Vehicle seat

• US 20020084679A1
• Filed: 09/14/2001
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blue Leaf IP Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.), CNH America Llc (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: New Holland North America Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Strong, Russell W., Colliar, James, Mowatt, Jeffrey W., Skelcher, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 6,598,935 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/217.3
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 49/0692 characterised by the particular arrangement of control devices, e.g. having more than one control stand, operable from vehicle extension (control devices or systems characterised by mechanical features only)

Abstract

A vehicle seat for an operator is disclosed in combination with a mechanical joystick for operating ancillary equipment of the vehicle. The joystick is pivotably mounted on the seat for movement between an active position in which the joystick may be manipulated by a seated operator and a stowed position in which access to the seat is unencumbered by the joystick.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat for an operator in combination with a mechanical joystick for operating ancillary equipment of the vehicle, wherein the joystick is pivotably mounted on the seat for movement between an active position in which the joystick may be manipulated by a seated operator and a stowed position in which access to the seat is unencumbered by the joystick.

2. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the joystick has a control button for enabling and disabling operation of the joystick and wherein the control button is mechanically coupled to the seat in such a manner that the joystick is automatically disabled when in the stowed position.

3. The vehicle seat of claim 2 wherein the control button is coupled to the seat by means of a Bowden cable.

4. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the joystick acts in use on the ancillary equipment by way of Bowden cables, each Bowden cable including slack to permit movement of the seat and of the joystick without affecting the operation of the ancillary equipment.

5. The vehicle seat of claim 4 further comprising means for constraining the slack sections of the Bowden cables.

6. The vehicle seat of claim 1 wherein the joystick is mounted on the seat by means of a bracket having first and second arms at an angle to one another, the first arm being pivotable at its free end relative to the seat and the second arm supporting the joystick at its free end.

7. The vehicle seat of claim 6 wherein said seat includes a seat base, said first arm being pivotably mounted to the seat at a point higher than the seat base, said second arm, when in the active position, being positioned below said seat base and extending parallel to a top surface of said seat base.

8. The vehicle seat of claim 7 wherein the seat is provided with an arm rest, said first arm of the bracket being pivoted at a point that is lower than the arm rest.

9. The vehicle seat of claim 8 wherein the bracket is formed with an arcuate slot which receives a locking bolt that engages in the seat base, to enable the bracket to be locked in any desired position.

10. The vehicle seat of claim 8 wherein the joystick comprises an operating handle connected to a telescopically extendable control rod.