Patent Publication Number: US-2021162898-A1

Title: Personal transportation vehicle with pivoting seat and cargo bay

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED INFORMATION 
     This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/872,678, filed Jan. 16, 2018, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application generally relates to a personal transportation vehicle and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a personal transportation vehicle with a pivoting seat configured to form a wall for a cargo bay. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Personal transport vehicles such as golf carts, all-terrain vehicles, utility vehicles or the like can include seating areas and separate cargo areas. Some existing vehicles have various shortcomings relative to certain applications. Accordingly, there remains a need for further contributions in this area of technology. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique pivoting seat arrangement for a personal transportation vehicle. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for pivoting a seat to form a wall for a cargo bay. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a personal utility vehicle having a movable seat configured to convert to a cargo bay according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of a portion of the personal utility vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is another perspective view of a portion of the personal utility vehicle of  FIG. 1  with the seat in a second position to form a wall of a cargo bay; 
         FIG. 4  is another perspective view of a portion of the personal utility vehicle of  FIG. 3  including a movable portion of a platform of the cargo bay; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a positioning tool; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional side view of the positioning tool of  FIG. 5 ; and 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  are partial perspective views of the personal utility vehicle with a person using the positioning tool to maneuver and lock/unlock the seat to a support rail. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , perspective views of a personal utility vehicle or cart  10  are illustrated therein. The utility vehicle  10  can include a front seat  12  and rear seat  14  to carry one or more passengers as is customary. The utility cart  10  includes a chassis  15  with steering means  16 , a motive source  18  such as a gas or electric motor and typically three or more wheels  19  capable of traversing over paved or unpaved terrain. The utility vehicle  10  may include a rear support floor  20  for holding items to be transported or for a foot rest or the like. A support rack or rail  22  may extend from the rear support floor  20  and may include means  23  for pivoting or otherwise permit movement of the support rail  22  relative to the rear support floor  20 . The rear seat  14  can include a seat back  30  and a seat bottom  32  constructed with opposing side restraint walls or rails  24 ,  26  positioned at either side thereof. The first and second side restraint walls or rails  24 ,  26  are configured to prevent passengers from unintentionally moving or otherwise falling out of the side of the utility vehicle  10  when the utility vehicle  10  is moving around corners or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a perspective view of a portion of the utility cart  10  is illustrated. A seat bottom  32  may include a first side  40  that includes a cushion  42  or other type of material for comfortable seating of a passenger during operation of the vehicle  10 . The seat bottom  32  can include a second side  44  that can be formed from an impact resistance material such as plastic, metal or a composite material and the like. The seat bottom  32  is connected via a hinge  46  to a platform  48  positioned below the seat bottom  32  when the seat bottom  32  is in a first or conventional position. The seat bottom  32  may be pivoted about the hinge  46  when moved to an upright position away from the platform  48  in a second position. A cargo bay  62  is formed between the seat bottom  32  and the seat back  30  when the seat is moved to the second position. The hinge  46  can extend between a first end  50  and a second end  52  of the seat bottom  32  along the length of the platform  48 . In this configuration, the cargo bay  62  is bound on one side of the seat bottom  32  and on the other side by the seat back  30 . The cargo bay  62  is further bound at either end  50 ,  52  by the first side restraint wall  24  and the second side restraint wall  26 . 
     In some forms, the first and second side restraint walls  24 ,  26  are configured to receive a side panel  80  positioned between an arm rest portion  70  and the platform  48 . The panels  80  may substantially form a solid wall to prevent items from inadvertently being displaced from the cargo bay  62  along the sides thereof. In some embodiments, the panels  80  may include two or more sub-panels such as sub-panels  82 ,  84  that can be connected together by one or more connectors  86 . In one form, the connectors  86  can be formed from a tongue  88  and groove  90  configuration extending from adjacent sub-panels  82 ,  84 . The connectors  86  are operable to prevent relative movement between the sub-panels  82 ,  84 . One or more securing brackets  100  may connect and removably hold the panels  80  to the side rails  24 ,  26 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment, a positioning tool  110  may be utilized to hold the rear seat  32  in the second position. The positioning tool  110  includes a first connector  112  and a second connector  114  at opposite ends for connecting to the rear support rail  22  and a portion of the seat bottom  32  to hold the seat bottom  32  at a desired location away from the platform  48 . In one form a seat connector bar  120  may be coupled to the seat bottom  32  to provide means for receiving the second connector  114  of the positioning tool  110 . In one form the seat bottom  32  may be located in a substantially vertical position in the second position. In other forms the seat bottom  32  may be held in position that is greater than a 90° angle and in other embodiments the seat bottom  32  may be held in a position that is less than vertical or 90° relative to the platform  48 . It should be understood that other means to hold the rear seat  32  in the second position are contemplated herein. By way of example and not limitation, locking pins, gears, propping bars, etc. may be utilized in alternate embodiments. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , another view of a portion of the utility vehicle  10  is illustrated wherein the platform  48  of the cargo bay  62  includes a movable portion  130  bounded by an outer fixed portion  132  positioned around the movable portion  130 . When the seat bottom  32  is positioned in the second position, a release handle  140  coupled to the movable portion  130  can be accessed and pulled upward so as to pivot the movable portion  130  about one or more platform hinges  142 . The movable portion  130  may pivot relative to the fixed portion  132  to open and permit access to a lower cargo region (not shown), In this manner additional storage is accessible in the utility vehicle  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a perspective view of the positioning tool  110  and a cross-section side view of the positioning tool  110  are illustrated. The positioning tool  110  can include an elongate rod  200  extending between a first end  202  and a second end  204 . The elongate rod  200  can be formed from various cross-sectional shapes including the one depicted which has a square or rectangular cross-section, however other forms may include other shapes to form the elongate rod  200 . Also, while the exemplary embodiment illustrates a substantially straight rod  200 , some embodiments may require a rod  200  with one or more bends or curves and the like. 
     A first connector  112  extends from the first end  202  and a second connector  114  extends from the second end  204 . The first connector  112  includes a first extension arm  206  extending generally at a 90° or greater angle from the rod  200  as illustrated. The first extension arm  206  includes an inner engagement surface  208  on the inner side thereof. A second extension arm  210  extends generally at a 90° or greater angle from the elongate rod  200  in similar fashion to the first extension arm  206 . The second extension arm  210  includes an inner engagement surface  212  on the inner side thereof. The first and second extension arms  206 ,  210  of the first connector  112  can include a first lip  214  and a second lip  216 , respectively, that only extends inward at a distal end of the extension arms  206 ,  210 . The protruding lips  214 ,  216  provide a clamp or press fit connection about the support rail  22  (not shown). The first connector  112  includes a top wall  218  that extends between the first and second arms  206 ,  210 . A handle  220  may extend from the top wall  218  of the first connector  112 . The handle  220  may include a first portion  222  spaced apart from the top wall  218  with an angled transition portion  223  extending from the first portion to a second portion  224  that extends substantially parallel along a partial length of the elongate rod  200 . The handle  220  is configured to provide a hand grip to permit one to hold and maneuver the positioning tool  110  while connecting or disconnecting the positioning tool  110  to the vehicle  10 . The first and second extension arms  206  and  210  are configured to guide the first connector  112  over a top portion of the support rail  22  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and can clamp around a bottom portion of the support rail  22  with the first and second lips  214 ,  216 . The protruding lips  214 ,  216  prevent an inadvertent removal of the positioning tool  110  from the support rail  22  due to the interference fit of the lips  214 ,  216  with the rail  22 . 
     The second connector  114  includes a top wall  230  extending from the second end  204  of the elongate rod  200 . A first arm  232  and second arm  234  can extend from the top wall  230 . The first arm  232  extends at an acute angle from the top wall  230  toward the second arm  234 . The first arm  232  of the second connector  214  can include an outer wall  236  extending from a bottom side  203  of the elongate rod  200 . An internal engagement wall  238  can be formed on the other side of the first arm  232 . The acute angle of the engagement wall  238  forms an acute locking radius  239  between the top wall  230  and the first arm  232 . 
     The second arm  234  of the second connector  114  includes an outer side wall  242  generally extending orthogonally from an engagement surface  240  of the top wall  230  proximate the bottom side  203  of the rod  200 . An engagement surface  244  of the second arm  234  is generally formed in an orthogonal direction from the elongate rod  200 . The angle may vary from the orthogonal position in other embodiments. The opposing engagement surfaces  238 ,  244  of the first and second arms  232 ,  234  provide a connecting or engagement means for attaching the positioning tool  110  to the seat connector bar  120 . In operation the second connector  114  of the positioning tool  110  is attached to the connector bar  120  at an incident angle sufficient to permit the angled first arm  232  to slide around a lower ledge  121  of the connector bar  120  (see  FIG. 3 ). The incident angle of the angled wall  238  permits the first arm  232  of the second connector  114  to slide under the lower ledge  121  of the connector bar  120  when the first connector  112  is held above the support rail  22 . The second connector  114  is pivoted or rotated about the connector bar  120  as the first connector  112  is lowered in a substantially vertical direction to clamp down over the support rail  22 . The angled engagement wall  238  of the second connector  114  will be removably locked under the lower ledge  121  (see  FIG. 3 ) of the seat connector bar  120  and thus prevent the second connector  114  from being removed from the seat connector bar  120  unless the handle  220  is lifted upward to provide the proper angle for removal of the second connector  114 . The positioning tool  110  cannot be inadvertently be removed from the support rail  22  and the seat bottom  32 , therefore the seat bottom will remain in a second position until the positioning tool  110  is intentionally disconnected from the support rail  22  and the seat bottom  32 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the positioning tool  110  can be used to maneuver and lock or unlock the seat  14  to a support rail  22 . An operator can grip the positioning tool  110  with one hand  300  and attach the second connector  114  to the seat connector bar  120  and raise or lower the seat  14  when maneuvering the seat between the first position (seating position) and the second position (wall for cargo bay). When the handle  220  is depressed by “squeezing” the second portion  224  (see  FIG. 8 ), the second extension arm  210  deflects apart from the first extension arm  206  at an angle away from an outer sidewall  275  of the support rail  22  as one skilled in the art would readily understand. When the second extension arm  210  is deflected the second lip  216  is displaced such that it can be attached or removed to/from an underside  277  of the support rail  22  depending on whether the seat  14  is being moved to the first or second positions. 
     In one aspect the present disclosure includes a utility vehicle comprising: a pivotable seat connected by a hinge to a fixed platform, the seat configured to pivot between a first position and a second position, the first position defining a standard seat location and a second position defining a first wall of a cargo bay; a seatback configured to form a second wall of a cargo bay when the pivotable seat is in the second position; and first and second opposing side walls positioned on either side of the pivotable seat, the side walls configured to form side barriers for the cargo bay when the pivotable seat is in the second position. 
     In refining aspects the pivotable seat includes a seat cushion on a first side and an impact resistant material on a second side; wherein the platform includes an outer surface made from impact resistant material; wherein the side walls are defined by a rail member having an open interior region configured to form an arm rest at opposing ends of the pivotable seat; further comprising a removable panel connected to each of the rail members to form a barrier across the open interior region; wherein the panel includes a plurality of sub-panels; wherein the sub-panels include tongue and groove connectors configured to connect the sub-panels together; further comprising one or more brackets configured to connect the panel to the rail; further comprising a positioning device connectable to a support rail and the pivotable seat, the positioning device configured to hold the pivotable seat in the second position; wherein the positioning device includes an elongate rod having first and second connectors extending from either end; wherein the first connector includes first and second arms projecting in parallel away from the rod, the first and second arms of the first connector being configured to engage with a portion of the support rail and include a lip projecting inward at a distal end of each arm to extend partially across a bottom portion of the support rail; and wherein the second connector includes first and second arms configured to engage with a seat connector bar, wherein at least one of the first and second arms projects away from the rod at an oblique angle. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a method for converting a seating area to a cargo bay in a personal transportation vehicle, the method comprising: connecting a seat bottom to a platform via a hinge; pivoting the seat bottom about the hinge such that a bottom wall of the seat bottom is angularly displaced from the platform; forming one wall of the cargo bay with the angularly displaced seat bottom; forming an opposing wall of the cargo bay with the seat back; and forming opposing side walls of the cargo bay with a pair of side restraints connected between the seat bottom and the seat back. 
     In refining aspects, the method further comprises connecting a panel to each of the side restraints; latching the seat bottom to a fixed member of the vehicle to hold the seat bottom in the angularly displaced position; wherein the latching includes sliding a pair of arms extending from either end of an elongate rod over portions of the fixed member and a seat connector bar. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure includes: a chassis having a motive source, a steering mechanism and a plurality of wheels; a seat having a movable seat bottom and a seat back connected to the chassis; a stationary rail extending from the chassis; a cargo bay formed by moving the seat bottom from a substantially horizontal position to a second position, wherein in the second position the seat bottom defines one wall of the cargo bay and the seat back defines an opposing wall of the cargo bay: and first and second side restraints extending between the seat back and the seat bottom along opposing sides of the cargo bay. 
     In refining aspects, the side restraints include detachable panels structured to form barriers at the first and second sides of the cargo bay; wherein the second position is substantially vertical; further comprising a positioning device connected between the stationary rail and the seat bottom to hold the seat bottom in the second position; wherein the positioning device is defined by an elongate rod having first and second connectors extending from either end thereof, each of the first and second connectors includes a pair of arms spaced apart from one another and configured to engage portions of the stationary rail and a connector bar associated with the seat bottom, respectively. 
     In another aspect of the present disclosure includes a positioning tool for a positioning a seat on a utility vehicle comprising: an elongate rod having first and second connectors extending from opposing ends thereof; wherein the first connector includes a first pair of arms having first and second lips projecting toward one another at distal ends thereof, the first pair of arms spaced apart from one another and configured to engage portions of a support; wherein the second connector includes a second pair of arms spaced apart from one another and configured to engage portions of the seat, at least one of the second pair of arms extending at an oblique angle from the elongate rod; and a handle attached to the elongate rod proximate the first end, the handle operable to deflect the first pair of arms apart from one another when depressed toward the elongate rod. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary. 
     Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.