WO2000013931A1

WO2000013931A1 - Vehicle seat with a seat back having a fixed outer structure and an inner pass-through

Info

Publication number: WO2000013931A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/020450
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nick G. Xiromeritis; Susan M. Kennedy; Neil J. Bush; Jay M. Frankhouse
Original assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Co
Current assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Co
Priority date: 1998-09-03
Filing date: 1999-09-03
Publication date: 2000-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 2001-03-03

Abstract

A vehicle seat pass-through storage container system is provided for. The seat (20) includes a seat bottom (22) and a seat back (24). The seat back (24) includes a center section (32) that is movable in a forward and downward direction. The center section (32) includes a front panel (34) and a rear panel (36). The front panel (34) and the rear panel (36) are independently movable with respect to each other. When the front panel is in its open position, a tray (40) having a recessed surface (44) is exposed. The tray (40) can be rotated forward exposing two side panels (46, 48) located within the front panel (34). Rotation of the tray (40) also causes the side panels (46, 48) to be rotated upwardly. A storage container is formed with the tray (40), side walls (46, 48), and rear panel (36) acting as the container walls. Additionally, the rear panel (36) can be rotated forward exposing an opening providing access to an area located behind the seat.

Description

VEHICLE SEAT WITH A SEAT BACK HAVING A FIXED OUTER STRUCTURE AND AN INNER PASS-THROUGH

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of prior provisional application number

60/098,959, filed September 3, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention generally relates to a vehicle seat and, more particularly, to a seat in which the upright seat back has a fixed outer structure with an inner panel that is movable from within the fixed outer structure thereby forming a pass-through opening in the seat back.

In the automotive industry, a need has existed for increased storage capabilities within a vehicle. This has been particularly evident in smaller vehicles where the overall length of the vehicle prevents the storage and transportation of longer and larger items. Additionally, a need has also existed for increased storage capabilities in the front seat area of a vehicle.

Traditionally, vehicles are routinely provided with rear bench seats equipped with one or more panels that rotate forward and downward to a generally horizontal position. When one or more of the seat back panels are in this horizontal position, an opening is created between the rear seat area and the trunk area of the vehicle. This opening allows access to the trunk from the rear seat area. Conversely, it also allows access from the trunk area to the rear seat area. Vehicle storage capabilities are increased when the seat panel is in the horizontal position, allowing storage and transportation of more items than could be carried in either the trunk alone or the rear seat alone. Additionally, longer items can be stored and transported in a vehicle that has the capability of a folding rear seat. Items, i.e. skis and lumber, which traditionally would be carried outside the vehicle or extending past the vehicle trunk, can now be slid forward into the rear seat area from the trunk area.

Many rear bench seats of this type include a side bolster portion of the seat back which is attached to a body structure on each side of the rotating seat back panel. Additionally, an upper seat back portion may be fixed to a front edge of a deck structure at an upper end of the seat back.

Although this type of rear bench seat has many advantages, it also has limitations. Many times, the length of the object desired to be transported is longer than even the combined length of the vehicle trunk and rear seat area. This is especially evident when the vehicle type is classified in a compact or sub-compact class. As a result, items transported that are longer than the combined length of the vehicle trunk and rear seat area often extend beyond the trunk and cannot be transported completely enclosed within the vehicle. Therefore, a need exists in the automotive industry to increase an automobile's capability to transport and store long items.

Traditionally, the front seat area of a vehicle has been limited in the amount of storage space it contains. Routinely, the storage space is limited to the vehicle's glove compartment, to the storage area located underneath a center console armrest, and to the storage compartments located on a side door panel. Often, the glove compartment is not accessible to a driver of a vehicle while that operator is positioned in the driver's seat. Additionally, the storage space located under the center console armrest and on the side door panels is large enough to store only small items. Although a passenger seat, when unoccupied, can be used for storage purposes, it has limitations. A seat bottom of the passenger seat is often inclined, as a result, objects placed on the seat bottom often slide back into the crease between the seat bottom and seat back when the vehicle is in motion. Additionally, objects placed on the vehicle's passenger seat tend to slide forward when the vehicle reduces speed or stops moving. Items stored on a vehicle passenger seat can be inadvertently pushed or moved to the side of the seat. These items then fall off the side of the seat, landing somewhere on the vehicle floor. Therefore, another need exists in the automotive industry to increase the amount and type of storage space available in the front seat of a vehicle compartment.

Thus, it is highly desirable to provide a vehicle front seat equipped with one or more panels that translate forward thereby providing a flat storage area.

It is also desirable to provide a movable front seat back panel having an improved means of retaining items stored on the seat back panel. It is also desirable to provide a vehicle front seat having a movable seat back panel opening a passageway from the front seat area to the rear seat area.

It is also highly desirable to provide a front seat having a translatable seat back panel that tightly fits within the seat back frame when not in use. It is also desirable to provide a front passenger seat back having a pass-through with multiple panels in order to provide a front seat area with storage capacity for different types of articles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a front passenger seat having a storage container pass-through system is provided. A seat back has a generally U- shaped frame structure that is attached to a seat bottom and held in place by a recliner mechanism. The recliner mechanism allows the seat back to rotate to various angles of inclination relative to the seat bottom. The seat back includes a center panel which has a closed position within the fixed outer portion of the seat back. The seat panel can be moved to an open position revealing a pass-through in the seat back. When in the open position, the seat back also provides a horizontal surface that can be used to store items.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a front seat with a pass- through having multiple panels. The center panel of the seat back includes a front panel that rotates forward and downward to a generally horizontal position upon the seat bottom. The center panel also includes a second rear panel. The rear panel also rotates forward and downward to a generally horizontal position. When the first front panel is in its open position, a tray-like area is revealed. The tray-like area provides a horizontal surface which can be used to store items in the recessed area of the tray. The second rear panel can also be rotated forward and downward to a horizontal position revealing a pass-through to the rear seat area. The pass-through area provides additional storage and can be used to store and transport longer items that traditionally do not fit within the rear seat area and/or the trunk area of the vehicle.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention also provides additional storage capacity when the first front panel is rotated to a horizontal use position. In this embodiment, the first front panel includes a housing with a recessed area equipped with front and side walls. The front and side walls are rotatably attached to the housing and can be simultaneously rotated to vertical positions. This forms a box-like storage compartment with the second rear panel forming the rear wall of the box-like storage compartment. This compartment can be used to store items that have a tendency to slide when placed on a seat bottom. Additionally, the storage compartment is within easy reach of the vehicle driver and as such can be used to store items that the driver needs to have access to while operating the vehicle.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the seat of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat of FIG. 1 with the front panel of the seat back moved to an open position;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the seat shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the front panel of the seat of FIG. 1 with the tray top in its upright position;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the seat shown in FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the front corner of the seat back front panel;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of the front panel of the seat back;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the seat of FIG. 1 with the pass through completely open; FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the pass through area of the seat shown in

FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the rear panel for closing the pass through opening;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the seat of FIG. 1 with the pass through opening open; FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view of the seat of FIG. 1 with the pass through opening closed; and,

FIGS. 13A-C are a series of side views of the front panel being moved from an upright closed position to a horizontal open position showing the linkage for mounting the front panel to the outer frame of the seat back.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature, and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its application or uses. A free standing seat as generally defined in the industry, is a seat wherein the seat bottom and the seat back are connected to one another, preferably pivotally connected, and are attached to the floor of the vehicle. This type of seat can be distinguished from an integrated seat. In an integrated seating system, the seat back is attached to the body of the vehicle and the seat cushion is separately attached to the body of the vehicle with no direct connection between the seat back and the seat cushion.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a seat 20 is shown in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The seat 20 includes a generally horizontal seat bottom 22 and an upright seat back 24 extending upwardly from the rear of the seat bottom 22. The seat 20 is upholstered with a cushion and a trim cover to provide the seat bottom 22 and the seat back 24 with a comfortable surface. In a preferred embodiment, the seat 20 is a front passenger bucket seat. The seat 20 is a free standing seat.

In the free standing seat 20 of the present invention, the seat back 24 includes an inverted U-shaped outer frame 26 having a detent 27 located on an upper portion thereof. A headrest 28 extends upwardly from the outer frame 26. The outer frame 26 is coupled to the seat bottom 22 via a recliner mechanism 30 allowing the seat back 24 to pivot relative to the seat bottom 22. Using the recliner mechanism 30, the angle of inclination of the seat back 24 can be varied with respect to seat bottom 22. The seat back 24 also includes a center section 32 which fits within the inverted U-shaped frame 26.

Although a front passenger bucket seat is depicted in a preferred embodiment, it is specifically contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure that other types of seats could be incorporated in additional embodiments of this invention. These seat types include, but are not limited to, bench style free standing seats.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the center section 32 of seat back 24 is formed from a front panel 34 and a rear panel 36. The front and rear panels 34, 36 are movably attached to the outer frame 26 as described below. The front panel 34 has a front seating surface 38 which is formed by a cushion and a trim cover to provide a comfortable surface.

Although the front and rear panels 34, 36 are depicted in a preferred embodiment as being movably attached to the outer frame 26, it is specifically contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure that these panels could be coupled to other portions of the seat 20. These portions include, but are not limited to, the seat bottom 22 and the recliner mechanism 30.

When front panel 34 is located in an open position, a tray 40 is exposed. The tray 40 is attached to the front panel 34 at a top or forward end 42 of the front panel 34. The tray 40 has a recessed center portion 44. Recessed center portion 44 allows objects to be placed on the tray 40 and retained in place during operation of the vehicle. The seat 20 can not be occupied while center section 32 is positioned in the generally horizontal open position.

Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the tray 40 can be rotated to a raised vertical position extending generally upwardly from the forward end 42 of the front panel 34. Rotating tray 40 to this position exposes side walls 46 and 48. The side walls 46, 48 are stored in the front panel 34 beneath the tray 40 within a recessed bottom portion 49 of a housing 50 of front panel 34. The side walls 46, 48 are pivotally attached to housing 50. When the side walls 46, 48 and the tray 40 are pivoted to their upright positions, a box-like storage compartment is formed with rear panel 36 serving as a rear wall. This storage compartment can be used to retain cargo and other items within front panel 34. This storage compartment is conveniently located for use by a vehicle driver seated adjacent to the seat 20. The storage compartment can be used for items that the vehicle driver needs to be able to reach while operating the vehicle but which also must be prevented from shifting or moving while the vehicle is being operated.

The side walls 46, 48 are coupled to the tray 40 for movement to their upright positions upon movement of the tray 40 to its upright position. A cord 52 is attached to the tray 40 a distance away from the pivot axis of the tray 40. The cord 52 passes through an opening 54 in the housing 50 and is attached to the sidewall 46 at a location 56 near the front of the sidewall 46. The opening 54 is located rearward of the pivot access of the tray 40. When the tray 40 is raised from its horizontal position to its upright position, the attachment of the cord 52 to the tray 40 moves away from the opening 54 increasing tension in the cord 52. The increased tension in the cord 52 acts on the sidewall 46 thereby raising the sidewall 46. A similar cord is provided on the opposite side of tray 40 for raising the sidewall 48. This enables tray 40 and the side walls 46, 48 to be raised in a single operation.

In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, an outer peripheral edge 57 of the housing 50 defines a substantially planer surface 59 of the housing 50. The bottom portion 49 of housing 50 is recessed below the substantially planer surface 59 created by edge 57. The recessed bottom portion 49 of the housing 50 is adapted to fit within a corresponding recessed cavity on a rear surface of the front panel 34. The side columns of the housing 50 extend in a generally vertical direction. The side columns of this embodiment are pivotally coupled to the side walls 46, 48 and the tray 40. Although the preferred embodiment of this invention discloses a housing 50 having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the front panel 34, it is specifically contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure that the dimensions of the housing 50 do not have to mirror the dimensions of the front panel 34.

Referring to FIG. 7, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. The front panel 34 is shown with tray 40 in its upright position. In this embodiment, the side walls 46, 48 are attached at their front ends to the tray 40 by folding panels 58, only one of which is shown. The folding panel 58 is hinged at 60 to the sidewall 48 to form a continuous wall from the sidewall 48 to the tray 40. A similar arrangement is provided for side wall 46. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the seat 20 is shown with both the front panel 34 in its horizontal open position and the rear panel 36 in its horizontal open position. In this position, rear panel 36 overlaps the lower or rear portion of the front panel 34. This creates a pass-through opening 62 through the seat back 24, leaving only the U-shaped frame 26 extending upwardly from the seat bottom 22. Rear panel 36 is rotatably attached to the frame 26. In FIG. 8, the front panel 34 also includes a latch 64 at its upper or forward end 42. The latch 64 releasably attaches the front panel 34 to the detent 27 of the outer frame 26 thereby retaining the front panel 34 in its upright position within the outer frame 26. In FIG. 9, a rubber stop 66 is located on a rabbet ridge 67 of the U-shaped frame 26. The rubber stop 66 prevents rattle, vibration, or other objectionable noise from occurring between the front panel 34, the rear panel 36, or the frame 26. The rabbet ridge 67 follows the contour of U-shaped outer frame 26. The rabbet ridge 67 of outer frame 26 prevents the front panel 34 and the rear panel 36 from traveling rearward beyond the outer frame 26.

Although a seat having a latch mechanism releasably attaching the center section to the outer frame has been disclosed in a preferred embodiment, it is specifically contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure that the latch mechanism or an additional latch mechanism could be located on other areas of the seat. These areas include, but are not limited to, a latch positioned on the seat bottom, the recliner mechanism, or within the moving mechanism of the center section (the moving mechanism being described below).

Referring to FIG. 10, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown.

In this embodiment, the rear panel 36 rotates about an upright axis along one side of the rear panel 36. In this embodiment, the rear panel 36 is pivotally attached to frame 26.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a perspective view of the rear of the seat 20 is shown. An assist handle/coat hook 68 is located in the headrest 28 of the seat back 24. Additionally, a map pocket 70 is provided at a lower end of the seat back 24.

With reference to FIGS. 13A-13C, a four-bar linkage 72 is shown. The four-bar linkage 72 attaches the front panel 34 of center section 32 to U-shaped frame 26. The four- bar linkage 72 enables the front panel 34 to translate forwardly and downwardly to a generally horizontal open position without any hard pivot brackets being located or exposed near the front seating surface 38 or seat bottom 22. The linkage includes four bars 74, only two of which are shown, pivotally attached at separate locations to U-shaped frame 26. Each bar is also pivotally attached at separate locations to front panel 34. The linkage enables a lower end 76 of the front panel 34 to move upward and rearward as the front panel 34 is moved to its open position. This rotating motion of the front panel 34 brings the lower end 76 of the front panel 34 up to the pivot axis of the rear panel 36 thereby avoiding any gap between the rear panel 36 and the front panel 34 when the front panel 34 is rotated to its open position. Additionally, this linkage allows the front panel 34 to fit tightly against the seat bottom 22 and the outer frame 26 without any gap when the front panel 34 is in its upright closed position.

Although a seat having two movable panels has been depicted in a preferred embodiment, it is specifically contemplated and within the scope of this disclosure that seats having less than or more than two movable panels could be incorporated in additional embodiments of this invention.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact construction illustrated and described above, but that various changes may be made if not thereby departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A free standing seat for a vehicle, said seat comprising: a seat bottom adapted to be mounted to the vehicle; a seat back having an outer frame and a center section, said center section being moveable between a closed position and an open position, said seat bottom being coupled to said seat back.

2. The seat of claim 1, said seat further comprising: a recliner mechanism coupling said seat back and said seat bottom whereby said seat back is pivotable with respect to said seat bottom.

3. The seat of claim 2, wherein said seat back further comprises: means for moving said center section between said closed position and said open position, said moving means coupling said center section to said recliner mechanism.

4. The seat of claim 1, wherein said seat back further comprises: means for moving said center section between said closed position and said open position, said means for moving coupling said center section to said outer frame of said seat back.

5. The seat of claim 4, wherein said means for moving comprises: a mechanism having four bars, each of said bars having a first end and a second end and each of said bars being pivotally attached at said first end to said outer frame and being pivotally attached at said second end to said center section whereby a lower portion of said center section is translatable upwardly and inwardly with respect to said outer frame as an upper portion of said center section is translatable downwardly and outwardly with respect to said outer frame.

6. The seat of claim 1, wherein said outer frame has an inverted generally U- shape, said seat further comprising: a recliner mechanism coupling said outer frame to said seat bottom; and, means for moving coupling said outer frame and said center section whereby said center section is movable between a generally upright closed position and a generally horizontal open position.

7. The seat of claim 6, wherein said center section has a front surface and a rear surface, said rear surface having a generally planer panel attached thereto.

8. The seat of claim 7, wherein said panel is pivotally attached to said rear surface of said center section.

9. The seat of claim 8, wherein said panel has a recessed portion.

10. The seat of claim 6, wherein said center section has a front surface and a rear surface, said rear surface having a recessed portion.

11. The seat of claim 10, wherein said rear surface has a generally planer panel pivotally attached thereto.

12. The seat of claim 10, wherein said center section further comprises a housing having a recessed portion adapted to fit within said recessed portion of said rear surface.

13. The seat of claim 12, wherein said housing includes a generally planer panel attached thereto.

14. The seat of claim 13, wherein said housing includes side walls attached thereto.

15. The seat of claim 14, wherein said generally planer panel and said side walls are pivotally attached to said housing, said housing further comprising: a pivot mechanism capable of simultaneously pivoting said side walls to an upright position when said generally planner panel is pivoted to an upright position.

16. The seat of claim 15, wherein said housing has an opening, said pivot mechanism includes a cord attached to said generally planer panel and said side walls, said cord placed through said opening in said housing.

17. The seat of claim 15, wherein said pivot mechanism includes a hinge.

18. The seat of claim 6, wherein said outer frame includes a rear panel pivotally attached thereto.

19. The seat of claim 1, wherein said seat includes a vibration dampening member.

20. The seat of claim 1, wherein said seat includes a latch mechanism.

21. The seat of claim 1 , wherein said seat includes a rear panel attached thereto.

22. A free standing vehicle seat, adapted to be mounted to a vehicle, said seat comprising: a seat bottom adapted to be mounted to the vehicle; a seat back having an inverted substantially U-shaped outer frame and a center section, said center section being moveable from a generally upright closed position to a generally horizontal open position revealing a pass through opening in said inverted U- shaped outer frame; and, a recliner mechanism coupling said inverted substantially U-shaped outer frame of said seat back and said seat bottom whereby said seat back is pivotable with respect to said seat bottom.

23. The seat of claim 22, wherein said closed position is located substantially within said inverted substantially U-shaped outer frame, said seat back further comprises: means for moving said center section between said closed position and said open position, said means for moving coupling said center section and said inverted substantially U-shaped outer frame.

24. The seat of claim 23, wherein said means for moving comprises: a mechanism having four bars, each of said bars having a first end and a second end and each of said four bars pivotally attached at said first end to said outer frame and pivotally attached at said second end to said center section whereby a lower portion of said center section is translatable upwardly and inwardly with respect to said seat back as an upper portion of said center section is translatable downwardly and outwardly with respect to said seat back.

25. The seat of claim 23, wherein said center section has a front surface and a rear surface, said rear surface having a recessed portion.

26. The seat of claim 25, wherein said rear surface has a substantially planer panel attached thereto.

27. The seat of claim 25, wherein said center section further comprises a housing having a recessed bottom portion, said recessed bottom portion adapted to fit within said recessed portion of said rear surface.

28. The seat of claim 27, wherein said housing includes a generally planer panel attached thereto.

29. The seat of claim 28, wherein said housing further includes side walls attached thereto, said side walls being storable in said recessed bottom portion of said housing.

30. The seat of claim 29, wherein said generally planer panel and said side walls are pivotally attached to said housing; said housing further comprises: a pivot mechanism coupled to said generally planer panel and said side walls whereby said side walls and said generally planer panel are simultaneously pivotable to upright positions.

31. The seat of claim 30, wherein said pivot mechanism includes a cord.

32. The seat of claim 30, wherein said pivot mechanism includes a hinge.

33. The seat of claim 22, wherein said center section further comprises: a rear panel pivotally attached to said inverted substantially U-shaped outer frame, wherein said rear panel is rotatable between a generally upright closed position and a generally horizontal open position revealing a pass through opening in the inverted substantially U-shaped outer frame.

34. The seat of claim 22, wherein said U-shaped frame has a rabbet ridge, said rabbet ridge having a vibration dampening member attached thereto.

35. The seat of claim 22, wherein said center portion includes a latch mechanism releasably attaching said center section to said inverted substantially U- shaped outer frame.