MODULAR SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY
Kind Code:
A2
A modular seat back assembly (20) includes first (24) and second (26) seat backs adjacent each other. The seat backs are selectively positionable relative to each other in a first and a second seating arrangement. A coupling member (36) extends from the first seat back to the second seat back and is mounted to the first and second seat backs. The first and second seat backs each present one of a first pair of coupling bases and one of a second pair of coupling bases (52). The first pair is configured such that the coupling member is mountable to both of the first pair in the first seating arrangement. The second pair is configured such that the coupling member is mountable to both of the second pair in the second seating arrangement. The configuration of the first and second pair of coupling bases enables interchangeability of the seat backs in a cross-vehicle direction.
Inventors:
Evans, Jonathan A. (46978 Yarmouth Drive, Canton, Michigan, 48188, US)
Application Number:
PCT/EP2007/057394
Publication Date:
01/24/2008
Filing Date:
07/17/2007
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Export Citation:
Assignee:
Basf, SE (Ludwigshafen, 67056, DE)
Evans, Jonathan A. (46978 Yarmouth Drive, Canton, Michigan, 48188, US)
Evans, Jonathan A. (46978 Yarmouth Drive, Canton, Michigan, 48188, US)
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Isenbruck, Gã¼nter (ISENBRUCK BÃSL HÃRSCHLER WICHMANN HUHN, Theodor-Heuss-Anlage 12, Mannheim, 68165, DE)
Claims:
CLAIMS What is claimed is:
1. A modular seat back assembly (20) for a vehicle (22), said modular seat back assembly (20) comprising: a first seat back (24); a second seat back (26) adjacent said first seat back (24) with said first and second seat backs (24, 26) selectively positionable relative to each other in a first seating arrangement and a second seating arrangement different than said first seating arrangement; and a coupling member (36) extending from said first seat back (24) to said second seat back (26) and mounted to said first and second seat backs (24, 26); said first and second seat backs (24, 26) each presenting one of a first pair of coupling bases (50) with said first pair of coupling bases (50) configured such that said coupling member (36) is mountable to both of said first pair of coupling bases (50) when said first and second seat backs (24, 26) are in said first seating arrangement; said first and second seat backs (24, 26) each presenting one of a second pair of coupling bases (52) spaced from each of said first pair of coupling bases (50) with said second pair of coupling bases (52) configured such that said coupling member (36) is mountable to both of said second pair of coupling bases (52) when said first and second seat backs (24, 26) are in said second seating arrangement.
2. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second pairs of coupling bases (50, 52) is disposed along a common axis (C).
3. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claims 1 or 2 wherein said first seat back (24) defines a wheel well cutout (32) and said second seat back (26) defines a second wheel well cutout (34).
4. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 1 to 3 wherein each of said first and second pair of coupling bases (50, 52) is planar and wherein said coupling member (36) is a plate abutting each of said first pair of coupling bases (50) in said first seating arrangement and abutting each of said second pair of coupling bases (52) in said second seating arrangement.
5. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 1 to 4 wherein said first and second seat backs (24, 26) each include reinforcing ribs with said reinforcing ribs of each of said first and second seat backs (24, 26) defining said first and second pairs of coupling bases (50, 52).
6. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 1 to 5 wherein each of said first and second seat backs (24, 26) have a left end (28) and a right end (30) with said right end (30) of said first seat back (24) adjacent said left end (28) of said second seat back (26) in said first seating arrangement and with said left end (28) of said first seat back (24) adjacent said right end (30) of said second seat back (26) in said second seating arrangement.
7. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claim 6 wherein one of said first pair of coupling bases (50) extends from said right end (30) of said first seat back (24) toward said left end (28) of said first seat back (24) and another of said first pair of coupling bases (50) extends from said left end (28) of said second seat back (26) toward said right end (30) of said second seat back (26).
8. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claim 6 or 7 wherein one of said second pair of coupling bases (52) extends from said left end (28) of said first seat back (24) toward said right end (30) of said first seat back (24) and another of said second pair of coupling bases (52) extends from said right end (30) of said second seat back (26) toward said left end (28) of said second seat back (26).
9. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 6 to 8 wherein said left end (28) of said first seat back (24) defines a wheel well cutout (32) and wherein said right end (30) of said second seat back (26) defines a second wheel well cutout (34).
10. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 6 to 9 wherein said first and second seat backs (24, 26) are substantially equal in length from said left end (28) to said right end (30) respectively.
11. The modular set back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 1 to 10 wherein said first and second seat backs (24, 26) are rotatable together about a rotational axis (A).
12. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 1 to 11 further comprising a third seat back (56) disposed adjacent one of said first and second seat backs (24, 26) and extending between a right end (30) and a left end (28) with said third seat back (56) defining a third pair of coupling bases (54) spaced from each other.
13. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claim 12 wherein said third seat back (56) is rotatable about a rotational axis (A) relative to said first and second seat backs (24, 26) between an upright position and a folded position and wherein said first and second seat backs (24, 26) are rotatable together about said rotational axis (A) relative to said third seat back (56) between said upright and folded positions.
14. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claim 12 or 13 further comprising a second coupling member (58) mounted to and extending from said third seat back (56) to one of said first and second seat backs (24, 26) with said third pair of coupling bases (54) configured such that said second coupling member (58) is mountable to one of said third pair of coupling bases (54) and to one coupling base of said first and second pair of coupling bases (50, 52).
15. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claim 14 wherein said first, second, and third seat backs (24, 26, 56) are rotatable together between an upright position and a folded position.
16. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 12 to 15 wherein said first, second, and third pairs of coupling bases (50, 52, 54) are disposed along a common axis (C).
17. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 12 to 16 wherein each of said first and second seat backs (24, 26) have a left end (28) and a right end (30) with both of said left and right ends (28, 30) of said first seat back (24) being straight and with said left end (28) of said third seat back (56) defining a wheel well cutout (32) and with said right end (30) of said second seat back (26) defining a second wheel well cutout (34).
18. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 12 to 17 wherein said first and second seat backs (24, 26) have a left end (28) and a right end (30) and wherein said first and third seat backs (24, 56) are substantially equal in length from said left end (28) to said right end (30) respectively and each of said first and third seat backs (24, 56) are substantially twice as long as said first seat back (24) from said left end (28) to said right end (30) respectively.
19. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 10 to 18 further comprising fasteners (25) coupled to said coupling member (36) with each fastener (25) engaging one of said first and second seat backs (24, 26).
20. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 10 to 19 wherein said first and second seat backs (24, 26) and optionally said third seat back (56) are formed of a thermoplastic material.
21. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claim 20 further comprising reinforcing tubes (60) coupled to said first and second seat backs (24, 26) and optionally to said third seat back (56).
22. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claim 20 or 21 wherein said thermoplastic material comprises nylon.
23. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 20 to 22 wherein said nylon comprises fiber reinforced nylon.
24. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 20 to 23 wherein said first and second seat backs (24, 26) and optionally said third seat back (56) are formed by injection molding.
1. A modular seat back assembly (20) for a vehicle (22), said modular seat back assembly (20) comprising: a first seat back (24); a second seat back (26) adjacent said first seat back (24) with said first and second seat backs (24, 26) selectively positionable relative to each other in a first seating arrangement and a second seating arrangement different than said first seating arrangement; and a coupling member (36) extending from said first seat back (24) to said second seat back (26) and mounted to said first and second seat backs (24, 26); said first and second seat backs (24, 26) each presenting one of a first pair of coupling bases (50) with said first pair of coupling bases (50) configured such that said coupling member (36) is mountable to both of said first pair of coupling bases (50) when said first and second seat backs (24, 26) are in said first seating arrangement; said first and second seat backs (24, 26) each presenting one of a second pair of coupling bases (52) spaced from each of said first pair of coupling bases (50) with said second pair of coupling bases (52) configured such that said coupling member (36) is mountable to both of said second pair of coupling bases (52) when said first and second seat backs (24, 26) are in said second seating arrangement.
2. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said first and second pairs of coupling bases (50, 52) is disposed along a common axis (C).
3. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claims 1 or 2 wherein said first seat back (24) defines a wheel well cutout (32) and said second seat back (26) defines a second wheel well cutout (34).
4. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 1 to 3 wherein each of said first and second pair of coupling bases (50, 52) is planar and wherein said coupling member (36) is a plate abutting each of said first pair of coupling bases (50) in said first seating arrangement and abutting each of said second pair of coupling bases (52) in said second seating arrangement.
5. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 1 to 4 wherein said first and second seat backs (24, 26) each include reinforcing ribs with said reinforcing ribs of each of said first and second seat backs (24, 26) defining said first and second pairs of coupling bases (50, 52).
6. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 1 to 5 wherein each of said first and second seat backs (24, 26) have a left end (28) and a right end (30) with said right end (30) of said first seat back (24) adjacent said left end (28) of said second seat back (26) in said first seating arrangement and with said left end (28) of said first seat back (24) adjacent said right end (30) of said second seat back (26) in said second seating arrangement.
7. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claim 6 wherein one of said first pair of coupling bases (50) extends from said right end (30) of said first seat back (24) toward said left end (28) of said first seat back (24) and another of said first pair of coupling bases (50) extends from said left end (28) of said second seat back (26) toward said right end (30) of said second seat back (26).
8. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claim 6 or 7 wherein one of said second pair of coupling bases (52) extends from said left end (28) of said first seat back (24) toward said right end (30) of said first seat back (24) and another of said second pair of coupling bases (52) extends from said right end (30) of said second seat back (26) toward said left end (28) of said second seat back (26).
9. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 6 to 8 wherein said left end (28) of said first seat back (24) defines a wheel well cutout (32) and wherein said right end (30) of said second seat back (26) defines a second wheel well cutout (34).
10. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 6 to 9 wherein said first and second seat backs (24, 26) are substantially equal in length from said left end (28) to said right end (30) respectively.
11. The modular set back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 1 to 10 wherein said first and second seat backs (24, 26) are rotatable together about a rotational axis (A).
12. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 1 to 11 further comprising a third seat back (56) disposed adjacent one of said first and second seat backs (24, 26) and extending between a right end (30) and a left end (28) with said third seat back (56) defining a third pair of coupling bases (54) spaced from each other.
13. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claim 12 wherein said third seat back (56) is rotatable about a rotational axis (A) relative to said first and second seat backs (24, 26) between an upright position and a folded position and wherein said first and second seat backs (24, 26) are rotatable together about said rotational axis (A) relative to said third seat back (56) between said upright and folded positions.
14. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claim 12 or 13 further comprising a second coupling member (58) mounted to and extending from said third seat back (56) to one of said first and second seat backs (24, 26) with said third pair of coupling bases (54) configured such that said second coupling member (58) is mountable to one of said third pair of coupling bases (54) and to one coupling base of said first and second pair of coupling bases (50, 52).
15. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claim 14 wherein said first, second, and third seat backs (24, 26, 56) are rotatable together between an upright position and a folded position.
16. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 12 to 15 wherein said first, second, and third pairs of coupling bases (50, 52, 54) are disposed along a common axis (C).
17. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 12 to 16 wherein each of said first and second seat backs (24, 26) have a left end (28) and a right end (30) with both of said left and right ends (28, 30) of said first seat back (24) being straight and with said left end (28) of said third seat back (56) defining a wheel well cutout (32) and with said right end (30) of said second seat back (26) defining a second wheel well cutout (34).
18. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 12 to 17 wherein said first and second seat backs (24, 26) have a left end (28) and a right end (30) and wherein said first and third seat backs (24, 56) are substantially equal in length from said left end (28) to said right end (30) respectively and each of said first and third seat backs (24, 56) are substantially twice as long as said first seat back (24) from said left end (28) to said right end (30) respectively.
19. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 10 to 18 further comprising fasteners (25) coupled to said coupling member (36) with each fastener (25) engaging one of said first and second seat backs (24, 26).
20. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 10 to 19 wherein said first and second seat backs (24, 26) and optionally said third seat back (56) are formed of a thermoplastic material.
21. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claim 20 further comprising reinforcing tubes (60) coupled to said first and second seat backs (24, 26) and optionally to said third seat back (56).
22. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in claim 20 or 21 wherein said thermoplastic material comprises nylon.
23. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 20 to 22 wherein said nylon comprises fiber reinforced nylon.
24. The modular seat back assembly (20) as set forth in one of the claims 20 to 23 wherein said first and second seat backs (24, 26) and optionally said third seat back (56) are formed by injection molding.
Description:
Modular seat back assembly
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to seat back assemblies and specifically modular seat back assemblies for a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
Seat back assemblies for a rear seat of a vehicle are configured in several arrangements dependent upon the vehicle model and style. Different vehicle models require different seat back assemblies and varying styles of the same model often require different seat back assemblies. In addition, some vehicles also have both second and third row seating with the seating arrangement being different between the second and third row seating. Different arrangements of seat back assemblies include bench seat arrangements and split seat arrangements. The bench seat arrangement includes a single continuous seat back. The split seat arrangement includes at least two adjacent seat backs with each of the adjacent seat backs independently moveable between an upright position and a folded position. The seat backs of the split seat arrangement have the same or different cross-car widths to achieve different split seat arrangements. The split seat arrangements typically include a 50/50 split, a 40/60 split, and a 40/20/40 split.
A modular seat back assembly includes at least two seat backs which may be selectively coupled in various arrangements. United States Patent No. 4,793,505 to Yamawaki et al. discloses a modular seat back assembly. Yamawaki et al. discloses a first seat back and a second seat back adjacent the first seat back. In one arrangement, the first seat back and the second seat back are independently moveable between the upright and folded positions such that the modular seat back assembly has a split seat arrangement. In another arrangement, the modular seat back assembly includes a coupling member mounted to and extending from the first seat back to the second seat back such that the modular seat back assembly has a bench seat arrangement. Yamawaki et al. discloses a seat back assembly wherein the first and second seat backs are handed, i.e., the first seat back must be positioned to the left of the second seat back and the second seat back must be positioned to the right of the first seat back.
In a design where the seat backs are handed, a separate seat back must be manufactured for each split seat arrangement. For example, in a 60/40 split seat arrangement, a left seat back comprising 60% of the cross-vehicle width and a left seat back comprising 40% of the cross- vehicle width must be manufactured. In a 40/60 split seat arrangement, another left seat back comprising 40% of the cross-vehicle width and another left seat back comprising 60% of the cross-vehicle width must be manufactured. For each different split seat arrangment, a different right and left hand seat back must be manufactured.
In addition, the vehicle may or may not have wheel well features in the interior of the vehicle depending upon the model and style of the vehicle. In a configuration where the vehicle has wheel wells, the first and second seat backs each must define a wheel well cutout to accommodate the wheel well. In a configuration where the vehicle does not have a wheel well, the first and second seat backs each must have corners that conform to interior corners of the vehicle.
It would be desirable to manufacture a modular seat back assembly that is common to a variety of different vehicle models and styles such that the modular seat back assembly may be positioned into different bench seat/split seat arrangements to accommodate the configurations of the various models and styles and wheel well configurations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
The present invention is a modular seat back assembly for a vehicle. The modular seat back assembly includes a first seat back and a second seat back. The second seat back is adjacent the first seat back with the first and second seat backs selectively positionable relative to each other in a first seating arrangement and a second seating arrangement different than the first seating arrangement. A coupling member extends from the first seat back to the second seat back and is mounted to the first and second seat backs. The first and second seat backs each present one of a first pair of coupling bases. The first pair of coupling bases is configured such that the coupling member is mountable to both of the first pair of coupling bases when the first and second seats are in the first seating arrangement. The first and second seat backs each present one of a second pair of coupling bases spaced from each of the first pair of coupling bases. The second pair of coupling bases is configured such that the coupling member is mountable to both of the second pair of coupling bases when the first and second seats are in the second seating arrangement.
Accordingly, the first and second seat backs and the coupling member are selectively positionable in the first seating arrangement or the second seating arrangement depending upon the requirements of the vehicle. In other words, the first and second seat backs are
interchangeable in a cross-vehicle direction and the first and second seat backs are arranged in the first seating arrangement or the second arrangement to accommodate the structure of the vehicle. The configuration of the first and second pairs of mounting bases enables such interchangeability because the coupling member is mountable to the first pair of mounting bases in the first seating arrangement and is mountable to the second pair of mounting bases in the second seating arrangement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a modular seat back assembly in a first seating arrangement;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the modular seat back assembly in a second seating arrangement;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the modular seat back assembly;
Figure 4 is a perspective view of another arrangement of the second embodiment of the modular seat back assembly;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of another arrangement of the second embodiment of the modular seat back assembly;
Figure 6 is perspective view of another arrangement of the second embodiment of the modular seat back assembly; and
Figure 7 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of the modular seat back assembly disposed in a vehicle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a modular seat back assembly 20 for a vehicle 22 is generally shown. As shown in Figure 7, for example, the modular seat back assembly 20 is further defined as a rear seat of an automobile such as a second or third row seat. It should be appreciated that the modular
seat back assembly 20 may be further defined as any row of seats including a front row of seats. It should also be appreciated that the modular seat back assembly 20 may be used in any type of vehicle including, for example, a bus, an airplane, and a boat. As will be discussed further below, Figures 1-2 show a first embodiment of the modular seat back assembly 20 and Figures 3-7 show a second embodiment of the modular seat back assembly 20. The modular seat back assembly is mounted to the vehicle in conjunction with a seat bottom (not shown). The seat bottom extends generally horizontally for supporting a sitting passenger or cargo.
As shown in Figures 1-2, the first embodiment the modular seat back assembly 20 includes a first seat back 24 and a second seat back 26 adjacent the first seat back 24. Each of the first and second seat backs 24, 26 has a left end 28 and a right end 30. The first and second seat backs 24, 26 are preferably substantially equal in length from the left end 28 to the right end 30 respectively. In addition, preferably the left end 28 of the first seat back 24 defines a wheel well cutout 32 and the right end 30 of the second seat back 26 defines a second wheel well cutout 34. The right end 30 of the first seat back 24 presents a corner 33 and the left end 28 of the second seat back 26 presents a second corner 35.
The first and second seat backs 24, 26 are selectively positionable relative to each other in a first seating arrangement and a second seating arrangement different than the first seating arrangement. Specifically, as shown in Figure 1 , the right end 30 of the first seat back 24 is adjacent the left end 28 of the second seat back 26 in the first seating arrangement. As shown in Figure 2, the left end 28 of the first seat back 24 is adjacent the right end 30 of the second seat back 26 in the second seating arrangement. In other words, the first and second seat backs 24, 26 are interchangeable in a cross-vehicle direction and the first and second seat backs 24, 26 are arranged in the first seating arrangement or the second seating arrangement to accommodate structure of the vehicle 22, e.g., cross-car width and wheel well features 23. As such, the first and second seat backs 24, 26 may be packaged together to meet design criteria requirements of individual vehicles. For example, the modular seat back assembly 20 may be configured in the first seating arrangement to fit a vehicle having wheel well features 23 and may be configured in the second seating arrangement for a vehicle not having wheel well features. In the first seating arrangement, the wheel well cutout 32 and the second wheel well cutout 34 accommodate the wheel well feature 23. In the second seating arrangement, the corner 33 and the second corner 35 conform to interior corners of the vehicle 22. As shown in Figures 1-2, a coupling member 36 extends from the first seat back 24 to the second seat back 26 and is mounted to the first and second seat backs 24, 26. Preferably, fasteners 25 are coupled to the coupling member 36 with each fastener 25 engaging one of the first and second seat backs 24, 26. For example, the fasteners 25 are further defined as threaded fasteners or rivets. The first and second seat backs 24, 26 are rotatable together about a rotational axis A.
The coupling member 36 rigidly attaches the first and second seat backs 24, 26 together such that the first and second seat backs 24, 26 rotate as a unit about the rotational axis A.
The modular seat back assembly 20 includes a plurality of mount members 38, i.e., reclining brackets, for mounting the first and second seat backs 24, 26 to a floor 40 of the vehicle 22. The first and second seat backs 24, 26 are rotatably mounted to the plurality of mount members 38 such that the rotational axis A extends through the mount members 38.
The first seat back 24 and the second seat back 26 each preferably define a pair of apertures 42. A release mechanism 44 is disposed in at least one of the apertures 42. The release mechanism 44 includes a release handle 46 and a release cable 48 extending from the release handle 46. The release cable 48 is coupled to a latch disposed in one of the mount members 38. When in an upright position, the first and second seat backs 24, 26 are locked relative to the mount members 38 in the upright position. The release handle 46 is moved in the aperture 42 for unlocking the latch to unlock the first and second seat backs 24, 26 relative to the mount members 38 and to allow the first and second seat backs 24, 26 to rotate relative to the mount members 38 between the upright position and a folded position. In the upright position, the seat back extends generally vertically from the mount members, such as, for example, the first and second seat backs 24, 26 in Figure 5. In the folded position, the seat back extends generally horizontally, such as, for example, the first seat back 24 in Figure 6.
The first and second seat backs 24, 26 each present one of a first pair of coupling bases 50. In other words, the first seat back 24 presents one of the first pair of coupling bases 50 and the second seat back 26 presents the other of the first pair of coupling bases. Specifically, one of the first pair of coupling bases 50 extends from the right end 30 of the first seat back 24 toward the left end 28 of the first seat back 24 and another of the first pair of coupling bases 50 extends from the left end 28 of the second seat back 26 toward the right end 30 of the second seat back 26. In addition, the first and second seat backs 24, 26 each presents one of a second pair of coupling bases 52 spaced from each of the first pair of coupling base. In other words, the first seat back 24 presents one of the second pair of coupling bases 52 and the second seat back 26 presents another of the second pair of coupling bases 52. Specifically, one of the second pair of coupling bases 52 extends from the left end 28 of the first seat back 24 toward the right end 30 of the first seat back 24 and another of the second pair of coupling bases 52 extends from the right end 30 of the second seat back 26 toward the left end 28 of the second seat back 26.
The first pair of coupling bases 50 is configured such that the coupling member 36 is mountable to both of the first pair of coupling bases 50 when the first and second seats are in the first seating arrangement. The second pair of coupling bases 52 is configured such that the
coupling member 36 is mountable to both of the second pair of coupling bases 52 when the first and second seats are in the second seating arrangement.
Specifically, the first and the second pair of coupling bases 50, 52 are configured with each of the first and second pairs of coupling bases 50, 52 disposed along a common axis C. As such, in the first seating arrangement the first pair of coupling bases 50 are adjacent and aligned with each other and in the second seating arrangement the second pair of coupling bases 52 are adjacent and aligned with each other. As shown in Figure 1 , in the first seating arrangement the first pair of coupling bases 50 are aligned with each other such that the coupling member 36 extends across both of the first pair of coupling bases 50. Further, as shown in Figure 2, in the second seating arrangement the second pair of coupling base are aligned with each other such that the coupling member 36 extends across both of the second pair of coupling bases 52. In other words, the coupling member 36 is mountable to both the first and second seat backs 24, 26 regardless of the arrangement of the first and second seat backs 24, 26 relative to each other.
Each of the first and second pairs of coupling bases 50, 52 is planar. The coupling member 36 is further defined as a plate. The plate abuts each of the first pair of coupling bases 50 in the first seating arrangement and abuts each of the second pair of coupling bases 52 in the second seating arrangement. The plate is formed of metal and specifically is formed of aluminum. It should be appreciated that the plate may be formed from any suitable material for rigidly attaching the first and second seat backs 24, 26 together without departing from the nature of the present invention. It should also be appreciated that the first and second coupling bases 50, 52 and the coupling member 36 may be formed in any configuration such that the coupling member 36 is mountable to the first pair and the second pair of mounting bases 50, 52 without departing from the nature of the present invention.
As shown in Figures 3-7, the second embodiment the modular seat back assembly 20 includes a third seat back 56 disposed adjacent one of the first and second seat backs 24, 26. The third seat back 56 has a left end 28 and a right end 30. Preferably the first and third seat backs 24, 56 are substantially equal in length from the left end 28 to the right end 30, respectively, and each of the first and third seat backs 24, 56 are substantially twice as long as the first seat back 24 from the left end 28 to the right end 30, respectively. Preferably the left and right ends 28, 30 of the first seat back 24 are straight. The left end 28 of the third seat back 56 defines the wheel well cutout 32 and the right end 30 of the second seat back 26 defines the second wheel well cutout 34. The right end 30 of the third seat back 24 presents the corner 33 and the left end 28 of the second seat back 26 presents the second corner 35. It should be appreciated that the modular seat back assembly 20 may include any number of seat backs that are positionable in any number of arrangements without departing from the nature of the present invention.
When the first and second seat backs 24, 26 are positioned in the first seating arrangement, the third seat back 56 is selectively positionable adjacent the left end 28 of the first seat back 24 or adjacent the right end 30 of the second seat back 26. When the first and second seat backs 24, 26 are positioned in the second seating arrangement, the third seat back 56 is selectively positionable adjacent the right end 30 of the first seat back 24 or adjacent the left end 28 of the second seat back 26. In other words, the third seat back 56 is selectively positionable adjacent to any of the left or right end 28, 30 of the first or second seat backs 24, 26.
As such, the first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56 may be packaged together to meet design criteria requirements of individual vehicles. For example, the modular seat back assembly 20 may be configured to fit a vehicle having wheel well features 23 present inside the vehicle, or for a vehicle not having wheel well features.
As shown in Figures 3-6 and 7, the coupling member 36 is mounted to and extends from the first seat back 24 to the second seat back 26. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the first and second seat backs 24, 26 are rotatable together relative to the third seat back 56 about the rotational axis A. The coupling member 36 rigidly attaches the first and second seat backs 24, 26 together such that the first and second seat backs 24, 26 rotate as a unit about the rotational axis A.
As shown in Figures 3-4, a second coupling member 58 is mounted to and extends from the third seat back 56 to one of the first and second seat backs 24, 26. The second coupling member 58 has the same configuration and dimensions as the coupling member 36 such that the coupling member 36 and the second coupling member 58 are interchangeable.
As shown in Figures 3-4, the second coupling member 58 is mounted to and extends from the third seat back 56 to the first seat back 24. In such an arrangement, the first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56 are rotatable together about the rotational axis A. The coupling member 36 rigidly attaches the first and second seat backs 24, 26 together and the second coupling member 58 rigidly attaches the first and third seat backs 24, 56 together such that the first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56 rotate as a unit about the rotational axis A.
In other words, the ability of the first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56 to rotate relative to each other about the rotational axis A is dependent upon the arrangement of the seat back assembly. As shown in Figures 3-4, the coupling member 36 attaches the first and second seat backs 24, 26 and the second coupling member 58 attaches the first and third seat backs 24, 56 so that the first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56 are rotatable together between the upright position and the folded position. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 5, the coupling
member 36 attaches the first and second seat backs 24, 26 and the third seat back 56 is free to rotate relative to the first seat back 24 such that the first and second seat backs 24, 26 are rotatable together about the rotational axis A relative to the third seat back 56 between the upright and folded positions. As shown in Figure 6, each of the first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56 are free to rotate relative to each other such that each of the first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56 are independently rotatable between the upright and folded positions.
As shown in Figures 3-7, the third seat back 56 is mounted to the floor 40 of the vehicle 22 with the mount members 38. The third seat back 56 is rotatably mounted to the mount members 38 such that the rotational axis A extends through the mount members 38.
The second seat back 26 and the third seat back 56 each define the pair of apertures 42. The release mechanism 44 is disposed in at least one of the apertures 42. When in the upright position, the second and third seat backs 26, 56 are locked relative to the mount members 38 in the upright position. The release handle 46 is moved in the aperture 42 for unlocking the latch to unlock the second and third seat backs 26, 56 relative to the mount members 38 and to allow the second and third seat backs 26, 56 to rotate relative to the mount members 38 between the upright and folded positions.
The third seat back 56 defines a third pair of coupling bases 54 spaced from each other. One of the third pair of coupling bases 54 extends from the right end 30 of the third seat back 56 toward the left end 28 of the third seat back 56 and another of the third pair of coupling bases 54 extends from the left end 28 of the third seat back 56 toward the right end 30 of the third seat back 56.
The third pair of coupling bases 54 is configured such that the second coupling member 58 is mountable to one of the third pair of coupling bases 54 and to one coupling base of the first and second pair of coupling bases 50, 52. Specifically, the third pair of coupling bases 54 is configured with each of the third pair of coupling bases 54 are disposed along the common axis C. As such, the coupling member 36 is mountable to any two adjacent mounting bases 50, 52, 54 when the first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56 are arranged in any arrangement relative to each other, i.e., with the left and right sides of any of the seat backs 24, 26, 56 adjacent any one of the left and right sides of either of the other seat backs 24, 26, 56. Likewise, the second coupling member 58 is mountable to any two adjacent mounting bases 50, 52, 54 when the first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56 are arranged in any arrangement relative to each other.
Each of the third pair of coupling bases 54 is planar. The second coupling member 58 is further defined as a second plate. The second plate abuts a pair of adjacent mounting bases 50, 52, 54. The second plate is formed of metal and specifically is formed of aluminum. It should be appreciated that the second plate may be formed from any suitable material for rigidly attaching any of the first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56 together without departing from the nature of the present invention. It should also be appreciated that the first, second, and third coupling bases 50, 52, 54 and the coupling member 36 and the second coupling member 58 may be formed in any configuration such that the coupling member 36 and the second coupling member 58 are mountable to the mounting bases 50, 52, 54 without departing from the nature of the present invention.
The first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56 and the coupling member 36 and second coupling member 58 may be positioned in several different arrangements for various configurations of vehicles 22, i.e., second or third row seating and configurations with and without wheel wells. As known to one skilled in the art, second row seating refers to a row of seats behind a driver seat of the vehicle 22 and the third row seating refers to a row of seats behind the second row seating. Each arrangement will be discussed below and, for example, the arrangements include, among others, second row bench seating, second row 60/40 seating, second row 40/20/40 seating, third row bench seating, and third row 50/50 seating. As appreciated by one skilled in the art, the dimensions of these exemplary spits are approximate, e.g., in the 50/50 split both seat backs are approximately equal in width between the left and right ends 28, 30. It should be appreciated that these split ratios are exemplary and that the split ratio may be of any magnitude. In addition each of these arrangements may be configured for a vehicle 22 with or without wheel wells.
In the second row bench seating, the first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56 are attached to one another with the coupling member 36 and the second coupling member 58 as shown in Figures 3A. In the second row 60/40 seating, the coupling member 36 couples the first and second seat backs 24, 26 and the third seat back 56 is free to rotate relative to the first and second seat backs 24, 26 as shown in Figure 5. In the second row 40/20/40 seating, the first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56 are free to rotate relative to each other as shown in Figure 6. In the third row bench seating, the modular seat back assembly 20 includes the first and second seat backs 24, 26 and not the third seat back 56 and the first and second seat backs 24, 26 are attached to one another by the coupling member 36 as shown in Figures 1-2. In the third row 50/50 seating, the modular seat back assembly 20 includes the first and second seat backs 24, 26 and not the third seat back 56 and the first and second seat backs 24, 26 are free to rotate relative to each other.
As shown in Figures 1-7, the first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56 each include reinforcing ribs. The reinforcing ribs define the first and second pairs of coupling bases 50, 52, 54. Each of the coupling bases 50, 52, 54 extend from a perimeter of the seat back and between reinforcing ribs.
The first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56 are formed of a plastic material and specifically a thermoplastic material. For example, the thermoplastic material comprises nylon such as fiber reinforced nylon. An example of such fiber reinforced nylon is a glass fiber reinforced nylon that is commercially available from BASF Corporation in Florham Park, NJ under the tradename Ultramid ® TG7S PA6. It should be appreciated that the first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56 may be formed from any type of suitable thermoplastic material, reinforced or not, without departing from the nature of the present invention. The thermoplastic material is such that the modular seat back assembly 20 is able to with meet regional crash and safety tests such and front and rear end crash tests and cargo retention tests. For example, such tests include Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards such as FMVSS 208 in the United States and include ECER17 in the European Union.
Each of the first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56 are typically injection molded to meet pre-determined design considerations, and can therefore fully incorporate a headrest guide, an armrest mount, the release mechanism 44, a load floor surface, a load floor 40 structure, and a seatbelt guide all into one fully integrated seat back providing sufficient strength and stiffness to meet those pre-determined design considerations.
As shown in Figures 1-7, the seat back assembly may include reinforcing tubes 60 coupled to the first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56. The reinforcing tubes 60 are formed of metal and more specifically steel. The reinforcing tubes 60 are attached to the mount members 38 and supports the respective first, second, and third seat backs 24, 26, 56. The reinforcing tubes 60 are connected to the seat back with compression limiters and bolts at the mount member 38. The reinforcing tubes 60 provides the necessary strength and ductility for the seat backs 24, 26, 56 to meet the necessary crash load requirements. Together, the seat backs 24, 26, 56 and reinforcing tubes 60 meet the crash load requirements for a seat back assembly, while weighing less than a prior art all metal component seat back assembly and costing less to produce than the all metal component seatback assembly .
A structural snap-fit is utilized to attach the reinforcing tube 60 to the seatback 24, 26, 56 in the horizontal plane. The snap fit permits the reinforcing tube to slip in the cross-vehicle direction (horizontal plane), which allows the reinforcing tube 60 to take the crash loads while not failing the seat back.
The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings, and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.