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WO1997028019A1 - A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement - Google Patents

A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1997028019A1
WO1997028019A1 PCT/GB1997/000201 GB9700201W WO9728019A1 WO 1997028019 A1 WO1997028019 A1 WO 1997028019A1 GB 9700201 W GB9700201 W GB 9700201W WO 9728019 A1 WO9728019 A1 WO 9728019A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
armrest
backboard
backrests
seat
arrangement
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB1997/000201
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Peter Steele Horsford
Wynford Thomas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MG Rover Group Ltd
Original Assignee
MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by MG Rover Group Ltd filed Critical MG Rover Group Ltd
Priority to GB9720295A priority Critical patent/GB2313542B/en
Publication of WO1997028019A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997028019A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/32—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles convertible for other use
    • B60N2/36—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles convertible for other use into a loading platform
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/75—Arm-rests
    • B60N2/753—Arm-rests movable to an inoperative position
    • B60N2/757—Arm-rests movable to an inoperative position in a recess of the back-rest
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/75—Arm-rests
    • B60N2/79—Adaptations for additional use of the arm-rests
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R5/00—Compartments within vehicle body primarily intended or sufficiently spacious for trunks, suit-cases, or the like
    • B60R5/006—Compartments within vehicle body primarily intended or sufficiently spacious for trunks, suit-cases, or the like stowing or holding means for elongated articles, e.g. skis inside vehicles
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2205/00—General mechanical or structural details
    • B60N2205/30—Seat or seat parts characterised by comprising plural parts or pieces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2205/00—General mechanical or structural details
    • B60N2205/30—Seat or seat parts characterised by comprising plural parts or pieces
    • B60N2205/35—Seat, bench or back-rests being split laterally in two or more parts

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a vehicle seat and armrest arrangement and in particular to a seat for a motor vehicle which has backrests which can be independently pivoted between raised and lowered positions and in which the armrest can also be pivoted from a raised position to a lowered position.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide an improved vehicle seat and armrest arrangement .
  • a vehicle seat and armrest arrangement comprising two seat cushions attached to part of the body structure of the vehicle, a pair of spaced apart backrests independently pivotable about a first axis between a upright passenger seating position and a lowered position and an armrest assembly interposed between the two backrests having an armrest portion that is pivotable about a second pivot axis from an upright position for use as an additional backrest to a lowered position for use as an armrest, wherein the armrest portion is pivotally connected to a pivotable backboard member forming part of said armrest assembly, and that the armrest assembly is movable into three separate configurations, a first configuration in which the armrest portion and backboard are both in an upright position, a second configuration in which the armrest is in the lowered position and the backboard member is in an upright position and a third configuration in which the backboard and the armrest portion are both in a lowered position thereby allowing elongate objects to be carried the backrests.
  • the backboard may be pivotable about said first pivot axis.
  • the second pivot axis may be offset from the pivot axis of the backboard.
  • the width of each of the backrests may be between 35% and 45% of the total width of the seat and armrest arrangement and preferably the width of each of the backrests may be 40% of the total width of the seat and armrest arrangement and the width of the armrest portion may be 20% of the total width of the seat and armrest arrangement .
  • an interlock may be provided between one of the backrests and the armrest assembly to ensure that the armrest assembly is lowered whenever said backrest is lowered.
  • the interlock may be an abutment attached to said backrests for engagement with the backboard of the armrest assembly.
  • the length of one of the seat cushions may be equal to the combined width of one of the backrest portions and the width of the armrest portion.
  • the armrest portion may include an integral head restraint for use when the armrest portion is in the raised position.
  • the backboard may include a fixing means for a head restraint for use when the armrest portion is in the raised position.
  • Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a seat and armrest arrangement in accordance with the invention with the backrests and armrest in their normal raised positions,*
  • Figure 2 is a view similar to Fig.l showing the armrest in its lowered position
  • Figure 3 is a view similar to Figs .1 and 2 which show the armrest and a backboard member in lowered positions;
  • Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig.3 but showing an adjacent backrest also in its lowered position;
  • Figure 5 shows both the backrests and the armrest and backboard member in lowered positions
  • Figure 6 is a diagrammatic cross section to the seat and armrest arrangement shown in Fig.l on line VI-VI in Fig.l;
  • Figure 7 is a view similar to Fig.6 but showing the armrest and backboard member tipped towards the Fig.3 positions .
  • the seat and armrest arrangement comprises two spaced apart seats 10, 12 with an armrest 14 therebetween.
  • the seats 10, 12 have respective backrests 20, 22 and the armrest 14 is mounted above a short upstanding seat section 24.
  • the backrests 20,22 and the armrest 14 have respective head restraints 20a, 22a and 14a on their upper ends .
  • the seat 10 has a seat cushion 16 to seat one person and the seat 12 also has a seat cushion 18 to seat one person and includes an extension 18a in front of the armrest 14 to form a further seat or seating area.
  • the length of the seat cushion 18 is therefore equal to the combined widths of the armrest 14 and the backrest 22.
  • backrests 20, 22, armrest 14 and seat section 24 all form a substantially continuous backrest arrangement and that the armrest 14 and seat section 24 may form a suitable backrest for a third passenger seated on the extension 18a where the size of the vehicle so permits.
  • the head restraint 14a is formed as an integral part of the armrest 14 and protects a passenger seated on the extension 18a from whiplash injury in the event of an accident.
  • the head restraint 14a as part of the armrest 14 it can be moved out of the field of vision of the driver by simply folding the armrest 14 down but when a passenger is seated on the extension 18a, the head of the passenger will slightly impair rear view vision for the driver through an interior rear view mirror and so the presence of the head restraint 14a on the armrest 14 will not further impair the rear view vision.
  • the armrest 14 can be pivoted into a lowered position for use as an armrest by a rear seat passenger. It will be noted from Fig.2 that behind the armrest a backboard member 26 in the form of a panel is provided which closes an opening 28 which would otherwise exist between the backrests 20, 22 when the armrest 14 is lowered.
  • the armrest 14 and the backboard member 26 can be lowered together as shown in Fig.3 so as to provided access through the opening 28 between the backrests 20, 22 so that elongate objects such as skis 30 can be stored in a luggage area but extend through the opening 28 into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. In this way, the two seats 10, 12 can be occupied by passengers with the skis 30 extending therebetween.
  • the opening 28 is relatively large being of the same width as the backboard 26 and of approximately the same length as the backrests 20,22 and so relatively bulky but objects can be carried between the backrests 20, 22 and not just long thin items such as skis.
  • the backrests 20, 22 are connected in their raised positions to a rail 32 in the vehicle by means of suitable releasable latching mechanisms indicated generally at 34.
  • the backboard member 26 is also provided with a suitable releasable latching mechanism 35 to enable the backboard member 26 to be connected to the rail 32 when it occupies a position shown in Fig.2.
  • the backrest 22 By releasing the left-hand latch 34 as viewed in Fig.3, the backrest 22 can be lowered to the position shown in Fig.4 and by releasing the right-hand latch as viewed in Fig.3 the backrest 20 can be lowered as shown in Fig.5. If desired, the backrest 22 can be left in its raised position and the backrest 20 moved to its lowered position. However, the backrest 20 carries an interlock mechanism in the form of a projecting abutment 36 for co-operation with the back surface of the backboard member 26. This ensures that lowering of the backrest 20 will cause the armrest 14 and the backboard member 26 to be moved downwards simultaneously.
  • both of the backrests 20, 22 it is therefore not possible for both of the backrests 20, 22 to be lowered leaving the armrest 14 m its raised position and hence it is not possible for a person to occupy the seat cushion extension 18a using the armrest 14 as a backrest when both of the backrests 20, 22 have been lowered.
  • brackets 92 are fixed to a structural part of the vehicle in the form of the floor structure 91 to provide a pivotal support for the backrests 20, 22 which pivot about an axis 38 that is transverse with respect to the vehicle when moving between their raised and lowered positions .
  • the backboard member 26 is provided with two brackets 93 on opposite sides thereof each having two ears 40, 42 extending thereof.
  • the lower ear 40 is used to pivotally connect the backboard member 26 to one of the brackets 92 so as to allow the backboard member 26 to be pivoted from a raised position to a lowered position about the transverse axis 38.
  • the upper ear 42 is used to pivotally connect the armrest 14 to the backboard member 26 so as to allow it to be pivoted from a raised or stored position to a lowered or in use position.
  • the axes 38, 44 constitute first and second axes respectively which are parallel to one another but offset so as to allow the armrest 14 to be moved into the lowered position as shown by the broken line on Fig.6.
  • the width of the ar- -est 14 is approximately
  • 20% of the full width of the en:,-re backrest arrangement and the backrests 20,22 are both approximately 40% of the full width of the entire seat so that the arrangement can provide if required a 40-60 split.
  • the width of the backrests 20, 22 can be slightly larger or smaller than this without losing the utility of the invention for example the backrest 22 could be 35% of the entire seat width, the armrest 14 constitute 20% of the entire seat width and the backrest 20 would then constitute the remaining 45% of the entire seat width or both of the seat backrests could be 45% of the entire seat width and the armrest 14 would in this case constitute the remaining 10%.
  • the arrangement of the pivotal mounting of the backboard 26 to the vehicle structure with the armrest 14 being pivotally connected to the backboard 26 allows the armrest assembly to be used in three modes .
  • the backboard 26 In the first mode the backboard 26 is in an upright position and is latched to the rail 32 and the armrest 14 is also in a raised or stowed position. With this arrangement the full width of the seat can be occupied by passengers and the armrest functions as an additional backrest with a integral head restraint.
  • the backboard 26 In the second mode the backboard 26 remains in an upright position thereby providing a physical barrier against the ingress of noise or articles entering the passenger compartment from the luggage area and the armrest 14 is lowered about the second pivot axis 44 into its in use position to provide a large and comfortable armrest for any passenger utilising one of the seats 10,12.
  • the armrest 14 is folded up against the backboard 26 and the entire armrest assembly comprising the armrest 14 and backboard 26 is lowered about the first pivot axis 38 thereby allowing access to the luggage area through the opening 28.
  • the seat arrangement described herein therefore provides a large number of operating configurations for example :
  • the backrests 20, 22 can be in a raised position and the armrest 14 lowered as shown in Fig.2 to provide seating for two passengers with a central armrest; (3) the backrests 20, 22 can be in a raised position and the armrest 14 and backboard member 26 be lowered as shown in Fig .3 to provide seating for two passengers but allowing for a long article to extend into the passenger compartment from the luggage area;
  • the armrest 14, backboard 26 and the backrest 22 can all be lowered but the backrest 20 remaining raised as shown in Fig.4 to provide seating for one passenger but allowing a bulky item to extend into the passenger area from the luggage area;
  • the backrest 22 can be lowered with the backrest 20, the armrest 14 and the backboard 26 remaining raised to provide seating for one or two passengers but allowing a bulky item to extend into the passenger area from the luggage area;
  • the armrest 14, backboard 26 and the backrest 20 can all be lowered but the backrest 22 remaining raised to provide seating for one passenger but allowing a bulky item to extend into the passenger area from the luggage area;
  • both of the backrests 20,22, the armrest 14 and backboard member 26 can all be lowered as shown in Fig.5 to provide maximum access to the luggage area . Therefore, it will be seen that the seat arrangement in accordance with the invention is extremely versatile.
  • head restraint 14a as described herein is form as an integral part of the armrest 14 it will appreciated that a support structure for a normal detachable stem mounted head restraint could be incorporated as part of the structure of the armrest which would also be lowered with the armrest when only two passengers are occupying the seat thereby providing good rear vision for the driver.
  • the seating arrangement described herein could also be used for a front seat of a vehicle so that the entire length of the passenger compartment can be utilised to transport very long articles.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement comprising two spaced apart backrests independently pivotable about a first axis between an upright passenger seating position and a lowered position and an armrest assembly interposed between the two backrests having an armrest portion, characterised in that the armrest portion is pivotally connected to a pivotable backboard member forming part of said armrest assembly, and that the armrest assembly is movable into three separate configurations, a first configuration in which the armrest portion and backboard are both in an upright position, a second configuration in which the armrest is in the lowered position and the backboard member is in an upright position and a third configuration in which the backboard and the armrest portion are both in a lowered position thereby allowing elongate objects to be carried between the backrests.

Description

A VEHICLE SEAT AND ARMREST ARRANGEMENT
The invention relates to a vehicle seat and armrest arrangement and in particular to a seat for a motor vehicle which has backrests which can be independently pivoted between raised and lowered positions and in which the armrest can also be pivoted from a raised position to a lowered position.
It is known from GB-A-2 , 293 , 317 to provide rear seating which will permit the backrests to be lowered thereby extending the length of the usual luggage carrying compartment behind the seats such an arrangement commonly being referred to as a 40-60 split seat. With such an arrangement, only one of the seat backrests needs to be lowered to extend the luggage compartment, thereby enabling a passenger to use the remaining seat.
It is a problem with this arrangement that one of the seats cannot be occupied when carrying elongate articles such as skis.
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved vehicle seat and armrest arrangement .
According to the invention there is provided a vehicle seat and armrest arrangement comprising two seat cushions attached to part of the body structure of the vehicle, a pair of spaced apart backrests independently pivotable about a first axis between a upright passenger seating position and a lowered position and an armrest assembly interposed between the two backrests having an armrest portion that is pivotable about a second pivot axis from an upright position for use as an additional backrest to a lowered position for use as an armrest, wherein the armrest portion is pivotally connected to a pivotable backboard member forming part of said armrest assembly, and that the armrest assembly is movable into three separate configurations, a first configuration in which the armrest portion and backboard are both in an upright position, a second configuration in which the armrest is in the lowered position and the backboard member is in an upright position and a third configuration in which the backboard and the armrest portion are both in a lowered position thereby allowing elongate objects to be carried the backrests.
With such an arrangement, long objects can be carried in the vehicle by lowering only the armrest thereby leaving both of the seats in their normal positions for use by passengers, seating for three passengers can be provided or seating for two passengers can be provided with the convenience of a large armrest .
The backboard may be pivotable about said first pivot axis.
The second pivot axis may be offset from the pivot axis of the backboard. The width of each of the backrests may be between 35% and 45% of the total width of the seat and armrest arrangement and preferably the width of each of the backrests may be 40% of the total width of the seat and armrest arrangement and the width of the armrest portion may be 20% of the total width of the seat and armrest arrangement .
Preferably, an interlock may be provided between one of the backrests and the armrest assembly to ensure that the armrest assembly is lowered whenever said backrest is lowered.
The interlock may be an abutment attached to said backrests for engagement with the backboard of the armrest assembly.
Advantageously, the length of one of the seat cushions may be equal to the combined width of one of the backrest portions and the width of the armrest portion.
The armrest portion may include an integral head restraint for use when the armrest portion is in the raised position.
Alternatively, the backboard may include a fixing means for a head restraint for use when the armrest portion is in the raised position. A seat and armrest arrangement in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a seat and armrest arrangement in accordance with the invention with the backrests and armrest in their normal raised positions,*
Figure 2 is a view similar to Fig.l showing the armrest in its lowered position;
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figs .1 and 2 which show the armrest and a backboard member in lowered positions;
Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig.3 but showing an adjacent backrest also in its lowered position;
Figure 5 shows both the backrests and the armrest and backboard member in lowered positions;
Figure 6 is a diagrammatic cross section to the seat and armrest arrangement shown in Fig.l on line VI-VI in Fig.l; and
Figure 7 is a view similar to Fig.6 but showing the armrest and backboard member tipped towards the Fig.3 positions . As shown in Figure 1 the seat and armrest arrangement comprises two spaced apart seats 10, 12 with an armrest 14 therebetween. The seats 10, 12 have respective backrests 20, 22 and the armrest 14 is mounted above a short upstanding seat section 24. The backrests 20,22 and the armrest 14 have respective head restraints 20a, 22a and 14a on their upper ends .
The seat 10 has a seat cushion 16 to seat one person and the seat 12 also has a seat cushion 18 to seat one person and includes an extension 18a in front of the armrest 14 to form a further seat or seating area. The length of the seat cushion 18 is therefore equal to the combined widths of the armrest 14 and the backrest 22.
It will be appreciated that the backrests 20, 22, armrest 14 and seat section 24 all form a substantially continuous backrest arrangement and that the armrest 14 and seat section 24 may form a suitable backrest for a third passenger seated on the extension 18a where the size of the vehicle so permits.
The head restraint 14a is formed as an integral part of the armrest 14 and protects a passenger seated on the extension 18a from whiplash injury in the event of an accident. By forming the head restraint 14a as part of the armrest 14 it can be moved out of the field of vision of the driver by simply folding the armrest 14 down but when a passenger is seated on the extension 18a, the head of the passenger will slightly impair rear view vision for the driver through an interior rear view mirror and so the presence of the head restraint 14a on the armrest 14 will not further impair the rear view vision.
As shown in Fig.2, the armrest 14 can be pivoted into a lowered position for use as an armrest by a rear seat passenger. It will be noted from Fig.2 that behind the armrest a backboard member 26 in the form of a panel is provided which closes an opening 28 which would otherwise exist between the backrests 20, 22 when the armrest 14 is lowered.
If desired, the armrest 14 and the backboard member 26 can be lowered together as shown in Fig.3 so as to provided access through the opening 28 between the backrests 20, 22 so that elongate objects such as skis 30 can be stored in a luggage area but extend through the opening 28 into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. In this way, the two seats 10, 12 can be occupied by passengers with the skis 30 extending therebetween.
The opening 28 is relatively large being of the same width as the backboard 26 and of approximately the same length as the backrests 20,22 and so relatively bulky but objects can be carried between the backrests 20, 22 and not just long thin items such as skis. As will be seen from Fig.3, the backrests 20, 22 are connected in their raised positions to a rail 32 in the vehicle by means of suitable releasable latching mechanisms indicated generally at 34. The backboard member 26 is also provided with a suitable releasable latching mechanism 35 to enable the backboard member 26 to be connected to the rail 32 when it occupies a position shown in Fig.2.
By releasing the left-hand latch 34 as viewed in Fig.3, the backrest 22 can be lowered to the position shown in Fig.4 and by releasing the right-hand latch as viewed in Fig.3 the backrest 20 can be lowered as shown in Fig.5. If desired, the backrest 22 can be left in its raised position and the backrest 20 moved to its lowered position. However, the backrest 20 carries an interlock mechanism in the form of a projecting abutment 36 for co-operation with the back surface of the backboard member 26. This ensures that lowering of the backrest 20 will cause the armrest 14 and the backboard member 26 to be moved downwards simultaneously. It is therefore not possible for both of the backrests 20, 22 to be lowered leaving the armrest 14 m its raised position and hence it is not possible for a person to occupy the seat cushion extension 18a using the armrest 14 as a backrest when both of the backrests 20, 22 have been lowered.
With particular reference to Fig.6 it can be seen that a number of brackets 92 are fixed to a structural part of the vehicle in the form of the floor structure 91 to provide a pivotal support for the backrests 20, 22 which pivot about an axis 38 that is transverse with respect to the vehicle when moving between their raised and lowered positions .
The backboard member 26 is provided with two brackets 93 on opposite sides thereof each having two ears 40, 42 extending thereof. The lower ear 40 is used to pivotally connect the backboard member 26 to one of the brackets 92 so as to allow the backboard member 26 to be pivoted from a raised position to a lowered position about the transverse axis 38. The upper ear 42 is used to pivotally connect the armrest 14 to the backboard member 26 so as to allow it to be pivoted from a raised or stored position to a lowered or in use position.
The axes 38, 44 constitute first and second axes respectively which are parallel to one another but offset so as to allow the armrest 14 to be moved into the lowered position as shown by the broken line on Fig.6.
In Fig.7, the backboard member 26 has been released to enable it to tip forwardly about the axis 38 towards the lowered position shown in Fig.3 taking the armrest 14 with it and is shown in a partially lowered position.
As shown the width of the ar- -est 14 is approximately
20% of the full width of the en:,-re backrest arrangement and the backrests 20,22 are both approximately 40% of the full width of the entire seat so that the arrangement can provide if required a 40-60 split.
However it will be appreciated that the width of the backrests 20, 22 can be slightly larger or smaller than this without losing the utility of the invention for example the backrest 22 could be 35% of the entire seat width, the armrest 14 constitute 20% of the entire seat width and the backrest 20 would then constitute the remaining 45% of the entire seat width or both of the seat backrests could be 45% of the entire seat width and the armrest 14 would in this case constitute the remaining 10%.
The arrangement of the pivotal mounting of the backboard 26 to the vehicle structure with the armrest 14 being pivotally connected to the backboard 26 allows the armrest assembly to be used in three modes .
In the first mode the backboard 26 is in an upright position and is latched to the rail 32 and the armrest 14 is also in a raised or stowed position. With this arrangement the full width of the seat can be occupied by passengers and the armrest functions as an additional backrest with a integral head restraint.
In the second mode the backboard 26 remains in an upright position thereby providing a physical barrier against the ingress of noise or articles entering the passenger compartment from the luggage area and the armrest 14 is lowered about the second pivot axis 44 into its in use position to provide a large and comfortable armrest for any passenger utilising one of the seats 10,12.
In the third mode the armrest 14 is folded up against the backboard 26 and the entire armrest assembly comprising the armrest 14 and backboard 26 is lowered about the first pivot axis 38 thereby allowing access to the luggage area through the opening 28. However, it is still possible for passengers to occupy the seats 10,12 and because of the size of the opening 28 relatively large items can be arranged to extend from the luggage area into the passenger compartment without requiring one of the backrests 20,22 to be folded down. If required fixing means such as straps
(not shown) can be attached to the back surface of the backboard 26 to allow any item placed thereon to be secured in position.
The seat arrangement described herein therefore provides a large number of operating configurations for example :
(1) the backrest 20, 22 and armrest 14 can all be raised as shown in Fig.l to provide seating for three passengers;
(2} the backrests 20, 22 can be in a raised position and the armrest 14 lowered as shown in Fig.2 to provide seating for two passengers with a central armrest; (3) the backrests 20, 22 can be in a raised position and the armrest 14 and backboard member 26 be lowered as shown in Fig .3 to provide seating for two passengers but allowing for a long article to extend into the passenger compartment from the luggage area;
(4) the armrest 14, backboard 26 and the backrest 22 can all be lowered but the backrest 20 remaining raised as shown in Fig.4 to provide seating for one passenger but allowing a bulky item to extend into the passenger area from the luggage area;
(5) the backrest 22 can be lowered with the backrest 20, the armrest 14 and the backboard 26 remaining raised to provide seating for one or two passengers but allowing a bulky item to extend into the passenger area from the luggage area;
(6) the armrest 14, backboard 26 and the backrest 20 can all be lowered but the backrest 22 remaining raised to provide seating for one passenger but allowing a bulky item to extend into the passenger area from the luggage area; and
(7) both of the backrests 20,22, the armrest 14 and backboard member 26 can all be lowered as shown in Fig.5 to provide maximum access to the luggage area . Therefore, it will be seen that the seat arrangement in accordance with the invention is extremely versatile.
Although the head restraint 14a as described herein is form as an integral part of the armrest 14 it will appreciated that a support structure for a normal detachable stem mounted head restraint could be incorporated as part of the structure of the armrest which would also be lowered with the armrest when only two passengers are occupying the seat thereby providing good rear vision for the driver.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the seating arrangement described herein could also be used for a front seat of a vehicle so that the entire length of the passenger compartment can be utilised to transport very long articles.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement comprising two seat cushions attached to part of the body structure of the vehicle, a pair of spaced apart backrests independently pivotable about a first axis between a upright passenger seating position and a lowered position and an armrest assembly interposed between the two backrests having an armrest portion that is pivotable about a second pivot axis from an upright position for use as an additional backrest to a lowered position for use as an armrest, characterised in that the armrest portion is pivotally connected to a pivotable backboard member forming part of said armrest assembly, and that the armrest assembly is movable into three separate configurations, a first configuration in which the armrest portion and backboard are both in an upright position, a second configuration in which the armrest is in the lowered position and the backboard member is in an upright position and a third configuration in which the backboard and the armrest portion are both in a lowered position thereby allowing elongate objects to be carried between the backrests.
2. A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 in which the backboard is pivotable about said first pivot axis.
3. A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 or in Claim 2 in which the second pivot axis is offset from the pivot axis of the backboard.
4. A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3 in which the width of each of the backrests is between 30% and 45% of the total width of the seat and armrest arrangement .
5. A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement as claimed in Claim 4 in which the width of each of the backrests is 40% of the total width of the seat and armrest arrangement and the width of the armrest portion is 20% of the total width of the seat and armrest arrangement.
6. A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement according to any preceding Claim in which an interlock is provided between one of the backrests and the armrest assembly to ensure that the armrest assembly is lowered whenever said backrest is lowered.
7. A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement according to claim 6 in which the interlock is an abutment attached to said backrests for engagement with the backboard of the armrest assembly.
8. A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim in which the width of one of the seat cushions is equal to the combined width of one of the backrest portions and the width of the armrest portion.
9. A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement according to any preceding Claim in which the armrest portion includes an integral head restraint for use when the armrest portion is in the raised position.
10. A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement according to any of Claims 1 to 8 in which the backboard includes a fixing means for a head restraint for use when the armrest portion is in the raised position.
PCT/GB1997/000201 1996-02-03 1997-01-24 A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement Ceased WO1997028019A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9720295A GB2313542B (en) 1996-02-03 1997-01-24 A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9602220.7 1996-02-03
GBGB9602220.7A GB9602220D0 (en) 1996-02-03 1996-02-03 A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997028019A1 true WO1997028019A1 (en) 1997-08-07

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1997/000201 Ceased WO1997028019A1 (en) 1996-02-03 1997-01-24 A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB9602220D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1997028019A1 (en)

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0940289A3 (en) * 1998-03-02 2000-12-27 PETER BUTZ GmbH & Co Verwaltungs-KG Vehicle seat arrangement with a modular insert which forms a holding opening such as a loading opening
FR2887192A1 (en) * 2005-06-21 2006-12-22 Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa Foldable armrest integration device for rear bench seat of motor vehicle, has support plate integrating with armrest, and cushion forming lower part arranged for uncovering trap having height greater than height of raised inactive armrest
WO2008031564A1 (en) 2006-09-11 2008-03-20 Johnson Controls Gmbh Vehicle seat with a rotatable and essentially displaceable backrest
DE102007002680A1 (en) * 2007-01-18 2008-07-24 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Rear seat of vehicle for two persons, has seat part and backrest part, where seat part has two seat faces that are spaced from each other and backrest cushion part is arranged at fixed back wall for every seat faces
DE102007043703A1 (en) * 2007-09-13 2009-03-19 Volkswagen Ag Rear seat backrest with a center armrest module
DE102008033418A1 (en) * 2008-07-16 2010-01-21 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Motor vehicle has rear seat bench which consists of seat part and backrest, where backrest is divided into backrest sections which are separately stowed from sitting position in loading area position and back
DE102015218357A1 (en) * 2015-07-20 2017-01-26 Johnson Controls Gmbh VEHICLE SEAT
DE102015218354A1 (en) * 2015-07-20 2017-01-26 Johnson Controls Gmbh VEHICLE SEAT
DE102020100042A1 (en) * 2020-01-03 2021-07-08 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Passenger car with a first and a second seat
CN114248673A (en) * 2020-09-24 2022-03-29 西德科(上海)汽车座椅有限公司 Automobile seat with gradient distribution of hardness of foaming material and manufacturing method thereof
DE102021102995A1 (en) 2021-02-09 2022-08-11 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Seating system with stowage means for a passenger car and passenger car equipped therewith
DE102021115794A1 (en) 2021-06-18 2022-12-22 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Motor vehicle seat system and motor vehicle equipped therewith
US20230286421A1 (en) * 2022-01-27 2023-09-14 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Rear seat assembly for a vehicle
US11772571B2 (en) 2021-10-22 2023-10-03 Cynthia WARK Ski rack for interior of vehicle

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EP0432824A1 (en) * 1989-12-12 1991-06-19 Saab Automobile Aktiebolag Passenger seat arrangement in vehicles
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GB2293317A (en) * 1994-09-22 1996-03-27 Nissan Europ Tech Centre Vehicle seat assembly
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JPH08275845A (en) * 1995-04-05 1996-10-22 Araco Corp Rear seat for automobile

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JPS60110540A (en) * 1983-10-31 1985-06-17 Tachikawa Spring Co Ltd Split seat
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DE3539258A1 (en) * 1984-11-20 1986-05-22 Volkswagen AG, 3180 Wolfsburg REAR SEAT ARRANGEMENT IN A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH ARMREST FOLDING OUT FROM THE BACKREST
AU6717187A (en) * 1987-01-06 1988-07-07 Tachi-S Co., Ltd. A frame and a method of assembling the frame for a vehicle seat
EP0336819A1 (en) * 1988-04-07 1989-10-11 Cesa Compagnie Europeenne De Sieges Pour Automobiles Folding seat, particularly the rear seat for a motor vehicle
EP0432824A1 (en) * 1989-12-12 1991-06-19 Saab Automobile Aktiebolag Passenger seat arrangement in vehicles
DE4015872C1 (en) * 1990-05-17 1992-01-02 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag, 8000 Muenchen, De Rear seat for motor vehicle - has headrest connected to top of armrest for selective use
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EP0713800A2 (en) * 1994-11-24 1996-05-29 LEAR SEATING ITALIA S.p.A. Motor-vehicle rear seat
JPH08275845A (en) * 1995-04-05 1996-10-22 Araco Corp Rear seat for automobile
DE29506071U1 (en) * 1995-04-12 1995-06-14 Peter Butz Gmbh & Co Verwaltungs-Kg, 40764 Langenfeld Load securing device for passenger cars

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Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0940289A3 (en) * 1998-03-02 2000-12-27 PETER BUTZ GmbH & Co Verwaltungs-KG Vehicle seat arrangement with a modular insert which forms a holding opening such as a loading opening
FR2887192A1 (en) * 2005-06-21 2006-12-22 Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa Foldable armrest integration device for rear bench seat of motor vehicle, has support plate integrating with armrest, and cushion forming lower part arranged for uncovering trap having height greater than height of raised inactive armrest
WO2008031564A1 (en) 2006-09-11 2008-03-20 Johnson Controls Gmbh Vehicle seat with a rotatable and essentially displaceable backrest
DE102006043205A1 (en) * 2006-09-11 2008-03-27 Johnson Controls Gmbh Vehicle seat with rotatable and essentially movable backrest
DE102006043205B4 (en) * 2006-09-11 2011-03-10 Johnson Controls Gmbh Vehicle seat with rotatable and essentially displaceable backrest
US8113589B2 (en) 2006-09-11 2012-02-14 Johnson Controls Technology Company Vehicle seat with a rotatable and essentially displaceable backrest
DE102007002680A1 (en) * 2007-01-18 2008-07-24 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Rear seat of vehicle for two persons, has seat part and backrest part, where seat part has two seat faces that are spaced from each other and backrest cushion part is arranged at fixed back wall for every seat faces
DE102007043703A1 (en) * 2007-09-13 2009-03-19 Volkswagen Ag Rear seat backrest with a center armrest module
WO2009036841A1 (en) * 2007-09-13 2009-03-26 Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft Rear seat back with a central armrest module
DE102008033418A1 (en) * 2008-07-16 2010-01-21 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Motor vehicle has rear seat bench which consists of seat part and backrest, where backrest is divided into backrest sections which are separately stowed from sitting position in loading area position and back
DE102015218357A1 (en) * 2015-07-20 2017-01-26 Johnson Controls Gmbh VEHICLE SEAT
DE102015218354A1 (en) * 2015-07-20 2017-01-26 Johnson Controls Gmbh VEHICLE SEAT
DE102015218357B4 (en) * 2015-07-20 2018-01-11 Adient Luxembourg Holding S.à.r.l. VEHICLE SEAT
DE102015218354B4 (en) 2015-07-20 2019-07-04 Adient Luxembourg Holding S.À R.L. VEHICLE SEAT
DE102020100042A1 (en) * 2020-01-03 2021-07-08 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Passenger car with a first and a second seat
CN114248673A (en) * 2020-09-24 2022-03-29 西德科(上海)汽车座椅有限公司 Automobile seat with gradient distribution of hardness of foaming material and manufacturing method thereof
CN114248673B (en) * 2020-09-24 2024-10-15 博泽西德科(上海)汽车系统有限公司 Automobile seat with gradient hardness distribution of foaming materials and manufacturing method thereof
DE102021102995A1 (en) 2021-02-09 2022-08-11 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Seating system with stowage means for a passenger car and passenger car equipped therewith
DE102021115794A1 (en) 2021-06-18 2022-12-22 Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Motor vehicle seat system and motor vehicle equipped therewith
US11772571B2 (en) 2021-10-22 2023-10-03 Cynthia WARK Ski rack for interior of vehicle
US20230286421A1 (en) * 2022-01-27 2023-09-14 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Rear seat assembly for a vehicle
US12139051B2 (en) * 2022-01-27 2024-11-12 Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Rear seat assembly for a vehicle

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