Abstract:
The vehicle seating assembly includes a base frame, a seat frame slidably mounted on the frame they are both sliding and pivotably movement relative thereto, and a back frame mounted for pivotable movement with respect to both the seat frame and the base frame. The base frame is releasably secured to a motor vehicle through a releasable latching mechanisms. The back frame may be folded over the seat frame, and the seat assembly will then partially released from the vehicle and may be rotated about the forward latching mechanisms to a folded position. The forward latches may then be released to permit removal of the seat from the vehicle.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a vehicle seat for a motor vehicle. 
     Passenger vans are multi-purpose vehicles. While usually used for carrying multiple passengers, owners also may use vans to carry cargo, so that it is desirable that at least some of the rear seats of the van be able to be folded and/or removed to permit the rear portion of the van to handle objects that would normally be too large to fit into the van with all of the seats in the normal riding position. Van owners sometimes use vans for camping, and it is accordingly desirable to provide seating which may be folded flat into a bed. 
     The present invention provides a bench type seat for installation in a passenger van in which the seat back can be folded from its normal upright position to a horizontal position. The entire seat assembly can then be folded forward upon release of rear retaining latches. Accordingly, the volume of the van available for cargo is substantially increased. However, if a even greater volume of cargo must be hauled, the seat can be entirely removed from the van. The seat assembly may be converted into a bed by folding the seat backwards as the seat is shifted forward such that the seat back and seat are substantially flush with one another. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other advantages of the present will become apparent from the following specification, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a vehicle seat made pursuant to the teachings of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view of the vehicle seat illustrated in FIG. 1, illustrated with the upholstery removed; 
     FIGS. 3-9 are views similar to FIG. 2, but with the upholstery shown by dashed lines, and illustrating the manner in which the components of the vehicle seat of FIGS. 1 and 2 are moved between various positions; 
     FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the manner in which the back frame of the seat illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 is attached to the linkage used to move the back frame from the upright position to the position in which the frame is substantially flush with the seat frame; 
     FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view in perspective illustrating the receptacles mounted on the floor of the vehicle in which the seat illustrated in FIGS. 1-10 is installed in order to releasably mount the seat to the vehicle; and 
     FIG. 12 is a view taken substantially along line  12 — 12  of FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the latching receptacle assemblies shown in FIG.  11 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, a vehicle seat generally indicated by the numeral  10  (FIG. 1) includes a base frame generally indicated by the numeral  12 , a seat frame generally indicated by the numeral  14  and a back frame generally indicated by the numeral  16 . The base frame  12  includes a pair of side frame members  18 ,  20  which are interconnected by transverse bar members  22  and  23 . Each of the side frame members  18 ,  20  include a generally U-shaped support  24  which includes an upwardly projecting front edge portion  26  (FIG.  1 ), an upwardly projecting rear edge portion  28 , and a bottom portion  30  extending between the front and rear edge portions  26 ,  28 . Plates  32  extend between the front and rear edge portions  26  and  28 , and still another plate  33  extends between the rear edge portion  28  and bottom edge portion  30 . Tabs  34  (FIG. 1) project inwardly toward the other side frame member from each of the plates  32 . A seat belt retractor  36  is also mounted on the plates  32 . 
     The seat frame member  14  (FIGS. 1 and 2) includes side frame portions  38  that extend along the upper edges of the plates  32 . Angle brackets  40  (FIG. 1) connect each of the side frame portions  38  to a spring frame  42  which carries springs  44  which support upholstery  46 . The seat frame member  14  is slidably and pivotably connected to each of the side frame members  18 ,  20  by angle brackets  48  (FIGS. 1 and 2) which extend between a corresponding one of the side frame portions  38  and a pin or bolt  50  which is both slidably and pivotably engaged in an ascending track  52  on the corresponding plate  32 . The angle bracket  48  is secured to the corresponding side frame portion  38  by appropriate fastener  54 . Pivot arms  56  are pivotably secured to plate  32  by a pivotable connection  58  and to a corresponding side frame portion  38  by pivot connection  60  (FIG.  2 ). Pivot  58  has an inwardly projecting portion  62  (FIG. 1) which is received within a gap  70  of a pendulum acceleration responsive lock  66  (FIGS.  1  and  2 ). The lock  66  is pivotably mounted to a corresponding side frame member  38  by pivot connection  68  so that deceleration of the vehicle upon which the seat  10  is mounted in excess of a predetermined amount causes the lock  66  to swing around the pivot connection  68  to thereby engage the inwardly projecting portion  62  and to thereby lock the seat frame  14  against movement relative to the base frame  12 . The inwardly extending portion  62  is able to pass through the gap  70  to permit the seat frame  14  to be moved relative to the base frame  12  as will hereinafter be described. 
     Each side of the back frame  16  is connected to both the seat frame  14  and the base frame  12  by a linkage generally indicated by the numeral  72  (FIG.  2 ). Linkage  72  includes first member  74  which includes an upper end  76  that is connected to back frame  16  as will hereinafter be described and a second member  78  which is pivotably connected to first member  74  by pivot connection  80  and to the plate  32  by pivot connection  82 . The member  78  terminates in a tab  85  (FIG.  1 ). A coil spring  86  (FIGS. 1 and 2) extends between the tab  34  on the plate  32  and tab  85  on second member  78  to exert a biasing force on the latter urging member  78  in a counter clockwise direction viewing FIG.  2 . 
     The end of the first member  74  opposite the end  76  is defined by a hook  84  (FIG. 2) that extends around the portion  87  (FIGS.  1  and  2 ). A pivot connection, such as a bolt  88 , pivotably connects the outer end of the hook portion  84  to a sliding bracket  90  (FIG.  2 ), which is connected for sliding movement along the track  52  by the pin  50 , such that the bracket  90 , because of the connection provided by the angle bracket  48 , moves with the seat frame  14 . A strap  92  (FIG. 1) extends between the pins  50  and bolt  88  for guiding the member  74  as it pivots about the bolt  88 . 
     The back frame  16  includes side edges  94  (FIG. 1) which extend substantially parallel to corresponding linkage  72 . Brackets  96  are secured to each of the side edges  94  by fasteners  98  (FIGS.  1  and  10 ). A pivot connection  100  pivotably connects the end  76  of first member  74  to a corresponding one of the brackets  96 . A projection  102  extends from the end  76  and is engaged with arcuate slot  104  on the bracket  96 . Each bracket  96  is provided with a latch  106  pivotably connected to the bracket  96  via pivot connection  108  and each latch  106  further includes an elongated slot  110  which receives projection  112  extending from the bracket  96 , which limits the arc of pivotable movement of the latch about the pivot  108 . A spring  114  extends around the pivot  108  and bears against the projection  97  on bracket  96  and against a tab  116  on the latch  106  to bias the latter toward the back frame  16 . Each latch  106  further includes a cut out recess  118  which engages the projection  102  when the seat frame is in the normal upright seating position to thereby latch the frame against movement relative to the member  74 . 
     The floor of the vehicle is provided with latching receptacle assemblies generally indicated by the numeral  120  (FIGS. 1,  11  and  12 ). Although only one set of latching receptacle assemblies  120  is illustrated, it will be understood that a pair of such assemblies are provided. Latching receptacle assembly  120  includes a first channel rail  122  which is mounted on the floor of the vehicle such that rail  122  extends below side frame member  18 . The channel rail  122  extends for a substantial distance beyond the side frame member  18  in both directions and is provided with a latching receptacle  124  which is rigidly secured in channel member  122 . Latching cross pins  126 ,  128  extend across the gap defined in the latching receptacle  124 . Cover plates  130  are secured to the channel members  122  to fill in the channel members at the ends of the latching receptacle  124 . Channel member  122  is connected to a second channel member  132  which is offset from the channel member  122  by cross braces  134  that are secured to both the channel member  122  and the channel member  132 . Channel member  132  extends beneath the seat  10  offset from the side frame member  18  for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The channel member  132  carries a latching receptacle  136  which carries latching cross pins  138  and  140 . The receptacle  136  and cross pins  138 ,  140  are substantially identical to the latching receptacle  124  and cross pins  126  and  128 . A decorative cover  142  is mounted on each of the latching receptacles  136 ,  124 . It will be understood that another one of the receptacle assemblies  120  will be mounted on the vehicle floor with the channel member  132  extending below the side frame member  20  and with the channel member  122  off set from therefrom. The latching receptacles  120  can be modified for use in different vehicles by modifying the location at which the latch receptacles  124 ,  136  are secured to the channel members  122 ,  132 . 
     Referring to FIG. 13, a modified latching receptacle assembly  220  is provided with latching receptacles  224 ,  236  which correspond to the latching receptacles  124 ,  136  in FIG.  12 . As in the embodiment of FIG. 12, the latching receptacles  224 ,  236  are provided with cross pins  226 ,  228  and  238 ,  240  and with cover plates  242 . The receptacles  224 ,  236  are welded to a plate  244  which is secured to the vehicle by appropriate fasteners (not shown) installed through openings  246 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the seat  10  is secured to the latching receptacle assembly  120  by a first set of retaining latches  144 ,  146  and a second set of retaining latches consisting of side frame mounted latches  148 ,  150  and bar frame mounted latches  152 ,  154 , which are secured to transverse bars  22  such as by welding. Each of the latches  144 ,  146  include a pivot plate  156  which is pivotably attached to front portion  26  of side frame member  18 ,  20  at pivot connection  158 . A guide pin  160  mounted on the front edge portion  26  engages slot  162  in pivot plate  156 . Pivot plate  156  further includes a slot  164  that receives cross pin  126  when the seat  10  is installed in the vehicle. A latching member  166  is pivotably mounted on pivot plate  156  at pivot connection  168 . A spring  170  urges the latching member  166  counter clockwise when viewing FIG. 2 so that the latching member  166  latches beneath the latching cross pin  126  to thereby assist in retaining the seat  10  on the vehicle. A handle  172  is provided to facilitate operation of the latching member  166 . Pivot plate  156  has a first pair of engagement surfaces  173 ,  175  which are held tight against a second pair of engagement surfaces  177 ,  179  of cover  142  when latch  166  is engaged into cross pin  126 . This secures plate  156  from movement or rotation relative to latching receptacle assemblies  120  thereby allowing seat  10  to be rotated upwardly around pivot  158  without moving or releasing plate  156 . Latches  148  include a plate  176  which is rigidly mounted to bottom edge  30  such as by welding and includes an open ended slot  178  which is adapted to receive cross pin  128  when the seat is installed in the vehicle (FIGS.  1  and  2 ). A member  180  is pivotably attached to plate  176  by pivot connection  182  and is urged counter clockwise viewing FIG. 2 by spring  184  to cause projection portion  186  of member  180  to latch beneath the cross pin  128 . Each of the bar mounted latches  152 ,  154  (FIG. 1) include a plate  188  that is secured to the bars  22  such as by welding and include an open ended slot  190  that engages a corresponding one of the latching cross pins. A pivoting member  192  is pivotably mounted on the plate  188  by pivot connection  194 . An actuating lever  196  extends between the pivoting members  180  and  192  and is equipped with a handle  198  whereby the pivoting members  192 ,  180  may be simultaneously pivoted by operation of the levers  198 . The springs  184  bias both of the members  180 ,  192  to the positions illustrated in the drawings (FIGS.  1  and  2 ). 
     In operation, the back frame  16  may be folded flat to overlay the seat frame  14  by operating the lever  106  to release the projection  102 , and to thereby permit the seat frame  16  to pivot about the pivot  100  from the FIG. 3 position to the FIG. 4 position. To increase the amount of cargo room still more, the entire seat assembly  10  may be folded forward by operating the handles  198  to release the side frame mounted latches  148 ,  150  and the bar mounted latches  152  and  154 , as illustrated in FIG.  4 . By rotating the latches  148 ,  150 ,  152  and  154  about the corresponding pivots, the hooked portions are withdrawn from below their corresponding latching pins. Accordingly, the seat assembly  10  may be rotated upwardly about pivots  158  into the FIG. 5 position. This substantially increasing the cargo carrying capacity of the vehicle. If still more cargo capacity is required, the entire seat  10  may be removed by operating the handles  172  to withdraw the members  166  from below the latching pins, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. This completely releases the seat from the vehicle permitting it to be removed. 
     Referring now to FIG. 7-9, the seat  10  can be folded flat into a substantially horizontal orientation as shown in FIG. 9 in which the seat frame and the back frame are substantially flush with one another. When the seat is being converted into a bed, the outer edge of the seat frame  14  is lifted upwardly, as indicated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Accordingly, acceleration responsive lock  66  is lifted upwardly such as the gap  70  withdraws past pivot  58 . When in the normal seating position, acceleration responsive lock  66  is responsive to deceleration of the vehicle to latch against the pin  58 , thereby locking the seat frame and back frame against movement relative to the base frame  12 . After the seat frame  14  is lifted sufficiently to enable the acceleration responsive latch  66  to withdraw from the pivot pin  58 , the seat frame is moved forward so that angle bracket  48 , pin  50  and sliding bracket  84  are all moved toward the front edge portion  26  of the base frame  12 . As the angle bracket  48 , sliding bracket  84  and pin connection  50  move along the track  52  toward the front edge portion  26 , members  78  of linkages  72  rotate in a clockwise direction, thereby extending spring  86 . As the bracket  84  is moved and the member  78  is rotated in the clockwise direction, the member  74  will be rotated in the counter clockwise direction as indicated by the arrow in FIG.  8 . The seat frame  16  remains latched against movement relative to the member  74 . Accordingly, as the seat frame  14  is moved forward, the back frame  16  is rotated into the substantially flush position illustrated in FIG.  9 . When the seat frame is to be returned to the upright normal seating position, the seat frame  16  is lifted slightly, which permits the spring  86  to urge the member  78  towards the position illustrated in FIG.  2 . Accordingly, because of the interconnection between the member  78 , and the member  74 , the bracket  84  and the seat frame  14  through angle bracket  48 , the seat frame  16  will also be returned to the normal seating position.