Abstract:
A conversion seat for a marine vessel that converts from a lean post configuration to a seat configuration. In a stowed position, the seat is stored vertically exposing a cushion that can be used as a lean post. When a positive lock is released the seat is able to rotate, in some embodiments with an assist from a gas strut, two-hundred and seventy (270) degrees until the seat lands on a horizontal surface. When released, a backrest opens to a desired angle providing a comfortable seat or sun pad. To stow the seat for use as a lean post, the backrest is folded back down and then the seat is able to rotate back through the two-hundred and seventy (270) degrees to its vertical stowed position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     N/A 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     N/A 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to marine vessels and more particularly to a flipping conversion seat and lean post apparatus for marine vessels. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Comfort and usability are critical factors in marine vessel and boat design, particularly when designing sport fishing boats and other small craft where deck space is at a minimum. Common to center-console open fisherman style boats are leaning posts which provide boat operators and boaters a substantially vertical support on which to comfortably lean during operation of the vessel. Leaning posts are particularly useful due to the dynamic nature of open fisherman boats wherein generally standing will provide more stability for the boater than a traditional sitting position. Nonetheless, when such an open fisherman boat is stopped, drifting, or even trolling, a boater may desire to be in a seated position for additional comfort. Moreover, because such boats are multi-purpose and will often be used for various recreational activities, boaters may desire to have a sun-pad in order to lay down comfortably for extended periods of time. 
     Because available space is always at a premium, it is often desirable to provide seating and comfort features that have multiple positions and are otherwise multi-purpose. Moreover, the ability to store seating in a manner that clears deck space is often desirable in order to improve the usability and flexibility of a boat. Several attempts have been made to provide versatile seating for open fisherman style boats, however none are particularly elegant or provide a complete compliment of possible seating or leaning positions. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,819,483 to Kushner et al. describes a combination leaning post storage compartment comprising a seat assembly having a D-ring a cross tube disposed in the D-ring defining a rectangular boundary. Two side frames are removable attached at opposite ends of the D-ring and a crossbar is attached between the side frames. A seat cushion is pivotably attached to the crossbar and a soft-sided storage compartment is removably attached to the rectangular boundary. The storage compartment is accessible by pivoting the seat cushion. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,647,880 to Devine describes an adjustable boat leaning post mounting systems that comprises a pair of side-by-side seat posts on which a leaning post can be adjustably mounted. The space between the support posts can be adjusted to accommodate various seating configurations including a leaning post and separate seats. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,252,336 to Frisina describes a pivotable boat seat having a seat cushion and a squab with the seat being adjustable between a first seating configuration and a second leaning configuration, wherein in the second configuration the squab is positioned forward of its first position and substantially above the forward most position on the seat cushion. Two tubular members attached the squab to the seat on either side and provide a pivot point for the squab to articulate relative to the seat cushion. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,341,018 to Greenberg et al. discloses a retractable deck mounted rumble seat wherein a deck has an opening in which a pivotable seat is located. The back of the seat forms a hatch closing the opening in the deck section. A hydraulic actuating system under electrical control is provided to pivot the seat between an open and a close position. 
     Although the prior art provides some solutions to existing problems, none provide a solution 
     It is, therefore, to the effective resolution of the aforementioned problems and shortcomings of the prior art that the present invention is directed. However, in view of the seats, lean posts, and loungers in existence at the time of the present invention, it was not obvious to those persons of ordinary skill in the pertinent art as to how the identified needs could be fulfilled in an advantageous manner. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a conversion seat for a marine vessel that converts from a lean post configuration to a seat. In a stowed position, the seat is stored vertically exposing a cushion that can be used as a lean post pad. When a positive lock is released the backrest and seat cushion are able to rotate, in some embodiments with an assist from a gas strut, two-hundred and seventy (270) degrees until the seat lands on a horizontal surface. When released, the backrest opens to a desired angle providing a comfortable seat or sun pad. To stow the seat, a locking mechanism on the backrest is released to lower the backrest and then the seat is able to rotate back through the two-hundred and seventy (270) degrees to its stowed position. 
     More specifically, disclosed is a conversion seat configurable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The seat comprises at least a seat cushion that is pivotably attached to a console by at least one dual-axis hinge that permits the conversion of the seat from a lean post to a traditional seating surface. The dual-axis hinge permits at least two-hundred and seventy degrees of rotation of the seat cushion with respect to the console about a first pivot axis of each of the hinge. In some embodiments, a backrest may be pivotably attached to the seat cushion. In the stowed position, the backrest is folded over parallel with the seat cushion and the seat is placed in a vertical position providing an exposed lean post. In some embodiments, a locking pin is disposed on the console and engages a receiving bracket on the seat in order to releasably retain the seat when in the stowed position. In the deployed position, the seat is rotated substantially two-hundred and seventy degrees from said stowed position into a horizontal position and, with the backrest rotated up from the seat cushion, the seat provides a seating surface. The dual-axis hinge permits a one-hundred and eighty degree range of motion of the backrest with respect to the cushion about a second pivot axis of each of the hinge. This allows the backrest to be adjusted relative to the seat cushion for a variety of seating positions, including a flat sunpad (one hundred and eighty degree condition). 
     In some embodiments, the seat employs two dual-axis hinges, one on either side of the seat and attached to the console. The dual-axis hinges comprise a seat cushion bracket attached to the seat cushion, a backrest bracket attached to the backrest, and a console bracket attached to the console. The console bracket is attached to the seat cushion bracket at the first pivot axis and the seat cushion bracket is attached to the backrest bracket at the second pivot axis. In some cases, the dual-axis hinges are assisted by a gas strut attached between the console and the hinges. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved conversion seat that is operable between a stowed position and a deployed position wherein the stowed position provides lean post functionality and the deployed position provides a traditional seating surface functionality. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a seating system for marine vessel that provides a plurality of seating options while minimizing footprint and maximizing on board usable space. 
     In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the conversion seat of the present invention, in a stowed position functioning as a lean post. 
         FIG. 1A  is an up-close view of one embodiment of the locking pin engagement used to secure the conversion seat. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the conversion seat of the present invention, in a deployed position functioning as a seat. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the conversion seat of the present invention, in an intermediate position between the stowed position and deployed position. 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the hinge component of the present invention, in a stowed position. 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the hinge component of the present invention, with a bracket element removed. 
         FIG. 4C  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the hinge component of the present invention, in a deployed position. 
         FIG. 4D  is a side view of one embodiment of the hinge component of the present invention, in a stowed position. 
         FIG. 4E  is an alternative perspective view of the hinge component of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5A  depicts another embodiment of the conversion seat of the present invention installed on an exemplary vessel, in a stowed position. 
         FIG. 5B  depicts another embodiment of the conversion seat of the present invention installed on an exemplary vessel, in a deployed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , shown is conversion seat  10  (hereinafter referred to as “seat”), in a deployed position, pivotably attached to a console  20 . Seat console  20  may disposed, for example, on an exemplary marine vessel such as an open fisherman style boat or any other boat configuration where it is desirable to have a combination leaning post, seat, and sun pad as will be made apparent by the following description. Seat  10  comprises a backrest  11  and a seat cushion  12 . Seat  10  is accommodated by a recess  21  of console  20 . In some embodiments, recess  21  is dimensioned to enclose seat  10  when the seat  10  is in a stowed position, as shown in  FIG. 1 . Seat  10  is attached to seat console  20  by bi-lateral dual-axis hinges  22  which are attached on either side of the seat  10 . The action of the dual-axis hinges  22  are assisted by gas struts  23 . In some embodiments, the backrest  11  is optional and may be omitted although comfort may be compromised. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  demonstrate the two primary operable position of the seat  10  of the present invention. In a stowed position, shown  FIG. 1 , seat  10  is in a stowed position with backrest  11  folded over onto seat cushion  12 . The entire seat  10 , including backrest  11  and seat cushion  12 , is in a substantially vertical position such that the seat  10  functions as a lean post, with a user able to lean against seat cushion  12 . In some embodiments, seat  10  is at least partially disposed in recess  21  of console  20 . The lean post position is favorable for either a forward or rear facing standing position (relative to the orientation of the vessel on which the seat  10  is installed), providing enhanced comfort and stability for a standing boater. Referring to  FIG. 1A , in some embodiments, in the stowed position seat  10  is releasably retained by locking pin  24  attached to the console  20 . In some embodiments, the locking pin  24  is attached to the bottom of recess  21  by a bracket  25 . The locking in  24  is configured to engage a receiving bracket  121  attached to seat cushion  12 . In some embodiments the receiving bracket  121  has a locking channel  21  that lockingly receives the locking pin  24 . The locking arrangement of the seat  10  allows seat  10  to remain secured to console  20  when in the stowed position, eliminating any unwanted movement or repositioning of the seat  10  when in use as a lean post. 
     In a deployed position, shown in  FIG. 2 , seat  10  is rotated about hinges  22  two-hundred and seventy (270) degrees from the stowed lean post position such that seat cushion  12  is in a substantially horizontal position. In some embodiments, seat cushion  12  comes to rest against and is vertically supported by console  20 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, seat cushion  12  rests against an upper support member  26  of console  20 . In some embodiments, backrest  11  may be hinged upward about hinges  22  relative to seat cushion  12  and may be selectively placed in a substantially vertical or angled position depending on the desired comfort level. In some embodiments, the backrest  11  can be hinged to a position one hundred and eighty (180) degrees relative to the seat cushion  12  such that a flat sunpad is provided. In the second position, seat  10  deploys into a traditional seat configuration providing both bottom and back support for the user. 
     To better understand the flipping conversion action of the present invention,  FIG. 3  depicts the seat  10  in an intermediation position between the stowed (lean post) position and the deployed (seat) position described above. The selectable “flipping” and rotation conversion action of seat  10  is facilitated by bi-lateral dual-axis hinges  22  which are shown in detail and constituent components in  FIGS. 4A-4E .  FIG. 4A  shows a hinge  22  in the stowed position. The hinge  22  comprises three interconnected components including seat cushion bracket  41 , console bracket  42 , and backrest bracket  43 . Seat cushion bracket  41  includes a perpendicular seat cushion flange  411  which attaches to seat cushion  12  of seat  10 . The seat cushion bracket  41  includes two opposing and spaced apart tongues  414  and  415  that provide attachment locations for the other hinge components. With reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4C  together, console bracket  42  includes a perpendicular console flange  421  that attaches to console  20 , and a tongue  422 . As such, console flange  421  defines the fixed point of the hinge  22  in that it is secured to the fixed console  20  about which the seat  10  articulates. Tongue  422  is pivotably attached to seat cushion bracket  41  at tongue  415  thereof, which assembles to define a first pivot axis  412 . Backrest bracket  43  includes a perpendicular backrest flange  431  that attaches to backrest  11 , and a tongue  432 . Tongue  432  is pivotably attached to seat cushion bracket  41  at tongue  414  thereof, which assembles to define a second pivot axis  413 . 
       FIG. 4B  shows the hinge  22  with seat cushion bracket  41  removed and more clearly showing tongues  422  and  432  having pivot axes  412  and  413 . With reference again to  FIG. 4C , which shows hinge  22  in a deployed position, shown are two bracket fasteners  50  and  52  which comprise the hardware attaching the respective tongues of the hinge  22  to form the first and second pivot axes  412  and  413 .  FIG. 4D  is a side view of hinge  22  and  FIG. 4E  is another perspective view showing the orientation of the hinge  22  in the stowed position in solid lines, and the deployed position in dotted lines. In  FIGS. 4D and 4E  it is again shown and it is understood that console  42  is the fixed portion of the hinge about which the other two brackets, namely seat cushion bracket  41  and backrest bracket  43  articulate. As such, hinge  22  is configured such that the seat cushion bracket  41  and backrest bracket  43  both rotate in unison with respect to console bracket  42  about pivot axis  412  and backrest bracket  43  rotates with respect to seat cushion bracket  41  about pivot axis  413 . 
     This dual-axis hinging action allows the seat  10  to be easily “flipped” or converted from its first stowed position to its second deployed position and moreover permits the backrest  11  to pivot relative to seat cushion  12  to allow for various seating positions, including a flat sun pad position. More specifically, to move from the deployed position from the stowed position, force is applied to seat cushion  12  such that bracket  41  rotates two-hundred and seventy (270) degrees around pivot axis  412 , which causes seat cushion  12  to move from a substantially vertical condition to a substantially horizontal condition. Then, backrest  11  can be manipulated such that backrest bracket  43  rotates around pivot axis  413  to desired seating position. Referring back to  FIGS. 1-2 , in some embodiments, gas struts  23  may be attached between the console bracket  42  and the seat cushion bracket  41  to assist the user in moving the seat  10  between its various positions. The struts help to minimize the effort needed to deploy and retract the seat. It is appreciated that strut  23  can be substituted with various other similar acting struts including hydraulic and electronic strut means. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  depict an embodiment of the present invention as installed on an exemplary open fisherman style vessel  50 . Here, the console  20  and seat  10  are installed at or about the center control console  51  of the vessel  20 . In the stowed position ( FIG. 5A ), the seat  10  functions as a comfortable leaning post for standing boaters and is particularly useful during high speed operation or rough seas where standing provides better stability for boaters. In  FIG. 5B , the seat  10  has been converted to the deployed position, providing a comfortable bench-style seat with support for both the bottom and back of the users. 
     It is appreciated that the seat  10  of the present invention can be adapted for a variety of uses and need not be limited to marine applications. In any event, in the context of marine installations, the present invention provides a substantial advantage of the prior art in that it provides multiple seating configurations while minimizing overall footprint. It is further appreciated and understood that the components of the present invention can be comprised of a variety of materials including metals, plastics, fiberglass resins, foams, vinyl materials, and other suitable materials. 
     The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.