Patent ID: 12246630

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now toFIGS.1and2, perspective views of a personal utility vehicle or cart10are illustrated therein. The utility vehicle10can include a front seat12and rear seat14to carry one or more passengers as is customary. The utility cart10includes a chassis15with steering means16, a motive source18such as a gas or electric motor and typically three or more wheels19capable of traversing over paved or unpaved terrain. The utility vehicle10may include a rear support floor20for holding items to be transported or for a foot rest or the like. A support rack or rail22may extend from the rear support floor20and may include means23for pivoting or otherwise permit movement of the support rail22relative to the rear support floor20. The rear seat14can include a seat back30and a seat bottom32constructed with opposing side restraint walls or rails24,26positioned at either side thereof. The first and second side restraint walls or rails24,26are configured to prevent passengers from unintentionally moving or otherwise falling out of the side of the utility vehicle10when the utility vehicle10is moving around corners or the like.

Referring now toFIG.3, a perspective view of a portion of the utility cart10is illustrated. A seat bottom32may include a first side40that includes a cushion42or other type of material for comfortable seating of a passenger during operation of the vehicle10. The seat bottom32can include a second side44that can be formed from an impact resistance material such as plastic, metal or a composite material and the like. The seat bottom32is connected via a hinge46to a platform48positioned below the seat bottom32when the seat bottom32is in a first or conventional position. The seat bottom32may be pivoted about the hinge46when moved to an upright position away from the platform48in a second position. A cargo bay62is formed between the seat bottom32and the seat back30when the seat is moved to the second position. The hinge46can extend between a first end50and a second end52of the seat bottom32along the length of the platform48. In this configuration, the cargo bay62is bound on one side of the seat bottom32and on the other side by the seat back30. The cargo bay62is further bound at either end50,52by the first side restraint wall24and the second side restraint wall26.

In some forms, the first and second side restraint walls24,26are configured to receive a side panel80positioned between an arm rest portion70and the platform48. The panels80may substantially form a solid wall to prevent items from inadvertently being displaced from the cargo bay62along the sides thereof. In some embodiments, the panels80may include two or more sub-panels such as sub-panels82,84that can be connected together by one or more connectors86. In one form, the connectors86can be formed from a tongue88and groove90configuration extending from adjacent sub-panels82,84. The connectors86are operable to prevent relative movement between the sub-panels82,84. One or more securing brackets100may connect and removably hold the panels80to the side rails24,26.

In the exemplary embodiment, a positioning tool110may be utilized to hold the rear seat32in the second position. The positioning tool110includes a first connector112and a second connector114at opposite ends for connecting to the rear support rail22and a portion of the seat bottom32to hold the seat bottom32at a desired location away from the platform48. In one form a seat connector bar120may be coupled to the seat bottom32to provide means for receiving the second connector114of the positioning tool110. In one form the seat bottom32may be located in a substantially vertical position in the second position. In other forms the seat bottom32may be held in position that is greater than a 90° angle and in other embodiments the seat bottom32may be held in a position that is less than vertical or 90° relative to the platform48. It should be understood that other means to hold the rear seat32in the second position are contemplated herein. By way of example and not limitation, locking pins, gears, propping bars, etc. may be utilized in alternate embodiments.

Referring now toFIG.4, another view of a portion of the utility vehicle10is illustrated wherein the platform48of the cargo bay62includes a movable portion130bounded by an outer fixed portion132positioned around the movable portion130. When the seat bottom32is positioned in the second position, a release handle140coupled to the movable portion130can be accessed and pulled upward so as to pivot the movable portion130about one or more platform hinges142. The movable portion130may pivot relative to the fixed portion132to open and permit access to a lower cargo region (not shown). In this manner additional storage is accessible in the utility vehicle10.

Referring now toFIGS.5and6, a perspective view of the positioning tool110and a cross-section side view of the positioning tool110are illustrated. The positioning tool110can include an elongate rod200extending between a first end202and a second end204. The elongate rod200can be formed from various cross-sectional shapes including the one depicted which has a square or rectangular cross-section, however other forms may include other shapes to form the elongate rod200. Also, while the exemplary embodiment illustrates a substantially straight rod200, some embodiments may require a rod200with one or more bends or curves and the like.

A first connector112extends from the first end202and a second connector114extends from the second end204. The first connector112includes a first extension arm206extending generally at a 90° or greater angle from the rod200as illustrated. The first extension arm206includes an inner engagement surface208on the inner side thereof. A second extension arm210extends generally at a 90° or greater angle from the elongate rod200in similar fashion to the first extension arm206. The second extension arm210includes an inner engagement surface212on the inner side thereof. The first and second extension arms206,210of the first connector112can include a first lip214and a second lip216, respectively, that only extends inward at a distal end of the extension arms206,210. The protruding lips214,216provide a clamp or press fit connection about the support rail22(not shown). The first connector112includes a top wall218that extends between the first and second arms206,210. A handle220may extend from the top wall218of the first connector112. The handle220may include a first portion222spaced apart from the top wall218with an angled transition portion223extending from the first portion to a second portion224that extends substantially parallel along a partial length of the elongate rod200. The handle220is configured to provide a hand grip to permit one to hold and maneuver the positioning tool110while connecting or disconnecting the positioning tool110to the vehicle10. The first and second extension arms206and210are configured to guide the first connector112over a top portion of the support rail22(FIGS.1and2) and can clamp around a bottom portion of the support rail22with the first and second lips214,216. The protruding lips214,216prevent an inadvertent removal of the positioning tool110from the support rail22due to the interference fit of the lips214,216with the rail22.

The second connector114includes a top wall230extending from the second and204of the elongate rod200. A first arm232and second arm234can extend from the top wall230. The first arm232extends at an acute angle from the top wall230toward the second arm234. The first arm232of the second connector214can include an outer wall236extending from a bottom side203of the elongate rod200. An internal engagement wall238can be formed on the other side of the first arm232. The acute angle of the engagement wall238forms an acute locking radius239between the top wall230and the first arm232.

The second arm234of the second connector114includes an outer side wall242generally extending orthogonally from an engagement surface240of the top wall230proximate the bottom side203of the rod200. An engagement surface244of the second arm234is generally formed in an orthogonal direction from the elongate rod200. The angle may vary from the orthogonal position in other embodiments. The opposing engagement surfaces238,244of the first and second arms232,234provide a connecting or engagement means for attaching the positioning tool110to the seat connector bar120. In operation the second connector114of the positioning tool110is attached to the connector bar120at an incident angle sufficient to permit the angled first arm232to slide around a lower ledge121of the connector bar120(seeFIG.3). The incident angle of the angled wall238permits the first arm232of the second connector114to slide under the lower ledge121of the connector bar120when the first connector112is held above the support rail22. The second connector114is pivoted or rotated about the connector bar120as the first connector112is lowered in a substantially vertical direction to clamp down over the support rail22. The angled engagement wall238of the second connector114will be removably locked under the lower ledge121(seeFIG.3) of the seat connector bar120and thus prevent the second connector114from being removed from the seat connector bar120unless the handle220is lifted upward to provide the proper angle for removal of the second connector114. The positioning tool110cannot be inadvertently be removed from the support rail22and the seat bottom32, therefore the seat bottom will remain in a second position until the positioning tool110is intentionally disconnected from the support rail22and the seat bottom32.

Referring now toFIGS.7and8, the positioning tool110can be used to maneuver and lock or unlock the seat14to a support rail22. An operator can grip the positioning tool110with one hand300and attach the second connector114to the seat connector bar120and raise or lower the seat14when maneuvering the seat between the first position (seating position) and the second position (wall for cargo bay). When the handle220is depressed by “squeezing” the second portion224(seeFIG.8), the second extension arm210deflects apart from the first extension arm206at an angle away from an outer sidewall275of the support rail22as one skilled in the art would readily understand. When the second extension arm210is deflected the second lip216is displaced such that it can be attached or removed to/from an underside277of the support rail22depending on whether the seat14is being moved to the first or second positions.

In one aspect the present disclosure includes a utility vehicle comprising: a pivotable seat connected by a hinge to a fixed platform, the seat configured to pivot between a first position and a second position, the first position defining a standard seat location and a second position defining a first wall of a cargo bay; a seatback configured to form a second wall of a cargo bay when the pivotable seat is in the second position; and first and second opposing side walls positioned on either side of the pivotable seat, the side walls configured to form side barriers for the cargo bay when the pivotable seat is in the second position.

In refining aspects the pivotable seat includes a seat cushion on a first side and an impact resistant material on a second side; wherein the platform includes an outer surface made from impact resistant material; wherein the side walls are defined by a rail member having an open interior region configured to form an arm rest at opposing ends of the pivotable seat; further comprising a removable panel connected to each of the rail members to form a barrier across the open interior region; wherein the panel includes a plurality of sub-panels; wherein the sub-panels include tongue and groove connectors configured to connect the sub-panels together; further comprising one or more brackets configured to connect the panel to the rail; further comprising a positioning device connectable to a support rail and the pivotable seat, the positioning device configured to hold the pivotable seat in the second position; wherein the positioning device includes an elongate rod having first and second connectors extending from either end; wherein the first connector includes first and second arms projecting in parallel away from the rod, the first and second arms of the first connector being configured to engage with a portion of the support rail and include a lip projecting inward at a distal end of each arm to extend partially across a bottom portion of the support rail; and wherein the second connector includes first and second arms configured to engage with a seat connector bar, wherein at least one of the first and second arms projects away from the rod at an oblique angle.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a method for converting a seating area to a cargo bay in a personal transportation vehicle, the method comprising: connecting a seat bottom to a platform via a hinge; pivoting the seat bottom about the hinge such that a bottom wall of the seat bottom is angularly displaced from the platform; forming one wall of the cargo bay with the angularly displaced seat bottom; forming an opposing wall of the cargo bay with the seat back; and forming opposing side walls of the cargo bay with a pair of side restraints connected between the seat bottom and the seat back.

In refining aspects, the method further comprises connecting a panel to each of the side restraints; latching the seat bottom to a fixed member of the vehicle to hold the seat bottom in the angularly displaced position; wherein the latching includes sliding a pair of arms extending from either end of an elongate rod over portions of the fixed member and a seat connector bar.

Another aspect of the present disclosure includes: a chassis having a motive source, a steering mechanism and a plurality of wheels; a seat having a movable seat bottom and a seat back connected to the chassis; a stationary rail extending from the chassis; a cargo bay formed by moving the seat bottom from a substantially horizontal position to a second position, wherein in the second position the seat bottom defines one wall of the cargo bay and the seat back defines an opposing wall of the cargo bay: and first and second side restraints extending between the seat back and the seat bottom along opposing sides of the cargo bay.

In refining aspects, the side restraints include detachable panels structured to form barriers at the first and second sides of the cargo bay; wherein the second position is substantially vertical; further comprising a positioning device connected between the stationary rail and the seat bottom to hold the seat bottom in the second position; wherein the positioning device is defined by an elongate rod having first and second connectors extending from either end thereof, each of the first and second connectors includes a pair of arms spaced apart from one another and configured to engage portions of the stationary rail and a connector bar associated with the seat bottom, respectively.

In another aspect of the present disclosure includes a positioning tool for a positioning a seat on a utility vehicle comprising: an elongate rod having first and second connectors extending from opposing ends thereof; wherein the first connector includes a first pair of arms having first and second lips projecting toward one another at distal ends thereof, the first pair of arms spaced apart from one another and configured to engage portions of a support; wherein the second connector includes a second pair of arms spaced apart from one another and configured to engage portions of the seat, at least one of the second pair of arms extending at an oblique angle from the elongate rod; and a handle attached to the elongate rod proximate the first end, the handle operable to deflect the first pair of arms apart from one another when depressed toward the elongate rod.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions are desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.

Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.