supports a seat base  205  and the first backrest  204 . The first backrest  204  is pivotally connected to the posterior end  206  of the seat frame  201  such that a seated occupant, resting his back against the first backrest  204  faces in a forward position or a first direction.  
         [0069]    The vehicle seat  200  has a second backrest  207 , providing for occupant travel facing in a rearward position or second direction. The second backrest  207  is mounted to the top of the seat base  205 . The second backrest  207  can be an assembly for carrying a baby as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. The lower end of the second backrest  207  has a bore  208  for receiving a support bar  209  of a mounting assembly  210 . The support bar  209  is inserted into the bore  208  and securely tightened to the inner wall of the bore  208  with a fastening screw  211 . The fastening screw  211  engages the support bar  209 , while inside of the bore  208 , such that the support bar  209  abuts the inner wall of the bore  208 . The fastening screw  211  has a turning knob  212  for tightening the abutment of the fastening screw  211 , support bar  209 , and the inner wall of the bore  208 .  
         [0070]    The mounting assembly  210  has a generally rectangular-shaped planar mounting plate  213 , which can be securely connected to the floor of the vehicle, preferably adjacent to the front flanged edge  202  of the seat frame  201 . Alternatively, instead of securing the mounting  
         [0071]    assembly  210  to the vehicle floor, the mounting assembly  210  can be directly attached to the front end  223  of the seat frame  201 , if desired (not shown).  
         [0072]    The mounting assembly  210  includes a mounting plate  213 , a support bar  209  and a first housing  214 , and an identical second housing  215 . The support bar  209  is pivotally mounted between the first and second housings  214 ,  215 , as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. The lower end of the support bar  209  has a guide pin  216 , as illustrated in FIG. 11. The first and second housings  214 ,  215  have a guide slot  217  located preferably in the center of the housings, which receives the guide pin  216 . The guide slot  217  is preferably cross-shaped, having a lower branch  218 , an upper branch  219  and adjacent side branches  220 , 220  as illustrated in FIG. 10.  
         [0073]    The guide pin  216  locks in the guide slot branches  218  and  220 , preventing movement of the support bar  209 , when the support bar  209  is positioned in an upright or lowered position. The guide pin  216  locks into the lower branch  218  of the guide slot  217 , preventing lateral movement of the support bar  209 , when the support bar  209  is in an upright position. The guide pin  216  locks in a side branch  220  of the guide slot  217 , when the support bar  209  is in a lowered position. The support bar  209  may be pivotally moved from an upright position, as illustrated by FIG. 8 into a lowered position as illustrated by FIG. 9, by pulling the support bar  209  upward and rotating the support bar  209  approximately 90 degrees, about the y-axis, into a position parallel relative to the mounting plate  213 . The support bar  209  may be pivotally moved from a lowered position into an upright position by rotating the bar approximately 90 degrees, about the y-axis, from a lowered position, into an upright position and locking the guide pin  216  into the lower branch  218  of the guide slot  217 .  
         [0074]    Additional support to the second backrest  207  is provided by using plural support bars  209  and plural housing combinations attached to the mounting plate  213  such that the plural support bars  209  engage plural bores  208  in the second backrest  207 . The plural support bars  209  interlock in a lowered position, as seen in FIG. 8.  
         [0075]    A vehicle seat  300  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. The vehicle seat  300  includes a seat frame  301 , which provides support to a seat base  302 . The seat frame  301  has a first backrest  303 , which is pivotally connected to the posterior end  345  of the seat frame  301 . When the first backrest  303  is positioned in an upright position as shown in FIG. 7, an occupant seated on the seat base  302  faces in a forward position or first direction. A second backrest  305  may be mounted to a back portion  333  of the first backrest  303  providing storage for the second backrest  305  as illustrated in FIG. 12.  
         [0076]    The vehicle seat  303  can be modified to provide occupant travel facing in a rearward position or a second direction. This is accomplished by pivoting the first backrest  303  (about the y-axis) from the upright position into a lowered position, as illustrated in FIG. 13. In this configuration, the face of the first backrest  303  horizontally engages the seat base  302  in a parallel position. The back surface  333  of the first backrest  303  form a second seat base  333 . As illustrated in FIG. 13 the second backrest  305 , is pivotally connected to the vehicle seat  300 , particularly to the first backrest  303 , such that an occupant seated on the second seat base  305  with his back resting against the second backrest  305 , faces in a rearward position or second direction.  
         [0077]    The upper portion of the first backrest  303  has slotted-bores  306  such that the lower portion of the second backrest  305  may be securely hinged to the upper portion of the first backrest  303  along a hinged axis (line  13 - 13 ) using any form of bolting or coupling means  315 . The second backrest  305  is hinged to the upper portion of the first backrest  303  such that the second backrest  303  forms a second occupant seat  334 .  
         [0078]    As aforementioned in the previous embodiment, a mounting assembly  308 , particularly a support bar  309  is inserted into the lower portion of the second backrest  305  through a bore  341 . The support bar  309  is securely fastened to the inner wall of the bore  341  by a fastening screw  342 . The fastening screw  342  is inserted into the back of the second backrest  305 , securely fastening the support bar  309  to the inner wall of the bore  341 . The mounting plate  313  is securely mounted to the inside of the vehicle. A hinged rod  344  connects preferably the middle portion of the first backrest  303  to preferably the middle portion of the second backrest  305  such that the second backrest  355  is prevented from moving along the hinged axis ( 13 - 13 ). If desired, plural hinged rods  344  can be used for connecting the sides of the first and second backrests  303 ,  305  for additional support. The second backrest  305  has a seat belt  340  for securing an occupant to the vehicle seat  300 .  
         [0079]    [0079]FIGS. 14A, 14B and  15 , show a vehicle seat  400  for a vehicle (not shown) constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle seat  400  provides for both occupant travel facing in a forward or first direction, and occupant travel facing in a rearward or second direction. The vehicle seat  400  may include a seat frame  401  having a front flanged edge  402  and a posterior flanged edge  403  for securing the vehicle seat  400  directly to the vehicle floor (not shown). Alternatively, the seat frame  401  may be mounted to a conventional slidable track (not shown) enabling forward and backward horizontal positioning of the seat frame  401  with respect to the vehicle floor, if desired by a passenger.  
         [0080]    The vehicle seat  400  may include a seat base  404  mounted on top of the seat frame  401 , a back support assembly  412  and a seat back  414 . When the back support assembly  412  is positioned at the posterior end  403  of the seat frame  401 , the seat back  414 , in combination with the seat base  404  and seat frame  401  provide for occupant travel facing in a forward or first direction. Seat back  414  may be pivotally connected to back support assembly  412  so that seat back  414  may be adjusted by the user to fit his or her preferred seating arrangement. The seat base  404  may cover the seat frame  401  and may span an entire length and width of seat frame  401 . Seat base  404  may provide cushioned support for a seated occupant and may have a variable thickness (t), defined by a top surface  404   a  and a bottom surface  404   b  of the seat base  404 . Located within seat base  404  may be an inner seat frame  431 , as shown in FIG. 15.  
         [0081]    Positioned within seat base  404  may be a pop-up seat back  405 . As shown in FIGS.  15 - 16 , seat back  405  may comprise a lifting device  407 , such as a handle, an inner support frame  438  and one or more frame locking systems  425 . The frame locking system  425 , which also may provide for pivotably mounting the seat back  405  to the seat base  404 , may be located substantially as shown in FIGS.  15 - 17  and may comprise a frame locking rod  427 , a locking hole  428  defined by and positioned in an inner support frame  438 , a spring  429  positioned over the locking rod  427 , a shaft guide  434 , a shaft  436  fixed to the inner support frame  438 , a spring plate  440  and a spring  442 . As shown in FIG. 14A, seat back  405  may be in the downward position or as shown in FIG. 14B, seat back  405  may be easily moved to the upward position by pulling on lifting device  407 , such as for example a handle. When seat back  405  is in the upward position, hidden seat  410 , formed by a recess for example in seat base  404 , is visible and ready for use. In one embodiment of vehicle seat  401 , a child may sit in seat  410  and rest his or her back against seat back  405 . In this configuration, the child would be facing in the direction opposite to the vehicle&#39;s traveling direction. In another embodiment, an infant carrier seat, which is commonly know in the art, may fit in and be secured in the seat  410 .  
         [0082]    As shown in FIGS.  15 - 17 , during use, a user pulls on lifting device  407  which pulls open pop-up seat back  405  and exposes to view hidden seat  410 . As seat back  405  is being opened, seat back  405  may pivot with respect to seat base  404  and shaft  436  may move substantially horizontally through shaft guide  434  from position “a” to position “b” as shown in FIG. 17. Once seat back  405  is completely in the upright position, frame locking rod  427 , which may be pulled back against the force of spring  429 , is then released and the rod  427  travels into locking hole  428  which is located in the seat back&#39;s inner support frame  438 . Once the rod  427  is fully positioned in hole  428 , the seat back  405  may be firmly locked in position with respect to the seat base  404 . Further, as shown in FIG. 17, in another embodiment, a spring plate  440  and spring  442  may be positioned within the shaft guide  434  substantially as shown in FIG. 17. In this embodiment, as the shaft  436  travels toward the “b” position, the spring  442  and spring plate  440  press against the shaft  436  and contribute to the opening of the seat back  445 .  
         [0083]    Referring now to FIGS. 18 and 19, shown is yet another alternate embodiment of a vehicle seat  500  for a vehicle (not shown) constructed in accordance with the present invention. The vehicle seat  500  may provide for both occupant travel facing in a forward or first direction, and occupant travel facing in a rearward or second direction. The vehicle seat  500  may include a seat frame  501  having a front flanged edge  502  and a posterior flanged edge  503  for securing the vehicle seat  500  directly to the vehicle floor (not shown). Alternatively, the seat frame  501  may be mounted to a conventional slidable track (not shown) enabling forward and backward horizontal positioning of the seat frame  501  with respect to the vehicle floor, if desired. In this embodiment, a position control arm  520  may be provided for the user to adjust the desired horizontal location of the vehicle seat  500  with respect to the vehicle floor.  
         [0084]    The vehicle seat  500  may include a support assembly  504 , which may be constructed of springs  504   a  and wire  504   b  arranged in a criss-cross pattern, seat backs  505  mounted on top of the seat frame  501 , headrests  506  movably mounted to the seat backs  505 , and back support assemblies  514  pivotally connecting the seat backs  505  to the seat frame  501 . In one embodiment, a flexible, expandable cover  512 , which may be for example accordion shaped, may be positioned and attached to the headrest  506  and the seat back  505  as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.  
         [0085]    When the seat back  505  is in the upright position at the posterior end  503  of the seat frame  501 , the seat back  505 , in combination with the seat frame  501  and the seat back  505  located at the front edge  502  when in the lowered position, provide for occupant travel facing in a forward or first direction. Seat back  505  may be pivotally connected to back support assembly  514  so that seat back  505  may be adjusted by the user to fit his or her preferred seating arrangement. In one embodiment, seat back  505  may be angularly adjusted by a angle adjuster mechanism  516  as shown in FIG. 19. Angular adjustment mechanism  516  may be positioned near the back support assembly  514  and may provide for the back rest  505  to be positioned in a large number of different angles with respect to seat frame  501 . When in the downward position as shown in FIG. 19, the seat back  505  and headrest  506  may cover the seat frame  501  and may span an entire length and width of seat frame  501 . Seat back  505  in the downward position may provide cushioned support for a seated occupant and may have a variable thickness (t), defined by a top surface  505   a  and a bottom surface  505   b  of the seat back  505 . Located within seat back  505  and headrest  506  may be an inner extension frame assembly  528 .  
         [0086]    In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20, inner extension frame  528  may comprise an inner extension frame lower portion  530 , an inner extension frame upper portion  535 , a support frame  538  that stretches along and is connected to the frames  530  and  535  substantially as shown in FIG. 20, an extension air bag  555  and an air hose  550  connected to the air bag. In one embodiment, support frame  538  may be constructed of springs  542  and wire  540  arranged in a criss-cross pattern. Inner extension frame upper portion  535  may be located substantially within headrest  506  and inner extension frame lower portion  530  may be located within seat back  505 . In one embodiment, air bag  555  is positioned as shown in FIG. 20 and is expandably connected to extension frames  530 ,  535 . Also, in one embodiment an air pump  525  may be provided to deliver air through air hose  550  and into air bag  555 . In another embodiment, an air inlet/outlet  510  may be provided to accept the air hose  550  so that the air hose  550  would be located external of the seat back  505 . Also, air inlet/outlet  510  may be used to release the air and deflate air bag  555 . This embodiment may provide for an emergency situation where the headrest  506  must be lowered but the vehicle&#39;s power system cannot operate the air pump  525 . In yet other embodiments, headrest  506  may be manually extended away from seat back  505  by a user pulling the headrest  506  away from the seat back  505 .  
         [0087]    As shown in FIG. 19, during use, a passenger may push one of the seat backs  505  downward and into a lowered position on the seat frame  501 . In one embodiment, the user may adjust the seat back angle adjuster mechanism  516  to control the angle of the seat back  505  with respect to the seat frame  501 . As seat back  505  is being lowered into position, seat back  505  may pivot about back support assembly  514  with respect to seat frame  501 . Once seat back  505  is completely in the lowered position, the headrest  506  of the second seat back  505 , that is still in the upright position, may be raised away from seat back  505  so that the seat back  505  provides effectively more back rest support surface area for the user. In one embodiment, headrest  506  may be manually or automatically raised. For example, if headrest  506  is equipped to be automatically raised, the user simply activates air pump  525  which delivers air to air bag  555 . As air bag  555  fills with air, it starts to expand and extend headrest  506  away from seat back  505  As headrest  506  is extending, cover  512  may similarly extend until headrest  506  is fully extended. In one embodiment, a locking switch  507  may be provided to lock the headrest  506  in the desired position. As shown in FIG. 19, this particular seat back  505  arrangement provides for a vehicle occupant to be positioned in the vehicle seat  500  so that the occupant is facing the opposite direction than the vehicle is traveling in.  
         [0088]    Referring now to FIG. 21 and FIG. 22, an automobile  600  is shown having five seats, respectively  601 ,  602 ,  603 ,  604  and  605 . A number of the seats illustrated in FIG. 21 and FIG. 22 are of the type, as explained above, which allows the user to sit alternatively facing in a forward (or first) position and then in a backward (or second) position. While any one of the illustrated seats may be interchanged with any other, for illustrative purposes, seat  601  is of the type most clearly illustrated in FIG. 15 (above) and described in detail in the description of FIG. 15, above. Further, seat  602  is generally illustrated, in FIG. 21, as a typical automobile rear bucket seat which is well known in the art. Seats  603 ,  604  and  605  each are of another embodiment of the present invention, namely a type of seat which allows for the reversal of the occupant&#39;s seating position and for the “pop-up” of the seat cushions  606  in a manner to be described in detail below.  
         [0089]    Referring to FIGS.  23  ( 23 A,  23 B and  23 C), the rear seating area of automobile  600  (FIG. 21) is shown. In FIG. 23A, seat  603  is shown in an occupant facing forward or first position. Seat  603  comprises a seat area  606 , having a seat cushion  607 , a seat back  608 , a base  610  and a slide control  612 . FIG. 23B shows seat  603  in a backward facing or second position. FIG. 23C shows seat  603  in its second position with seat area  606  opened such that generally vertical sections  606   a  and  606   b  form arm rests about a lower seat area  614 . In this manner a safer seating area is created for either an adult to sit in or for the placement of a child safety seat. It is to be understood that area  614  may have padding material so as to provide a comfortable place for seating or may be made of a generally inflexible so as to provide a solid base for a child restraining seat. It is to be further understood that child seat restraining straps or other means of retaining a child safety seat in a locked and secure position may be employed in area  614  without departing from the novel scope of the present invention.  
         [0090]    Referring to FIG. 23D, it may be seen that a child restrain seat  609  may be attached to the back side of seat back  608  (in any manner known to those having skill in the art), such that when seat back  608  is slid forward, as described above, preformed child restrain seat  609  is available for use. It will be understood, by those having skill in the art, that seat back  608  can be constructed such that child restraint seat  609  is an integral part of seat back  608  without departing from the novel scope of the present invention. Further, it is envisioned that a seat back  608  may be constructed with a child restraint seat portion  609 , such that a modular replacement seat back  608 , not encompassing a child restraint seat, may be easily replaced into an automobile using the seats of the present invention. In this manner, when a child has grown and a child restraint seat is no longer necessary, the restraint seat  609  and back  608  combination may be removed and a seat back  608  placed in its stead, to provide the type of seat shown in FIGS. 23A, 23B and  23 C without consuming the amount of room needed for the seat of FIG. 23D.  
         [0091]    Referring now to FIG. 24 and FIG. 24 a , the interior workings of seat  603  are shown. In FIG. 24, the padding material  605  of seat area  606  is shown in broken lines to indicated its placement on the frame. It is noted, in FIG. 24, that the interior structure of the popup members ( 606   a  and  606   b ) have not been shown in order to more clearly show other elements of the seat structure. As shown in FIG. 24, a seat frame  620 , comprising a base  622  and back support frame  624  are provided. Base  622  is a generally horizontal frame housing a slide control  612 , a slide screw  625  and slide rails  626 . As illustrated, slide control  612  comprises a hand crank  613 , which when turned causes seat back  608  to slidably move from a first position to a second position and back. As shown in FIG. 24 a , electric motors  619 , utilized both to raise and lower section  606   a  and  606   b  of seat  606  (to form arm rests) and to cause seat back  608  to slide from a forward facing to a rearward facing position (and vice-versa) are provided. It is to be understood that electric motors  619  may be controlled by standard electrical switches (not shown), such as those presently used to control the position of electrically controlled automobile seats, from convenient locations in the automobile  600 . It is to be further understood, that any type of slide control, including motor means, of a type not illustrated, for rotating slide control  612 , may be employed without departing from the novel scope of the present invention.  
         [0092]    Support frame  624  is shown to have generally the shape of a chair back. It is to be understood that support frame  624  may be formed of any shape that would provide back support for a person in an automobile, further, while a perimeter type frame is shown, it is to be understood that cross-members (not shown) and other structural support means may be provided without departing from the novel scope of the present invention. Support frame  624  is, further, provided with a head rest indentation  625 , to accommodate a head rest structure (not shown) if desired. A back support stand  628  is provided attached to frame  624 . It is to be understood that frame  624  and stand  628  may be attached in any suitable manner, including, but not limited to, welded, bolted, riveted or may be formed together by molding, casting or other means, without departing from the novel scope of the present invention.  
         [0093]    Referring to FIG. 23E, a child seat  700 , of a typical design is shown having a special back rest holder  702 . Back rest holder  702  is designed such that the child seat  700  may be placed on a child seat while holder  702  fits about the seat back  608  of a bucket style seat. It is to be understood that any type of child restraint seat may be used without departing from the novel scope of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, back rest holder  702  is made of rigid durable material, such as the material used to construct the typical child restrain system carrying handle, such that holder  702  is strong and durable. However, as illustrated in FIG. 23F, back rest holder  702  may be made of a non-rigid product, such as a reinforced cloth, steel belts, or any other material that may be placed about the seat back  608  and hold child restraint seat  700  in place. While a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the placement of seat  700  into an automobile by threading seat back  608  through back rest holder  702 , it is to be understood that back rest holder  702  may be constructed such that the user places the seat in position and then wraps a back rest holder  702  about seat back  608  and then fastens the back rest holder  702  such that child restraint seat  700  is properly secured to an automobile seat. Such devices as a buckle, an eye and loop fasteners, or fasteners of other types, may be used without departing from the novel scope of the present invention.  
         [0094]    As illustrated in FIG. 24, stand  628  is provided with holding means  630  to engage slide rails  626  and screw engaging means (not shown) to mechanically engage sliding screw  625 . Screw engaging means may be of any of a number of well known means used to move an object a&gt;in response to the turning of a screw. As shown in FIG. 24 a , a stand  628   a  having means to engage the sides of frame  624   a  (such as the upright sections  627   a  and  627   b  of frame member  627 ) is attached to slider means  621 , allowing the electromechanical manipulation of seat back  608   a . It is to be understood that while frame member  627  of a particular shape is shown and described, persons having skill in the art can substitute any type of frame member and attach such frame member to a motor, without departing from the novel scope of the present invention. When slide control  612  is engaged, either by hand rotation utilizing crank  613  or by use of any type of motorized means (engaged by remote push button or otherwise) known in the art, frame  624  and stand  628  are caused to move along slide rails  626 . Such action places seat back  608  in a desired position, generally in a first or rider forward facing position or a second or rider rear facing position.  
         [0095]    [0095]FIG. 24 further illustrates the placement of a plurality of pop-up arm rest ( 606   a  and  606   b ) attaching means  632 . As shown in FIG. 25, pop-up arm rests  606   a  and  606   b  are generally comprised of a generally D-shaped support frame  634  having segments  634   a  which are pivotably inserted into attaching means  632  to allow frame  634 , and the surrounding arm rest padding material  605  (shown in broken lines to indicate its position about frame  634 ), to pivot to either a desirable open position or to a closed position to make a seat cushion  607 . FIG. 25 a  shows another embodiment of arm rest section  606   a  (identical to section  606   b , not shown), having a roller  623   a  and pin  623   b  assembly for engagement with support means  632   a  and with a motor means  619 . Such connection allows arm rest sections  606   a  and  606   b  to be opened and closed, as described above, using electromechanical means. It is to be understood that while a simple pivoting system is illustrated, pop-up arm rests  606   a  and  606   b  may be made to pop-up using various other means of pivoting well known in the art, without departing from the novel scope of the present invention.  
         [0096]    In the operation of the seat of FIG. 24, the user would choose the preferred direction of travel and by operating crank  613 , operate slide control  612  to move the seat back  624  to the desired position. The user would then decide whether to be seated on the seat cushion  606  (FIGS. 22 and 23) or on the lower seat area  614 . It is to be understood that lower seat area  614  may comprise padding material, generally of the type usually found in an automobile (such as that used in seat cushion  606 ), and coverings such as leather, velour, vinyl or other coverings found in automobile upholstery or lower seat area  614  may be of a hard surface designed for the placement of objects such as child safety seats or cargo, all without departing from the novel scope of the present invention. If the user decides to use the upper seat cushion  606 , the user is then merely required to sit down and, for safety sake, use the lap and shoulder belt system generally available. However, should the user decide to use the lower seating area  614 , pop-up arm rests  606   a  and  606   b , which generally make up a large portion of seat cushion  606 , may each be pulled up upon near their centers and pivoted towards the sides of the seat. In this manner, the seat cushion  606  is removed from the lower seating area  614  and arm rests  606   a  and  606   b  are formed. Arm rest  606   a  and  606   b , having interior support frames  634 , further, provide an added measure of safety from side impacts or jostling.  
         [0097]    The use of a child safety seat within lower seating area  614 , with seat back in the second rearward facing position, in conjunction with arm rest  606   a  and  606   b  (and support frames  634 ) provides excellent protection for an infant or child riding in a vehicle equipped in the manner suggested by the present invention. It is noted that lower seat area  614  may be equipped with special harness elements and elements that are complimentary to the locking elements of many child safety seats, so that a child safety seat may be easily installed in lower seat area  614  and may be held more safely and securely than by using seat belts.  
         [0098]    An alternative construction of the safety seat of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 26, 26A,  26 B,  27  and  28 . FIG. 26 and FIG. 28 each show one embodiment of the interior structure of seat  604  (FIG. 21). It is to be understood that the manner of sliding the back of seat  604  from one end the seat frame to the other may be accomplished in any of the number of ways described in other embodiments of the invention disclosed herein and in its parent applications, without departing from the novel scope of these inventions.  
         [0099]    As shown in FIG. 26 (and more closely in FIGS. 26 a  and  26   b ) and FIG. 28, seat  604  comprises an interior structure  640  having a frame  642 , footings  644  and an interior rocking frame  646 . As in the previous embodiment, seat  604  further comprises a back support frame  648 , which as illustrated, comprises wire springs  649  and netting  650  to provide increased back support and comfort. Frame  648  further defines a space  651  for an optional head rest  652  (shown in FIG. 27). Support frame  648  is slidably attached to frame  642  through sliding support arms  654 . In the illustrative embodiment, frame  648  is provided with fastener openings  656  and support arms  654  are provided with complementary fastener openings  657 , through which bolts, rivets or other fasteners may be threaded to attach frame  648  to support arms  654 . It is to be understood that any manner of attaching support arms  654  and frame  648  together may be used without departing from the novel scope of the present invention. Frame  642  further comprises upper rods  643  and support arms  654  each further comprise rod guides  658  which engage upper rods  643  to allow support arms  654  to slide from one end of frame  642  to the other, allowing seat back  648  to be placed either forward facing or rearward facing as desired.  
         [0100]    It is noted that the present embodiment comprises similar elements as the previous embodiment, and that those elements function in the same way in the present embodiment. For example, the seat of the present embodiment comprises an upper seat cushion  606 , pop-up arm rests  606   a  and  606   b , lower seat area  614 , interior support frames  634  for arm rests  606   a  and  606   b , and support frame attaching members  632 .  
         [0101]    Frame  642  further comprises footings  644  through which frame  642  is securely attached to an automobile. Springs  660  are also provided so as to provide support at the ends of frame  642  no matter which placement of seat back  648  is selected. It is to be understood that while not clearly illustrated the present embodiment comprises locking means so that the seat back  648  may be locked into place in the forward or the rearward facing direction to protect the user from any harm which maybe caused by a unlocked seat. Locking means are illustrated and explained in other embodiments of the present invention shown and described in the parent applications hereto, which are incorporated by reference.  
         [0102]    As more clearly shown in FIG,  26   b  and FIG. 28, frame  642  also comprises a rocking frame  662  which provides support for the set cushion  606  and allows the side of the seat cushion  606  away from the seat back  648  to rise to give a more comfortable seating position to the user. As seat back  648  is slid from one end of seat frame  642  to the other, either manually as shown in FIG. 26 or through the use of motor means  619  as in FIG. 28, the rocking frame  662  pivots such that the section under the seat back  642  is pushed down and the other end rises. Rocking frame  663  comprises cylindrical connection tubes  664  which may be bolted, riveted or otherwise rotationally connected to complementary floor connection tabs  666  on floor stand  668 . Floor stand  668  may be welded or otherwise attached to frame  642 . It is to be understood that while mechanical and electronic rocking means are illustrated in FIG. 26 and FIG. 28, other means for rocking may be used without departing from the novel scope of the present invention. It is further to be understood, that any type of switch or other means to engage the rocking of frame  662  may be used, by persons having skill in the art, without departing from the novel scope of the present invention.  
         [0103]    In the use of the present embodiments (FIG. 26 and FIG. 28), the user would choose the preferred direction of travel and would slide the seat back  648  to the desired position and lock it into place. The user would then decide whether to be seated on the seat cushion  606  (FIGS. 22 and 23) or on the lower seat area  614 . If the user decides to use the upper seat cushion  606 , the user is then merely required to sit down and, for safety sake, use the lap and shoulder belt system generally available. However, should the user decide to use the lower seating area  614 , pop-up arm rests  606   a  and  606   b , which generally make up a large portion of seat cushion  606 , may each be pulled up upon near their centers and pivoted towards the sides of the seat. In this manner, the seat cushion  606  is removed from the lower seating area  614  and arm rests  606   a  and  606   b  are formed. Arm rest  606   a  and  606   b , having interior support frames  634 , further, provide an added measure of safety from side impacts or jostling.  
         [0104]    The use of a child safety seat within lower seating area  614 , with seat back in the second rearward facing position, in conjunction with arm rest  606   a  and  606   b  (and support frames  634 ) provides excellent protection for an infant or child riding in a vehicle equipped in the manner suggested by the present invention.  
         [0105]    While illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Various features of the invention are defined in the following claims.