Mobile office seatback module

• US 10,232,747 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2016
• Issued: 03/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Line, Johnathan Andrew, Kondrad, Marcos Silva, Preuss, Kevin Wayne, Godin, Keith Allen, Lyons, David Frederick
• Primary Examiner(s): Kwiecinski, Ryan D
• Application Number:
  US15/259,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20180065513A1
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 297146, 29718804, 29718807, 2973781
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/206 to a position in which it can be used as a support for objects, e.g. as a tray
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3011 the back-rest being hinged on the cushion, e.g. "portefeuille movement"
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/32 convertible for other use
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/36 into a loading platform B60N2/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 3/004 of foldable trays mounted on the back-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0015 Back-rests
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat operably coupled with a seatback. The seatback includes an adjustable headrest. A back panel is disposed on a rearward side of the seatback. The back panel includes engagement features removably coupled with a workstation. The workstation includes a plurality of connection features. The connection features includes a mechanical connector, a data connector, and a power connector. An upper support abuts a rear surface of the headrest. An open receptacle is disposed proximate the headrest. An intermediate compartment is disposed adjacent the open receptacle and concealed by first and second opposing doors. A lower compartment is concealed by a bottom door.

Claims

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat operably coupled with a seatback, the seatback including an adjustable headrest; and

a back panel disposed on a rearward side of the seatback, the back panel including engagement features removably coupled with a workstation, the workstation comprising;

a plurality of connection features, the connection features including a mechanical connector, a data connector, and a power connector;

an upper support abutting a rear surface of the headrest;

an open receptacle proximate the headrest;

an intermediate compartment adjacent the open receptacle and concealed by first and second opposing doors; and

a lower compartment concealed by a bottom door.

2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second opposing doors defines a work surface that opens to a substantially lateral horizontal position.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a power plug disposed in at least one of the intermediate compartment and the lower compartment.

4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a data plug disposed in at least one of the intermediate compartment and the lower compartment.

5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second opposing doors and the bottom door are pivotal about hinges disposed about a periphery of the workstation.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

an inductive charging pad disposed in at least one of the open receptacle, the intermediate compartment, and the lower compartment.

7. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the first opposing door is larger than the second opposing door.

8. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein at least two of the mechanical connector, the data connector, and the power connector define a single connection feature.

9. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat operably coupled with a seatback and a headrest; and

a back panel disposed on a rearward side of the seatback and removably coupled with a workstation, the workstation comprising;

a support abutting a rear surface of the headrest;

an open receptacle proximate the headrest;

an intermediate compartment adjacent the open receptacle and concealed by first and second opposing doors; and

a lower compartment concealed by a bottom door.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, wherein one of the first and second opposing doors defines a work surface that opens to a substantially lateral horizontal position.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

a power plug disposed in at least one of the intermediate compartment and the lower compartment.

12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

a data plug disposed in at least one of the intermediate compartment and the lower compartment.

13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, wherein the first and second opposing doors and the bottom door are pivotal about hinges disposed about a periphery of the workstation.

14. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

an inductive charging pad disposed in at least one of the open receptacle, the intermediate compartment, and the lower compartment.

15. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, wherein the first opposing door is larger than the second opposing door.

16. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

a mechanical connector, a data connector, and a power connector.

17. A seating assembly comprising:

a seat operably coupled with a seatback and a headrest; and

a rear back panel coupled with the seatback and removably coupled with a workstation comprising;

a plurality of connection features including a mechanical connector, a data connector, and a power connector, the connection features coupling the workstation to the rear back panel;

an upper wall defining an open receptacle proximate the headrest, wherein a head restraint portion is disposed between and coupled with the headrest and the upper wall;

an intermediate compartment adjacent the open receptacle and concealed by opposing doors;

a lower compartment concealed by a bottom door.

18. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 17, wherein the opposing doors and the bottom door are pivotal about hinges disposed about a periphery of the workstation.

19. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 17, further comprising:

an inductive charging pad disposed in at least one of the open receptacle, the intermediate compartment, and the lower compartment.

20. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 17, wherein the opposing doors include first and second opposing doors and wherein the first opposing door is larger than the second opposing door.