Abstract:
A reversible seat system for a vehicle is provided. A seatback includes at least one post-like element extending below a lower side of the seatback. At least one receiving slot is located on each of the anterior and posterior sides of the seat cushion. The receiving slots are configured to receive the post-like element. The seatback is removable and replaceable between a first position and a second position, where the first position is forward-facing and the second position is rearward-facing.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention generally relates to reversible vehicle seats. More specifically, the invention relates to a vehicle seat including a removable seatback which can be made to face the rear of a vehicle. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Modem multi-purpose vehicles such as sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and minivans have become extremely versatile and family-friendly, which explains much of their broad appeal among consumers. Such versatility would be greatly increased if, when the vehicle is at rest, the front seats of such vehicles could easily be reversed so that the occupant faces the rear of the vehicle. With the front seat occupant(s) facing the occupants in the second row of seating, conversations could be easier facilitated, in-car dining would be more enjoyable, and passing time inside the vehicle in the event, for example, of inclement outdoor weather would be more enjoyable. Such seat reversibility would need to be accomplished with minimal effort, maximum safety for all age groups, remain aesthetically pleasing to today&#39;s demanding consumer, and at minimal cost to the automotive industry. Previous attempts to accomplish each of these objectives have failed. 
   Reversible automobile seats have been the subject of previous disclosures. These efforts, however, have not accomplished all of the objectives described above. Several of these disclosures are discussed briefly below. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 870,385 to Rideout et al. describes a reversible car seat that has mutually interchangeable back and seat components. U.S. Pat. No. 1,051,040 to Wheatley discloses a reversible car seat in which the seatback flips on a horizontal axis to create a rear-facing orientation. U.S. Pat. No. 2,004,850 to Bugatti utilizes a reversible seat for use in road or rail vehicles, with the seatback and cushion mounted on a common framework. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,785 to Plume describes a complex seat in which the seat bottom rakes in either direction to create the reversed orientation, an approach that involves moving parts that would make the whole seat assembly too expensive for mass production. U.S. Pat. No. 4,436,270 to Muraishi and U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,234 B1 to Haynes et al. describe automobile seats that accomplish the reversed orientation through pivots or rotation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,072,343 to Meza and U.S. Pat. No. 4,081,051 to Logsdon also describe pivoting seats for dual-purpose vehicles in the construction industry. However, this pivoting or rotating action is difficult to accomplish in modem automobile interiors because modem interiors lack adequate room for such rotation of the seat. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,384 to Rossi describes a seat with a removable seat portion. The two sides of the removable portion are each made of a different material, allowing the user to choose which material faces direct sunlight while the vehicle is parked. U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,398 to Namba et al. involves a seatback that reclines to a flat position and when combined with a foldable second row seat, creates a continuous plane inside the vehicle. U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,763 to Clemente discloses a second row seat in which the seatback folds forward against the seat cushion; the whole structure then folds forward again for out-of-the-way storage. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,155,626 and 6,161,892, and EP 0,976,605 A1, all to Chabanne et al., describe a removable, reversible and longitudinally adjustable vehicle seat that rests on slides or runners on the vehicle floor. The seat can also fold up and forward for compact storage in a manner similar to the Clemente patent. 
   U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,199,945 B1, 6,488,333 B2 and 6,494,531 B1, all to Kim, disclose a vehicle seat for reversible occupant travel. The seat features a double-sided seatback that is longitudinally adjustable using controls on its slides or runners on the floor. The seat involves many exposed metal parts with sharp corners and is likely too complex for mass production. 
   Each of the above-identified disclosures are inadequate for at least one of the following reasons: (1) too complex for mass production, so that the cost of manufacture is too high, (2) too many moving metal components that could inadvertently cause injury to small children, (3) a rotating or pivoting component for which modem automobile interiors do not allow sufficient space, and (4) an overall design/appearance that would likely not be acceptable to consumers that demand interior beauty as well as functionality and ease of use. 
   In contrast, the structure described by this invention is conceptually simple, and involves no exposed, moveable metal parts. Therefore, it does not have any sharp corners, which could cause injury or other damage. It also does not involve rotation, pivoting action, or swiveling action to accomplish a reversed seat orientation. Therefore, the interior space of the vehicle is not a limiting factor for the use of the present invention. Moreover, the present invention accomplishes the above objectives without compromising the safety or appearance of an aesthetically pleasing automobile interior environment. 
   Accordingly, the present invention addresses such prior art shortcomings of automobile seats, and in particular the shortcomings of known reversible automobile seats. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect of the invention, a reversible seat system for a vehicle is provided. A seat cushion has an anterior side and a posterior side. A seatback includes at least one post-like element extending below a lower side of the seatback. At least one receiving slot is located on each of the anterior and posterior sides of the seat cushion. The receiving slots are configured to receive the post-like element. The seatback is removable and replaceable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the post-like element of the seatback is inserted into the receiving slot on the posterior side of the seat cushion, and in the second position, the post-like element of the seatback is inserted into the receiving slot on the anterior side of the seat. The seatback is capable of being rotated 180 degrees between the first position and the second position. 
   In another aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing a reversible seat for a vehicle is provided. The method includes forming a seatback that includes at least one post-like element extending below a lower side of the seatback. The method also includes forming a seat cushion with at least one receiving slot located on each of the anterior and posterior sides of the seat cushion. The receiving slots are configured to receive the post-like element. The seatback is formed to be removable and replaceable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the post-like element of the seatback is inserted into the receiving slot on the posterior side of the seat cushion and, in the second position, the post-like element of the seatback is inserted into the receiving slot on the anterior side of the seat. The seatback is capable of being rotated 180 degrees between the first position and the second position. 
   These and other features of the invention will become apparent upon a more detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention as described below. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the Drawings, where like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views: 
       FIGS. 1A–1C  show side elevational views of a first embodiment of a seat configuration of the present invention, conceptually illustrating the removal of a seatback from a rear edge of the seat cushion, rotation of that seatback 180 degrees about a vertical axis, and reconnection of the seatback to a front of the seat cushion to create a rear-facing seat; 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are perspective views of the seat configurations illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1C ; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an enlarged perspective view of one of the connection systems for the seatback shown in  FIGS. 1A–1C ; 
       FIG. 4  is a partial cross-sectional side view of the connection system shown in  FIG. 2B , taken along line  4 — 4  of  FIG. 2B , with the seatback in a connected position. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the receptor portion of the connection system of  FIG. 3 , illustrated with the seatback in a removed position and with a cover in place over the receptor portion; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the entry port for the receptor portion of the connection system shown in  FIG. 5 , illustrated with the cover removed; 
       FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a rotation of a seatback about a pivot point to provide for a reclining action; 
       FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic side view of an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the driver&#39;s side reversible seat having receiving slots that are located toward the middle of the seat cushion, to make allowances for the location of the steering wheel; 
       FIGS. 9A–9C  are diagrammatic side views of an embodiment of the present invention where the seat cushion is able to tilt for additional comfort when the seat is in the reversed orientation; 
       FIG. 10  is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention with the seatback in the reversed orientation, where the seat is configured so that the connection system post extends completely through the seat cushion and is anchored into a receiving pocket on the floor of the vehicle; and 
       FIGS. 11A–11D  are diagrammatic side views of embodiments of the present invention, illustrating various mechanisms for securing the anchored post system of  FIG. 10 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring now to the drawings, and in particular  FIGS. 1A–1C , a reversible front automobile seat is diagrammatically illustrated in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle seat generally includes a seatback  101 , seat cushion  102 , a pair of metal post members  103 , posteriorly placed receiving slots  104  and anteriorly placed receiving slots  105 . The pair of metal post members  103  and the pairs of receiving slots  104  and  105  collectively comprise a detachable connection system for selectively attaching the seatback  101  adjacent to the posterior or anterior end of the seat cushion  102 . Although metal is a preferred material, the post  103  and receiving slots of this embodiment and each of the following embodiments could be manufactured of any other sturdy material, such as wood, plastic, or the like. 
   The seatback  101 , ordinary in all other aspects, contains two metal posts  103  each protruding out of the bottom edge of seatback  101 . Approximately one half of each post  103  is securely embedded in seatback  101  and the other one half protrudes downward from the bottom edge of seatback  101 . While the preferred embodiments of the invention that will be disclosed herein illustrate a seatback connection system that utilizes a pair of interconnecting post/receptor members, it will be understood that one or a plurality of such connectors could be used. In addition, it is not necessary that half of the post be secured into the receptor member. More or less of the post could be received by the receptor member, as long as the post is adequately secured in or to the receptor member. 
     FIGS. 1A–1C  illustrate the reversibility of the seatback  101 . In the normal forward-facing seat orientation ( FIG. 1A ), the bottom edge of seatback  101  rests firmly against the rear edge of seat cushion  102 , with the upper one half of metal posts  103  securely embedded within seatback  101  and the lower one half of metal posts  103  securely inserted and locked in place inside the receiving slots  104 . In the forward-facing seat orientation, the receiving slots  105  are empty and concealed with the use of tight-fitting covers  106  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The covers  106  are preferably fashioned with the same color and upholstery material as the rest of the vehicle seat. While it is preferable that the cover matches the vehicle seat, other materials or colors may be used. 
     FIGS. 1B and 1C  illustrate the process of removing and reconnecting the seatback  101 . FIG  1 B shows the seatback  101  in the normal forward-facing orientation after having been removed from the receiving slots  104 . The seatback  101  is easily disconnected from seat cushion  102  by pulling seatback  101  upward. The seatback  101  can then be easily rotated 180 degrees about a vertical axis, so that it is facing the rear of the vehicle. As shown in  FIG. 1C , after the seatback  101  is rotated it can be reconnected to seat cushion  102  so that seatback  101  faces the rear of the vehicle. This reversal is accomplished by inserting metal posts  103  into the anteriorly placed receiving slots  105 . This achieves a rear-facing front automobile seat as illustrated in  FIG. 1C . If the back surface of seatback  101  is adequately padded, it would not be necessary to rotate the seatback  101  180 degrees, and the metal posts  103  could be engaged into receiving slots  105  without rotation. 
     FIGS. 2A and 2B  show perspective views of the reversible seat illustrated in  FIGS. 1A–1C , showing only the seatback secured to the seat cushion in a front-facing orientation and in a rear-facing orientation.  FIGS. 2A and 2B  also illustrate covers  106 , which conceal receiving slots  105  when the seatback  101  is in a front-facing orientation. Covers  106  can also be used to cover receiving slots  104  when the seatback  101  is in a rear-facing orientation. In a preferred embodiment, metal posts  103  and the receiving slots  104 ,  105  are rectangular-shaped. It will be understood, however, that other shapes and configurations could be used. The metal posts  103  are preferably about six inches in length, four inches wide and one inch thick. Each of the four receiving slots  104 ,  105 , per seat is preferably about three inches deep and four inches by one inch in rectangular dimension. It will be understood, however, that other dimensions could be used to accomplish the present invention. 
   A more detailed illustration of one of the male metal posts  103 , properly aligned with one of the female receiving slot members  104  and  105  just before insertion, is shown in  FIG. 3 . Metal post  103  contains four internal spring-loaded metal balls generally indicated at  110 ,  111 ,  112 ,  113 , two on either side of the post  103 , which protrude almost halfway out the side of post  103 . When metal post  103  is fully inserted into receiving slot  104  (or  105 ), spring-loaded balls  110 ,  111 ,  112 ,  113  are properly aligned with hemispherically-shaped divets  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  117  formed in the receiving slots, such that the balls  110 ,  111 ,  112 ,  113  are forced into the hemispherically-shaped divets  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  117  to securely hold the seatback  101  in place regardless of which seat orientation is chosen. An arcuate face plate  118 , secured by screws  120 ,  121 , surrounds the opening of the receiving slot  104  (or  105 ) and is recessed below the surface of the seat cushion  102  as indicated by lip  119  and provides a retentive seat or base for the installation of concealing covers  106 . 
     FIG. 4  illustrates an enlarged partial cross-section view of the mechanical seatback connection system shown in  FIG. 3 . Metal post  103  locks into receiving slots  104  and  105  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Receiving slots  104  and  105  are preferably formed as a sleeve which is attached to the seat cushion. Although the method of attachment of the sleeve is not illustrated in  FIG. 4 , it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that any suitable means of attachment could be used, such as screwing, bolting, glueing, etc. Alternatively, the sleeve or receiving slots could be formed directly into the seat cushion. 
   When metal post  103  is fully inserted into receiving slots  104  and  105 , balls  110 ,  111 ,  112 ,  113 , biased by stiff springs  130 ,  131 ,  132 ,  133  which are each contained within holes  134 ,  135 ,  136 ,  137  formed in the post  103 , push laterally into and cooperatively engage hemispherically-shaped divets  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  117  which are machined or otherwise formed into the sidewalls of receiving slots  104  and  105 . This action holds the post  103  securely inside receiving slots  104  and  105 . The faceplate  118  (with recessed lip  119 ) and receiving slots  104  and  105  may be formed of one contiguous piece of metal, secured into the core  124  of the seat cushion  102  by screws  120 ,  121 . Screws  122 ,  123  secure the remainder of post  103  inside seatback  101 . It will be understood that the faceplate  118  could be formed integrally with the sleeve or receiving slots  104  and  105 , if so desired, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     FIG. 5  is a side view of receiving slot  104  (or  105 ) shown with metal post  103  removed thereform and the concealing cover  106  operationally fixed in place. Cover  106  is preferably fashioned with a piece of upholstery  140  of the same color and material as the rest of the automobile seat. Cover  106  conceals the faceplate  118  and receiving slots  104  to improve aesthetics and to protect the receiving slots  104  from damage and from collecting debris when receiving slot  104  is not in use.  FIG. 6  is another illustration of the receiving slot  104  (or  105 ) when such cover  106  is removed, without the lines shown in  FIG. 3 . The hemispherically-shaped divets are not shown for the sake of clarity. 
   It should be understood that the receiving slots  104 ,  105  shown above are preferably structurally identical. In that way, posts  103  can be inserted into either slots  104  or  105  without any difficulty. If desired, however, the two seatback posts could be constructed of different dimensions, as long as the matching receiving slots are cooperatively and matingly configured to receive these different dimensions. Alternatively, different numbers of posts or different shapes of posts can be utilized within the spirit of this invention. For example, one or three posts could be used. The posts also need not be rectangular in shape. Many other post shapes can be used without difficulty. For example, the post could be cylindrical rather than rectangular. Further, the relative positions of the biased balls  110 ,  113  and their cooperative divets  114 – 117  could be reversed from those configurations shown in the figures. Alternatively, more or less biased balls and divets could be used. Further, types of post locking mechanisms other than the biased balls and divets could be used. 
   It may be desirable to have an electronic failsafe mechanism that prevents the vehicle from moving in either forward or reverse, while the seatback is not in the frontward-facing position. Otherwise, the vehicle may accidentally be placed in a forward moving gear and the occupant of the vehicle may encounter difficulties in stopping the vehicle while in the rearward-facing direction. This mechanism could simply be a sensor that is connected to the receiving slots to determine if the seatback is properly locked in the frontward-facing position. If not, the sensor would prevent the vehicle from achieving motion in forward or reverse, by, for example, locking those gears down. 
     FIG. 7  illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7  depicts an arrangement that allows for seat reclination, if it is desired and/or needed. The details of the receiving slots are not shown; however, it is to be understood that the same description provided above with regard to the previous figures applies to this embodiment as well.  FIG. 7  shows, in side elevation, a seatback  201 , a seat cushion  202 , and an embedded metal post  203  that contains a multi-positionable turret  250  located slightly above the midpoint of post  203 . The turret  250  allows for the upper half of post  203  to rotate about a horizontal axis  251  so that the invention allows the seatback to be reclined through a range of positions as indicated by arrow C. Modem automobile front seats have the ability for such reclination. 
   Shown as a side elevation in  FIG. 8  is an important variation of the invention in the case of the driver&#39;s front automobile seat. In modem automobiles, the steering wheel tends to protrude significantly out from the dashboard toward the driver. In order for the invention to accommodate the presence of the steering wheel and still be adequately reversible, the receiving slots  305  are located more toward the center of the seat cushion  302  rather than adjacent the front edge of the seat cushion so that seatback  301  does not adversely affect the steering wheel. With this arrangement, when seat posts  303  are inserted into the receiving slots  305 , the seatback clears the steering wheel without require the lower seat cushion to be longitudinally moved relative to the floor. 
   Yet another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 9A–9C . This embodiment addresses the slight posterior decline of modem automobile seat cushions for occupant comfort.  FIGS. 9A–9C  illustrate a seatback  401 , a seat cushion  402 , and a metal post  403 , similar in function to those parts described in previous embodiments. In modem automobiles, the seat cushion  402  is positioned at a slight angle D so that the front edge is higher than the back edge. This angle D is intended to provide added occupant comfort while sitting in the vehicle. However, if the rear-facing orientation of the seatback of this invention is used without regard for this slight angle, the rear-facing seating position may have an uncomfortable forward tilt to its occupant. In order to provide a more comfortable seating position for the occupant while the seat is facing rearward, the invention is further provides an embodiment where the front edge of the seat cushion  402  can be lowered toward the vehicle floor while simultaneously raising the rear edge of seat cushion  402  away from the floor. In other words, the seat cushion  402  is capable of pivoting so that the seat can be adjusted for comfort depending on whether the occupant is facing forward or rearward. Accordingly, the slight posterior decline of the seat cushion  402  while the seat is in the rear-facing orientation, as shown by angle E, can be accomplished to make the seat position more comfortable. Although the mechanisms for accomplishing this adjustment of the seat are not described in detail, it will be understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could accomplish this seat cushion adjust in numerous ways, such as, for example, securing the seat cushion about a pivot point (or points) and allowing it to rotate about that pivot point (or points). Alternately, the connection for the seat cushion could simply include adjustment points so that the front of the seat cushion and the rear of the seat cushion can be adjusted independently of each other. 
   Shown as a diagrammatic side elevation in  FIG. 10  is a variation of the invention which would hold the post  503  more securely no matter which orientation of the seat is chosen, creating a more durable seatback is illustrated. The durability of the seatback is such that the seatback can more easily withstand the pressure of supporting the occupant without giving way or fatiguing over a long period of time. Post  503  is at least 5 inches longer than in previous figures, extends completely through seat cushion  502  via channels  560 , and anchors into receiving slots (pockets)  561  on the floor of the vehicle. The channels  560  act as the sleeve for allowing the posts  503  to be received through the seat cushion and into the receiving slots  561  secured to the floor of the vehicle. Thus, the posts  503  are securely fitted into the receiving slots by the extended length of connection of the posts  503  into the receiving pockets  561 . It will be understood that this connection system could be used alone or in conjunction with other connection systems described here, such as, for example, the spring-loaded ball bearings (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and matching hemispherical divets (shown in  FIG. 4 ) system. Also shown is tight-fitting cover  506  concealing the opening to channel  560  when such channel is not being used. 
   Shown in  FIGS. 11A–11D  as diagrammatic side elevations are three different possible methods for anchoring post  503  into receiving pocket  561 . Pocket  561  is recessed below the plane of the vehicle floor  562 . In  FIG. 11A , the anchoring mechanism includes a pivotal lock member  563 , which protrudes downward from the end of post  503 , and lockingly mates tightly underneath receptor ball  564 . The outer surface of the pivotal lock member  563  is preferably curved to form a cam surface for directing the lock member into engagement with the ball  564  as the post is lowered into its locked position.  FIG. 11B  illustrates a release mechanism for disengaging lock member  563  from ball  564  to facilitate removal of the post  503  (not shown for clarity) from receiving slot (pocket)  561 . A rod  570  internally extends the length of seatback  501  and is connected via joint  571  to the upper portion of a C-shaped appendage  563 . As a downward force is applied to rod  570 , locking member  563  is pushed out from beneath ball  564  through the presence of a fulcrum point  572 . Thus, the removal of post  503  can be easily accomplished. 
     FIG. 11C  illustrates yet another mechanism for retaining the post  503 . The end of post  503  has a recessed hemispherical hole  565 . When a downward force is applied to post  503 , hole  565  fits tightly over ball  566  located on the bottom of pocket  561 . Hole  565  is lined with a material which is flexible enough to allow fitting over ball  566 , yet firm enough to hold post  503  securely in place. A moderate to strong upward force applied to post  503  would cause hole  565  to lose its grip on ball  566 , releasing post  503 . The same principle could be applied using any two cooperatively mating snap-fit surfaces. 
     FIG. 11D  illustrates another mechanism for retaining post  503 . Post  503  is held in place through attractive magnetic forces, schematically represented as negative forces  567  and positive forces  568 . A moderate to strong upward force applied to post  503  would break the magnetic attraction, releasing post  503 . 
   In addition, it should be noted that a number of other retention mechanisms are possible. For example, a hook and loop system, such as Velcro®, could be used. 
   The above specification and described embodiments provide specific descriptions of structures which possess the inventive features of this invention. Other embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which will reside in the claims hereinafter appended.