Abstract:
A system and method to configure the back seats of a passenger vehicle to provide easy vehicle ingress and egress and to configure the back seats for a flat or near flat load (cargo) floor.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS  
       [0001]     This application is a PCT international patent application claiming priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/516477 filed Oct. 31, 2003 which is incorporated herein by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to the field of vehicle seats and more particularly relates to a vehicle stadium/slide seat system, specifically for second and third row automotive seats.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     It is known to provide a vehicle seat, for example, an automotive seat having a reclining back. It is also known to provide a vehicle seat having a reclining back and an independently movable seat base. It is also known to provide a vehicle seat having a movable seat base that pivots to an upright position. It is also known to provide a vehicle seat that slides from one position to another position along tracks in the vehicle floor.  
         [0004]     Notwithstanding the known devices, there remains a significant need to develop a vehicle seat having a seat base and seat back which is capable of pivoting to a flat position to act as a load floor for cargo storage. Further, there remains a need to provide a vehicle seat that includes a seat cushion that can rotate forward to a vertical position and a seat back to release and move forward to allow easy vehicle ingress/egress. Further, there remains a need to provide a vehicle seat having an indicator to notify a user of a predetermined condition of the seat base.  
         [0005]     It is desirable to provide a vehicle seat that provides one or more of these or other advantageous features. Other features and advantages will be made apparent from the present description.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     There is provided a system and method to configure the second and third row seats of a passenger vehicle to provide easy vehicle ingress and egress and to configure the second and third row seats for a flat or near flat load (cargo) floor.  
         [0007]     There is provided a method for facilitating vehicle ingress and egress with a vehicle including at least one row of back seats coupled to the vehicle in a seat track and having a vehicle stadium/slide seat system, with each seat back having a seat cushion and seat back. The method comprising the steps of manipulating a flip-forward mechanism associated with at least one of the back seats rotating the seat cushion. Moving the back seat in the seat track to a preselected position. The method may also include the step of locking the back seat in the preselected position.  
         [0008]     There is also provided a method for facilitating stowing of the back seat of a vehicle having at least one row of back seats coupled to the vehicle in a seat track, with each seat back having a seat cushion and seat back. The method comprising the steps of manipulating a stow lever associated with at least one of the back seats. Rotating the seat back to a position adjacent to the seat cushion. The method may also include the step of rotating the seat back to a design position. The method may also include the step of moving the seat along the seat track to a preselected position. The method may also include the step of locking the seat in the preselected position.  
         [0009]     There is further provided a vehicle stadium/slide seat system mounted on one side of the vehicle seat, with the vehicle seat coupled to a vehicle in a seat track and with the vehicle seat having a seat cushion and seat back. The vehicle seat/slide seat system includes a flip-forward mechanism comprising a linkage assembly coupled to the seat track. A seat bracket is coupled to the linkage assembly and the seat cushion. An easy-entry lever is coupled to the linkage assembly and configured to release a track engagement device coupled to the linkage assembly, wherein the vehicle seat can be moved to one of a design position and an easy-entry position. The vehicle stadium/slide seat system also includes a stow lever coupled to the seat back and configured to lock and release the seat back and allow the seat back to rotate to one of a design position and a stowed position. The vehicle stadium/slide seat system can also include a locking device to lock the seat in a position along the seat track.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a partial side sectional view of a vehicle interior including an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle stadium/slide seat system for second and third row seats.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of a vehicle interior including an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle stadium/slide seat system, with one seat in an easy-entry position.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a partial side sectional view of a vehicle interior including an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle stadium/slide seat system with second and third row seats in a stowed position.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of a second row seat of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle stadium/slide seat system in a design (seating) position.  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of a second row seat of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle stadium/slide seat system in a stow position.  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a partial perspective view of a second row seat of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle stadium/slide seat system in an easy-entry position.  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a partial perspective front aspect view of a user commencing to exit from a third row seat in a vehicle having a vehicle stadium/slide seat system, with a second row seat in an easy-entry position.  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a partial perspective rear aspect view of a user commencing to enter a vehicle with a second row seat in an easy-entry position.  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is an exemplary embodiment of vehicle seats configured in a 60/40% seat structure.  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary embodiment of vehicle seats configured in a 40/40% seat structure.  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a second row seat of a vehicle stadium/slide seat system in a design (seating) position.  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a second row seat of a vehicle stadium/slide seat system in an easy-entry position and a third row seat in a design position.  
         [0022]      FIG. 13  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a second row seat of a vehicle stadium/slide seat system in a stowed position and a third row seat in a stowed position.  
         [0023]      FIGS. 14   a - g  are side views of a second row seat of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle stadium/slide seat system illustrating the motion of the seat from a design position ( 14   a ) to an easy-entry position ( 14   g ).  
         [0024]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle seat configured in a 40% seat structure without cushions and illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a flip-forward mechanism and rear track engagement device.  
         [0025]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle seat configured in a 60% seat structure without cushions and illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a flip-forward mechanism and rear track engagement device.  
         [0026]      FIG. 17  is an illustration of seat tracks in the floor of a vehicle.  
         [0027]      FIG. 18  is an illustration of exemplary embodiment of a non-removable seat mounted in the seat tracks and illustrating the seat-to-track interface.  
         [0028]      FIG. 19  is an illustration of the removable vehicle seat coupled to a seat track.  
         [0029]      FIG. 20  is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a seat release handle to release the seat from a vehicle track.  
         [0030]      FIG. 21  is an illustration of exemplary embodiment of a vehicle seat coupled to a seat track and illustrating various seat manipulation controls.  
         [0031]      FIG. 22  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a removable seat attachment mechanism.  
         [0032]      FIG. 23  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of vehicle seat floor attachment features with the vehicle seat removed. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]     Before beginning the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, several general comments are warranted about the applicability and the scope of the present invention.  
         [0034]     First, the illustrations relate to a seat (also can be referred to as a chair) particularly adapted for motor vehicles, such as cars, SUVs, vans, trucks, buses and the like, but the invention is applicable also to seating used in aircraft, railroad vehicles, nautical vehicles or other environments. The illustrated seat is a back seat of a van or SUV and is also referred to as a stadium seat. The seat typically is located in the second and third rows of a vehicle. The seat may be configured as a bucket seat, split seat or a bench-type seat. The seat can be configured to a 20%, 40% or 60% seat structure.  
         [0035]     Second, the seat of the present invention is illustrated in the FIGURE as a padded seat having certain contours, trim and the like. While this configuration is presently preferred, a wide variety of seat configurations and appearances will benefit from use of the mechanical support and movement mechanisms. Also the exterior of the seat can be covered by fabric, vinyl, leather or other materials known and used in the seating art.  
         [0036]     Third, with regard to the seat described later herein, substantial modifications can be made without departing from the invention&#39;s intended scope. For example, while certain mechanical systems are described to move seat components to achieve certain results, other mechanisms, manual or powered could be substituted therefore. For example, where a screw drive is used in moving the thorax pivot location, other mechanical equivalents including, but not limited to, four bar linkages, air or hydraulic cylinders, air bladders, rack and pinion systems, cams and cables, gears, etc. could be employed. They could be replaced by other known or subsequently developed support mechanisms. These mechanisms do not, in and of themselves, form part of the present invention, but when combined with the other pivot, support, rotation and moving mechanisms define the invention and result in more comfortable seating for the occupant.  
         [0037]     Referring generally to the Figures there is shown a vehicle seat  10  for use in a vehicle  5  of any known type. The vehicle seat  10  includes a seat cushion frame  12  which supports a cushioned seat  14  and a seat back frame  16  supporting a seat back  18 . Seat cushion frame  12  and seat back frame  16  are independently pivotally connected to a seat bracket  20  (See  FIGS. 15 and 16 ). The seat  10  can be either a manually adjustable seat or may be provided with electric motors to provide automated adjustment and electronic control of the seat. Such manipulation can be accomplished by the use of a change of position mechanism coupled to the seat back frame  16  and seat cushion frame  12 . It is also contemplated that two separate mechanisms may be used to provide flexibility in seat configuration. The change of position mechanism may provide for the seat back frame  16  to move in proportional relation to the seat cushion frame  12  at a predetermined ratio. The seat  10  is connected to the vehicle floor  6  of a vehicle  5  in any of a variety of configurations or designs which allow for the movement and adjustment of the seat  10  within the vehicle  5  for example, seat tracks  22  as illustrated in FIGS.  2 ,  4 - 6 ,  9 - 10 , and  17 - 21  can be utilized. The vehicle seat  10  may optionally include a headrest which may also be adjustable with respect to an occupant of the seat  10  such as any known or appropriate headrest.  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a user can exit the vehicle as shown in  FIG. 7  or enter the vehicle as shown in  FIG. 8  by activating the vehicle stadium/slide seat system  11 .  FIGS. 14   a  through  14   g  illustrate the movement of the second row  30  seat  10  from the design position  34  to the easy-entry position  38 . The user rotates or pulls the easy-entry lever  52  located on the side of the seat  10  and lifting the seat cushion  14  upward. It should be understood that a biasing device or a motorized device can facilitate such seat cushion  14  movement. The seat cushion  14  and seat cushion frame  12  unlatches and rotates forward. The seat back  18  and seat back frame  16  will articulate forward at approximately the same time as the seat cushion  14  is moving. In an exemplary embodiment of a vehicle stadium/slide seat system  11 , the seat back  14  will articulate approximately 200 mm. The complete seat  10  can then be slid forward in the seat track  22  towards the front of the vehicle  5  to the easy-entry position  38 . Exemplary embodiments of the vehicle stadium/slide seat system  11  can provide for the seat  10  forward movement of approximately 200 to 400 mm of total travel distance.  
         [0039]     To return the stadium seat  10  to its design position  34 , the user will grasp the release handle  52  to relocate the seat  10  from the full forward position and pull rearward. The seat cushion  14  will return to its design position  34  and the rear track engagement device  42  of the seat  10  will relatch in the seat track  22  in the full forward seating position.  
         [0040]     An occupant in the third row seats  32  can activate the stadium seat  10  in the second row  30  by reaching to the side of the seat  10  and rotating the easy-entry lever  52  as described above and push the seat  10  forward to the easy-entry position  38 .  
         [0041]     The movement of the stadium seat  10  as described above is facilitated by a flip-forward mechanism  40  which is coupled to a seat bracket  20 . A flip-forward mechanism  40  is mounted on each side of the seat  10 . (See.  FIGS. 9, 10  and  15 ,  16 .) A rear track engagement device  42  is coupled to the flip-forward mechanism  40  and engages the seat track  22 . During the movement of the seat  10  from the design position  34  to the easy-entry position  38 , the rear track engagement device  42  releases from the seat track  22  which allows the seat back  18  to articulate forward as described above. In the movement from the easy-entry position  38  back to the design position  34  as described above, the rear track engagement device  42  will re-engage with the track  22 . Additional features of the seat track  22  and seat  10  interface are illustrated in  FIGS. 17-23 .  
         [0042]     Another feature of the vehicle stadium/slide seat system  11  is the ability of the second and third row seats  30 ,  32  to assume a stow flat configuration  36 . To activate the stow flat position  36 , a stow lever  50  is pulled to unlock the seat back  18  and rotate the seat back  18  forward as shown in  FIGS. 3, 5  and  13 . The seat cushion  14  will stow forward as the seat back  18  rotates to a down position as shown in  FIGS. 3, 5  and  13 . Such operation is performed on the seats of the second row  30  and the third row seats  32  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The second row seat  30  can be pushed back to a full rear position to close any gap between the second row  30  and third row seats  32 . It should be noted by sliding the second row seat  30  to the most rearward position eliminates the need of a flipper panel between the second and third row seats.  
         [0043]     To position the seats  10  from a stowed flat position  36  to the design position  34 , the stow lever  52  is pulled to unlock the seat back  18  from the down position and lift the seat back  18  up. The seat cushion  14  will return to the seating or design position  34 . The seat  10  can then be moved along the seat track  22  fore or aft as desired by an occupant.  
         [0044]     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components or the two components and any additional member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature  
         [0045]     Although the disclosed embodiments have been described in some detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made to the embodiments without departing from their spirit and scope.