Abstract:
A seat arrangement apparatus for a vehicle seat that includes at least two tracks fixed to a floor of a vehicle each track including a base separating a first hollow portion and a second hollow portion, at least two seat mounting assemblies movable along the at least two tracks, and a stopper movably installed inside each of the at least two tracks between the at least two seat mounting assemblies to prevent the at least two seat mounting assemblies from touching each other when positioned together.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0002]    This application relates generally to improvements to a seat arrangement structure. More particularly the present disclosure relates to improvements relating to a seat arrangement tracks that include a seat separator device to avoid contact between two seats. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Vehicle seats are designed to offer comfort, and space to an occupant by allowing seat adjustments to a desired position. The adjustable vehicle seat allows an occupant to obtain a more comfortable seating position and to provide space behind, in front or on side of the vehicle seat to assist in entering and exiting the vehicle or storing objects. 
         [0005]    Vehicle seats are typically mounted on a seat arrangement device. The seat arrangement device allows for relative movement of the seat with respect to the vehicle and other seats respectively. For instance the seat arrangement device provides for a seat to be moved away or moved toward other seats, moved in lateral (sideways) or longitudinal (forward and backward) direction of the vehicle. 
         [0006]    One such example of a seat device is disclosed in US Patent Application publication No. U.S. 6,609,745B2. This seat device includes a substantially flat floor surface substantially extending across a full cabin space of the vehicle, front row seats, center row seats and a rear row seat disposed in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle on the floor surface. 
         [0007]    The seat arrangement device assembly and seat mounting is often a complex process, as it involves various components assembled in a particular order to enable seat movement in a desired direction. One of the components of seat arrangement device is a track arrangement fitted with a seat sliding device to achieve the desired lateral and longitudinal movement of the seats. The lateral movement involves moving a seat towards a side of a vehicle or moving the seat towards the other seat followed by locking the seat in a desired position. Further, to lock the seat in a desired position a locking or latch mechanism may be provided. 
         [0008]    A linear adjustable vehicle seat allows an occupant to obtain a more comfortable seating position and to provide additional space around the vehicle seat for ease of entering and exiting or storing objects. Further, latch mechanisms are generally known for locking the vehicle seat position at a plurality of locations. Seat latch mechanisms are generally known as pawl and positive engagement latch-type devices and mechanisms. 
         [0009]    A part of the seat sliding device that assists in locking and unlocking the seat in a desired position is called a towel bar or operating handle assembly. Typically the towel bars employ a lever and rotation mechanism whose function is to place the locking mechanism in a locked or unlocked position. The towel bar operates when a vertical force is applied to the lever that leads to the rotation of a bar connected to the locking mechanism, thus placing the locking mechanism in the locked or unlocked position. The force may be applied by an operator. 
         [0010]    Tracks of the seat arrangement device are typically fixed to the vehicle floor before mounting the seat on the seat arrangement device. During the seat mounting process as well as during the seat adjustment process it is desired to keep the seats apart for ease of mounting and comfort of the passengers. However during the seat adjustment process the sliding rails of the track may move towards each other without stopping and touch each other. To avoid an undesirable situation and to keep seats apart additional seat sliding control elements must be installed. 
         [0011]    There remains a continuing need to provide improved seats having higher level of comfort and more degrees of freedom, provide greater performance to above than compared to the known seats. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0012]    According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a seat arrangement apparatus for a vehicle seat apparatus. The seat arrangement apparatus includes at least two tracks fixed to a floor of a vehicle each track including a base separating a first hollow portion and a second hollow portion, at least two seat mounting assemblies movable along the at least two tracks, a stopper movably installed inside either of the at least two tracks between the at least two seat mounting assemblies to prevent the at least two seat mounting assemblies from touching each other when positioned together. 
         [0013]    Further, the stopper includes a first shoe configured to be moveable in the first hollow portion, a second shoe configured to be moveable in the second hollow portion, and a bracket. The bracket includes a first flange that connects to a first slot of the first shoe and a second flange that connects to a second slot of the second shoe. The first shoe includes first rib on a side opposite of the first slot, the first rib configured to slide on an inner peripheral face of the first hollow portion, and the second shoe includes second rib on a side opposite of the second slot, the second rib configured to slide on an inner peripheral face of the second hollow portion. 
         [0014]    Further, each track includes a plurality of holes that are used to engage and disengage a locking mechanism when a force is applied at an operating handle. 
         [0015]    The forgoing general description of the illustrative implementations and the following detailed description thereof are merely exemplary aspects of the teachings of this disclosure, and are not restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle seat slide apparatus according to an exemplary aspect of present disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates the locking mechanism attached to an operating handle assembly. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  illustrates the cross-section of a track according to an exemplary aspect of present disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view a seat stopper according to an exemplary aspect of present disclosure. 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of mounting of a central seat stopper placed inside the tracks according to an exemplary aspect of present disclosure. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is an elevation view of two vehicle seat set apart at the ends and a seat stopper in each of the track according to an exemplary aspect of present disclosure. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is an elevation view of two vehicle seat placed together at the left end and a seat stopper between the seats in each of the track according to an exemplary aspect of present disclosure. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is an elevation view of two vehicle seat placed together at the right and a seat stopper between the seats in each of the track according to an exemplary aspect of present disclosure. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a schematic of a seat arrangement with two seats set apart at the ends of the track and separated by a seat stopper in each of the track according to an exemplary aspect of present disclosure. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  is a schematic of a seat arrangement with two seats placed together at the left end and separated by a seat stopper in each of the track according to an exemplary aspect of present disclosure. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  is a schematic of a seat arrangement with two seats placed together at the right end and separated by a seat stopper in each of the track according to an exemplary aspect of present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    In the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Further, as used herein, the words “a”, “an” and the like generally carry a meaning of “one or more”, unless stated otherwise. The drawings are generally drawn to scale unless specified otherwise or illustrating schematic structures or flowcharts. 
         [0028]    Furthermore, the terms “approximately,” “proximate,” “minor,” and similar terms generally refer to ranges that include the identified value within a margin of 20%, 10% or preferably 5% in certain embodiments, and any values therebetween. 
         [0029]    The terms “longitudinal”, “lateral” and similar terms generally refer to the direction of movement with respect to the vehicle&#39;s front and side portion. The direction of movement along the front and rear is the longitudinal direction, while direction of movement towards and away from the side of the vehicle is the lateral direction. 
         [0030]    The terms “towel bar”, “operating handle” or “U-handle” are used interchangeably and refer to the same component. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle seat slide apparatus according to an embodiment of present disclosure and includes various components assembled together to enable the seat movement in a desired position. The seat sliding apparatus includes two identical tracks  101   a  and  101   b,  a seat mounting assembly  103   a  (or  103   b ) and an operating handle assembly  105   a  (or  105   b ). The tracks  101   a  and  101   b  are disposed in pairs along the lateral direction in the center of the vehicle and are fixed to the floor of the vehicle (not illustrated). The tracks have a groove extending along the length of the track that guides a sliding mechanism in the lateral direction. Holes are provided along the sides of the track that engage with a locking mechanism. 
         [0032]    The seat mounting assembly  103   a  (or  103   b ) includes seat mounting brackets  107   a  and  107   b  (or  107   c  and  107   d ) and other attachments and fixtures to install a seat. The seat mounting assembly  103   a  (or  103   b ) is movably attached to the seat tracks  101   a  and  101   b  via a sliding mechanism. The seat tracks  101   a  and  101   b  are fixed to the car floor. The sliding mechanism includes an operating handle assembly  105   a  (or  105   b ) to move the seat mounting assembly  103   a  (or  103   b ) in a desired position and a locking mechanism to lock the sliding mechanism in the desired position. 
         [0033]    The seat mounting assemblies  103   a  and  103   b  can freely slide along the track  101   a  and  101   b  when the operating handle assembly  105   a  or  105   b  is activated. As a result, the two seat mounting assemblies  103   a  and  103   b  can come in contact with each other. To restrict the seats from touching each other, two seat stoppers  110   a  and  110   b  are placed inside the tracks between the seat mounting assemblies  103   a  and  103   b.  The seat stoppers  110   a  and  110   b  can slide freely within the tracks  101   a  and  101   b  respectively. The number of seat stoppers does not necessarily correspond to the number of tracks. For example, in a two track system, the seat separation may also be achieved by placing one stopper in one of the tracks. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  illustrates the locking mechanism attached to the operating handle assembly  105   a.    FIG. 2  illustrates the assembly of the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism  210   a  (or  210   b ) is connected to the lock bracket  207   a  (or  207   b ) via a grooved pin  213   a  (or  213   b ). The grooved pin  213   a  (or  213   b ) slides along the lock slot of the lock bracket  207   a  (or  207   b ) freely. The locking mechanism  210   a  (or  210   b ) also includes a fork grip  215   a  (or  215   b ) that is fixed with a pivot joint, as such can rotate about the corresponding pivot axis. When the grooved pin  213   a  and  213   b  slides along the lock slot of the lock brackets  207   a  and  207   b,  a link mechanism (not illustrated) causes the fork grips  215   a  and  215   b  to rotate about the pivot joint thus locking and unlocking the seat in a particular position. The fork grips  215   a  and  215   b  reside in the holes in the tracks  101   a  and  101   b  respectively. 
         [0035]    The locking mechanism can be in a locked state (represented by dotted lines) or in an unlocked state (represented by solid lines). When the U-handle  201  is placed in a locked position P100, the grooved pin  213   a  (or  213   b ) is in position P101, the closed end of the lock slot of the lock bracket  207   a  (or  207   b ), and the fork grip is in position P102. To unlock, a force is applied at the U-handle  201  which moves the lock bracket  207   a  and  207   b  downwards and as a result the grooved pins  213   a  and  213   b  move towards the open end of the lock slot. In unlocked state, the U-handle  201  is placed in an unlocked position P200, the grooved pin  213   a  (or  213   b ) is in position P201, the open end of the lock slot of the lock bracket  207   a  and  207   b,  and the fork grip  215   a  and  215   b  are in a retracted position P202. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  illustrates the cross-section of the tracks  101   a  and  101   b.  The track  101   a  (or  101   b ) has a unitary construction and a composite cross-section. The cross-section includes two hollow open-rectangles  301   a  and  301   b  separated from each other by a base plate, which a U-shaped element  301   c  according to the embodiment of present disclosure. The base plate has holes used to fix the tracks to a floor surface of the vehicle. The base plate may be fixed using fasteners such as bolts and rivets. The open-rectangles  301   a  and  301   b  are position about a vertical axis such that one of the open-rectangle  301   b  is a mirror image of the other. The hollow parts  303   a  and  303   b  of the open-rectangles  301   a  and  301   b  respectively extend throughout the length of the tracks  101   a  and  101   b.  The hollow parts  303   a  and  303   b  act as a guide to the stoppers  110   a  and  110   b  respectively. The track also includes lock holes in which the fork grip of the locking mechanism is engaged when a lock state of a seat is desired. The tracks may be laid laterally or longitudinally in a space behind the front row seats of the vehicle. 
         [0037]    FIG. 4  illustrates the seat stopper  110   a  (or  110   b ), which is designed to keep the seat mounting assemblies  103   a  and  103   b  separated from each other. The seat stopper includes three parts: shoes  420   a  and  420   b,  and a bracket  401 . The shoe  420   a  includes three rectangular slots  421   a,    423   a,  and  425   a,  and a profiled slot  427   a.  The shoe  420   b  has similar slots as  420   a.  The rectangular slots  421   a  and  423   a  are a recess and do not completely extend through the material of the shoe, while the rectangular slot  425   a  (or  425   b ) and the profiled slot  427   a  (or  427   b ) extend completely through the material of the shoe creating a through hole. The back end of the shoe  420   a  (or  420   b ) includes a rib  429   a  (or  429   b ) that extends throughout the length of the shoe  420   a  (or  420   b ). The shoes  420   a  and  420   b  are made of plastic. The height and width of the shoe are slightly smaller than the hollow part of the open-rectangle of the track. 
         [0038]    In an alternate embodiment, the shoe may be modified in different ways. For instance, the rectangular slots  421   a  and  423   a  can be made circular, triangular or any other shape, cut to extend completely create a through hole. Alternately, one or more of these slots may not be created. The profiled slot  427   a  can be of any shape and need not extend throughout the material of the shoe thus creating a recess. Furthermore, the left and right end of the shoes may be made of rubber to provide cushioning effect and noise reduction, steel to provide rigidity and strength, or any other material depending on the desired properties of the stopper. Similarly, the material and shape of the ribs may be changed. For instance, the ribs may be made of metal like steel for additional strength and rigidity. 
         [0039]    Referring back to  FIG. 4 , the shoe bracket  401  has a unitary construction and includes two flanges  403   a  and  403   b.  The bracket has a wave-like W-shaped cross-section. The flanges  403   a  and  403   b  are located in the center part of the bracket and smaller than the total length of the bracket. The total length of the bracket  401  must be smaller than the maximum distance between the seat mounting assemblies  105   a  and  105   b  (in  FIG. 1 ). The bracket  401  is composed of steel according to the embodiment of present disclosure. However, it can be made of any other material like rubber, plastics, or metal depending on the desired properties such as less friction, high strength and rigidity, etc. 
         [0040]    The bracket  401  is connected to the shoes  420   a  and  420   b;  hence the shoes stay together and do not slide independently of each other inside the tracks  101   a  and  101   b  respectively. The flange  403   a  fits in the rectangular slot  425   a  of the shoe  420   a,  while the flange  403   b  fits in the rectangular slot  425   b  of the shoe  420   b.  As such the dimensions of the slots and flanges must be compatible with each other. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  illustrates the assembly of the seat stopper  110   a  in to the tracks  101   a.  After assembling the bracket  401  and the shoes  420   a  and  420   b,  one shoe  420   a  slides in the hollow part of one open-rectangle  301   a  of the track, while the other shoe  420   b  slides in the hollow part of the second open-rectangle  301   b  of the track. Note that the bracket  401  is able to slide unobstructed while connecting the shoes  420   a  and  420   b  since the open part of the hollow the open-rectangle allows the flanges  403   a  and  403   b  to stay connected to the shoes. The stopper is installed in the tracks prior to installing the seat mountings  103   a  and  103   b.  Once the seat mounting assembly is installed, the stopper slides freely along the tracks in the gap between the two seats. The stopper allows the seats to the mounted in any position while maintaining a gap between the seats.  FIGS. 6-8  illustrate different configurations of the seats installed on tracks containing a stopper. 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  illustrates a wide mode configuration of the seat mounting assemblies  103   a  and  103   b  in which the seat mountings are located at the left end and the right end respectively of the tracks  101   a  and  101   b.  In the wide mode, the seat stoppers  110   a  and  110   b  move free between the seat gap G. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate a bench mode configuration of the seat mounting assemblies  103   a  and  103   b,  where both the seat mountings are placed together. In  FIG. 7 , the seat mounting assemblies are located at the left end of the tracks  101   a  and  101   b,  while in  FIG. 8 , the seat mounting assemblies  103   a  and  103   b  are located at the right end of the tracks  101   a  and  101   b.  In the bench mode, the seat mounting assemblies  103   a  and  103   b  are separated by a gap equal to the length of the seat stoppers  110   a  and  110   b.  Hence the stoppers  110   a  and  110   b  does not have any room to move. The distance between the seat mounting assemblies is equal to the length of the stopper. For a larger separation of seats, the length of the stopper must be chosen accordingly. 
         [0044]    Also, it should be understood that this technology when embodied is not limited to the above-described embodiments and that various modifications, variations and alternatives may be made of this technology so far as they are within the spirit and scope thereof. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 9-11  illustrate three different configurations of seats  901  and  903  similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 6-8 . The seats  901  and  903  are separated by stoppers  110   a  and  110   b  installed in the tracks  101   a  and  101   b  respectively. The seats may be installed front-facing, in which a person (not shown) seating will be facing the front of the vehicle or back-facing, in which a person (not shown) seating will be facing the back of the vehicle. In  FIGS. 9-11 , the seats  901  and  903  are front-facing, in which the back of the seat is positioned rearwards. Alternately, the seats can be configured as a combination of front-facing and back-facing. For instance, one of the seats say  901  may be front-facing and the other seat  903  may be back-facing. Alternately, both the seats  901  and  903  may be back-facing. In the embodiment of present disclosure, the seat mounting assemblies are installed such that the U-handles are away from each other. Alternately, the seat mounting assemblies may be installed such that the U-handles are facing each other.