VEHICLE SEAT

• US 20130207429A1
• Filed: 10/13/2011
• Published: 08/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BAE Systems Plc
• Original Assignee: BAE Systems Plc
• Inventors: Hoyle, James Brooks
• Granted Patent: US 9,096,146 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/338
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02 the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable adjustable arm-rests B60N2/75; adjustable head-rests B60N2/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/20 the back-rest being tiltable, e.g. to permit easy access B60N2/04, B60N2/22 , B60N2/3002 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/32 convertible for other use
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/247 to support passengers in a half-standing position
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2205/30 Seat or seat parts characterised by comprising plural parts or pieces

Abstract

A seat for a vehicle is configured such that an occupant can be seated in either a lower position or in an upper position. The seat includes a base member for accommodating an occupant in the lower position and a seat back, positioned to extend generally upwards from the region of the base member. The seat back is configured to accommodate an occupant'"'"'s back. A selectively deployable perch member is also provided. In a first condition, the perch member is configured as an extension of the seat back for when the occupant is seated in the lower position. In a second condition, the perch member is configured as an additional base member for supporting an occupant in the upper position.

Claims

1. A seat for a vehicle, configurable to enable an occupant to be seated either in a lower position or in an upper position, the seat comprising:

a base member for accommodating an occupant in the lower position;

a seat back positioned to extend generally upwards from a region of the base member and being for accommodating an occupant'"'"'s back;

a perch member selectively deployable either;

in a first condition, where the perch member is configured as an extension of the seal back for when the occupant is seated in the lower position,

or,

in a second condition, where the perch member is configured as an additional base member for accommodating an occupant in the upper position; and

a fastening for securing the perch member when in the second condition.

2. A seat according to claim 1, comprising:

a pivot joint, connecting the perch member to the seat back, and being for supporting the perch member and for guiding the perch member.

3. A seat according to claim 2, wherein the pivot joint connects the perch member to the seat back along an axis that is positioned substantially towards an uppermost portion of the perch member.

4. A seat according to claim 2, wherein the perch member comprises:

an occupant accommodating face, and the pivot joint is configured such that when the perch member is in the first condition, the face may accommodate a back of an occupant, and when the perch member is in the second condition the face may accommodate an occupant in the upper position.

5. A seat according to claim 4, wherein the pivot joint connects the perch member to the seat back along an axis that is positioned substantially towards an uppermost portion of the occupant accommodating face.

6. A seat according to claim 1, wherein the perch member comprises:

a linkage extending between the seat back and a point on the perch member substantially towards a lowermost end of the perch member, the linkage being arranged to lock when the perch member is configured into the second condition such that the linkage acts as a strut supporting weight of an occupant.

7. A seat according to claim 6, wherein the fastening comprises:

a latch mechanism formed by a pin on the linkage and a gate at the seat back, such that as the perch member is configured for the second condition, the pin engages the gate and is locked in place.

8. A seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat comprises:

a switch, readily accessible by an occupant when in the upper position, the switch communicating with the perch member such that upon actuation of the switch the perch member ceases to be secured by the fastening.

9. A seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat comprises:

a second fastening for securing the perch member in the first condition.

10. A seat according to claim 9, wherein the seat comprises:

a linkage, and the second fastening is formed by a pivoted cam hanging off the seat back such that if the pivoted cam is held in a forward position then the cam obstructs the linkage and prevents deployment of the perch member into second condition, and if the pivoted cam is held in a backwards position then the linkage is free to extend and thus deploy the perch.

11. A seat according to claim 10, wherein the pivoted cam is pivoted about a same axis as the pivot joint, but pivots independently.

12. A seat according to claim 1, comprising:

a first occupant restraint for restraining an occupant whilst in the lower position; and

a second occupant restraint for restraining an occupant in the upper position.

13. A seat according to claim 3, wherein the perch member comprises:

an occupant accommodating face, and the pivot joint is configured such that when the perch member is in the first condition, the face may accommodate a back of an occupant, and when the perch member is in the second condition the face may accommodate an occupant in the upper position.

14. A seat according to claim 5, wherein the perch member comprises:

a linkage extending between the seat back and a point on the perch member substantially towards a lowermost end of the perch member, the linkage being arranged to lock when the perch member is configured into the second condition such that the linkage acts as a strut supporting weight of an occupant.

15. A seat according to claim 14, wherein the seat comprises:

a switch, readily accessible by an occupant when in the upper position, the switch communicating with the perch member such that upon actuation of the switch the perch member ceases to be secured by the fastening.

16. A seat according to claim 15, wherein the seat comprises:

a second fastening for securing the perch member in the first condition.

17. A seat according to claim 4, comprising:

a first occupant restraint for restraining an occupant whilst in the lower position; and

a second occupant restraint for restraining an occupant in the upper position.

18. A seat according to claim 16, comprising:

a first occupant restraint for restraining an occupant whilst in the lower position; and

a second occupant restraint for restraining an occupant in the upper position.