TRANSIT SEAT WITH CONTOURED PLASTIC SHELL

• US 3,747,978 A
• Filed: 03/07/1972
• Issued: 07/24/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: American Seating Company
• Original Assignee: Chester J. Barecki
• Inventors: Barecki, Chester J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gilliam, Paul R.
• Application Number:
  US05/232,430
• Time in Patent Office: 504 Days
• Field of Search: 297/445,446,454,455,456,DIG.1,DIG.2,92,283,312,448,232,233
• US Class Current: 297/451.4
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 4/02 Dismountable chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 4/028 Upholstered chairs, e.g. metal, plastic or wooden chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 5/043 of tubular non-circular cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/242 Bus seats

Abstract

A two-passenger seat for public transportation vehicle includes a frame of rectangular tubing with a recessed seat area for receiving a one-piece molded plastic shell which is provided with contoured seat and back areas for each of two side-by-side passengers. A single pedestal having a rectangular cross section elongated in the fore-and-aft direction is located beneath the seat spaced inwardly of the aisle end. Separate replaceable cover inserts are received in the seat and back contoured portions which act to retain passengers in place during turns while providing versatility and modification possibilities in seat and back covers.

Claims

1. A transit seat for accommodating a plurality of passengers side-by-side and having an aisle side and a wall side comprising:

a tubular frame including first and second side members formed in the general shape of an L to provide seat and back portions;

a first stretcher tube interconnecting the forward ends of said seat portions of said side frame members;

a second stretcher tube interconnecting the upper ends of said side frame members;

a third stretcher tube connecting said side members at the rear of said seat portion thereof and defining a central recess;

a forwardly extending tubular frame member interconnecting said first stretcher tube with the depressed portion of said transverse tubular frame member and located at a position spaced inwardly of the aisle side of said seat;

means for securing the side frame member adjacent said wall side of said seat to the wall of a vehicle;

a single pedestal connected to said frame for attachment to the floor of a vehicle and extending downwardly from the interconnection of said depressed portion of said third stretcher tube and the rear end of said forwardly extending frame member; and

a single-piece plastic shell secured to said frame only at said first and second stretcher tubes;

said plastic shell providing individual contoured recesses for receiving inserts and retaining passengers in position during turns.

2. The seat of claim 1 wherein said first and second L-shaped side frame members define upper rear openings located beneath an upper rear flange of said shell;

said seat further comprising a tubular grab rail of round cross section extending behind said seat and upwardly of the back portion thereof received in the openings of said side frame members in an out-of-sight location.

3. The seat of claim 1 further comprising a smoothly curved base plate attached to the floor of said vehicle adjacent said pedestal to facilitate cleaning of the floor of said vehicle;

and bolt means for securing said base plate to said floor at locations fore and aft of said pedestal.

4. The seat of claim 3 wherein said pedestal is characterized in having a rectangular cross section, the longitudinal direction thereof extending in the fore-and-aft direction of said seat.

5. The seat of claim 1 wherein said seat is characterized as having a single tubular member forming said L-shaped angle members and said first stretcher thereof, said seat further including a vinyl plastic extrusion spaced between front stretcher tube of said frame and said shell to cushion the same.