This invention relates to vehicle seats, and more particularly to safety seat constructions such as are employed in fire fighting vehicles and other, similar, emergency response vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicles of the above general type have unique seating requirements operations involving the employment of operator emergency back pack equipment and where such as breathing apparatus is likely to be required to be used and is required to be quickly readily available to an operator in emergency conditions.

Typically portable breathing apparatus used by fire fighters, or those dealing with hazardous chemical spills or related rescue operations, comprises a back pack with a back support mounting an upright oxygen or air cylinder with attached user face mask, connecting tubes, and a shoulder/upper body harness for fitment to the user. Such apparatus, when incorporating a full oxygen cylinder, often weights in the order of 1 5 - 20 kilograms.

In emergency situations time is critical. Even seconds can mean the difference between life and death. Accordingly, providing a mechanism whereby a user can don their breathing apparatus while travelling to the scene of an emergency event may prove significant. New Zealand Patent Specification 286642, the full content of which is incorporated herein by reference, describes and teaches of a special vehicle seat adapted to receive and releaseably retain the breathing apparatus, and the air cylinder in particular, while still allowing the user to comfortably and safely occupy the seat while travelling. The arrangement described and illustrated allows the user to put the breathing apparatus on while travelling, thereby saving considerable time at the scene.

The seat described and illustrated in NZ Patent Specification 286642 is extremely robust - this is necessary because the seat back must be self- supporting, and sufficiently strong so as to not deform to any great extent in the event of an accident; given that the seat back is also carrying the weight of the breathing apparatus in an accident situation the force applied to the location of the seat area where the seat transitions from seat base to seat back is substantial. As a consequence of these strength requirements the seat of NZ Patent Specification 286642 is typically very heavy.

Given that emergency vehicles often need to transport several rescue personnel to an emergency at any given time such vehicles generally carry multiple seats of the general type described in NZ Patent Specification 286642. Accordingly, the impact of the extra weight in emergency vehicle can be substantial, and can cause difficulties with staying within axle weight limits. It can mean that fewer personnel can be transported per vehicle, or it may mean that a more limited range of emergency and rescue equipment is carried per vehicle, and a greater number of vehicles than might otherwise be needed are required to transport all the necessary equipment.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned problem, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

In addition to breathing apparatus back pack equipment the invention is similarly applicable to other apparatus and equipment employed in back pack form for emergency operations - for example back pack fire extinguishers, acid and/or chemical or fuel spill control equipment using pressurised fluid (liquid/gas) containers such as cylinders or canisters etc. The term "emergen cy back pack" as used herein therefore includes any such apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect there is provided a method of forming a column for a vehicle seat including the steps of:

a. forming first and second column halves from sheet metal;

b. bending the column halves so as to form two generally L shaped column side walls with upper and lower column walls extending therefrom;

c. mechanically securing the column halves together to form a generally L shaped column.

The upper column walls preferably extend from the first column half and the lower column walls extend from the second column half. The upper column walls may be bent away from the first column half in a first direction and first tabs bent away from the first column halves in a second direction. The lower column walls may be bent away from the second column half in a first direction and second tabs bent away from the second column halves in a second direction. The upper column walls may connect face to face with the second tabs and the lower column walls may connect face to face with the first tabs. A bracket may be secured to the first and second column halves within the assembled column at the corner of the generally L shaped column. The column halves may be riveted together.

According to a further aspect there is provided a method of forming a seat for an emergency response vehicle having a seat base portion and a seat back portion including: a. providing a pair of columns as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in spaced apart relationship to define a cavity between the columns in the seat back portion suitable for accommodating a pressurised fluid container of the type forming part of a typical emergency back pack; b. securing cross members between the columns to form a rigid seat frame; and c. securing cushioning to the seat base portion and seat back portion.

A mechanism may be provided to retain and release a pressurised fluid container within the cavity.

According to another aspect there is provided an emergency response vehicle seat having a seat base portion and a seat back portion including: a. a pair of spaced apart generally L shaped columns, each formed from two halves formed of folded sheet metal; b. cross members securing the generally L shaped columns in spaced apart relationship; and c. cushioning applied to the seat base and seat back portions. A cavity may be defined between the columns in the seat back portion defining suitable for accommodating a pressurised fluid container of the type forming part of a typical emergency back pack. A releasable retaining means may be provided for retaining a pressurised fluid container in the cavity and allowing its release upon actuation of a release mechanism. The releasable retaining means may include a sleeve that may be lowered to retain an end of the pressurised fluid container and raised to release the pressurised fluid container. A lever may be provided on the side of the seat which may be raised or lowered to raise or lower the sleeve. An adjustable height support may be provided in the base of the cavity for supporting the lower end of the pressurised fluid container. Brackets may be secured to the first and second column halves within the assembled columns at the corners of the L shaped columns. A lever may be connected to a shaft passing through bearings in the brackets and the shaft may be connected via linkages to the sleeve to effect raising and lowering of the sleeve by raising and lowering of the lever.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a seat assembly for an emergency response vehicle, the assembly having a seat base portion and a seat back portion, the seat base portion including a mounting means to enable the seat assembly to be fixed to the floor of a said vehicle, the seat back portion including a pair of spaced apart substantially upstanding side columns defining an elongate medial recess which is provided with a locating means to, in use, locate and support a pressurised fluid container of a type forming part of a typical emergency back pack carried, or to be carried, by a user, the construction and arrangement of the seat back portion being such that, with a back pack engaged with a said user, the said back pack is in general alignment with forward edge portions of the side columns when the container mounted in the support means within the recess, the locating means including a lower retaining means for receiving and locating the discharge end of a said pressurised fluid container, said lower retaining means extending between and bracing in fixed spaced apart relationship the lower end of the two side columns of the seat back portion, and an upper, releasable, retaining means actuable by a user while seated on the seat assembly and wearing a said back pack, and the assembly further including a pair of bracket means connecting the seat back portion to the seat base portion, one each said bracket means mounting to the lower end of a said corresponding side column and to the rear of the seat base portion, said bracket means being configured and arranged to maintain the columns in substantially upstanding orientation, to enhance the torsional rigidity of the assembly, and to mount an actuating mechanism enabling a user to actuate the upper releasable retaining means of the locating means.

Preferably the upper releasable retaining means of the locating means includes a cradle portion, said cradle portion being slidable by the actuating mechanism between a first, capture, position wherein the distal end said pressurised fluid container is captured and located in position locked between the two side columns, and a second, release, position wherein the distal end of the pressurised fluid container can be lifted out of the space between the two side columns, the actuating mechanism including a connecting link mechanism housed within the seat base portion and seat back portion, and a release means positioned externally and to one side of the seat base portion for ease of access thereto by a seated user's hand. Desirably the assembly includes a neck and head restraint means mounted on the slidable cradle portion.

Conveniently the seat assembly is adapted for use with a said emergency back pack further including a harness for fitment to a user, thus the forward edge portions of the side columns of the seat assembly optimally includes means for detachable location and retention of parts of harness straps for the emergency back pack in a manner enabling ready access and fitment of the harness to a user whilst seated on the seat assembly and without entanglement with, or restriction by, a safety restraint forming part of the seat assembly and worn by a said seated user.

Preferably the seat assembly is substantially constructed from light weight metal panels, optimally aluminium, and desirably the component parts are assembled by riveting.

Conveniently the forward edge portions of said side columns define or are provided with support parts to, in use, support the sides of a seated user's back.

Preferably, upper and lower portions of said side column forward edge portions are provided with transverse open ended recesses for the accommodation and temporary retention of lateral upper and lower harness straps of the emergency back pack, in a manner enabling, in use, ready access thereto by a seated user.

Preferably the release mechanism of the actuating mechanism comprises an external lever arm pivotally mounted on a side of the seat base portion such that movement of the lever arm in one direction raises the cradle portion to enable release of the pressurised fluid container and associated emergency back pack, while movement in the opposite direction lowers the cradle portion to lock the pressurised fluid container in position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be more particularly described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a prior art seat assembly with back pack breathing apparatus located in place such as may be installed in a fire fighting vehicle;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional plan view from above of the seat back portion of the seat assembly of figure 1 showing the position of the pressurised fluid container relative to the foremost face of the seat back portion;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view from the front and to the right of a seat assembly according to the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevation of the seat assembly of figure 3;

FIGURE 5 is a rear elevation of the seat assembly of figure 3 with the seat, seat back and headrest cushioning removed;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view from the front and to the left of the seat assembly of figure 5;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevation of the seat assembly of figure 5; FIGURE 8 is a perspective view from the right rear of the seat assembly of figure 5;

FIGURE 9 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of figure 5, in particular with all cushioning from the seat, seat back, and headrest removed;

FIGURE 9a is a cross sectional view through a seat column along line A-A.

FIGURE 10 is a partially cut away front elevation of the assembly of figure 5 illustrating internal details of the seat base portion;

FIGURE 1 1 is a side elevation of the retaining and release mechanism of the seat assembly for capturing and retaining the pressurised fluid cylinder of an emergency pack back; and

FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of the bracket providing bracing to the joining point of the seat back portion to the seat base portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to the prior art drawings, figures 1 and 2, the back pack breathing apparatus (BPBA) 100 typically employed by fire fighters and the like operators comprises a strong back shape conforming support 101 (usually of sheet metal or a strong moulded fire resistant plastics materials, or a combination of such materials) with a shoulder and waist harness 102, including upper and lower straps 103, 104 to extend over the user's shoulders and about their waist for front securement with one or more quick release safety buckle(s) or like means. An oxygen or air cylinder 105 is mounted in an inverted position at the rear of back support 101 and safely secured thereto such as by transverse retaining straps. An outlet nozzle and regulator, or control valve means, (not shown) are located at the lower end of the cylinder 105. A face mask assembly 106 is connected to the regulator by a flexible hose 107.

Traditionally one or more sets of the BPBA are secured in a convenient position in the cab or elsewhere on a fire fighting vehicle for detachment from its/their mounting(s) and subsequent donning on arrival at the emergency scene. As previously indicated this procedure involves valuable time, some of which can be wasted in the haste of untangling the loose harness 102 and hose 107 of a BPBA.

However as shown in figures 1 and 2 it is also known to store the BPBA 100 within the seat assembly 1 ' of a fire fighting vehicle, with the cylinder 105 located within an upright recess 2' formed in the seat back portion 3'. When so stored the BPBA back support 101 is generally correctly positioned for a user to fit and secure the BPBA 100 harness 102 about his/her upper body whilst travelling, and without entanglement with or the need to release the seat safety belt.

Turning now to figures 3 to 9, in one preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a seat assembly 1 comprising a seat base portion 4 and a seat back portion 3. The assembly 1 may be fabricated substantially from light weight sheet metal such as aluminium and riveted together to form an integral unit.

As the drawings illustrate, the seat assembly 1 is formed as two spaced apart generally L-shaped tubular structures 5, connected at the front edge of the seat base portion 4 by cross members in the form of a bracing panel 6, and at the top of the seat back portion 3 by a capping member 7.

The seat base portion 4 is provided with mounting holes 8 whereby the seat assembly 1 can be fixed to the floor of a fire fighting vehicle.

The upstanding sections 9 of the two spaced apart L-shaped tubular structures 5 define an elongate medial recess 10 in to which the cylinder 105 of a BPBA 100 can be inserted and retained.

The assembly 1 further includes a bracket 1 1 which is mounted between and braces the structures 5 adjacent the rear of the base portion 4. The bracket 1 1 is configured and arranged to assist in maintaining the overall rigidity of the assembly 1 . Mounted on the bracket 1 1 , facing inwardly, towards the front of the seat back portion 3, is a retaining socket 12 adapted to receive and retain the free end of the outlet nozzle of the cylinder 105. The socket 12 substantially carries the weight of the BPBA 1 when located in the seat assembly 1 , and is constructed accordingly. Socket 12 may be adjustable in height to accommodate bottles of different sizes. Socket 12 may have a thread that engages with a complementary thread in bracket 1 1 so that rotation adjusts the height of socket 12.

The assembly 1 further includes a sleeve in the form of retaining cradle member 13 to snugly retain the upper end of the cylinder 105. This cradle 13 is movable between a first, release, position at which the cylinder 105 and BPBA 100 can be freely removed from the assembly 1 , and a second, locking, position where the cylinder 105, and thus the BPBA 100, is maintained in engagement with the assembly 1 . In that regard the cradle 13 is slidably mounted on substantially vertical tubular members 14 depending from the capping member 7. Movement of the cradle 1 3 between the first and second positions is achieved by means of a pivotally movable lever arm 15 mounted externally at one side of the seat base portion 4, at a position convenient to the seated user.

The lever arm 15 has a transverse rotatable shaft 1 6 extending through bearing sleeves 1 7 in the structure of the base portion 4 between which the shaft 1 6 is fixed to substantially horizontally extending link arms 18, which in turn are pivotably connected to upwardly projecting link rods 1 9, the ends of which are attached to the cradle 13 such that as the lever arm 1 5 is caused to rotate clockwise about its pivot axis the link rods 19 are caused to rise, lifting the cradle 13 into the release position. When in lever arm 1 5 is in the rest position, however, the cradle 13 is down, and the upper end of the cylinder 105 is locked in behind the cradle 13 thereby preventing its release.

The cradle 1 3 further mounts a neck support/head rest 20, which is thus movable upwardly with the cradle 13 to ensure that the cylinder 105 can be freely removed when the cradle 13 is in the release position.

Referring now to Figures 9 and 9a it will be seen that columns 5 are constructed from two halves 22 and 23 formed of sheet metal. First half

22 is cut from sheet metal to form a blank and top walls 25 (separate sections for the two limbs of the L) are bent with respect to inner side wall

25 whilst tabs 26 (separate sections for the two limbs of the L) are bent with in the opposite direction with respect to inner wall 26. The other half 23 is formed in a similar manner. The two halves are then brought together so that top walls 24 overlay tabs 28 and tabs 26 overlay bottom wall 27 as shown in figure 9a. The two halves may then be secured together by riveting or other suitable means. This construction forms very strong and lightweight columns and enables bracket 21 (see Figures 10 to 12) to be integrated within the column structure.

Referring now more specifically to figures 10 to 12, the pair of brackets 21 are shown in more detail. One such bracket 21 is mounted within each structure 5 at the transition point between the base portion 4 to the back portion 3. The brackets 21 are configured and arranged to maintain the upstanding portion of the structures 5 in substantially upstanding orientation relative to the base portion, and substantially enhance the torsional rigidity of the assembly 1 as a whole and add significant resistant to distortion and/or collapse of the assembly under heavy loading conditions in the event of the vehicle applying emergency braking or become involved in a crash.

The brackets 21 further mount the bearing sleeves 17 of the cradle actuating mechanism.

The depth of the structures 5 is such as to enable full accommodation of the cylinder 105 therein, with the cylinder mounting back support 101 in general alignment with the forward edge portions of the seat back portion 3.

The base portion 4 is provided on its upper part with upholstering or cushioning 22. The forward edges of the structures 5 at the seat back portion are also preferably provided with upholstery cushioning side strips 23. The strips 23 include means for detachable location and retention of parts of harness 102 of the BPBA 100 in a manner enabling ready access and fitment of the harness 102 to a user whilst seated on the seat assembly 1 and without entanglement with, or restriction by, the safety restraint (not shown) forming part of the seat assembly 1 and worn by a said seated user.

In that regard upper 24 and lower 25 portions of each strip 23 are provided with transverse open ended recesses for the accommodation and temporary retention of the upper 103 and lower 104 harness straps of the BPBA 100.

The BPBA hose 107 may also be temporarily locatable in one upper recess

24 and an open hook (not shown) or like means can be provided at that upper side of the back portion for temporary accessible support of the BPBA mask 106.

Thus, there is provided a safety seat which is strong and light weight whilst at the same time providing comfortable and safe seating for a user which is also aesthetically pleasing and extremely functional.

Wherein the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by a way of example of possible embodiments, it is to be appreciated that improvements and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.