Vehicle seat and seat belt arrangement

• US 5,722,731 A
• Filed: 10/25/1995
• Issued: 03/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: VOXX International Corporation
• Original Assignee: Chang, Chung L.
• Inventors: Chang, Chung L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US08/548,207
• Time in Patent Office: 860 Days
• Field of Search: 297/344.1, 297/464, 297/473, 297/475, 297/483, 297/452.18, 297/452.1, 297/452.2, 297/474
• US Class Current: 297/473
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0705 omega-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0715 C or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0732 Attachment of seat frame to the slide, e.g. eyelets
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/688 Particular seat belt attachment and guiding
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/20 adjustable in position, e.g. in height
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/203 the locking means being movably mounted on the slider
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/26 secured to the seat

Abstract

A seat and seat belt assembly wherein a platform is slidable relative a first track and a second track, a belt guide is mounted on the seat back, and seat belt retractor is mounted on the slidable platform beneath the belt guide. Preferably, substantially all the seat belt is mounted external the first and second interior envelopes, and the web of the seat belt extends flat along the first side of the seat back between the retractor and the belt guide and the axis of rotation of the retractor extends generally parallel to the first track. Advantageously, the belt guide is mounted on a second member which is moveable with respect to a first member which is fixed to the seat back. Advantageously, the seat back includes an external frame having an upper horizontal arm, a lower horizontal arm, a first vertical arm and a second vertical arm and an internal reinforcing member secured to the first vertical arm proximate the upper horizontal, secured to the lower horizontal and secured to the second vertical arm proximate the upper horizontal arm.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat and seat belt assembly, comprising:

a first track having a front and a rear;

a second track having a front and a rear;

a platform slidable relative to said first track and said second track, comprising;

a seat bottom defining an upper surface, a first side, a second side, a front and a back;

a first bracket fixed relative to said seat bottom and mounted on and slidable with respect to said first track;

a second bracket fixed relative to said seat bottom and mounted on and slidable with respect to said second track; and

a seat back having a top end, a bottom end, a first side, a second side, a front face and a back face, said seat back mounted on said seat bottom;

a first layer of upholstery, said first layer covering at least said first side, said second side and said front face of said seat back and defining a first interior envelope;

a second layer of upholstery, said second layer covering at least said first side, said second side and said upper surface of said seat bottom and defining a second interior envelope;

a belt guide mounted to said seat back external to said first interior envelope;

a seat belt retractor mounted on said platform beneath said belt guide;

a seat belt having a first end connected to said retractor and a second end secured to said platform proximate said first track, said seat belt extending upward from said retractor along said first side of said seat back and through said belt guide;

a first latch member slidably secured to said seat belt between said belt guide and said second end; and

a second latch member secured to said platform proximate said second track, one of said first latch member and said second latch member being sized and shaped to retain the other of said first latch member and said second latch member, further comprising a first member fixed to said seat back and a second member, said first member and said second member sized and shaped to be movably retained by one another, said belt guide mounted on said second member, and wherein said first member is fixed to said first side of said seat back proximate said top end and one of said first member and said second member forms a series of stations extending between said top end and said bottom end of said seat back, further comprising a lock selectably preventing movement of said first member relative said second member.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein substantially all of said seat belt is mounted external to said first and second interior envelopes.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein a web of said seat belt extends flat along said first side of said seat back between said retractor and said belt guide.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said retractor is mounted proximate said seat bottom.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein said seat belt retractor defines an axis of rotation, said axis of rotation extending generally parallel to said first track.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said seat belt extends from said retractor through said belt guide toward said seat back.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said second member further defines a horizontal axis about which said belt guide is rotatable.

8. A vehicle seat and seat belt assembly, comprising:

a first track having a front and a rear;

a second track having a front and a rear;

a platform slidable relative to said first track and said second track, comprising;

a seat bottom defining an upper surface, a first side, a second side, a front and a back;

a first bracket fixed relative to said seat bottom mounted on and slidable with respect to said first track;

a second bracket fixed relative to said seat bottom and mounted on and slidable with respect to said second track; and

a seat back having a top end, a bottom end, a first side, a second side, a front face and a back face, said seat back mounted on said seat bottom, said seat back comprising;

an external frame having an upper horizonal arm, a lower horizontal arm, a first vertical arm and a second vertical arm;

an internal reinforcing member secured to said first vertical arm proximate said upper horizontal arm, secured to said lower horizontal arm and secured to said second vertical arm proximate said upper horizontal arm;

a first layer of upholstery, said first layer covering at least said first side, said second side and said front face of said seat back and defining a first interior envelope;

a second layer of upholstery, said second layer covering at least said first side, said second side and said upper surface of said seat bottom and defining a second interior envelope;

a belt guide mounted to said seat back;

a seat belt retractor mounted on said platform;

a seat belt having a first end connected to said retractor and a second end secured to said platform, said seat belt extending through said belt guide;

a first latch member slidably secured to said seat belt; and

a second latch member secured to said platform, one of said first latch member and said second latch member being sized and shaped to retain the other of said first latch member and said second latch member, wherein said internal reinforcing member is secured along a substantial portion of the length of said first vertical arm, said lower horizontal arm and said second vertical arm and wherein said internal reinforcing member is substantially U-shaped.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said internal reinforcing member comprises a one piece integrally formed tube.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said reinforcing member defines a substantially uniform cross-section.

11. A vehicle seat and seat belt assembly, comprising:

a first track having a front and a rear;

a second track having a front and a rear;

a platform slidable relative to said first track and said second track, comprising;

a seat bottom defining an upper surface, a first side, a second side, a front and a back;

a first bracket fixed relative to said seat bottom and mounted on and slidable with respect to said first track;

a second bracket fixed relative to said seat bottom and mounted on and slidable with respect to said second track; and

a seat back having a top end, a bottom end, a first side, a second side, a front face and a back face, said seat back mounted on said seat bottom;

a first layer of upholstery, said first layer covering at least said first side, said second side and said front face of said seat back and defining a first interior envelope;

a second layer of upholstery, said second layer covering at least said first side, said second side and said upper surface of said seat bottom and defining a second interior envelope;

a belt guide mounted to said seat back external to said first interior envelope;

a seat belt retractor mounted on said platform beneath said belt guide;

a seat belt having a first end connected to said retractor and a second end secured to said platform proximate said first track, said seat belt extending upward from said retractor along said first side of said seat back and through said belt guide;

a first latch member slidably secured to said seat belt between said belt guide and said second end; and

a second latch member secured to said platform proximate said second track, one of said first latch member and said second latch member being sized and shaped to retain the other of said first latch member and said second latch member, further comprising a first member fixed to said seat back and a second member, said first member and said second member sized and shaped to be movably retained by one another, said belt guide mounted on said second member, wherein one of said first member and said second member forms a series of stations extending between said top end and said bottom end of said seat back, further comprising a lock selectably preventing movement of said first member relative to said second member.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said second member further defines a horizontal axis about which said belt guide is rotatable.

13. A vehicle seat and seat belt assembly, comprising:

a first track having a front and a rear;

a second track having a front and a rear;

a platform slidable relative to said first track and said second track, comprising;

a seat bottom defining an upper surface, a first side, a second side, a front and a back;

a first bracket fixed relative to said seat bottom and mounted on and slidable with respect to said first track;

a second bracket fixed relative to said seat bottom and mounted on and slidable with respect to said second track; and

a seat back having a top end, a bottom end, a first side, a second side, a front face and a back face, said seat back mounted on said seat bottom;

a first layer of upholstery, said first layer covering at least said first side, said second side and said front face of said seat back and defining a first interior envelope;

a second layer of upholstery, said second layer covering at least said first side, said second side and said upper surface of said seat bottom and defining a second interior envelope;

a belt guide mounted to said seat back;

a first member fixed to said seat back;

a second member, said first member and said second member sized and shaped to be movably retained by one another, said belt guide mounted on said second member

a seat belt retractor mounted on said platform;

a seat belt having a first end connected to said retractor and a second end secured to said platform, said seat belt extending through said belt guide;

a first latch member slidably secured to said seat belt; and

a second latch member secured to said platform, one of said first latch member and said second latch member being sized and shaped to retain the other of said first latch member and said second latch member, wherein said first member is fixed to said first side of said seat back proximate said top end wherein one of said first member and said second member form a series of stations extending between said top end and said bottom end of said seat back, further comprising a lock selectably preventing movement of said first member relative said second member.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein said second member further defines a horizontal axis about which said belt guide is rotatable.

15. A vehicle seat and seat belt assembly, comprising:

a first track having a front and a rear;

a second track having a front and a rear;

a platform slidable relative to said first track and said second track, comprising;

a seat bottom defining an upper surface, a first side, a second side, a front and a back;

a first bracket fixed relative to said seat bottom and mounted on and slidable with respect to said first track;

a second bracket fixed relative to said seat bottom and mounted on and slidable with respect to said second track; and

a seat back having a top end, a bottom end, a first side, a second side, a front face and a back face, said seat back mounted on said seat bottom;

a first layer of upholstery, said first layer covering at least said first side, said second side and said front face of said seat back and defining a first interior envelope;

a second layer of upholstery, said second layer covering at least said first side, said second side and said upper surface of said seat bottom and defining a second interior envelope;

a belt guide mounted to said seat back external to said first interior envelope;

a seat belt retractor mounted on said platform beneath said belt guide;

a seat belt having a first end connected to said retractor and a second end secured to said platform proximate said first track, said seat belt extending upward from said retractor along said first side of said seat back and through said belt guide;

a first latch member slidably secured to said seat belt between said belt guide and said second end; and

a second latch member secured to said platform proximate said second track, one of said first latch member and said second latch member being sized and shaped to retain the other of said first latch member and said second latch member, further comprising a first member fixed to said seat back and a second member, said first member and said second member sized and shaped to be movably retained by one another, said belt guide mounted on said second member, wherein said seat back further comprises;

an external frame having an upper horizonal arm, a lower horizontal arm, a first vertical arm and a second vertical arm;

an internal reinforcing member secured to said first vertical arm proximate said upper horizontal arm, secured to said lower horizontal arm and secured to said second vertical arm proximate said upper horizontal arm, wherein said internal reinforcing member is secured along a substantial portion of the length of said first vertical arm, said lower horizontal arm and said second vertical arm and wherein said internal reinforcing member is substantially U-shaped.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said internal reinforcing member comprises a one piece integrally formed tube.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said reinforcing member defines a substantially uniform cross-section.

18. A vehicle seat and seat belt assembly, comprising:

a first track having a front and a rear;

a second track having a front and a rear;

a platform slidable relative to said first track and said second track, comprising;

a seat bottom defining an upper surface, a first side, a second side, a front and a back;

a first bracket fixed relative to said seat bottom and mounted on and slidable with respect to said first track;

a second bracket fixed relative to said seat bottom and mounted on and slidable with respect to said second track; and

a seat back having a top end, a bottom end, a first side, a second side, a front face and a back face, said seat back mounted on said seat bottom;

a first layer of upholstery, said first layer covering at least said first side, said second side and said front face of said seat back and defining a first interior envelope;

a second layer of upholstery, said second layer covering at least said first side, said second side and said upper surface of said seat bottom and defining a second interior envelope;

a belt guide mounted to said seat back external to said first interior envelope;

a seat belt retractor mounted on said platform beneath said belt guide;

a seat belt having a first end connected to said retractor and a second end secured to said platform proximate said first track, said seat belt extending upward from said retractor along said first side of said seat back and through said belt guide;

a first latch member slidably secured to said seat belt between said belt guide and said second end; and

a second latch member secured to said platform proximate said second track, one of said first latch member and said second latch member being sized and shaped to retain the other of said first latch member and said second latch member, wherein said seat back further comprises;

an external frame having an upper horizonal arm, a lower horizontal arm, a first vertical arm and a second vertical arm;

an internal reinforcing member secured to said first vertical arm proximate said upper horizontal arm, secured to said lower horizontal arm and secured to said second vertical arm proximate said upper horizontal arm, wherein said internal reinforcing member is secured along a substantial portion of the length of said first vertical arm, said lower horizontal arm and said second vertical arm, and wherein said internal reinforcing member is substantially U-shaped.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein said internal reinforcing member comprises a one piece integrally formed tube.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein said reinforcing member defines a substantially uniform cross-section.

21. A vehicle seat and seat belt assembly, comprising:

a first track having a front and a rear;

a second track having a front and a rear;

a platform slidable relative to said first track and said second track, comprising;

a seat bottom defining an upper surface, a first side, a second side, a front and a back;

a first bracket fixed relative to said seat bottom and mounted on and slidable with respect to said first track;

a second bracket fixed relative to said seat bottom and mounted on and slidable with respect to said second track; and

a seat back having a top end, a bottom end, a first side, a second side, a front face and a back face, said seat back mounted on said seat bottom;

a first layer of upholstery, said first layer covering at least said first side, said second side and said front face of said seat back and defining a first interior envelope;

a second layer of upholstery, said second layer covering at least said first side, said second side and said upper surface of said seat bottom and defining a second interior envelope;

a belt guide mounted to said seat back;

a first member fixed to said seat back;

a second member, said first member and said second member sized and shaped to be movably retained by one another, said belt guide mounted on said second member

a seat belt retractor mounted on said platform;

a seat belt having a first end connected to said retractor and a second end secured to said platform, said seat belt extending through said belt guide;

a first latch member slidably secured to said seat belt; and

a second latch member secured to said platform, one of said first latch member and said second latch member being sized and shaped to retain the other of said first latch member and said second latch member, wherein said seat back further comprises;

an external frame having an upper horizonal arm, a lower horizontal arm, a first vertical arm and a second vertical arm;

an internal reinforcing member secured to said first vertical arm proximate said upper horizontal arm, secured to said lower horizontal arm and secured to said second vertical arm proximate said upper horizontal arm wherein said internal reinforcing member is secured along a substantial portion of the length of said first vertical arm, said lower horizontal arm and said second vertical arm and wherein said internal reinforcing member is substantially U-shaped.

22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein said internal reinforcing member comprises a one piece integrally formed tube.

23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein said reinforcing member defines a substantially uniform cross-section.