Patent Publication Number: US-2022227268-A1

Title: Seat assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/139,455, filed on Jan. 20, 2021, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates seat assemblies, including seat assemblies that may, for example, be utilized in connection with vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This background description is set forth below for the purpose of providing context only. Therefore, any aspect of this background description, to the extent that it does not otherwise qualify as prior art, is neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the instant disclosure. 
     Some seat designs may not provide sufficient functionality. For example and without limitation, some seat designs may not be configured to flip up into a storage position at a plurality of seatback frame angles without a significant risk of jamming a sliding connection or a sliding connection damaging a nearby component. 
     There is a desire for solutions/options that minimize or eliminate one or more challenges or shortcomings of seat assemblies. The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate examples of the present field and is not a disavowal of scope. 
     SUMMARY 
     In embodiments, a seat assembly may include a seat support configured to be fixed to a first mounting portion of a mounting surface; a seatback frame including an upper portion and a lower portion; a seat base including a seat base frame rotationally connected to the seat support, and a track movably connected to the seat base frame; and a linkage connecting the lower portion of the seatback frame with the track. The upper portion of the back frame may be configured to be rotationally connected to a second mounting portion of said mounting surface. 
     The foregoing and other potential aspects, features, details, utilities, and/or advantages of examples/embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent from reading the following description, and from reviewing the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       While the claims are not limited to a specific illustration, an appreciation of various aspects may be gained through a discussion of various examples. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, and certain features may be exaggerated or hidden to better illustrate and explain an innovative aspect of an example. Further, the exemplary illustrations described herein are not exhaustive or otherwise limiting, and embodiments are not restricted to the precise form and configuration shown in the drawings or disclosed in the following detailed description. Exemplary illustrations are described in detail by referring to the drawings as follows: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of a seat assembly in a first seating position. 
         FIGS. 1B and 1C  are side views generally illustrating an embodiment of a seat assembly a first seating configuration. 
         FIG. 1D  is a partial perspective view generally illustrating an embodiment of a seat assembly. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are perspective and side views, respectively, generally illustrating an embodiment of a seat assembly in a second seating configuration. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are perspective and side views, respectively, generally illustrating an embodiment of a seat assembly in a third seating configuration. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective and side views, respectively, generally illustrating an embodiment of a seat assembly in an intermediate configuration. 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are perspective and side views, respectively, generally illustrating an embodiment of a seat assembly in a storage configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view generally illustrating an embodiment of a seat assembly. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view generally illustrating an embodiment of a seat assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with embodiments and/or examples, they do not limit the present disclosure to these embodiments and/or examples. On the contrary, the present disclosure covers alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. 
     In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C , a seat assembly  20  may include a seat support  22 , a seat base frame  24 , and/or a seatback frame  26 . The seat assembly  20  may be connected to a mounting surface  30 , which may include one or more portions of a vehicle  32 . For example and without limitation, a first mounting portion  34  of the mounting surface  30  may include a vehicle floor, and/or a second mounting portion  36  of the mounting surface  30  may include a wall (e.g., a substantially vertical rear wall) of a vehicle  32 . A vehicle  32  may, for example, include a pickup truck. A seat assembly  20  may, for example, be disposed in a rear of a vehicle  32 , such as in the rear of a pickup truck cab, and may be rotationally fixed to a second mounting portion  36  (e.g., a rear wall of the pickup truck cab). 
     In embodiments, a seat assembly  20  may move between one or more first configurations (e.g., seating configurations), such as generally illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1C, 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3C , one or more intermediate configurations, such as generally illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , and/or a third configuration (e.g., a storage configuration), such as generally illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . The one or more intermediate configurations may be between the seating configurations and the storage configuration. 
     With embodiments, a seat support  22  may be connected (e.g., fixed) to the mounting surface  30 , such as to the first mounting portion  34 . The seat base frame  24  may be connected (e.g., rotationally connected) to the seat support  22  such that the seat base frame  24  may rotate relative to the seat support  22  and/or the mounting surface  30 , such as about a base frame rotational axis  40  that may be substantially parallel with a transverse/lateral direction of the seat assembly (e.g., a Y-direction). 
     In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in  FIG. 1A , a seat base frame  24  may include a first leg  50 , a second leg  52 , a cross member  54 , a first track  56 , a second track  58 , a cushion pan  60 , and/or a wire mat  62 . The legs  50 ,  52  may be disposed opposite each other, may extend generally in a forward direction (e.g., in an X-direction or at angle thereto, such as about 30 degrees or less) of the seat assembly  20  when the seat assembly  20  is in a first configuration, and/or may extend in a generally upward in vertical direction (e.g., in a Z-direction) when the seat assembly  20  is in a third configuration. The legs  50 ,  52  may, for example and without limitation, include L-shaped configurations (e.g., if viewed along the length of the leg). 
     In embodiments, a first track  56  may be connected to the first leg  50 . The first track  56  may include a first track portion  70  and/or a second track portion  72 . The first track portion  70  may be connected (e.g., fixed) to the first leg  50 . The second track portion  72  may be slidably connected with the first track portion  70  such that the second track portion  72  may slide relative to the first track portion  70 , the first leg  50 , the seat support  22 , and/or the mounting surface  30 . 
     With embodiments, a second track  58  may be connected to the second leg  52 . The second track  58  may include a first track portion  74  and/or a second track portion  76 . The first track portion  74  may be connected (e.g., fixed) to the second leg  52 . The second track portion  76  may be slidably connected with the first track portion  74  such that the second track portion  76  may slide relative to the first track portion  74 , the second leg  52 , the seat support  22 , and/or the mounting surface  30 . 
     In embodiments, sliding movement of a second track portion  72 ,  76  may be conducted manually and/or automatically (e.g., via a motor/actuator  80 ). A non-limiting example of a manual configuration is generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,340,125, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. A non-limiting example of an automatic/motorized configuration is generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,309, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. With some embodiments, a motor  80  may, for example, be connected to the cross member  54  to control sliding movement of a second track portion  72  of the first track  56  and/or of a second track portion  76  of the second track  58 . A cross member  54  and/or a cushion pan  60  may be connected to the second track portion  72  of the first track  56  and/or the second track portion  76  of the second track  58 . For example and without limitation, the cross member  54  and the cushion pan  60  may move (e.g., slide) with the second track portions  72 ,  76  to a plurality of track positions. A wire mat  62  may be connected to and/or move with the cross member  54  and the cushion pan  60 . The cushion pan  60  and/or the wire mat  62  may be configured to at least partially support a seat base cushion  82  on which a user/occupant may sit. The cushion pan  60  may extend beyond the front of the legs  50 ,  52  and/or the tracks  56 ,  58 . 
     With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , a seat base frame  24  may be connected to the seat support  22  at or about a rear of the seat base frame  24 . The front end of the seat base frame  24  may be free (e.g., may not be connected to the mounting surface  30  other than via the seat support  22 , which may not extend to the front of the seat base frame  24 ). For example and without limitation, the mounting surface  30  may not include latch for connecting the front of the seat base frame  24  to the mounting surface  30 . 
     With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D , a seatback frame  26  may be connected to a second mounting portion  36  of a mounting surface  30 . For example and without limitation, the seat assembly  20  and/or the mounting surface  30  may include a hinge  90  (e.g., joint, rotating connection, pivot, etc.) that may rotationally connect the seatback frame  26  to the second mounting portion  36 . The hinge  90  may be configured to facilitate adjustment (e.g., rotation) of the seatback frame  26  relative to the mounting surface  30 , such as about a seatback frame rotation axis  92  that may be substantially fixed relative to the mounting surface  30  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1B ). For example, the hinge  90  may restrict and/or prevent substantial translation/sliding of the seatback frame  26  relative to the mounting surface  30 . The seatback frame  26  may include an upper portion  94  that may be connected to and/or include at least part of the hinge  90 . The upper portion  94  may include an upper cross member  94 A that may be connected to and/or include at least part of the hinge  90  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1A ). 
     In embodiments, a seatback frame  26  may include a lower portion  96  that may be connected to the seat base frame  24 , such as via a linkage  100 . The lower portion  96  may include a lower cross member  96 A. The linkage  100  may include a first lever  102 , a first bracket  104 , a second lever  106 , and/or a second bracket  108 . The first bracket  104  may be connected (e.g., fixed) to the first track  56 , such as to the second track portion  72 . The second bracket  108  may be connected (e.g., fixed) to the second track  58 , such as to the second track portion  76 . For example, the bracket(s)  104 ,  108  may move/slide with the second track portion(s)  72 ,  76 . The first lever  102  may be connected (e.g., rotationally) to the seatback frame  26 , such as at or about the lower portion  96 , and/or may be connected (e.g., rotationally) to the first bracket  104 . The second lever  106  may be connected (e.g., rotationally) to the seatback frame  26 , such as at or about the lower portion  96 , and/or may be connected (e.g., rotationally) to the second bracket  108 . 
     With embodiments, a first lever first rotation axis  112  of the first lever  102  may be substantially fixed relative to the seatback frame  26  such that the first lever  102  and the seatback frame  26  can rotate relative to each other about the first lever first rotation axis  112  and may not substantially translate relative to each other. A first lever second rotation axis  114  of the first lever  102  may be substantially fixed relative to the first bracket  104  such that the first lever  102  and the first bracket  104  can rotate about the first lever second rotation axis  114  relative to each other and may not substantially translate relative to each other. 
     In embodiments, a second lever first rotation axis  116  of the second lever  106  may be substantially fixed relative to the seatback frame  26  such that the second lever  106  and the seatback frame  26  can rotate relative to each other about the second lever first rotation axis  116  and may not substantially translate relative to each other. A second lever second rotation axis  118  of the second lever  106  may be substantially fixed relative to the second bracket  108  such that the second lever  106  and the second bracket  108  can rotate relative to each other about second lever second rotation axis  118  and may not substantially translate relative to each other. The first lever first rotation axis  112  and the second lever first rotation axis  116  may be coaxial and/or may be substantially parallel to a Y-direction. The first lever second axis  114  and the second lever second rotation axis  118  may be coaxial and/or may be substantially parallel to a Y-direction. 
     With embodiments, the linkage  100  may be configured such that (i) the first rotation axes  112 ,  116  and the second axes  114 ,  118  may move relative to the seat support  22 , (ii) the first rotation axes  112 ,  116  may move with the seatback frame  26 , (iii) the second axes  114 ,  118  may move with the seat base frame  24 , and/or (iv) a seatback frame rotation axis  92  may be substantially fixed relative to the seat support  22 . 
     In embodiments, the axes  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  may move if the seat assembly  20  moves. For example, in a seating configuration of the seat assembly  20  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 1B ), the first lever first axis  112  and/or the second lever first axis  116  may be disposed at a greater height/distance from the first mounting portion  34  than the first lever second axis  114  and/or the second lever second axis  118 . In a storage configuration of the seat assembly  20  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5B ), the first lever second axis  114  and/or the second lever second axis  118  may be disposed at/move to a greater height/distance from the first mounting portion  34  than the first lever first axis  112  and/or the second lever first axis  116 . 
     With embodiments, movement of a second track portion  72 ,  76  may cause movement of the seatback frame  26  via the linkage  100 . For example, as a second track portion  72 ,  76  moves forward, forces may be transferred from the second track portion  72 ,  76  to the lower portion  96  of the seatback frame  26  via the linkage  100 , which may cause the seatback frame  26  to rotate via the hinge  90 . During movement of a second track portion  72 ,  76 , a lever  102 ,  106  may rotate relative to a bracket  104 ,  108  and/or the seatback frame  26 . For example and without limitation, with reference to the view of the embodiment generally illustrated in  FIG. 1B , as a second track portion  72 ,  76  moves forward (e.g., generally to the left), the seatback frame  26  may rotate clockwise, and a lever  102 ,  106  may rotate, at least to some degree, counterclockwise relative to the seatback frame  26  and/or relative to a corresponding bracket  104 ,  108  (e.g., about one or more of axes  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 ). 
     In embodiments, rotation of the seatback frame  26 , which may be controlled at least partially via the tracks  56 ,  58 , may adjust the angle  110  of the seatback frame  26 , which may correspond to a seating/comfort angle for an occupant. For example, a user may adjust the seatback frame  26  between a first angle that may be relatively upright (see e.g.,  FIGS. 1A-1C ), one or a plurality of second/intermediate angles that may be less upright/more relaxed (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 2A and 2B ), and/or a third angle that may be the least upright/most relaxed (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 3A and 3B ). The seat assembly  20  may, for example, be referred to as a slouching seat, and/or the angles of the seatback frame  26  may be referred to as slouching angles. A difference between the first angle and the third angle may, for example and without limitation, be about 15 degrees, or more or less. The second track portions  72 ,  76  of the track  56 ,  58  may be moved to/disposed in a first/retracted track position to set the seatback frame  26  at the first angle. The second track portions  72 ,  76  may be moved to/disposed in a plurality of intermediate track positions to set the seatback frame  26  at second/intermediate angles. The second track portions  72 ,  76  may be moved to/disposed in a third/extended position to set the seatback frame  26  at the third angle. 
     In embodiments, a seat assembly  20  may be configured to move between a seating configuration (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1A-3B ) and a storage configuration (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 5A and 5B ). The seat assembly  20  may include a seat base frame adjuster  120  that may be configured to control movement of the seat base frame  24  between the seating configuration and the storage configuration. The seat base frame adjuster  120  may include a lock or detent  122  and/or a biasing member  124 . The lock  122  (e.g., a pin, lever, cam, etc.) may selectively restrict and/or prevent rotation of the seat base frame  24 . The biasing member  124  (e.g., a spring, a spiral strip spring, etc.) may be configured to bias the seat base frame  24  toward the storage position such that when the lock  122  is disengaged, the seat base frame  24  may move, on its own and/or with user assistance, toward the storage configuration. 
     With embodiments, a linkage  100  may be configured to facilitate and/or allow the seat assembly  20  to be moved (e.g., flipped up) into the storage configuration in a plurality of track positions of the second track portions  72 ,  76  and/or angles of the seatback frame  26 . For example, the linkage  100  may permit the seat base frame  24  to be rotated upward when second track portions  72 ,  76  and the seatback frame  26  are (i) in a first/retracted track position and at a first angle, respectively, (ii) in one or more second/intermediate positions and at one or more second angles, respectively, and (iii) in a third/extended track position and at a third angle, respectively. The seat assembly  20  may, for example, be configured to be moved to a storage configuration without first moving the seatback frame  26  to a particular position (e.g., an initial position) and/or without the a second track portion  72 ,  76  moving relative to a first track portion  70 ,  74 . The linkage  100  may, for example and without limitation, be configured as a lost motion linkage. 
     In embodiments, a seat assembly  20  may include a headrest  132 . The headrest  132  may be connected to the second mounting portion  36  of the mounting surface  30 . For example and without limitation, a headrest bracket  134  may be connected (e.g., fixed) to the second mounting portion  36 , such as proximate and/or below a glass portion  130  of the second mounting portion  36 . The headrest  132  may be selectively connected to the headrest bracket  134 . The headrest  132  may not be directly connected to the seatback frame  26 , the seat base frame  24 , and/or the seat support  22 . For example, the headrest  132  may not move with seatback frame  26  and/or the seat base frame  24 . 
     With embodiments, as the second track portions  72 ,  76  move along first track portions  70 ,  74 , the seatback frame  26  may rotate, such as via a hinge  90 , and may not translate to a substantial degree. Additionally or alternatively, if a seat assembly  20  moves between a seating configuration and a storage configuration, the seatback frame  26  may rotate, such as via a hinge  90 , and may not translate to a substantial degree. Limiting or preventing translation of the seatback frame  26  may facilitate avoiding contact between the seatback frame  26  and the second mounting portion  36 , which, in some circumstances, may include a glass portion  130  (e.g., a rear window), and it may be desirable to avoid such contact to prevent damage to or breaking of the glass portion  130 . For example, with other embodiments, such as the seat assembly  20 ′ generally illustrated in  FIG. 6 , an upper portion  94 ′ of the seatback frame  26 ′ may be connected to a mounting surface  30 ′ via a relatively long sliding connection  90 ′, the seat base frame  24 ′ may be connected to the mounting surface  30 ′ for rotation about an axis  40 ′ that may be offset from the sliding connection  90 ′, and the seatback frame  26 ′ may be rotationally connected with the seat base frame  24 ′ via a one-piece bracket  100 ′ that may be fixed to the seat base frame  24 ′. In some circumstances, such as if a headrest  132 ′ is connected to the seatback frame  26 ′, the sliding connection  90 ′ and/or the upper portion  94 ′ may rotate and/or slide into contact with a glass portion  130 ′ during sliding movement of the seatback frame  26 ′, which may damage or break the glass portion  130 ′. 
     In embodiments, as a seat assembly  20  moves between seating and storage configurations, the seatback frame  26  may not substantially rotate (e.g., if the second track portions  72 ,  76  are in a first/retracted position), and/or may rotate in at least one direction. For example and without limitation, if a seat assembly  20  moves from a seating configuration in which the second track portions  72 ,  76  are in or proximate an extended position, the seatback frame  26  may initially rotate inward (e.g., toward the second mounting portion  36 ) and then may rotate, at least to some degree, outward (e.g., away from the second mounting portion  36 ) as the seat assembly  20  approaches the storage position. 
     In embodiments, a linkage  100  connecting a seat base frame  24  with a seatback frame  26  may not include a sliding connection (e.g., may include a rotational connection that does not permit substantial sliding/translation), and/or the seatback frame  26  may be connected to the mounting surface  30  without a sliding connection (e.g., may include a rotational connection that does not permit substantial sliding/translation), which may facilitate avoiding jamming of a pin/bolt in a slot. With some other embodiments, such as the seat assembly  200  generally illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a connecting member  202  may include a slot  204 , and a pin  206  of the seatback frame  26 ′ maybe disposed in the slot  204 . The top of seatback frame  226  may be rotationally fixed via a fixed pivot  208 . In some circumstances, as the seatback frame  226  rotates, the pin  206  may become jammed in the slot  204 , such as due, at least in part, to the rigidity of the seatback frame  226 . A linkage  100 , which may not be configured for sliding movement, may have a lower potential of jamming. 
     Various examples/embodiments are described herein for various apparatuses, systems, and/or methods. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the examples/embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the examples/embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the examples/embodiments described in the specification. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the examples/embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments. 
     Reference throughout the specification to “examples, “in examples,” “with examples,” “various embodiments,” “with embodiments,” “in embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example/embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “examples, “in examples,” “with examples,” “in various embodiments,” “with embodiments,” “in embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples/embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment/example may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features, structures, functions, and/or characteristics of one or more other embodiments/examples without limitation given that such combination is not illogical or non-functional. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. 
     It should be understood that references to a single element are not necessarily so limited and may include one or more of such element. Any directional references (e.g., plus, minus, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader&#39;s understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of examples/embodiments. 
     Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements, relative movement between elements, direct connections, indirect connections, fixed connections, movable connections, operative connections, indirect contact, and/or direct contact. As such, joinder references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected/coupled and in fixed relation to each other. Connections of electrical components, if any, may include mechanical connections, electrical connections, wired connections, and/or wireless connections, among others. Uses of “e.g.” and “such as” in the specification are to be construed broadly and are used to provide non-limiting examples of embodiments of the disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited to such examples. Uses of “and” and “or” are to be construed broadly (e.g., to be treated as “and/or”). For example and without limitation, uses of “and” do not necessarily require all elements or features listed, and uses of “or” are inclusive unless such a construction would be illogical. 
     While processes, systems, and methods may be described herein in connection with one or more steps in a particular sequence, it should be understood that such methods may be practiced with the steps in a different order, with certain steps performed simultaneously, with additional steps, and/or with certain described steps omitted. 
     All matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the present disclosure.