Convertible seating unit

• US 8,056,978 B2
• Filed: 05/15/2009
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Lin, Rex, Hong, Randal, Shivers, Sarah, Klein, Adina, Velez, Juan Carlos Intriago, Chandra, Sujoy
• Primary Examiner(s): CRANMER, LAURIE K
• Application Number:
  US12/466,835
• Publication Number:
  US 20090295201A1
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 297 1- 3, 297/92, 297/94, 297/105, 297/108, 297/111, 297/114, 297/118, 297/188.11, 297/230.14, 297/236, 297/283.1, 297/283.2, 297/283.3
• US Class Current: 297/283.3
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0284 Adjustable seat-cushion length B60N2/0224 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/203 taking a position opposite to the original one
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/043 mounted on or under a seat

Abstract

A convertible seating unit for a motor vehicle is provided. The convertible seating unit comprises a seat having an upper surface, a front edge and a rear edge. The convertible seating unit further includes a back support comprising a first back support panel and a second back support panel. Each of the first and second back support panels has a first edge and a second edge, and an upper surface and a lower surface. The second edge of the first back panel is hingeably connected to the first edge of the second back panel to define a first hinge axis. The first edge of the first back panel is hingeably connected to the seat proximate the rear edge of the seat to define a second hinge axis.

Claims

1. A convertible seating unit for a motor vehicle comprising:

a seat having an upper surface, a front edge and a rear edge;

a back support adjustable between at least a first sitting position and a second sitting position, the back support comprising a first back support panel and a second back support panel, each of the first and second back support panels having a respective first edge and a second edge and a respective upper surface and a lower surface;

wherein the second edge of the first back panel is hingeably connected to the first edge of the second back panel to define a first hinge axis, and wherein the first edge of the first back panel is hingeably connected to the seat proximate the rear edge of the seat to define a second hinge axis, and wherein the first sitting position faces a direction of vehicle travel and the second sitting position faces the direction of vehicle travel; and

wherein in the first sitting position the first and second support panels of the back support are folded about the first hinge axis and extend in a direction generally transverse to the upper surface of the seat.

2. The convertible seating unit of claim 1, wherein in the second sitting position, the first back support panel of the back support is disposed generally parallel to the upper surface of the seat, and the second back support panel of the back support extends in a direction generally transverse to the first back support panel.

3. A convertible seating unit comprising:

a seat having an upper surface, a front edge and a rear edge;

a back support adjustable between at least a first sitting position and a second sitting position, the back support comprising a first back support panel and a second back support panel, each of the first and second back support panels having a respective first edge and a second edge and a respective upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the second edge of the first back panel is connected to the first edge of the second back panel, and wherein the first edge of the first back panel is connected to the seat proximate the rear edge of the seat;

means for connecting the second edge of the first back panel to the first edge of the second back panel to define a first hinge axis; and

,

means for connecting the first edge of the first back panel to the seat proximate the rear edge of the seat to define a second hinge axis;

wherein the first sitting position faces a first direction and the second sitting position faces the first direction; and

wherein in the first sitting position, the first and second back support panels of the back support are folded about the first hinge axis and extend in a direction generally transverse to the upper surface of the seat.

4. The convertible seating unit of claim 3, wherein in the second sitting position the first back support panel of the back support is disposed generally parallel to the upper surface of the seat, and the second back support panel of the back support extends in a direction generally transverse to the first back support panel.

5. A method of adjusting a convertible seating unit for a motor vehicle, wherein the convertible seating unit comprises a seat having an upper surface, a front edge and a rear edge, a back support having a first back support panel and a second back support panel, each of the first and second back support panels having a respective first edge and a second edge and a respective upper surface and a lower surface, the second edge of the first back support panel being hingeably connected to the first edge of the second back support panel to define a first hinge axis, and the first edge of the first back support panel being hingeably connected to the seat proximate the rear edge of the seat to define a second hinge axis, the method comprising:

moving the back support from a first sitting position to a second sitting position, wherein when the back support is in the first sitting position, the first and second back support panels of the back support are folded about the first hinge axis and extend in a direction generally transverse to the upper surface of the seat, and wherein when the back support is in the second sitting position, the first back support panel of the back support is disposed generally parallel to the upper surface of the seat, and the second back support panel of the back support extends in a direction generally transverse to the first back support panel, wherein the first sitting position faces a direction of vehicle travel and the second sitting position faces the direction of vehicle travel.

6. The method of 5 further comprising extending a seat extension from a closed position to a sitting position, the seat extension extending beyond the front edge of the seat in the sitting position.