Abstract:
The seat assembly ( 1 ) for a land vehicle, sea vessel, or aircraft comprises a vertically adjustable seat ( 4 ) supporting the buttocks of a user and a plurality of cables ( 9 - 12 ) disposed between the seat ( 4 ) and structural parts ( 8 ) of the vehicle. The seat ( 4 ) forms at least indirectly the component of a platform ( 2 ), which can be displaced along the cables ( 9 - 12 ) and fixed in the respective position on the cables ( 9 - 12 ). The cable sections ( 9   a - 12   a,    9   b - 12   b ) located above and beneath the platform ( 2 ) extend between the platform ( 2 ) and the structural parts ( 8 ) such that they either point toward the vertical center axis (MA) of the platform ( 2 ) or are directed away therefrom. The cables ( 9 - 12 ) can be guided via at least one height adjustment device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/DE2008/001586, filed Sep. 26, 2008, which designated the United States and has been published as International Publication No. WO 2009/046694 and which claims the priority of German Patent Application, Serial No. 10 2007 048 486.2, filed Oct. 9, 2007, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d). 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a seat assembly for a land vehicle, sea vessel, or aircraft. 
     Such a seat assembly forms part of the state of the art within the scope of DE 103 41 483 B3. Firstly, it includes harnesses known from motor vehicles consisting of shoulder and pelvic belts which can be interconnected in a central belt lock. The shoulder and pelvic belts are connected to obliquely-extending longitudinal belts, which, at their lower ends, are coupled by a belt loop passing underneath the buttocks of a user. In addition, in the lower and upper region of the longitudinal belts two back belts are located connecting the longitudinal belts. The upper ends of the longitudinal belts are connected to belt retractors. From the lower ends of the longitudinal belts retaining belts extend obliquely forwardly, viewed in the direction of movement of the vehicle, terminating likewise at belt retractors. The belt loop passing underneath the buttocks of a user is likewise connected to a belt retractor by a retaining belt extending downwardly. Furthermore, a retaining belt extends rearwardly between the upper back belt towards a further belt retractor. 
     All belt retractors are coupled via control lines to a control box comprising a control lever. Via the control lever the user can set up a free-running state allowing a free belt strap extension and free belt strap retraction, a complete locking state of all belt retractors both against belt strap extension as well as belt strap retraction as well as a locking state of the belt retractors against belt strap extension with free belt strap retraction. 
     The known seat assembly thus only allows a level adjustment of the belt loop passing underneath the buttocks. Apart from the actual harness, it furthermore requires altogether at least six further belt straps in order to tighten the seat assembly in a vehicle reasonably firmly. In addition, the belt straps require considerable pre-tensioning in order to avoid a rocking motion. However, this state of affairs is in conflict with an individual, constantly available, user-friendly adjustment. Moreover, the belt straps required for the seat assembly are relatively wide and, in many applications, obstruct the view onto operating and display devices in the respective vehicle. Finally, practice has shown that the known fully-textile seat assembly proves very uncomfortable after prolonged use and may, in particular, result in strangulations at the lower extremities of a user. 
     A textile safety seat for vehicles, in particular in aviation and navigation, is known from DE 43 03 719 A1 which comprises a seat surface, back and side members as well as a safety belt for securing the passengers to be transported. The safety seat is designed as a textile cover encompassing the body of the passenger at the back and on the sides to above head level and includes an entrance, the cover being adapted to be accommodated above and underneath by fastening belts fixed thereon between fastening points, provided on the floor and in the ceiling region of the vehicle in fixed relationship with the vehicle. 
     From EP 1 398 205 A2 a safety seat is known which can be fitted between the floor and ceiling region of a land vehicle, aircraft or sea vessel by tensioning belts provided above and beneath the seat. The safety harness consists of two pelvic belts as well as two shoulder belts extending from the pelvic belts, and an actuating means in the extension region of the shoulder belts, guided under the seat part towards the entrance region of the seat part. Between each of the shoulder belts and the front tensioning belts a tensioning belt is fitted in resilient manner. This serves to enhance the freedom of movement of the passenger and, in particular, to simplify fastening and unfastening the safety harness. 
     A further seat assembly forms the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,818 B2. The latter provides fitting a seat with a rigid frame in an armored vehicle, the said frame being completely decoupled from the vehicle floor, so that in the event of a land mine exploding underneath the vehicle, the forces are not directly transmitted from the vehicle floor to the seat. 
     A further embodiment of a suspended seat is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,868,143 A. It is represented by a seat assembly which is fitted both to the floor as well as in the ceiling region by a plurality of tensioning belts. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Proceeding from the state of the art—it is the object of the invention to provide a seat assembly for land vehicles, sea vessels or aircraft by means of which a user can be protected against vibrations as well as against vertically upwardly-directed acceleration forces and vehicle floor deformations, for example due to mine explosions, with generous adjustability for an adaptation to various user body sizes. 
     This object is attainable according to the invention by a seat assembly for a land vehicle, sea vessel, or aircraft, including a vertically adjustable seat passing underneath the buttocks of a user, as well as a plurality of flexible connections disposed between the seat and structural parts of the vehicle, wherein the seat forms, at least indirectly, a component of a platform, which can be displaced along connections in the form of cables anchored to the structural parts of the vehicle as well as fixed in the prevailing position on the cables, the cable sections of the cables located above and beneath the platform extending between the platform and the structural parts in such a manner that they are either directed towards the vertical centre axis of the platform or are directed away therefrom. 
     According to the invention, a stable platform is used which itself is directly configured as a seat or on which a seat can be arranged. The platform is positionally adjustable along cables and fixable in the respective position on the cables. The cables, in their turn, are secured to suitable structural parts of the respective vehicle by way of their upper and lower end sections. It is a further important feature that the cable sections of the cables located above and beneath the platform extend between the platform and the structural parts in such a manner that they are either directed toward the vertical centre axis of the platform or are directed away therefrom. 
     In the context of the invention it is significant that the platform can be so fixed in place and tensioned by cables in the interior of a vehicle that a user is not only protected against vibrations, but also, preferably in military vehicles (tanks), specifically against vertically upwardly-directed acceleration forces and against vehicle floor deformations due to mine explosions. The seat assembly nevertheless ensures full adjustability for operational adaptation to various body sizes of the user. 
     The positionally-fixed spatial positioning of the platform can be adjusted in a user-compliant manner via the bracing angles of the cable sections extending above and beneath the platform relative to the platform. In this context, it is only important that all cable sections are uniformly either directed away from the vertical centre axis of the platform or are directed towards the centre axis. As a result thereof, the cable sections each form the edges of a fictitious pyramid which may be equilateral or non-equilateral. Due to varying tension on cables not extending at the same angle in relation to the platform, the inwardly-directed vectors can nevertheless extend through a defined location of the platform and thus bring about the desired position of the platform in space. This allows the invention to be used also in vehicles in which no symmetrical arrangement of the fixation points is provided. 
     An advantageous further development of the basic concept according to the invention involves the provision of an energy converter, at least indirectly, in the longitudinal orientation of a cable. Preferably, it is the purpose of all energy converters, for example in the case of a mine explosion, to ensure a controlled downward sliding of the platform by converting energy. The energy converter may, for example, be designed as a torsion bar converter, friction converter or a differently configured metal converter. 
     In this context, it is advantageous that the energy converters are placed under the influence of load-reacting sensors which are integrated in the seat or the anchoring points of the cables on the structural parts. Such sensors are able to detect the mass of the respective user and control the energy converters, adjustable in relation to their load level, in such a manner that optimal energy conversion, which is calculated according to the spatial limitation in the vehicle, takes place at all times. 
     According to another feature of the invention, the cables are guided by at least one level-adjusting device for the platform. By means of the level-adjusting device the platform may consequently be displaced both parallel in upward and downward direction as well as varied with regard to its inclination. 
     According to another feature of the invention, the level-adjusting device can be actuated manually or by an electric or hydraulic drive means. Manual actuation may, for example, be done by way of a crank mechanism. 
     Preferably, the level-adjusting device is integrated in the platform. It may, however, also be provided underneath the platform. In particular, a variation of the inclination of the platform is possible without any difficulty, if two level-adjusting devices are used on the front and rear cables, viewed in the direction of movement of the vehicle. 
     If an energy converter is integrated in a level-adjusting device, the latter may preferably comprise a crank mechanism. The crank mechanism has an irrotationally arranged gear wheel and is fixed by a blocking device in a respectively desired position in relation to the platform. The cables each loop around a shaft of the level-adjusting device. In the looping region of the cables the shaft is so designed either by special molding or by a friction-enhancing surface that a perfect force-fitting relationship between the cables and the shaft is brought about. The energy converter is then integrated between the blocking device and the looping region of the cables. 
     In order to fix the respective level of the platform, clamping/release means provided on the platform are associated with the cables. For this purpose, a counter-bearing is provided on one side of a cable and clamping members on the other side thereof. The clamping members can be lifted off the cables by a release unit, which is so configured that a clamping action is cancelled only in the direction in which the platform is to be displaced along the cables. The clamping/release means permits a user to very rapidly plunge from a higher into a lower seating position, should this be necessary for safety reasons, for example from a look-out position in a tank into the protecting interior thereof. 
     According to another feature of the invention, in order to support the pelvic- and kidney regions of a user and in order to create a large-surface backrest, textile pelvic- and back bracings are provided between the rearward cable sections, viewed in the direction of movement of the vehicle, located above the platform. The back bracing may in this context consist of a wide cloth while for the pelvis preferably one or two narrower belt straps are provided between the cable sections. 
     According to another feature of the invention, it is, however, also conceivable to provide a molded part, adapted to the back region of a user, between the rearward cable sections, viewed in the direction of movement of the vehicle, located above the platform. This molded part is then of an ergonomic and/or safety-promoting shell-like configuration. 
     In addition, it is advantageous to provide textile pelvic- and shoulder bracings between the lateral cable sections, located one behind the other, viewed in the direction of movement of the vehicle, and provided above the platform. These bracings serve as lateral support of a user in the pelvic- and shoulder regions. 
     In this context, it is then advantageous that the shoulder bracings are of net-like design. Such bracings permit laterally-directed vision of the user and also better communication with other passengers. 
     If a seat, in particular an ergonomic seat, which is displaceable in the direction of movement of the vehicle and fixable in the respective position, is provided on the platform, this seat can then be connected to the platform via rails and displaced along the rails. 
     According to another feature of the invention, it is possible for such seat to be level-adjustable in relation to the platform. 
     It is further conceivable that the seat is transversely adjustable on the platform, at least to a limited extent. 
     According to another feature of the invention, the backrest inclination of the seat can be adjusted so that user comfort is increased. 
     In order to also adequately protect the foot region of a user, it is appropriately provided that, viewed in the direction of movement of the vehicle, a footrest is arranged upstream of the platform, which is supported in a height and/or inclination-adjustable manner, as the case may be, by cables secured to the structural parts of the vehicle. The footrest may be of ergonomic design. It may, however, also merely consist of a simple platform. 
     Finally, the seat can be equipped, at least indirectly, with restraining belts. These may in this context be represented by a seat-integrated restraining system or restraining systems may be used which are provided on the vehicle body. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
       The invention is elucidated in more detail in what follows by way of the embodiments illustrated in the drawings. 
       There are shown in: 
         FIG. 1  in a schematic perspective view a seat assembly for a land vehicle, sea vessel or aircraft; 
         FIG. 2  likewise in a schematic perspective view a further embodiment of a seat assembly for a land vehicle, sea vessel or aircraft; 
         FIG. 3  again in a schematic perspective view a level-adjusting device for the seat assemblies according to  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  in a schematic perspective view, partially in section, a further embodiment of a level-adjusting device for the seat assemblies according to  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  a front view, on a larger scale, of detail V of the level-adjusting device of  FIG. 4 , together with an energy converter; 
         FIG. 6  in a schematic view, partially in section, a clamping/release means for the seat assemblies of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  in a schematic perspective view a third embodiment of a seat assembly for a land vehicle, sea vessel or aircraft; 
         FIG. 8  in a schematic perspective view a fourth embodiment of a seat assembly for a land vehicle, sea vessel or aircraft; 
         FIG. 9  in a side elevation, shown schematically, a footrest for a seat assembly according to  FIG. 1 ,  2 ,  7  or  8  and 
         FIG. 10  in a schematic perspective view a further embodiment of a footrest for the seat assemblies of  FIG. 1 ,  2 ,  7  or  8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In  FIG. 1  a seat assembly for a land vehicle, sea vessel or aircraft, not illustrated in more detail, is denoted by  1 . Such a vehicle may, for example, be represented by a military vehicle, such as a tank. 
     The seat assembly  1  comprises a stable rectangular platform  2 . On the platform  2  rails  3  are provided, alongside which a seat  4  for a user, not illustrated in more detail, can be secured in a displaceable manner and in any particular position. The seat  4  is designed to be ergonomic and comprises a backrest  6  the inclination of which can be varied about an axis  5 . 
     The platform  2  can be displaced in its corner regions  7  along cables  9 ,  10 ,  11 ,  12 , anchored to the structural parts  8  of the vehicle, as well as positionally secured in the respective position to the cables  9 - 12  in a manner to be described in more detail below. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1  the cable sections  9   a - 12   a ,  9   b - 12   b  respectively, extend above and beneath the platform  2  in such a manner that—starting from the platform  2 —they are directed away from the vertical centre axis MA of the platform  2 . As shown, the cable sections  9   a - 12   a ,  9   b - 12   b , located above and beneath the platform  2 , run parallel to one another. However—starting from the platform  2 —they may also be so arranged that, on the one hand, the cable sections  9   a - 12   a  above the platform  2  and, on the other, the cable sections  9   b - 12   b  underneath the platform  2  form the longitudinal edges of a fictitious pyramid, as it were. 
     In the seat assembly  1   a  of  FIG. 2  as well, a stable rectangular platform  2  is provided which can be displaced along its corner regions  7  by cables  9 - 12 , anchored to the structural parts  8  of the vehicle, as well as positionally secured in the respective position to the cables  9 - 12 . It can be seen, however, that now the cable sections  9   a - 12   a ,  9   b - 12   b  respectively, extending between the platform  2  and the structural parts  8  are directed towards the vertical centre axis MA. This bracing permits to position and secure the platform  2  in space by way of the bracing angles W between the cable sections  9   a - 12   a ,  9   b - 12   b  and the vertical line V in relation to the plane of the platform  2  as well as by the forces applied to the cable sections  9   a - 12   a ,  9   b - 12   b  the vectors VE of which intersect at a reference point RP. The reference point RP results from the point of intersection of the axes A and AA of the platform  2 . Each cable section  9   a - 12   a ,  9   b - 12   b  may adopt a different bracing angle W in relation to the platform  2  as long as the basic direction of all cable sections  9   a - 12   a ,  9   b - 12   b  is adhered to. 
     The embodiment of a platform  2 , shown schematically in  FIG. 3 , shows a level-adjusting device  13  with the aid of which the platform  2  can be displaced parallel to itself in upward or downward direction. It comprises four shafts  14  arranged crosswise and pivotally in the platform  2 , said shafts being coupled at their inner ends via a bevel gear mechanism  15 . A crank mechanism  16  is provided on the outer extremity of a shaft  14 . The cables  9 - 12  are looped once or several times around the shafts  14  in the vicinity of the outer extremities of the shafts  14 . When the crank mechanism  16  is turned, all shafts  14  rotate uniformly so that the platform  2  is displaced along the cables  9 - 12  as a result thereof. 
     In the embodiment of a level-adjusting device  13   a  according to  FIG. 4 , two shafts  14  are pivotally mounted parallel to one another in a platform  2 . The two shafts  14  are interconnected via a transmission  17 . On the extremity of a shaft  14  projecting from the platform  2  a crank mechanism  16  is provided. The cables  9 - 12  pass vertically through the platform  2  and are looped around the end regions of the shafts  14 . If the crank mechanism  16  is rotated, the platform  2  can be displaced parallel to itself in upward or downward direction. 
     This embodiment may, however, also be modified to the effect that no transmission  17  is provided, but that instead thereof both shafts  14  are provided with a crank mechanism  16 . In this embodiment, if both crank mechanisms  16  are actuated accordingly, the inclination of the platform  2  can be changed so that the seat inclination may be adapted to the respective user. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates schematically the region V of  FIG. 4 . It can be seen that the crank mechanism  16  is rigidly connected to a gear wheel  18 . The gear wheel  18  may be secured by a blocking device  19 , not shown in detail, in a desired position in relation to a platform in accordance with  FIG. 1  or  2  or—as will still be elucidated— FIG. 7  or  8 , respectively. The cable, for example cable  9 , loops around the shaft  14 . In the looping region  20  the shaft  14  is provided with a friction enhancing surface  21  so that the flow of forces between the cable  9  and the shaft  14  is improved. Between the shaft  14  and the gear wheel  18  an energy converter  22 , not illustrated in detail, is provided which may, for example, be designed as a torsion bar converter. 
     The embodiment according to  FIG. 5  may, of course, also be used in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . 
     From  FIG. 6  the principle of a clamping/release means  23  for a platform  2  is apparent. On the one side of a cable, for example cable  9 , a toothed counter-bearing  24  can be seen. In the upper region the counter-bearing  24  comprises downwardly-pointing teeth  25  and in the lower region upwardly-pointing teeth  26 . On the other side of the cable  9  two pivotal, toothed clamping members  27 ,  28  are provided, which are coupled to a release unit  29 . The release unit  29  is so designed that it can be used to release the clamping members  27 ,  28  individually from the cable  9 . If, for example, the platform  2  is to be displaced in upward direction, the upper clamping member  27  is released from the cable  9 , while the lower clamping member  28  is released from the cable  9  when the platform  2  is displaced in downward direction. It can further be seen that according to the respective direction of displacement the teeth  25 ,  26  on the counter-bearing  24  and the teeth  30 ,  31  on the clamping members  27 ,  28  are orientated identically. 
     The seat assembly  1   b  apparent from  FIG. 7  schematically shows a platform  2 , designed directly as a seat, which can be displaced along cables  9 - 12 , anchored to structural parts  8  of the vehicle, as well as positionally secured to the cables  9 - 12  in a prevailing position in the manner already described above. The cable sections  9   a - 12   a  and  9   b - 12   b  above and beneath the platform  2  are directed away from the platform  2 . 
     Between the rearward cable sections  11   a ,  12   a , viewed in the direction of movement of the vehicle, located above the platform  2 , a large-surface textile back bracing  32  is provided in the back region. Beneath this back bracing  32  two, in comparison, narrower, belt-like pelvic bracings  33  are located which serve to support the pelvic- and kidney regions of a user. 
       FIG. 7  further shows by dashed lines that instead of the back- and pelvic bracings  32 ,  33  a shell-like molded part  34  of ergonomic and/or safety-promoting design, adapted to the back region of a user, may be provided between the rearward cable sections  11   a ,  12   a , viewed in the direction of movement of the vehicle, located above the platform  2 . 
     The seat assembly  1   c  according to  FIG. 8  corresponds initially to the seat assembly  1   b  according to  FIG. 7  as regards the platform  2 , the orientation of the cables  9 - 12  as well as the back- and pelvic bracings  32 ,  33 . 
     In addition, however, it can further be seen that for the lateral support of a user textile pelvic- and shoulder bracings  35 ,  36  are provided between the lateral, successive cable sections  10   a ,  11   a , viewed in the direction of movement of the vehicle, provided above the platform  2 . These serve to support the pelvic region as well as the shoulder and head regions. The shoulder bracing  36  is designed like a net and permits a laterally-directed view as well as easier communication with other passengers.  FIG. 8  shows only one respective pelvic- and shoulder bracing  35 ,  36 . It goes without saying that on the other side as well such pelvic- and shoulder bracings  35 ,  36  may be provided between the upper cable sections  9   a  and  12   a.    
       FIG. 9 , in a basic side elevation, illustrates a footrest  37  for a user B, arranged upstream of a platform  2 , viewed in the direction of movement of a vehicle. The footrest  37  is adapted to the foot region of the user B and is supported by cables  38  anchored to structural parts  8  of the vehicle. In this context, it is conceivable that the footrest  37  is likewise height- and/or inclination-adjustable. The cables  38  may extend in space according to the embodiments of  FIG. 1 ,  7  or  8 . 
       FIG. 10  shows a platform-like footrest  37   a . This footrest  37   a  is anchored to a structural part  8  of a vehicle by an upwardly-directed vertical cable  39  and is anchored to structural parts  8  of the vehicle via four further downwardly-directed cables  41  fitted to the corner regions  40 . 
     For the embodiments of  FIGS. 9 and 10  integrated level-adjusting devices  13 ,  13   a  are conceivable as have been elucidated with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 6 .