Patent Publication Number: US-7222832-B2

Title: Support mechanism

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to support mechanisms and, more particularly, to seat-support mechanisms adapted for use with fishing boat seats. It is known in the art to provide fishing boat seats, which are movable between a deployed position (i.e., a generally elevated position) for use while fishing from the boat and a stowed position (i.e., a generally lowered position) for use while operating the boat. A deployed seat position, which is generally elevated from the boat&#39;s deck, is desirable because it provides the fisherman with an optimal view of his surroundings and more unobstructed space for operating fishing gear. A stowed position, in which the seat is generally adjacent the boat&#39;s deck, is desirable during operation of the boat, because it provides a lower center of gravity and greater stability while the boat is moving. 
   However, many prior art fishing boat seats, which are movable between such deployed and stowed positions, occupy an unnecessarily large amount of space on the boat&#39;s deck, leaving less room for fishing gear, etc. Moreover, in many cases, the support mechanisms for such movable boat seats are cumbersome and difficult to adjust between deployed and stowed positions, which is particularly undesirable in an environment where balance is already a challenge. 
   Thus, there is a need for an improved boat seat support mechanism. It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a boat seat support mechanism, which is structurally stable yet easy to adjust between deployed and stowed positions, without the need to manipulate complicated controls. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a boat seat support mechanism, which provides generally vertical (i.e., “over-the-center”) movement of the seat between its deployed and stowed positions, so as to take up less space on the boat deck. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In general, a support mechanism for a seat comprises a base member, first and second support arms, first and second synchronizing arms, and a load-supporting platform. The base member is adapted for supporting the support mechanism from a support surface, such as a boat deck. The load supporting platform is adapted for supporting a seat. 
   The first support arm has a distal end pivotally connected to a pivot bracket and a proximal end operatively connected to the base member. The first support arm is connected to these components in a manner to permit pivoting movement of the first support arm relative to the support surface between a stowed position and a deployed position. The distal end of the first support arm is generally adjacent the support surface when the first support arm is in its stowed position and is spaced from the support surface when the first support arm is in its deployed position. The first synchronizing arm is generally adjacent to the first support arm. The first synchronizing arm has a distal end pivotally connected to the pivot bracket and a proximal end operatively connected to the base member in a manner to permit pivoting movement of the first synchronizing arm relative to the support surface. The first synchronizing arm and first support arm are operatively connected to the pivot bracket and base member in a manner so that the first synchronizing arm and first support arm maintain a substantially parallel relationship with one another throughout the entire range of movement of the first support arm between its stowed and deployed positions. 
   The second support arm has a distal end pivotally connected to the pivot bracket and a proximal end operatively connected to the load-supporting platform. The second support arm is connected to these components in a manner to permit pivoting movement of the second support arm relative to the load-supporting platform between a stowed position and a deployed position. The second synchronizing arm is generally adjacent to the second support arm. The second synchronizing arm has a distal end pivotally connected to the pivot bracket and a proximal end operatively connected to the load-supporting platform in a manner to permit pivoting movement of the second synchronizing arm relative to the load-supporting platform. The second synchronizing arm and second support arm are operatively connected to the pivot bracket and load-supporting platform in a manner so that the second synchronizing arm and second support arm maintain a substantially parallel relationship with one another throughout the entire range of movement of the second support arm between its stowed and deployed positions. 
   The first and second support arms and first and second synchronizing arms are operatively connected with one another in a manner so that the load-supporting platform moves substantially along a fixed vertical axis as the first and second support arms move between their respective stowed and deployed positions. 
   In another aspect of the invention, a seat support mechanism comprises a base member, first and second support arms, first and second synchronizing arms, and a load-supporting platform, all substantially as described above. In this aspect of the invention, the first and second support arms and first and second synchronizing arms are operatively connected with one another in a manner so that a first plane passing through the load-supporting platform and a second plane passing through the base member maintain a substantially parallel relationship with one another throughout the entire range of movement of the first and second support arms between their respective stowed and deployed positions. 
   In still another aspect of the invention, a boat seat support mechanism comprises a base member, first and second support arms, first and second synchronizing arms, and a load-supporting platform, all substantially as described above. In this aspect of the invention, a distal end of the first support arm includes a first geared portion, and a distal end of the second support arm has a second geared portion. The first and second support arms are connected to the pivot bracket in a manner so that the first and second geared portions are in meshed engagement with one another throughout the entire range of movement of the first and second support arms between their respective stowed and deployed positions. Thus, movement of one of the first and second support arms between its stowed and deployed positions requires corresponding movement of the other of the first and second support arms between its stowed and deployed positions. 
   Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of the seat support mechanism of the present invention, shown in a deployed position; 
       FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the seat support mechanism of  FIG. 1 , but shown in a stowed position; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the support mechanism, shown in the deployed position; 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged side elevational view of the support mechanism, also shown in the deployed position; 
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged side detail view of a load supporting platform used in the seat support mechanism of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is an enlarged side detail view of a pivot bracket used in the seat support mechanism of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged side detail view of a base member used in the seat support mechanism of the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of an upper support arm used in the seat support mechanism of the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a side view of a lower support arm used in the seat support mechanism of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 10  is a side view a synchronizing arm used in the seat support mechanism of the present invention. 
   

   Reference characters used in these drawings correspond with reference characters used throughout the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments, which follows. These drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   A boat seat support mechanism of the present invention is represented generally by the reference numeral  20  in  FIGS. 1–4 . The support mechanism  20  comprises a base member or pedestal  22 , a lower support arm  24 , an upper support arm  26 , lower synchronizing arms  28 , upper synchronizing arms  30 , and a load-supporting platform  32 .  FIGS. 1 and 2  also include broken line representations of a seat  34  and a support surface  36  (e.g., a boat deck), to illustrate an environment in which the present invention may be used. As explained below in more detail, the support mechanism  20  is movable between a deployed position (shown in  FIG. 1 ), wherein the seat  34  is elevated above the support surface  36 , and a stowed position (shown in  FIG. 2 ), wherein the seat  34  is lowered and generally adjacent the support surface  36 . 
   The base member  22  is adapted for supporting the support mechanism  20  from the support surface  36 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  7 , the base member preferably includes a generally vertical shaft  38 , which adapted for insertion into a correspondingly dimensioned recess (not shown) in the support surface  36 , and which permits rotation of the support mechanism  20  relative to the support surface  36  about a generally vertical axis A (see  FIG. 4 ). This permits the fisherman to swivel the seat  34  about the axis A of the shaft  38 , as desired. It should be understood, however, that the base member  22  could be connected with or mounted to the support surface  36  in another manner without departing from the scope of present invention, as set forth in the claims. 
   The seat  34  is secured to the load supporting platform  32  with mechanical fasteners (not shown) or in another appropriate manner, as is known the art. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the load supporting platform  32  is preferably at a slight angle α relative to horizontal, so that the seat  34  secured thereto is also maintained at a slight angle, tilted slightly back for comfort and safety. 
   The lower support arm  24  has a distal end  40  pivotally connected to an intermediate pivot bracket  50  and a proximal end  42  operatively connected to the base member  22 . Preferably, these components are connected with one another via mechanical fasteners  43 . The lower support arm  24  is shown in detail in  FIG. 9 , and the pivot bracket  50  is shown in detail in  FIG. 6 . The lower support arm  24  is connected to the pivot bracket  50  and base member  22  in a manner to permit pivoting movement of the lower support arm  24  relative to the base member  22  and support surface  36  between its deployed position (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and its stowed position (shown in  FIG. 2 ). As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the distal end  40  of the lower support arm  24  is generally adjacent the support surface  36  when the lower support arm  24  is in its stowed position, and is spaced from the support surface  36  when the lower support arm  24  is in its deployed position. 
   The upper support arm  26  has a distal end  44  pivotally connected to the pivot bracket  50  and a proximal end  46  operatively connected to the load-supporting platform  32 . Preferably, these components are connected with one another via mechanical fasteners  45 . The upper support arm  26  is shown in detail in  FIG. 8 . The upper support arm  26  is connected to these components in a manner to permit pivoting movement of the upper support arm  26  relative to the load-supporting platform  32  and seat  34  between its deployed position (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and its stowed position (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
   The support mechanism  20  comprises at least one lower synchronizing arm  28 , but preferably a pair of such lower synchronizing arms  28 , generally adjacent to the lower support arm  28 . Preferably, these components are connected with one another via mechanical fasteners  29 . One such synchronizing arm  28  is shown in detail in  FIG. 10 . Each of the lower synchronizing arms  28  has a distal end  52  pivotally connected to the pivot bracket  50  and a proximal end  54  operatively connected to the base member  22  in a manner to permit pivoting movement of the lower synchronizing arm  28  relative to the support surface  36 . The lower synchronizing arms  28  and lower support arm  24  are all operatively connected to the pivot bracket  50  and base member  22  in a manner so that they all function together as a four-bar mechanism. Preferably, the lower synchronizing arms  28  have substantially the same length as one another, and are connected to the pivot bracket  50  and base member  22  in a manner so that their respective proximal ends are spaced from one another a distance that is substantially the same as the spacing of their respective distal ends. Thus, the lower synchronizing arms  28  and lower support arm  24  maintain a substantially parallel relationship with one another throughout the entire range of movement of the lower support arm  24  between its stowed and deployed positions. 
   The support mechanism  20  also comprises at least one upper synchronizing arm  30 , but preferably a pair of such upper synchronizing arms  30 , which are generally adjacent to the upper support arm  26 . Preferably, these components are connected with one another via mechanical fasteners  31 . The upper synchronizing arms  30  are essentially identical to the lower synchronizing arms  28 , as shown in detail in  FIG. 10 . Each of the upper synchronizing arms  30  has a distal end  56  pivotally connected to the pivot bracket  50  and a proximal end  58  operatively connected to the load-supporting platform  32  in a manner to permit pivoting movement of the upper synchronizing arm  30  relative to the load-supporting platform  32 . The upper synchronizing arms  30  and upper support arm  26  are all operatively connected to the pivot bracket  50  and load-supporting platform  32  in a manner so that the upper synchronizing arms  30  and upper support arm  26  all maintain a substantially parallel relationship with one another throughout the entire range of movement of the upper support arm  26  between its stowed and deployed positions. Thus, the upper synchronizing arms  30 , upper support arm  26 , pivot bracket  50  and load-supporting platform  32  all function together as a four-bar mechanism as well. 
   As best shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  6  and  8 , the upper support arm  26  preferably includes a geared portion  60  at its distal end  44 . Similarly, and as best shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  6  and  9 , the lower support arm  24  preferably includes a geared portion  62  at its distal end  40 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the geared portions  60  and  62  of the upper and lower support arms  26  and  24  are preferably in meshed engagement with one another throughout the entire range of movement of the upper and lower support arms  26  and  24  between their respective stowed and deployed positions. Thus, due to the meshed engagement of the geared portions  60  and  62 , pivoting movement of one relative to the pivot bracket  50  requires corresponding pivoting movement of the other. That is, movement of the upper support arm  26  between its stowed and deployed positions requires corresponding movement of the lower support arm  24  between its stowed and deployed positions, and vice versa. This, in turn, results in the lower “four-bar mechanism” (comprising the lower synchronizing arms  28 , lower support arm  24 , pivot bracket  50  and base member  22 ) and the upper “four-bar mechanism” (comprising the upper synchronizing arms  30 , upper support arm  26 , pivot bracket  50  and load-supporting platform  32 ) always moving together. 
   These upper and lower four-bar mechanisms function to maintain the load-supporting platform  32  and seat  34  in a fixed, nearly horizontal orientation (at slight angle α relative to horizontal, as discussed above) throughout the entire range of movement of the lower and upper support arms  24  and  26  between their respective stowed and deployed positions. Illustrated another way, due to the function of the upper and lower four-bar mechanisms, a first plane P 1  passing through the load-supporting platform  32  and a second plane P 2  passing through the base member  22  maintain a substantially parallel relationship with one another throughout the entire range of movement of the support mechanism  20  between its stowed and deployed positions (see  FIG. 4 ). 
   Overall, the support mechanism  20  is relatively compact. When in its stowed position, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper and lower support arms  26  and  24  extend from the pivot bracket  50  generally adjacent to one another and in the same direction, occupying very little deck space and even less vertical space. Preferably, the upper and lower support arms  26  and  24  lie in the same substantially vertical plane throughout the entire range of movement between their respective stowed and deployed positions. As best shown in  FIG. 4 , when the support structure  20  is in its deployed position, the lower support arm  24  extends upwardly from the support surface  36  and generally in a first direction (generally to the left as viewed in  FIG. 4 ), and the upper support arm  26  continues upwardly but generally in an opposite second direction (generally to the right as viewed in  FIG. 4 ). Preferably, the lower and upper support arms  24  and  26  are of substantially the same length and, therefore, the load-supporting platform  32  and seat  34  are positioned substantially along the same vertical axis A about which the base portion  22  pivots. Also, due to meshed engagement of the above-described geared portions  60  and  62  of the lower and upper support arms  24  and  26 , which requires the support arms  24  and  26  to move together throughout their entire range of movement, the load-supporting platform  32  and seat  34  move substantially along the same vertical axis A as the support arms  24  and  26  move between their respective stowed and deployed positions. Deck space is typically at a premium on most fishing boats, and this “over-the-center” movement of the seat  34  results in the overall support mechanism  20  occupying very little deck space. 
   As noted above, the support mechanism  20  also occupies very little vertical space, when the device is in its stowed position ( FIG. 2 ), while still allowing a full range of motion of the support arms  24  and  26  and related components. Preferably, an angle β defined by the lower and upper support arms  24  and  26  increases from about zero degrees when the support arms  24  and  26  are in their respective stowed positions to more than 180 degrees as the support arms  24  and  26  are moved toward their respective deployed positions, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   The base member  22  preferably includes a first stop member  70 , which is adapted to engage against the lower support arm  24  (just above its proximal end  42 ) when the lower support arm  24  is in its deployed position, and thereby restrict movement of the lower support arm  24  beyond its deployed position. Preferably, the pivot bracket  50  also includes a second stop member  72 , which is adapted to engage against the lower support arm  24  (just below its distal end  40 ) when the lower support arm  24  is in its deployed position, also restricting movement of the lower support arm  24  beyond its deployed position. Preferably, the lower support arm  24  includes recesses  80  and  82  (see  FIG. 9 ) adapted to receive the stop members  70  and  72  when the lower support arm  24  is in its fully deployed position. As shown in  FIG. 4 , an angle γ between the plane P 2  and the lower support arm  24  increases from about zero degrees when the lower support arm  24  is in its stowed position to more than 90 degrees as the lower support arm  24  is moved to its deployed position. Thus, the lower support arm  24  is held in its deployed position against the first and second stop members  70  and  72  by gravity, by the weight of the rest of the support mechanism  20  above the lower support arm  24 , and by any load resting thereon. 
   Similarly, load-supporting platform  32  preferably includes a third stop member  74 , which is adapted to engage against the upper support arm  26  (just below its proximal end  46 ) when the upper support arm  26  is in its deployed position, and thereby restrict movement of the upper support arm  26  beyond its deployed position. Preferably, the pivot bracket  50  also includes a fourth stop member  76 , which is adapted to engage against the upper support arm  26  (just above its distal end  44 ) when the upper support arm  26  is in its deployed position, also restricting movement of the upper support arm  26  beyond its deployed position. Preferably, the upper support arm  26  includes recesses  84  and  86  (see  FIG. 8 ) adapted to receive the stop members  74  and  76  when the upper support arm  26  is in its fully deployed position. As shown in  FIG. 4 , an angle δ between the plane P 1  and the upper support arm  26  increases from about zero degrees when the upper support arm  26  is in its stowed position to more than 90 degrees as the upper support arm  26  is moved to its deployed position. Thus, the upper support arm  26  also is held in its deployed position against the third and fourth stop members  74  and  76  by gravity. 
   Thus, in operation, a user may move the support mechanism  20  from its stowed position to its deployed position by lifting the seat  34  upwardly. In so doing, the lower and upper support arms  24  and  26  will move upwardly from their generally horizontal stowed positions (shown in  FIG. 2 ), toward their deployed positions (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 ). Momentum of the lifting motion will carry the lower and upper support arms  24  and  26  past a vertical orientation (i.e., the angles γ and δ will increase to and then beyond 90 degrees), until the lower and upper support arms  24  and  26  engage against the stop members  70 ,  72 ,  74  and  76 . If momentum of the lifting motion alone is not sufficient to carry the lower and upper support arms  24  and  26  past a vertical orientation (e.g., because the lifting motion was too slow), then the user may simply “kick” the support arms to their fully deployed positions while lifting the seat  34 . To return the support mechanism  20  to its stowed position from its deployed position, the user begins by lifting the seat  34  upwardly again, and momentum of the lifting motion should carry the lower and upper support arms  24  and  26  back past vertical (i.e., so that the angles γ and δ decrease to and then below 90 degrees). Gravity and the weight of the device will carry the support arms  24  and  26  the rest of the way back to their respective stowed positions. Again, if momentum of the lifting motion alone is not sufficient to carry the lower and upper support arms  24  and  26  back past vertical, then the user may simply “kick” the support arms back toward their stowed positions while lifting the seat  34 . 
   In one preferred embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 6 , the support mechanism  20  further comprises a lanyard  80  for returning the support mechanism  20  to its stowed position. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the lanyard has a first end  82  that is preferably connected to the pivot bracket  50  and a distal second end with a handle or ring  84  that is adapted for manual engagement by the user. The lanyard  80  is adapted to transmit tensile force between its first and second ends  82  and  84 , whereby application of a tensile force to the distal second end  84  by a user causes the pivot bracket  50  to move horizontally (to the right as viewed in  FIGS. 4 and 6 ) and, consequently, the lower and upper support arms  24  and  26  are moved back toward their respective stowed positions. Also the lanyard  80  is shown as being connected to the pivot bracket  50 , it should be understood that the same function could be accomplished in the same way to achieve the same result by connecting the lanyard  80  to either of the lower and upper support arms  24  and  26 . 
   Although the present invention has been shown and described in reference to a support mechanism for a boat seat, it should be understood that the support mechanism of the present invention could be used to support other items, such as tables, shelves, other support surfaces, ladders, other support structures, etc., which are stowable or collapsible. 
   As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.