Seating arrangement with an adjustable seating segment

• US 7,093,899 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2002
• Issued: 08/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH (Adient plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH (Adient plc)
• Inventors: Hemmelrath, Rudolf, Fisher, Siegfried
• Primary Examiner(s): BARFIELD, ANTHONY DERRELL
• Application Number:
  US10/481,693
• Publication Number:
  US 20040239167A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,519 Days
• Field of Search: 297/188.08, 297/188.09, 297/188.1, 297/331, 297/335, 297/336, 297/234, 297/235, 297/236, 297/1, 297/2, 297/3
• US Class Current: 297/334
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3065 in a longitudinal-vertical plane
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/309 rods
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/76 in a recess of the cushion
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/793 for use as storage compartments
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/001 of tables or trays

Abstract

A seating arrangement, for a motor vehicle, with a lower upholstered seating part comprising a seating surface and a seating section with a top side which is arranged opposite an under-side. Said seating section can be guided in a displaceable manner by guiding means between a first position, wherein said seating section is lowered into the upholstered seating part and forms a section of the seating surface with the top side, and between a second position, wherein said section protrudes from the seating surface in relation to the upholstered seating part. The guiding elements are configured in such a way that when the seating section is lifted between both positions they enable a turning movement of approximately 180°, in addition to adjustment of said height so that in the raised second position, the seating section with the underside thereof is raised upwards away from the upholstered seating part.

Claims

1. A seat arrangement, for a vehicle seat comprising a lower seat cushion part (2), which has an inclined seat surface (6), and a seat segment (8) having an upper side (10) and an opposite lower side (12), the seat segment (8) is guided moveably via a guide (14) between a first position, recessed in the seat cushion part (2), to form part of the seat surface (6) of the seat cushion part (2), and a second position, raised completely out of the seat surface (6) relative to the seat cushion part (2), the guide (14) is configured in such a manner that, when the seat segment (8) is transferred between its two positions, the seat segment is completely offset in height, and turned through approximately 180°

, so that, in the raised, second position, the seat segment (8) points with its lower side (12) upward away from the seat cushion part (2).

2. The seat arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat segment (8) has a table-like tray surface on its lower side (12).

3. The seat arrangement as claimed in claim 1, the seat segment (8) has retaining holders for objects, on its lower side (12).

4. The seat arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherien, in the second position, the seat segment (8) is arranged with the lower side (12) at an ergonomic height above the seat surface (6) in such a manner that the lower side (16) can also be used for an arm rest.

5. The seat arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the guide (14) is configured as a four-bar linkage mechanisms, with two identical sub-mechanisms arranged parallel on both sides of the seat segment (8).

6. The seat arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein each sub-mechanism has two levers (16, 18) which are connected pivotably on one side to the seat cushion part (2) via a respective joint (A, C) and are connected pivotably on the other side to the seat segment (8) via a respective joint (B, D), the joints (A, C, B, D) defining a four-bar linkage with a base (A–

C) formed by the levers (16, 18) and a coupler (B–

D) formed by the seat segment (8).

7. The seat arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein each four-bar linkage (A, C, B, D) is configured as a double inner link which can be knocked through, the base (A–

C) forming the largest linkage side and the sum of the largest and smallest linkage sides (A–

C plus B–

D) being approximately identical to the sum of the two remaining linkage sides (A–

B plus C–

D).

8. The seat arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein the length ratios of the linkage sides are configured in such a manner that the transfer of the seat segment (8) from the first position into the second position takes place in a curved movement corresponding to an ergonomic radius of action of an arm of a person holding a handle element (20 of the seat segment (8).