Seating Arrangements Patents (Class 296/64)
  • Patent number: 9162766
    Abstract: A layout for a cabin in a passenger transport vehicle, that includes at least one longitudinal aisle and seats for passengers arranged in rows, each accessible by a longitudinal aisle. At least one row of at least two seats is arranged so as to be inclined relative to a longitudinal aisle. The seats of the row are arranged side by side and oriented perpendicularly to the row and to the aisle enabling access to the row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: AIRBUS
    Inventors: Bruno Saint-Jalmes, Jason Zaneboni, Bernard Rumeau
  • Patent number: 9102243
    Abstract: A seating arrangement for a passenger vehicle includes a vehicular central longitudinal axis. A front seat and a rear seat each include a central longitudinal axis. The respective central longitudinal axes of the front and rear seats are arranged on opposite sides of the vehicular central longitudinal axis in a staggered relationship. The front seat is mounted high and at least one of the seats is positioned such that the central longitudinal axis of the respective seat measured at a rear edge of the respective seat is mounted closer to the vehicular central longitudinal axis than is possible with a symmetrical side-by-side seating arrangement by mounting the respective seat such that a distance measured from the central longitudinal axis of the respective seat at a rear edge of the seat to the vehicular central longitudinal axis is less than half the width of the rear edge of the respective seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
  • Patent number: 8973966
    Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a stepped floor that has an upper portion and a lower portion. A front seat is disposed on the lower portion. A rear seat is arranged in a staggered relationship behind the front seat. The front seat is mounted high and has an upright backrest and the rear seat has a backrest that is more reclined than the backrest of the front seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
  • Patent number: 8973965
    Abstract: A rear-facing seat for a vehicle comprises: a seat portion connected to the vehicle by a hinge so that the rear-facing seat assumes at least a stowed position and an unstowed position; and a back portion connected to the seat portion, wherein in the unstowed position the back portion assumes at least an up position and a down position, wherein in the up position (i) a hook on the back portion engages a first striker on a vehicle wall, and (ii) a latch on the back portion engages a second striker of a back of a forward-facing seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl Zalan, Sohel Merchant
  • Patent number: 8950796
    Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a central longitudinal axis extending through the vehicle. A front seat is configured for use by a driver and defines a front seat central longitudinal axis. A rear seat is configured for use by a passenger and defines a rear seat central longitudinal axis. The front and rear seats are substantially arranged on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis in a staggered relationship. The central longitudinal axis of the front seat is arranged at a different angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle than the central longitudinal axis of the rear seat. At least one of the seats is positioned such that the central longitudinal axis of the respective seat measured at a rear edge of the seat is mounted closer to the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle than is possible with a symmetrical side-by-side seating arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
  • Publication number: 20150028634
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, in particular a passenger seat for a bus, includes a seat member with a seat upholstery carrier and seat upholstery, which is rigidly arranged on the seat upholstery carrier; the vehicle seat also includes a backrest with a back upholstery carrier and back upholstery, which is rigidly arranged on the back upholstery carrier; and a support structure for receiving forces which act on the vehicle seat. The support structure is constructed as a rigid carrier frame arranged at the peripheral side outside the seat member and the backrest and which is connected to the seat upholstery carrier and the back upholstery carrier. The carrier frame has carrier rails which are arranged in pairs and which extend along opposing lateral edges of the seat member and the backrest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Michael SCHERELLO, Achim BURMEISTER
  • Patent number: 8911016
    Abstract: A seat structure is configured to allow three passengers to be seated, respectively, in a left seat (1L), a right seat (1R), and a region striding across a boundary between the right and left seats (1R, 1L). The left seat (1L) can be slid leftward to create a walk-through space (S) between the right and left seats (1R, 1L). A headrest (1c) for a middle seat passenger seated between the right and left seats (1R, 1L) is split into right and left split headrests each supported on a top of a seat back of a corresponding seat. The middle seat passenger's left split headrest (1c-L) is moved with the left seat (1L) when sliding the left seat (1L) to allow the right and left seats (1R, 1L) to become spaced apart from each other so as to unblock the walk-through space (S).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Fujiwara
  • Publication number: 20140353956
    Abstract: A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground engaging members and a frame supported by the plurality of ground engaging members. The frame assembly extends generally along a longitudinal axis of the utility vehicle. The utility vehicle further includes a front seating section coupled to the frame. The front seating section is configured to support an operator and a first passenger. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes a rear seating section coupled to the frame. The rear seating section is configured to support a second passenger and a third passenger. The rear seating section has an angled panel configured as a dead pedal for the second and third passengers, and a portion of the rear seating section extends forwardly into the front seating section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Eric D. Bjerketvedt, Jordy A. Reed, Ricky G. Jaeger, Phillip B. Swain, Gordon J. Steinmetz, Daniel L. Goffman, Andy T. Ives, Curtis C. Carruth
  • Patent number: 8888160
    Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a single occupancy front seat configured for use by a driver of the vehicle. A single occupancy rear seat is configured for use by a passenger of the vehicle and arranged in a staggered relationship with respect to the front seat. A child seat is mounted asymmetrically on the rear seat such that the child seat is positioned further from the front seat than it would be if symmetrically mounted on the rear seat. Mountings secure the child seat on the rear seat and are positioned to mount the child seat asymmetrically on the rear seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Woodhouse, Tosten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
  • Patent number: 8851547
    Abstract: A seating arrangement for a vehicle having at least three seats, comprising two rear passenger seats aligned substantially transversely, and a driver's seat arranged substantially centrally and in front of said two rear passenger seats. The driver's seat extending rearward beyond the front of the legs of the rear passengers when seated in the passenger seats. The seats being arrangeable in multiple configurations: a three-seat configuration with a storage space behind the passenger seats, a two-seat configuration with one of the passenger seats folded down to extend said storage space and a one-seat configuration in which both passenger seats are folded down to extend further said storage space. A vehicle engine is mounted in a space beneath said storage space behind the passenger seats and/or beneath the passenger seats and a fuel tank, batteries or other power source is mounted beneath the driver's seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Gordon Murray Design Limited
    Inventor: Ian Gordon Murray
  • Patent number: 8764035
    Abstract: With a motor vehicle having a front axle and rear axle, underbody and shock absorbers, each of which extend between an upper point of action on the underbody and a control arm on the rear axle extending adjacent to a rear wheel, and at least one back seat the upper point of action of one of the shock absorbers is located vertically below the back seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Udo Mildner, Stefan Gloger
  • Publication number: 20140152039
    Abstract: A seating arrangement for a passenger vehicle includes a vehicular central longitudinal axis. A front seat and a rear seat each include a central longitudinal axis. The respective central longitudinal axes of the front and rear seats are arranged on opposite sides of the vehicular central longitudinal axis in a staggered relationship. The front seat is mounted high and at least one of the seats is positioned such that the central longitudinal axis of the respective seat measured at a rear edge of the respective seat is mounted closer to the vehicular central longitudinal axis than is possible with a symmetrical side-by-side seating arrangement by mounting the respective seat such that a distance measured from the central longitudinal axis of the respective seat at a rear edge of the seat to the vehicular central longitudinal axis is less than half the width of the rear edge of the respective seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
  • Publication number: 20140152042
    Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a central longitudinal axis extending through the vehicle. A front seat is configured for use by a driver and defines a front seat central longitudinal axis. A rear seat is configured for use by a passenger and defines a rear seat central longitudinal axis. The front and rear seats are substantially arranged on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis in a staggered relationship. The central longitudinal axis of the front seat is arranged at a different angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle than the central longitudinal axis of the rear seat. At least one of the seats is positioned such that the central longitudinal axis of the respective seat measured at a rear edge of the seat is mounted closer to the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle than is possible with a symmetrical side-by-side seating arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
  • Publication number: 20140152041
    Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a stepped floor that has an upper portion and a lower portion. A front seat is disposed on the lower portion. A rear seat is arranged in a staggered relationship behind the front seat. The front seat is mounted high and has an upright backrest and the rear seat has a backrest that is more reclined than the backrest of the front seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
  • Publication number: 20140152040
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a front seat and a rear seat, each having a backrest and a squab. The front and rear seats are arranged in a staggered duplex overlapping relationship. A portion of a front edge of the rear seat squab overlaps a portion of a rear edge of the front seat squab. An inboard edge of the rear seat squab overlaps a portion of an inboard edge of the front seat squab. A longitudinal distance measured from a front edge of the front seat squab to a rear edge of the rear seat squab is less than the sum of the longitudinal lengths of the front and rear seat squabs. A transverse distance measured from an outboard edge of the front seat squab to an outboard edge of the rear seat squab is less than the sum of the widths of the front and rear seat squabs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
  • Publication number: 20140152043
    Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a single occupancy front seat configured for use by a driver of the vehicle. A single occupancy rear seat is configured for use by a passenger of the vehicle and arranged in a staggered relationship with respect to the front seat. A child seat is mounted asymmetrically on the rear seat such that the child seat is positioned further from the front seat than it would be if symmetrically mounted on the rear seat. Mountings secure the child seat on the rear seat and are positioned to mount the child seat asymmetrically on the rear seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Inventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
  • Patent number: 8714618
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame, a utility bed, a seat, and a locking device. The utility bed includes a bed frame and is pivotally coupled with the frame between a hauling position and a dumping position. The seat includes a seat back that is pivotally coupled with the bed frame between a stowed position and a deployed position. The locking device is coupled with the bed frame and includes a latch. The latch is moveable relative to both the bed frame and the seat back, between a lock position and an unlock position. When the seat back is in the stowed position, the latch is in the unlock position and disengaged from the frame. When the seat back is in the deployed position and the utility bed is in the hauling position, the latch is in the lock position and engaged with the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Casey Heit, Eric B. Stevens
  • Patent number: 8684453
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise a device for transporting picnic tables. A transporting apparatus that connects to a hitch of a vehicle that is specifically designed to hold a foldable picnic table. The picnic table further comprising condiment shelves, wheels and side tables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Eric Alexander Furst
  • Patent number: 8678311
    Abstract: A seating arrangement with improved seating comfort. In one embodiment, the seating arrangement is for a transportation vehicle. The arrangement includes seats at least having two levels adjacent to single-level seats. The multi-level seats include at least a bottom row of seats and a top row of seats. In one embodiment, the bottom row seats are on a floor; and there is an imaginary horizontal plane that is parallel to the floor, and that at least a part of the top row seats and at least a part of the bottom row seats intersect. The single-level seats include at least two rows, with at least one seat in each row being adjacent to the aisle, to allow passengers to access the single-level seats. In another embodiment, a seating arrangement includes only multi-level seats. In yet another embodiment, a computer-implemented method is applicable to the seats, such as allowing the display of a visual representation of a top-row seat and a bottom-row seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Ip Venture, Inc.
    Inventors: Kwok Wai Cheung, Peter P. Tong, C. Douglass Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130341952
    Abstract: A seat assembly can include a seat bottom, a pair of front and rear legs and an articulation arrangement. The front legs can have an upper and a lower end, where each upper end can be pivotably coupled to the seat bottom. The articulation arrangement can include a pair of rotating members, a pair of guide channels, a pair of first and second guide members, and an assist arrangement. The rotating members can be rotatably coupled to the lower ends of the front legs, and the pair of guide channels can have the first guide members positioned therein. The second guide members can be coupled to the lower ends of the front legs and positioned in the guide channels. The assist arrangement can include a biasing member coupled to the vehicle and the front legs. The seat assembly can be movable from a deployed position to a stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Carl Mather, David M. Savinsky
  • Patent number: 8579350
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a modular transit system having a track system and/or modular seating that can be used to modify a transit car. The track system can support a variety of attachments to allow the transit car to be reconfigured. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an adjustable furnishing system is de-mountably mountable to a generally vertical wall. The adjustable furnishing system comprises a mounting structure carried by the wall, a support frame having opposite first and second ends, and a furnishing carried by the support frame. The first end of the support frame releasably attaches to the mounting structure and the mounting structure supports the support frame in a cantilevered position with the second end extending outwardly from the wall with the furnishing carried thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kustom Seating Unlimited, Ltd.
    Inventors: James Masters, Eugene J. Germaine
  • Patent number: 8573675
    Abstract: A vehicle including a seat base having a first slide assembly disposed on each of first and second sides of the seat base. A first support column is disposed below the seat base and is positioned between the first and second sides of the seat base. A second support column is disposed below the second side of the seat base. A brace connects the second support column to a transmission hump of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Kendrick Alden Harper, John W. Jaranson, Harry Zhong, Daniel Ferretti, Khaled Ayyash, Robert J. Sack
  • Patent number: 8567846
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicular frame and a utility bed coupled with the vehicular frame. The utility bed includes a bed frame and a seat. The seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The seat back includes an upper back support and a lower back support. The lower back support is movably coupled with the upper back support and is movable between a passenger support position and a stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eric B. Stevens, Casey Heit, Christopher M. Krajewski, Yoshiyuki Sato
  • Patent number: 8550530
    Abstract: A compact seating arrangement for a vehicle, the seating arrangement has at least three seats comprising two rear passenger seats aligned substantially transversely, and a driver's seat arranged substantially centrally and in front of the two rear passenger seats. The driver's seat extends transversely; to be positioned in front of part of each of the passenger seats and extends rearward beyond the front of the legs of the rear passengers (when seated in the passenger seats). Each of the seats being arranged to seat a person in a generally upright position: the seat backs being inclined to the vertical at an angle of 30 degrees or less, an upper surface which supports the occupant of each seat base being spaced 400-500 mm above a substantially horizontal floor space provided adjacent the seats, and the passengers' feet being placed on the horizontal floor space on either side of the driver's seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Gordon Murray Desgin Limited
    Inventor: Ian Gordon Murray
  • Publication number: 20130154332
    Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a vehicle body having a floor and a laterally extending dividing wall for separating a passenger compartment from a rear storage compartment. A rear seat includes a seat base defining a seat surface for supporting a seat occupant and a seat back. The seat back is adjustable relative to the seat base between an upright, seated position and a folded position where the seat back is positioned on the seat base. A lever arrangement pivotally connects the seat back to one of the body and the dividing wall. The lever arrangement is configured to enable the seat back to be folded down and to move the seat back in a vehicle longitudinal direction relative to the seat base toward the dividing wall so that at least a portion of the seat back protrudes rearwardly past the dividing wall and into the rear storage compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Derek Shane Lindsay
  • Patent number: 8465078
    Abstract: A method of designing a driver's compartment for accommodating different driver's sizes, the compartment having a floor and a top end. The method includes: designing a driver's seat having a seat reference point (SRP) designating the position of a seat rear part and a seat pan height reference point (SPHRP) defining the position of the front portion of the seat. A seat moving mechanism moves the SRP vertically between a smallest position, where the SRP is at a vertical height H1 from the top end, and a largest position where the SRP is at a vertical height H2 from the top end, where H2 is greater than H1. The vertical height H3 of the SPHRP from the floor is maintained and constant. Front portion of the seat remains fixed. The top end is disposed at a vertical distance H4 from the floor, where H4 is the sum H1 and H3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Plasan Sasa Ltd.
    Inventor: Nir Kahn
  • Patent number: 8449011
    Abstract: A monopod seat structure including first and second sides. A back is pivotally connected to the seat. A vertical support column is disposed below the seat and positioned substantially centrally between the first and second sides of the seat. A side support member includes a top portion operably connected to one of the first and second sides. A bottom portion is operably connected to a transmission hump of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Jaranson, Johnathan Andrew Line, Jerry R. Brown, James Creighton, Daniel Ferretti, Christopher J. Kiehler
  • Publication number: 20130113233
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle, in which a seat back may be foldable toward a seat cushion of a seat, may include a storage space provided at the bottom of a floor and storing the seat to provide a luggage space in the vehicle, a link member pivotally connected between a cushion link of the seat cushion and the storage space such that the seat may be foldable to be stored in the storage space, a locking device provided on the seat back to maintain an unfolded or folded state of the seat back, and an elastic member provided on the link member to pop up the cushion link and the seat back out of the storage space when the seat back may be unfolded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicants: Faurecia Automotive Seating Korea, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Ho KIM, Sang Do Park, Deok Soo Lim, Bong Ku Kim, Soo Hyun Moon, Chang Oan Woo, Jun Yeol Heo, Youn Myung Joo
  • Publication number: 20130092466
    Abstract: An all terrain vehicle is disclosed having a frame and ground engaging members supporting the frame. A driver's seat is supported by the frame, and extends along a first longitudinal axis. A passenger's seat is supported by the frame and extends along a second longitudinal axis, where the first and second longitudinal axes are laterally spaced apart. The passenger seat may also be movable to a second location to allow for the vehicle to support a gurney, which extends in a front to back orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: POLARIS INDUSTRIES INC.
    Inventor: Polaris Industries Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130087395
    Abstract: A utility vehicle comprises a driver seat; a passenger seat positioned such that the passenger seat and the driver seat are arranged side by side in a rightward and leftward direction; a console box provided between the driver seat and the passenger seat; a shift lever operated by a driver to perform a shifting operation; and a grab member provided in the vicinity of the passenger seat and secured to the vehicle body frame; wherein the shift lever is provided between the driver seat and the passenger seat and is positioned closer to the driver seat than a center of the console box in the rightward and leftward direction; and the grab member is provided between the driver seat and the passenger seat and is positioned closer to the passenger seat than the center of the console box in the rightward and leftward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kaku, Chad Enger, Brian Butler, Yoshinori Tsumiyama, Jun Takagi
  • Patent number: 8414050
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle according to the present invention has a front seat, a rear seat, a cargo bed expandable in a front direction, and a screen shield arranged at a front end of the cargo bed. The cargo bed has at least a stationary bottom plate, right and left stationary side panels, a front panel, expandable side panels, and an expandable bottom plate and can be changed between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded in a front direction to a rear portion riding space and a non-expanded state not occupying the space. Each of the expandable side panels and the screen shield are supported by a vehicle body configuring portion so as to be integrally shifted between an expanded position and a non-expanded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyoshi Kosuge, Tokishin Nishinaka, Geoffrey Ewing, Yoji Onishi, Takao Hamano, Naohisa Masuda, Kenji Oda, Takeshi Orio, Michael John Boyle, Tatsunori Shimizu, Eiji Sakurada, Mitsuhiro Yazaki, Yui Nishizaki, Hiroyuki Kishi, Naoto Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8398141
    Abstract: A vehicle seating arrangement includes a first slide rail mounted to a vehicle floor, a second slide rail mounted to the floor, a multi-passenger seat mounted to the first slide rail and to the second slide rail, a restraining device on the multi-passenger seat, and a restraining rail connected with the floor. The multi-passenger seat moves in a fore and aft longitudinal direction and includes a cantilevered section extending from the second slide rail away from the first slide rail. The restraining device is located adjacent a lateral edge of the cantilevered section. The restraining rail connects with the floor spaced laterally from the second slide rail on an opposite side of the second slide rail as the first slide rail and cooperates with the restraining rail to limit at least one of lateral movement and upward vertical movement of the lateral edge of the cantilevered section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Grey B. Parker, Trenton Hobbs, Tetsumei Mochizuki, Rob Mangold
  • Publication number: 20130062903
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle having a floor can include a seat bottom, a seat back, a pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs. The seat bottom can have a seating side and an opposite lower side facing the floor. The front legs can be pivotably coupled to the vehicle and to the seat bottom via releasable locking mechanisms. The rear legs can be pivotably coupled to the seat bottom and releasably coupled to the vehicle. A pair of linking members can pivotably couple the front and rear legs to each other. The seat assembly can be movable from a deployed to a stowed position whereby the seat bottom can be pivoted forward about the front and rear legs while maintaining the seat bottom lower side facing the floor and the front and rear legs pivotably coupled to the vehicle and the seat bottom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC
    Inventors: Carl Mather, Todd R. Teasdale, David M. Savinsky, Dorinel Neag
  • Patent number: 8387734
    Abstract: A utility vehicle is disclosed that may be used in multiple modes of use, such as a low speed transport vehicle or a golf cart. The vehicle has a rear passenger seat area which can be converted into a golf bag carrying mechanism. The vehicle also has a foot pedestal for use when operating with rear passengers, and which may fold up when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D Krosschell, Mark W Chevalier, Bryan K Johnson, Brian T Utter, Gregory C Brew, Ryan J Andreae, Adam J Schlangen
  • Patent number: 8376435
    Abstract: A seating and console system for use in a seating row and configurable between a seating configuration and a console configuration. The system comprises a seat including a seat base and a seat back, and a console mounted to an opposite side of the seat back. The seat back rotates between a first position to provide the seating configuration and a second position to provide the console configuration that divides the seating row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Brian R. Dexter, Jeffrey T. Stout, Gregory N. Brncick, Alan G. Greene, Steven D. Lepley, Joseph M. Thompson, Robert C. Fitzpatrick, Michael J. Burns, David J. Spykerman, Michael R. Catlin
  • Patent number: 8376440
    Abstract: An airplane seat includes a processing unit, adapted to operate actuators, and a memory unit in which at least one comfort position transition dataset for bringing about a comfort position transition between at least two comfort positions is memorized. The processing unit, in at least one operating mode, is adapted to operate the actuators in accordance with the comfort position transition dataset for bringing about the comfort position transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Marco Krämer
  • Patent number: 8376443
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a utility vehicle that includes a cargo bed area, an adjustable seat assembly, a tailgate, and a latch. The adjustable seat assembly includes a seat portion and a backrest assembly. The adjustable seat assembly is selectively movable between seating and expanded cargo bed configurations. The seat portion is pivotally movable between the cargo bed area and a stowed position below the cargo bed area. The backrest assembly is pivotally movable from the cargo bed area to a stowed position adjacent the cargo bed area. The tailgate is pivotally attached to the backrest assembly. The latch on the tailgate is configured to selectively engage cargo bed area to hold the backrest assembly in the seating configuration and engage at least one coupling at the end of at least one of the cargo bed area at the rear bed opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: American SportWorks LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Melven Kemp, P Enoch Stiff
  • Publication number: 20130033056
    Abstract: An energy absorbing system for blast mitigation is provided for a suspended support element, such as a gunner seat or medical stretcher, in a vehicle. An energy absorbing element is located in series within at least one suspension element of the seat or stretcher. The energy absorbing element includes an extensible section having a contracted, folded configuration and an extended configuration. A retention element, such as stitching or entangled interlocking fibers, retains the energy absorbing element in the contracted configuration. The retention element remains intact when the energy absorbing element supports a load from the person on the seat or stretcher and fails over a period of time when an explosive force is applied to the vehicle from underneath, causing the vehicle to move upwardly, the extensible section thereby extending in length and absorbing energy. Injury to the person can thereby be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: George C. Tunis, III, Scott Kendall
  • Patent number: 8353534
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicular frame, a utility bed, and a passenger restraint assembly. The utility bed is coupled with the vehicular frame and includes a bed floor, a side wall, and a rear scat. The passenger restraint assembly includes a securing member, a belt and a retractor. The securing member is coupled with the utility bed adjacent to the rear seat. The belt includes a first end; a second end, and a securing portion. The securing portion is configured for selective engagement with the securing member. The retractor is coupled with the side wall. The retractor includes a carrier that is coupled with the first end of the belt and is configured to facilitate selective dispensation of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: David W. Arnold, Craig Mitchell, Justin Michael Winter
  • Patent number: 8348322
    Abstract: A utility bed includes a bed frame, bed floor, pair of carrier arms, end wall, seat bottom, and seat back. The bed floor includes first and second floor portions. The first floor portion is movably coupled with the bed frame and is movable between cargo support and seating positions. Each carrier arm includes first and second ends. The first end is pivotally coupled with the bed frame such that the carrier arms are pivotable about an axis. The end wall is coupled with the second end of each carrier arm. The seat bottom and seat back are respectively coupled with the first floor portion and the end wall. The carrier arms facilitate movement of the end wall between cargo hauling and seating positions. When the first floor portion and the end wall are in their respective seating positions, the seat back and the seat bottom cooperate to provide a rear seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Darin D. King
  • Publication number: 20120313394
    Abstract: According to a first embodiment, an automotive vehicle having an adjustable seating configuration is disclosed. The vehicle includes an occupant compartment having a driver side and a passenger side. The passenger side is closed by a pair of side doors, the front door having a hinged connection toward a forward end of the vehicle and a rear door having a hinged connection toward a rearward end of the vehicle. Front and rear passenger seats are provided in the occupant compartment with the seat backs of the rear passenger seat and the front passenger seat being foldable in a forward direction. In addition, the front passenger seat base is rotatable in a forward direction and stowed within a recess in the vehicle instrument panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Andrew E. Barrow, Jason Dilley, Justin T. Longwell, Paul T. Aebker
  • Patent number: 8328261
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle having a front seat and a rear seat. The pick-up style utility vehicle includes a cargo bed movement mechanism for supporting a cargo bed movably within a predetermined movement range in a back and forth direction. Also, a seat movement mechanism is provided for supporting the rear seat movably between a use position set to be within the movement range and a shunting position set to be out of or beyond the movement range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Kanazawa, Hideyuki Takahashi, Yoichi Jinja, Takao Hamano, Masashi Sakata, Kazuhiro Morita, Yasushi Ishibashi, Kiyoaki Maeda, Tyler Furman, Yoshihiro Masuda, Trey Govier
  • Publication number: 20120299327
    Abstract: A compact seating arrangement for a vehicle, the seating arrangement has at least three seats comprising two rear passenger seats aligned substantially transversely, and a driver's seat arranged substantially centrally and in front of the two rear passenger seats. The driver's seat extends transversely; to be positioned in front of part of each of the passenger seats and extends rearward beyond the front of the legs of the rear passengers (when seated in the passenger seats). Each of the seats being arranged to seat a person in a generally upright position: the seat backs being inclined to the vertical at an angle of 30 degrees or less, an upper surface which supports the occupant of each seat base being spaced 400-500 mm above a substantially horizontal floor space provided adjacent the seats, and the passengers' feet being placed on the horizontal floor space on either side of the driver's seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Gordon Murray Design Limited
    Inventor: Ian Gordon Murray
  • Publication number: 20120299326
    Abstract: A seating arrangement for a vehicle having at least three seats, comprising two rear passenger seats aligned substantially transversely, and a driver's seat arranged substantially centrally and in front of said two rear passenger seats. The driver's seat extending rearward beyond the front of the legs of the rear passengers when seated in the passenger seats. The seats being arrangeable in multiple configurations: a three-seat configuration with a storage space behind the passenger seats, a two-seat configuration with one of the passenger seats folded down to extend said storage space and a one-seat configuration in which both passenger seats are folded down to extend further said storage space. A vehicle engine is mounted in a space beneath said storage space behind the passenger seats and/or beneath the passenger seats and a fuel tank, batteries or other power source is mounted beneath the driver's seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Gordon Murray Design Limited
    Inventor: Ian Gordon Murray
  • Patent number: 8313136
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicular frame, a utility bed, and a locking device. The utility bed is pivotally coupled with the vehicular frame and is pivotable between a hauling position and a dumping position. The locking device is operable between a locked position and an unlocked position and is configured to prevent the utility bed from pivoting to the dumping position when the locking device is in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: David W. Arnold, Michael Bury
  • Patent number: 8303012
    Abstract: A pick-up style utility vehicle has a front seat, a rear seat, and a cargo bed in this order from a front of the vehicle. The cargo bed has at least left and right stationary side panels and expandable side panels that extend forward from the front ends of the stationary side panels. The cargo bed is changeable between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded forward into a rear riding space in front of the cargo bed and a non-expanded state not occupying the rear riding space. The expandable side panels are rotatable about rotational shafts forward and rearward in a vehicle width direction so as to be shiftable between a position in the expanded state and a position in the non-expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Sumi, Yoshitaka Nishikawa, Tetsuaki Shirai
  • Publication number: 20120256444
    Abstract: A convertible cargo bed for a utility vehicle can be easily converted, without tools, between passenger-seating, cargo-storage, and cargo-loading configurations. The hinged cargo bed floor and tailgate convert to a folding seat assembly that can be latched and carry passengers when not hauling cargo. A seat cushion is secured to the seating surface of the hinged floor panel and is not cargo-facing when the bed is storing cargo. The fully-functioning tailgate secures cargo in the interior of the cargo bed and can be unlatched to provide an open-bed. The convertible cargo bed can be tilted to dump cargo.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Stealth Manufacturing LLC
    Inventor: Donald Wayne Thurmon
  • Patent number: 8267456
    Abstract: A compact seating arrangement for a vehicle, the seating arrangement comprising three seats: a front driver's seat arranged centrally and, at least to some extent, forward of two transversely aligned rear passenger seats, wherein the driver's seat extends transversely so as to be positioned in front of part of each of the rear passengers' seats, the extent of the overlap in the transverse position of the driver's seat and the rear passenger seats being such that each side of the driver's seat is required to be shaped so as to be able to accommodate at least part of a leg of a passenger seated in a forward facing position in a respective one of the passenger seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Gordon Murray Design Limited
    Inventor: Ian Gordon Murray
  • Patent number: 8251425
    Abstract: A seat frame (1) for a vehicle seat has two seat supports (3, 3) that extend in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and are intended for laterally attaching the seat frame (1) to a vehicle floor (2) or to adjustment rails (16) for the seat frame (1). A seat shell (4) is mounted in and connected to the seat supports (3, 3) and is configured for accommodating a seat cushion. The seat shell (4) is connected to the respective seat support (3) so that the seat shell (4) and the seat support (3) form a closed profile in the connection region. The seat shell (4) is formed from a light metal and combines maximum weight reduction with a high degree of rigidity, in particular high torsional or bending stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Dieter Jungert, Tassilo Gilbert
  • Patent number: 8251427
    Abstract: A seating arrangement for a row of seats in a vehicle includes a right seat connected with a vehicle body of the vehicle, a left seat connected with the vehicle body, and a middle seat positioned between the right seat and the left seat. At least one of the right seat and the left seat is moveable in a lateral direction with respect to the other seat and the vehicle body. Movement of the at least one seat toward the other seat can collapse the middle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Derek Shane Lindsay