Field of the invention

The invention relates to the positioning of the rear seats of automobiles, especially large-scale automobiles or commercial vehicles, for enlarging and reducing cargo space without losing rear seating space.

Background of the invention

Current methods of temporarily changing the size of the cargo space are known in which the rear seat of the automobile is uninstalled and removed so that the cargo space increases. The disadvantages of such a design consist in the fact that removing the seals is laborious, time consuming, and in the event of improper handling the subsequent return of the seats to their original location may jeopardize passenger safety. Moreover, removing the seats from the automobile results in lost seating space.

An easier way of changing the size of the cargo space is by folding down the rear seat. The seat remains firmly in the automobile and the space it occupies is minimized. Even though this eliminates the problems of reinstalling the seats, the drawback of this design consist in the fact that seating space is lost when the seats are folded.

Also known in the art is the fore and aft displacement of the rear seats in terms of passenger comfort. Passengers can move the seats, together with the backrests, forward toward the front seats, or backward toward the cargo space. The seat and backrest move together while the supporting construction of the seat remains in place. The size of the cargo space is affected above the supporting structure of the rear seats. In the area of the structure, the size of the cargo space remains unchanged. During conversion of an automobile to allow for wheelchair transport, the floor of the vehicle is lowered and an entrance ramp is added to the vehicle. What must not be forgotten is that it is also necessary to secure sufficient cargo space size so that the wheelchair may be loaded without obstacles. For this reason, the aforementioned design of the sliding seats is not suitable, since the wheelchair is obstructed by the seat construction even though the seats are moved forward, since the footrests protrude from the wheelchair at the floor of the cargo space.

In the case that the seats are removed, the space requirement may be met, but then seating capacity is compromised. In the design with folding seats, the cargo space is increased, but the folded seats obstruct the wheelchair and the number of seats is also reduced. The same problem exists with seats with a sliding seat and backrest. The structure remains in place and limits the loading of the wheelchair since, as mentioned above, the footrests of the wheelchair hit the support structure of the rear seat.

The present invention is a device for positioning the rear seat of an automobile which would allow for a sufficient increase in cargo space without cancelling seat space, would not be an obstacle to a loaded wheelchair, and which would enable wheelchair transport together with a normally seated passenger .

Summary of the invention

The proposed invention resolves the aforementioned issues through the use of a device for positioning the rear seat of an automobile for enlarging and reducing the cargo space.

The device for positioning the rear seat of an automobile for enlarging and reducing cargo space, especially in large-scale or utility vehicles, includes at least two opposing side brackets for mounting the rear seat to the floor of the automobile. Each side bracket is equipped with at least one retaining pin for insertion into a locking device affixed to the seat structure. The device also includes at least one post secured to the floor of the automobile for securing the rear seat, which is also provided with at least one retaining pin for insertion into a locking device affixed to the seat structure. The post is arranged between the side brackets below the rear seat.

The essence of the invention consists in that the post is provided with a means for positioning the retaining pin forward toward the front of the automobile and backward toward the cargo space. At the same time, the retaining pin in each of the brackets is movable forward and backward, wherein the retaining pin is lockable in at least two positions, including the extreme position forward toward the front of the automobile and the extreme position backward toward the cargo space.

This is particularly advantageous because with the movement of the retaining pins, the entire construction of the rear seat moves, including the rear seat and the backrest. The structure does not remain in place, but is positioned either in the front or in the back, so as not to obstruct a wheelchair in the cargo space. It is also advantageous in that the seating capacity remains unchanged .

In another preferred embodiment of the device for positioning the rear seat of an automobile according to the present invention, the post is divided into a fixed part and a tilting part, wherein the fixed part is secured to the floor of the body and the tilting part is fastened to the fixed part, and the tilting part also comprises a means for positioning the bracket eyelet, which is also angularly adjustable.

The post is fastened to the floor of the body under the seats so as not to obstruct wheelchairs transported in the cargo space. For the post, the fixed part is used for safely securing the seat to the floor of the automobile. The tilting part allows for the seat to be moved forward and backward, thus changing the size of the cargo space, since the tilting part enables movement out of the area of the fixed part.

In another preferred embodiment of the device for positioning the rear seat of an automobile according to the present invention, the fixed part is equipped with at least one horizontal pivoting pin for pivotally mounting the tilting part. It is also equipped with at least one guide groove for limiting the extent of tilt of the tilting part. At the same time, the tilting part is equipped with a locking pin located in the guide groove. The guide groove in the fixed part of the post is equipped with at least one recess for locking the tilting part. The horizontal pivoting pin holds the tilting part securely in the fixed part without preventing it from tilting. The guide grooves and the locking pin define the tilting path, while the locking pin is secured in the recess.

In another preferred embodiment of the device for positioning the rear seat of an automobile according to the present invention, the horizontal pivoting pin of the tilting part passes through an opening which is oval-shaped to enable linear movement of the tilting part. In the event of more recesses in the guide groove of the fixed part, it is necessary that the locking pin fit into the recess. This is why the opening is oval in shape, thereby providing sufficient clearance for linear movement to the tilting part so that the locking pin fits into the individual recesses.

In another preferred embodiment of the device for positioning the rear seat of an automobile according to the present invention, the rear seat is divided into at least two parts, wherein for each of the parts of the rear seat the device is equipped with retaining pins which are formed on at least one post, wherein the retaining pins are movable independently of each other. In newer automobiles, the rear seat may be divided for variable adjustment of the seating of each of the rear passengers. The proposed device is adapted to this division such that the divided seats can be repositioned independently to change the size of the cargo space.

In another preferred embodiment of the device for positioning the rear seat of an automobile according to the present invention, each side bracket is in the shape of a "U" in its cross section, the vertical portions of which formwalls in which two guide grooves are oppositely arranged. In the guide grooves there is mounted a movable retaining pin for locking it into the lock of the rear seat of the automobile. The movable retaining pin is coupled to a control lever to facilitate the positioning of the retaining pin, correspondingly, each guide groove features at least one recess for locking the movable retaining pin. The movable retaining pin moves as required by the positioning of the rear seat. It is locked in the recesses of the guide groove and is easily controlled using the control lever. In another preferred embodiment of the device for positioning the rear seat of an automobile according to the present invention, the side brackets are equipped with a fixed retaining pin for holding the rear seat in the front positionand the retaining pin for the rear position is removable, or is locked in the recess of the guide groove which is arranged below the level of the fixed retaining pin. The structure of the rear seat locking device may be such that one of the locking pins obstructs the engagement of the lock structure onto the adjacent locking pin. Such a condition can be overcome by moving one of the locking pins below the level of the other through the use of a moveable lock pin and opposing slots as outlined above.

In another preferred embodiment of the device for positioning the rear seat of an automobile according to the present invention, the control lever is equipped with a guide groove with a locking recess for locking the movable retaining pin, wherein the guide groove features an extended end of the fixed pin. The control lever is used to set the position of the movable retaining pin and also for securing it such that the control lever is locked.

The advantages of the device for positioning the rear seat of an automobile are the conservation of seating capacity, the adjustability of the rear seat, the simple structure that enables the movement of the entire rear seat, in providing sufficient space for a wheelchair in the cargo space, and in the simple conversion of the automobile.

Description of the drawings

The invention is further illustrated by the drawings as follows:

Fig. 1 arrangement of the part of the rear seat in relation to the floor of the automobile,

Fig. 2 perspective view of the post for the rear seat divided into two parts and set in the extreme position backward toward the cargo space, Fig. 3 perspective view of the post for the rear seat divided into two parts and set in the extreme position forward toward the passenger cabin,

Fig. 4 side view of the post,

Fig. 5 side view of the rear seat locked onto the post in the position toward the passenger cabin,

Fig. 6 side view of the rear seat locked onto the post in the position toward the cargo space,

Fig. 7 perspective view of the side bracket with movable retaining pin ready to lock the rear seat,

Fig. 8 perspective view of the side bracket with movable retaining pin hidden beneath the fixed retaining pin for opening up the space of the seat lock, Fig. 9 side view of the side bracket,

Fig. 10 side view of the rear seat locked to the side bracket in the extreme position toward the cabin,

Fig. 11 side view of the rear seat locked to the side bracket in the extreme position toward the cargo space.

Examples of the preferred embodiments of the invention

It is understood that the embodiments of the invention herein described are provided for illustrative purposes and not as a limitation of the invention. Experts who are familiar with the state of technology shall find, or using routine experimentation will be able to determine, many equivalent embodiments of the invention. These equivalent embodiments shall also be included into the scope of the patent claims.

The device 1 is intended for the conversion of larger types of automobiles, especially for large-scale automobiles or utility vehicles. The conversion allows for the transport of passengers confined to wheelchairs. In the example of the embodiment, the Ford Connect automobile is used, but the installation and use of the device 1. is not limited to this type of automobile.

The rear seat 2 in Fig 1. is divided and is secured to the floor 4 of the vehicle. Securing it does not prevent its positioning forward or backward, because the positions are set using the device 1 , which includes two side brackets 3 and a post 6. The side brackets 3 are mounted along the sides of the floor 4 and the post 6 is fixed to the lowered floor 4 in the area demarcated by the opposite side brackets 3. For clarity of Fig. 1 , the side bracket 3 and part of the rear seat 2 are not shown.

The rear seat 2 is already equipped from the factory with a lock 5 for locking it to the automobile body. This is preferably used, since after the conversion of the automobile, the lock 5 of the rear seat 2 attaches to one of the retaining pins 15 and 19 of the side bracket 3 as well as to the retaining pin 7 of the post 6. The lock 5 is of a standard type for a wide group of automobile types and the device Λ , during its installation, does not require any further modifications of the lock 5 of the rear seat 2.

Fig. 1 also shows the post 6, which is duplicated, wherein one part of the post 6 is not occupied by the rear seat 2 for the purposes of clarity of Fig. 1.

Fig. 2, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 all show a double post 6 which is made of steel and comprises two parts, a fixed part 8 and a tilting part 9. The fixed part 8 is screwed to the floor 4 of the vehicle. Its task is to hold the rear seat 2 firmly in place and to allow for the proper function of the tilting part 9. In the illustrated design, the fixed part 8 is fixed to one long horizontal pin 10 for each of the halves of the double post 6. The tilting part 9 is attached to the horizontal pin 10 and is thereby irremovably connected to the fixed part 8 without limiting its tilting function, since it can rotate about the horizontal pin 10. There is also an oval-shaped opening 14 formed for the passage of the horizontal pin 10 so that the tilting part 9 may move linearly in cases when the locking pin 12 is slid out of the locking recess 13.

To further limit the movement of the tilting part 9, there are formed on the fixed part 8 opposing guide grooves 11. having a suitable shape, e.g. a quadrant. At the ends of the guide grooves 11. there are made recesses 13 into which the locking pin 12 is secured. The locking pin 12 is fixedly connected to the tilting part 9. For both extreme positions, the locking pin 12 is secured in the recesses 13 so that when the locking pin 12 is in the recess 13, the tilting part 9 is fixed. The retaining pin 7 is formed in the illustrated embodiment as a pin inserted into the two opposing holes of the arms of the tilting part 9.

Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show the locking of the seat back 2 to the post 6 in both aforementioned extreme positions. The range of displacement of the rear seats 2 in this example of the embodiment is 100 mm, which is already sufficient for convenient transport of a wheelchair in the cargo space.

Fig. 7, Fig. 8, and Fig. 9 show the side bracket 3, which is also made of steel. The side grip 3 has a body formed substantially in the profile shape of the letter "U". The arms of the "U" form the walls of the side bracket 3. In the walls there are also created special guide grooves 16 which are on opposite sides. In the guide grooves 16 there moves a movable retaining pin 15 which is controlled by a control lever 17. The guide grooves 16 are equipped with a single recess 18 for locking the movable retaining pin 15 in the extreme position. The guide grooves 16 are directed in the direction below the fixed retaining pin 19, which is intended for locking the rear seat 2 in the opposite extreme position. The grooves 16 are below the fixed pin 19 in order to provide concealment of the movable retaining pin 15, which would otherwise obstruct the lock 5 of the rear seats 2.

The illustrations also show that the control lever 17 is equipped with its own guide groove 20 with a recess 21. The guide groove 20 of the control lever 17 serves to lock the movable retaining pin 15 in the extreme position, when the movable retaining pin 15 is to be locked into the lock 5 of the rear seat 2. The extended end of the fixed pin 19 protruding from the wall of the body of the side bracket 3 serves as a locking latch.

Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 show the locking of the rear seat 2 toward the side bracket 3 in the two extreme positions.

In other embodiments not illustrated here, the retaining pins 7 and 15 can be removable or movable to more positions than the two opposite extreme positions. Industrial applicability

The device for positioning the rear seat of an automobile for enlarging and reducing the cargo space in accordance with the present invention is particularly useful in taxi services, where there is a need to transport wheelchair-bound clients without reducing the capacity of the automobile.

Overview of the positions used in the drawings

1 device for positioning the rear seat of an automobile

2 rear seat

3 side bracket

4 floor of the automobile

5 rear seat lock

6 post

7 retaining pin

8 fixed part of the post

9 tilting part of the post

10 horizontal pivoting pin

11 guide groove of the fixed part of the post

12 locking pin

3 recess for locking the tilting part

14 opening in the tilting part

15 movable retaining pin

16 guide groove of the side bracket

17 control lever

18 recess for locking the movable retaining pin

19 fixed retaining pin

20 guide groove of the control lever

21 locking recess of the control lever