MULTIFUNCTION VEHICULAR SEAT

• US 20080122280A1
• Filed: 09/08/2006
• Published: 05/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Jaranson, John, Chatwin, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US11/530,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20080122280A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/341
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3013 the back-rest being hinged on the vehicle frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3065 in a longitudinal-vertical plane
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/309 rods
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3093 slides
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/34 into a bed
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/36 into a loading platform B60N2/065 takes precedence

Abstract

A multi-function vehicular seat includes a seat cushion and a seat back which are pivotably attached. A lockable rotatable mounting link supports the front portion of the seat cushion, and a lockable longitudinally slidable pivot mount is connected with the bottom of the seat back. A lower portion of the seat back functions as a link between the longitudinally slidable pivot mount and the seat cushion, with the result being that the seat functions as a four bar link to allow not only translational repositioning of the seat but also a fold flat function, a recliner function, and forward translational and rotational folding sufficient to allow ingress and egress to and from a position behind the seat.

Claims

1. A multifunction vehicular seat, comprising:

a seat cushion;

a rotatable seat cushion mounting link supporting a front portion of said seat cushion;

a seat back;

a longitudinally slidable pivot mount connected to the bottom of said seat back; and

a pivotable connection extending between a rear portion of said seat cushion and a portion of said seat back located above the bottom of the seatback, such that a lower portion of the seatback functions as a link between said longitudinally slidable pivot mount and said seat cushion.

2. A multifunction seat according to claim 1, wherein said rotatable seat cushion mounting link comprises an upper end pivoted to the front portion of the seat cushion, and a lower end having a bracket for mounting to a floor, wherein said lower end pivot is selectively lockable.

3. A multifunction seat according to claim 2, wherein said longitudinally slidable pivot mount is lockable both rotationally and translationally.

4. A multifunction seat according to claim 3, wherein said seat is movable to a flat, folded configuration by unlocking both said lower end pivot and the pivot function of said longitudinally slidable pivot mount, and by rotating said seat back forward, while rotating said rotatable seat cushion mounting link in a forward direction, said until said seat back is superimposed upon said seat cushion.

5. A multifunction seat according to claim 3, wherein said seat is movable to a flat, folded configuration by unlocking both said lower end pivot and the pivot function of said longitudinally slidable pivot mount, and by rotating said seat back forward, while rotating rotatable seat cushion mounting link in a rearward direction, said until said seat back is superimposed upon said seat cushion.

6. A multifunction seat according to claim 3, wherein said seat is movable translationally by unlocking both said lower end pivot and the slide function of said longitudinally slidable pivot mount.

7. A multifunction seat according to claim 3, wherein said seat is movable to an ingress/egress position by unlocking both said lower end pivot and the pivot function of said longitudinally slidable pivot mount, as well as the slide function of said longitudinally slidable pivot mount, so as to permit said seatback to be moved forward both rotationally and translationally as said seat cushion moves forward.

8. A multifunction seat according to claim 3, wherein said seat is movable to a reclined position by unlocking the pivot function of said longitudinally slidable pivot mount, as well as the slide function of said longitudinally slidable pivot mount, so as to permit an upper portion of said seat back to be moved rearward rotationally as said slidable pivot mount and a lower portion of said seat back move forward.

9. A multifunction seat adapted to be installed in a vehicle as a lever-adjustable, four bar linkage, comprising:

a first link, comprising a seat cushion support extending from a front portion of a seat cushion downwardly to a forward mounting bracket;

a second link, comprising said seat cushion;

a third link, comprising a portion of a seat back extending from a rear portion of said seat cushion downwardly to a longitudinally slidable rear mounting bracket; and

a fourth link, which is constituted when said forward mounting bracket and said rear mounting bracket are in contact with a single surface.

10. A multifunction seat according to claim 9, wherein at least a portion of said seat back extending above said seat cushion functions as a lever arm for adjusting the position of said seat.

11. A multifunction seat according to claim 9, wherein said seat has at least a first operating position in which said seat back and said seat cushion are in raised positions, and a second operating position in which said seat back and said seat cushion are in lowered positions, such that said seat back is generally horizontal and superimposed upon said seat cushion.

12. A multifunction seat according to claim 9, wherein a joint between said first link and said forward mounting bracket is lockable.

13. A multifunction seat according to claim 9, wherein a joint between said third link and said longitudinally slidable rear mounting bracket is lockable.