TECHNICAL FIELD

Described herein is a vehicle transfer seat. More specifically, a vehicle transfer seat for assisting persons independently transferring from their wheelchair to a vehicle seat and other persons with physical limitations who may have difficulty entering and exiting motor vehicles. The vehicle transfer seat may be stowed or deployed by that person. BACKGROUND ART

Various devices are available for assisting handicapped persons who utilise wheelchairs to enter and exit motor vehicles. For example, specially modified vans having elevator lifts mounted in the doorway thereof have been used for a number of years. Such lifts typically include a ramp upon which the entire wheelchair with person is wheeled, which lifts by means of a pair of hydraulic cylinders mounted at opposite ends and to the outer frame of the doorway. The hydraulic power to operate the hydraulic cylinders comes from the hydraulic pump mounted to the vehicle engine. Such a lift system requires modification to the motor vehicle and only fits on certain model of vans. Likewise, specially modified commercial buses are built with hydraulic lifts in the front doorway with similar disadvantages to the van. Such specially modified vans and particularly buses are obviously not affordable by most individuals.

Regarding modified private automobiles and vans for wheelchair access, there are devices such as a powered base, which replaces the standard fixed base in full size cars able to

accommodate such a device. Such power base allows the front driver or passenger seat to pivot sideways and tilt downwardly such that the front leading edge is at about the height of a wheelchair positioned adjacent to the vehicle so as to facilitate transfer therebetween. Once such transfer from the wheelchair to the car seat has been made, the powerbase lifts and pivots the occupant into a standard position in such car. However, such system requires extensive modifications to the vehicle, is expensive, and only fits certain model cars.

Other systems may include a folding seat lift system for use with full size vans and pickup trucks. Such lift systems include a pair of lift towers, which install to the floor of the vehicle adjacent the outside edge of the driver's seat. A lift bar spans between the respective towers with a pivotally attached seat which has a horizontal position extending out the vehicle doorway with the door open and a vertical position for stowage during driving with the vehicle closed. A folding L-shaped armrest and safety bar attached to one of the towers aids in maintaining the occupant in the seat during use. Again, such a lift system is relatively expensive and complex to install.

Therefore, the majority of wheelchair-bound people travel in their vehicle regularly, but do not have a wheelchair accessible vehicle and must transfer between their wheelchair and the vehicle seat at least two times for every segment of a journey. This may be several times a day and the transfer process can be challenging to a person for several reasons:

• It is stressful on the arms, requiring a person to lift their entire weight;

· They must lift their body across a gap between the wheelchair and the vehicle seat;

• They may have difficulty reaching up high enough to gain grip on the vehicle frame sufficient to support their own weight;

• The vehicle frame may not have a grab handle on the driver's side; and

• They are likely to have less grip strength and dexterity then a full able bodied person. Also, there is a significant risk in the above situation many people in wheelchairs face when executing this transfer. For example, they may fall and injure themselves possibly breaking bones; they may struggle to complete a transfer, and so may be reluctant to participate fully in activities they need to be at for social and personal reasons; and they may over-stress muscles, tendons and joints which are already challenged by use of a manual wheelchair, thus resulting in pain, and possibly medical procedures to repair damage.

A sliding board is a simple low cost device in common use for assisting persons independently transferring from their wheelchair to a vehicle seat which is a small oval or rectangular board, normally manufactured out of Formica™ type material that is carried around loose in the vehicle, and placed between the seat and the wheelchair seat at time of transfer. Although this is a very low cost device, it has several limitations and disadvantages. The device is not secured at either end, and it is therefore difficult to ensure the device stays in position as a person lifts their weight and slides across it. The differing slopes and angles of vehicle seats and wheelchair hardware often means that there is no secure placement of the device. Also, there is a significant risk just as the person imparts their full weight on the device, the device will dislodge and the person may fall and injure himself or herself.

As above, there are a number of vehicle mounted transfer devices manufactured for fitting to cars, but these have quite a narrow focus and many limitations. One category of these devices are those that attach to the vehicle B-pillar. However, this area has very limited space in many vehicles, and also have seat belt anchor points and belt movement in the area. This can cause safety concerns such as the transfer device chafing the seatbelt, and compromising of a critical structural member of the car by drilling mounting holes in the B-pillar. Furthermore, the limited space means smaller vehicles of the type favoured by elderly and limited mobility people are unlikely to accommodate such a device. Also, the devices in this area may protrude into the rear passenger legroom, which is both an inconvenience and a crash injury hazard.

To overcome the above problems, some transfer devices attach to the sill right beside the car seat. The space in this zone, and location of a sufficiently strong mounting point varies between vehicles and there is no single location in this region that a product can be designed to mount therein. Therefore, these types of devices are custom built or are a 'one-off and/or can be used in only a very limited range of vehicles. The stowage area is normally in the rear seat region, and again is a safety and inconvenience issue for rear passengers. In some designs, the transfer device is configured to fold up (if there is room to still close the door), but then all people (disabled or not) must deploy and stow the device to enter or leave the car.

Other known removable transfer devices mount to the A-pillar and provide a sling to lift the person across the vehicle seat. These allow a carer to transfer a very low-mobility person, but the devices are not designed for an independent traveller to move themselves.

There are some devices relating to wheelchair mounted swing-away transfer boards to access vehicles, beds and the like. However, mounting such devices to a wheelchair manufactured out of hi-tech lightweight tube is difficult and may compromise the integrity of the chair.

Furthermore, it adds significant weight to the chair, which defeats the purpose of the very lightweight and refined designs available to users.

From the above, it can be seen that there is a need for a low-cost transfer seat which can be used in a variety of vehicles and which requires no modification to such vehicle for installation therein or at least provides the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the process and product will become apparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of example only.

SUMMARY

Described herein is a vehicle transfer seat. More specifically, a vehicle transfer seat for assisting persons independently transferring from their wheelchair to a vehicle seat and other persons with physical limitations who may have difficulty entering and exiting motor vehicles. The vehicle transfer seat may be stowed or deployed by that person and is configured to be stowed in the footwell floor area in front of or partially in front of the vehicle seat.

In a first aspect there is provided a vehicle transfer seat for assisting persons who use wheelchairs and others who have physical limitations which includes: a base member for mounting to a footwell floor of a vehicle; a first shaft member connected to the base member; a second shaft member connected to the first shaft member for supporting the transfer seat; wherein the transfer seat is substantially adjacent to a vehicle seat in a deployed position; wherein the transfer seat is rotatable about a pivot located about the shaft members to allow translational and rotational articulation of the transfer seat relative to the base member from the deployed position to a stowed position; and wherein the stowed position is located substantially in the footwell floor area in front of or partially in front of the vehicle seat.

In a second aspect there is provided a vehicle including a vehicle transfer seat as substantially described above.

In a third aspect there is provided a kit of parts for a vehicle transfer seat for assisting persons who use wheelchairs and others who have physical limitations which includes: a base member for mounting to a footwell floor of a vehicle; a first shaft member connected to the base member; a second shaft member connected to the first shaft member for supporting the transfer seat; wherein the transfer seat is substantially adjacent to a vehicle seat in a deployed position; and wherein the transfer seat is rotatable about a pivot located about the shaft members to allow translational and rotational articulation of the transfer seat from the deployed position to a stowed position; and wherein the stowed position is located substantially in the footwell floor area in front of or partially in front of the vehicle seat.

In a fourth aspect there is provided a method of operating a vehicle transfer seat for assisting persons who use wheelchairs and others who have physical limitations as substantially described above, which includes the steps of: a) deploying the vehicle transfer seat substantially adjacent to the vehicle seat; and b) rotating the transfer seat about the pivot located about the shaft members thereby allowing translational and rotational articulation of the transfer seat from the deployed position to the stowed position; and wherein the stowed position is located substantially in the footwell floor area in front of or partially in front of the vehicle seat.

Briefly, advantages of the above may include the ability to deploy a supportive, substantially horizontal surface adjacent a seat squab of a vehicle seat, which when not required is stowed in the footwell area in front of or partially in front of the vehicle seat. In this stowed position the transfer seat may not impede entry or exit of an able bodied or physically impaired person. The stowage movement provides both translational and rotational articulation which may allow the transfer seat to be stowed in the widest range of vehicles of varying seat height, position, and pillar locations, and at the same time keeping clear of the user's and/or rear seat passenger's legs. Also, the footwell stowage location is one where crash injury risk, and any accidental injury is minimised, with the lowest threshold of regulatory safety requirements. Furthermore, the mounting means in the footweil may be universally applicable to a wide range of vehicles, whether small cars, wagons, SUVs, or utes. The combination of adjustments provided by this design configuration allows a generic kit to be supplied, which may function in any of the intended vehicles. The simple mounting means may allow the device to be installed by a wide range of installer skills. A further advantage is that the transfer seat may be removable from the base member. For example, when the vehicle is being used by an able bodied person who does not require the device, yet may be easily reattached for use by a physically impaired person. The transfer seat may be manually operated without the requirement of electrical, hydraulic componentry and the like. This provides for a simple low cost mechanical device that does not require complex componentry to operate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the vehicle transfer seat, method of operation and uses will become apparent from the following description that is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a side perspective view of one embodiment of a vehicle transfer seat in a deployed position showing an enlarged view of detail A;

Figure 2 illustrates a front perspective view of the vehicle transfer seat of Figure 1 in the deployed position in relationship to a vehicle seat;

Figure 3 illustrates a top plan view of the vehicle transfer seat of Figure 2 in the deployed position in relationship to the vehicle seat;

Figure 4 illustrates a front perspective view of the same embodiment of the vehicle transfer seat of Figure 1 in a deployed position showing an enlarged view of detail A;

Figure 5 illustrates a front perspective view of the same embodiment of the vehicle transfer seat of Figure 1 where the transfer seat is lifted and released about a rotational lock and showing an enlarged view of detail B;

Figure 6 illustrates a front perspective view of the same embodiment of the vehicle transfer seat of Figure 1 where the transfer seat is rotated outside a vehicle cabin into a door space and showing an enlarged view of detail C;

Figure 7 illustrates a front perspective view of the same embodiment of the vehicle transfer seat of Figure 1 where the transfer seat is lowered towards a vehicle sill and showing an enlarged view of detail D; Figure 8 illustrates a front perspective view of the same embodiment of the vehicle transfer seat of Figure 1 where the transfer seat is rotated into a footwell of a vehicle and showing an enlarged view of detail E;

Figure 9 illustrates a front perspective view of the same embodiment of the vehicle transfer seat of Figure 1 where the transfer seat lays substantially flat in a footwell of a vehicle in a fully stowed position and showing an enlarged view of detail F;

Figure 10 illustrates a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a vehicle transfer seat in a deployed position;

Figure 11 illustrates a front perspective view of the vehicle transfer seat of Figure 10 in the deployed position in relationship to a vehicle seat;

Figure 12 illustrates a front perspective view of the same embodiment of the vehicle transfer seat of Figure 10 where the transfer seat is lifted from a horizontal position to allow rotation about a knuckle joint;

Figure 13 illustrates a front perspective view of the same embodiment of the vehicle transfer seat of Figure 10 where the transfer seat is rotated about the knuckle joint to a vertical position;

Figure 14 illustrates a front perspective view of the same embodiment of the vehicle transfer seat of Figure 10 where the transfer seat is pushed forward and lowered towards a vehicle sill; and

Figure 15 illustrates a front perspective view of the same embodiment of the vehicle transfer seat of Figure 1 where the transfer seat is positioned in a vertical orientation in a footwell of a vehicle in a fully stowed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted above, described herein is a vehicle transfer seat. More specifically, a vehicle transfer seat for assisting persons independently transferring from their wheelchair to a vehicle seat and other persons with physical limitations who may have difficulty entering and exiting motor vehicles. The vehicle transfer seat may be stowed or deployed by that person and is configured to be stowed in the footwell floor area in front of or partially in front of the vehicle seat.

For the purposes of this specification, the term 'about' or 'approximately' and grammatical variations thereof mean a quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length that varies by as much as 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 % to a reference quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length.

The term 'substantially' or grammatical variations thereof refers to at least about 50%, for example 75%, 85%, 95% or 98%. The term 'footwell' or grammatical variations thereof refers to a compartment in the front or rear of the seats of a vehicle configured to accommodate the feet and outstretched legs of a driver or passenger.

The term 'interlocking indentation element' or grammatical variations thereof refers to a type of screw to secure an object within or against another object. A non-limiting example may be a set screw which are usually headless (also known as a blind or grub screw) which pass through a threaded hole in the outer object and is tightened against the inner object to prevent it from moving relative to the outer object.

In a first aspect there is provided a vehicle transfer seat for assisting persons who use wheelchairs and others who have physical limitations which includes: a base member for mounting to a footwell floor of a vehicle; a first shaft member connected to the base member; a second shaft member connected to the first shaft member for supporting the transfer seat; wherein the transfer seat is substantially adjacent to a vehicle seat in a deployed position; wherein the transfer seat is rotatable about a pivot located about the shaft members to allow translational and rotational articulation of the transfer seat relative to the base member from the deployed position to a stowed position; and wherein the stowed position is located substantially in the footwell floor area in front of or partially in front of the vehicle seat.

The first shaft member may be a bearing rod which incorporates a flat base for mounting to the footwell of the vehicle. In this way, the bearing rod may be integrated into the flat base for strength and ease of manufacture. Also, it may provide a sufficient angle and orientation of the transfer seat relative to the vehicle seat when deployed.

The second shaft member may be a U-shaped rail for supporting the transfer seat. An advantage of this configuration that it offers strong support for the transfer seat while able to cantilever out and towards an adjacent vehicle seat.

The base member may be attached to the bearing rod and secured to the footwell floor of the vehicle via a three point triangular arrangement of fasteners. An advantage of utilising the footwell or floor pan area is that it offers a good seat deployment position, is clear of the seat

(over sufficient position adjustment range as the user needs) and remains clear of the door when closed. Furthermore, the three point triangular arrangement of fasteners provides stability and a secure attachment arrangement when attached to the footwell floor. The base member may be positioned within the footwell floor such that the transfer seat may not impede vehicle seat adjustment in the fore and aft direction when the transfer seat may be in either the stowed or deployed positions.

There may be a collar pivot located about the shaft members for attachment of the U-shaped rail to the bearing rod to provide translational and rotational articulation for the transfer seat to be stowed. In this way, the collar pivot not only acts as an attachment point for the rail to the bearing rod, but also acts as a rotational lock whereby the collar pivot may be lifted and released to provide translational and rotational articulation for the transfer seat.

The vehicle transfer seat may include a separate collar attached to the bearing rod which may set the height of the transfer seat relative to the base member by acting as a lower limit to the collar pivot position on the bearing rod. This may provide a relatively simple means of adjusting the height of the transfer seat relative to the base member.

An interlocking indentation element in the form of a grub or a blind set screw or the like may secure the collar within or against the bearing rod and may be driven with an internal-wrenching drive, such as a hex socket (Allen), star (Torx), square socket (Robertson), slot or the like. In preferred embodiments, the grub screw may pass through a threaded hole of the collar and may be tightened against the inner bearing rod to prevent it from moving relative to the collar. An advantage of utilising an interlocking indentation element such as a grub screw is that it provides sufficient retention strength, ease of adjustment while remaining concealed for practical purposes and aesthetic appeal. However, it should be appreciated that other types of interlocking elements may be conceivably be used with this invention.

Further, grub screws may be utilised in the collar pivot that may engage with corresponding apertures in the collar to retain the transfer seat in the deployed position. In this way, the transfer seat may be prevented from rotation about the shaft members relative to the vehicle seat when in the deployed position.

The orientation of the transfer seat in the deployed position may be adjusted by

untightening/tightening of the grub screws of the collar to allow rotation and alter the orientation of the U-shaped rail with respect to the base member. Also, different size spacers may be included between the transfer seat and the U-shaped rail to adjust the height and orientation of the transfer seat relative to the base member in the deployed position. In this way, the transfer seat may be easily adjusted to the required position depending on user preferences.

The transfer seat may lay substantially flat in the footwell floor area in front or partially in front of the vehicle seat when in the stowed position. An advantage of stowing the transfer seat in this way is that it may keep the transfer seat clear of the user's legs, in particularly by stowing under the user's thighs flat on the floor. Also, the stowage of the transfer seat in this particular area or region avoids the need to stow in other areas where for example, if attached to the vehicle's B- pillar may protrude into the rear passenger legroom upon stowing which is both an inconvenience and a crash injury hazard. In an alternative embodiment, the first shaft member may be a tube or rod substantially parallel to the front of the vehicle seat at floor level and the base member for mounting to the footwell floor of the vehicle may include side wall members for attachment of the first shaft member to the base member. In this way, rotation about a centreline segment of the first shaft member may occur while minimising lateral movement of the first shaft member.

In the above embodiment, the second shaft member may be a tube or rod connected substantially perpendicular to the first shaft member and may include an incline that rises at its endpoint to be substantially in a horizontal plane with a seat member of a vehicle seat.

A pivot rod may be connected to the second shaft member which in turn is connected to a seat plate for supporting the transfer seat. Further, a knuckle joint may link the second shaft member to the pivot rod for translational and rotational articulation of the transfer seat via the pivot rod. An advantage of this configuration is that the knuckle joint may lock the seat rigidly when the seat is in a deployed position, but the knuckle joint may be free to articulate when the transfer seat is rotated about the pivot rod to a vertical or stowed position.

As above, the transfer seat may lay substantially in a vertical orientation in the footwell floor area in front of the vehicle seat when in the stowed position. An advantage of this configuration is that it may provide less interference with a user's legs when in the stowed position.

The transfer seat may be permanently attached to the footwell floor area of the vehicle. This provides for a secure and stable device. However, this should not be seen as limiting as parts of the transfer seat may be removable from the vehicle. For example, the transfer seat may be quickly removable from the base member. This allows the device to be partially removed from the vehicle. For example, when the vehicle is being used by an able bodied person who does not require the device, yet can be easily re-attached for use by a physically impaired person.

The transfer seat may be manually operated without the requirement of electrical, hydraulic componentry and the like. This provides for a simple low cost mechanical device that does not require complex componentry to operate. However, this should not be seen as limiting as electrical components and the like may be utilised to operatively assist deployment and stowage of the device for persons physically incapable of performing these functions by unassisted manual operation.

In a second aspect there is provided a vehicle including a vehicle transfer seat as substantially described above.

In a third aspect there is provided a kit of parts for a vehicle transfer seat for assisting persons who use wheelchairs and others who have physical limitations which includes: a base member for mounting to a footwell floor of a vehicle; a first shaft member connected to the base member; a second shaft member connected to the first shaft member for supporting the transfer seat; wherein the transfer seat is substantially adjacent to a vehicle seat in a deployed position; and wherein the transfer seat is rotatable about a pivot located about the shaft members to allow translational and rotational articulation of the transfer seat from the deployed position to a stowed position; and wherein the stowed position is located substantially in the footwell floor area in front of or partially in front of the vehicle seat.

It is envisaged that the vehicle transfer seat may be sold as a kit of parts which may include instructions for installation and assembly. In this way, the vehicle transfer seat may be widely distributed/sold to wholesale/retail outlets and then individual purchasers may have the option of installing themselves or utilising an approved installer. An advantage of the above vehicle transfer seat is that the combination of adjustments provided by the design may allow a generic kit to be supplied, which may be installed in wide range of vehicles. Some alternative component parts such as alternative mounting bases and the like may be included in the kit of parts to accommodate variances in vehicle design. Further, the mounting means may require nothing more complicated than drilling holes in the floor pan of a vehicle, so the vehicle transfer seat may be installed by a wide range of installer skills.

In a fourth aspect there is provided a method of operating a vehicle transfer seat for assisting persons who use wheelchairs and others who have physical limitations as substantially described above, which includes the steps of: a) deploying the vehicle transfer seat substantially adjacent to the vehicle seat; and b) rotating the transfer seat about the pivot located about the shaft members thereby allowing translational and rotational articulation of the transfer seat from the deployed position to the stowed position; and wherein the stowed position is located substantially in the footwell floor area in front of or partially in front of the vehicle seat.

Advantages of the above may include:

• A low-cost transfer seat which may be used in a variety of vehicles and which requires minimal modification to such vehicle for installation therein;

• The ability to deploy a supportive, substantially horizontal surface adjacent a seat squab of a vehicle seat, which when not required may be stowed substantially flat in the footwell area in front of or partially in front of the vehicle seat. In this stowed position the transfer seat may not impede entry or exit of an able bodied or physically impaired person; • A mechanism of operation that provides both translational and rotational articulation which may allow the transfer seat to be stowed in the widest range of vehicles of varying seat height, position, and pillar locations, and at the same time keeping clear of the user's and/or rear seat passenger's legs. Also, the footwell stowage location is one where crash injury risk, and any accidental injury is minimised, with the lowest threshold of regulatory safety requirements;

• The mounting means in the footwell may be universally applicable to a wide range of vehicles, whether small cars, wagons, SUVs, or utes;

• As above, a simple mounting means may allow the device to be installed by a wide range of installer skills;

• The combination of adjustments provided by the design configuration of the transfer seat may allow a generic kit to be supplied, which may function in any of the intended vehicles;

• Components of the transfer seat may be removable from the base member. For

example, when the vehicle is being used by an able bodied person who does not require the device, yet may be easily re-attached for use by a physically impaired person;

• The transfer seat may be manually operated without the requirement of electrical,

hydraulic componentry and the like. This provides for a simple low cost mechanical device that does not require complex componentry to operate;

· Utilisation of the footwell or floor pan area offers a good seat deployment position, is clear of the seat (over a sufficient range of position adjustments as required by the user) and remains clear of the door when closed;

• The use of a the three point triangular arrangement of fasteners provides stability and a secure attachment arrangement when attached to the footwell floor;

· The use of a separate collar may provide a relatively simple means of adjusting the height of the transfer seat relative to the base member;

• Utilisation of an interlocking indentation element such as a grub screw may provide sufficient retention strength, ease of adjustment while remaining concealed for practical purposes and aesthetic appeal;

· The use of interchangeable spacers between the transfer seat and the U-shaped rail allows for ease of adjustment of the height and orientation of the transfer seat relative to the base member in the deployed position;

• Stowage of the transfer seat in a substantially vertical orientation in the footwell floor area in front of the vehicle may provide less interference with a user's legs when in the stowed position.

The embodiments described above may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the embodiments relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as of individually set forth,

Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

WORKING EXAMPLES

The above described vehicle transfer seat, method of operation and uses are now described by reference to specific examples.

EXAMPLE 1

Referring to Figure 1 , the transfer seat 1A embodiment is illustrated in the deployed position, Figure 1 showing a flat base member 1 for mounting to a footwell floor 2 of a vehicle (not shown). A first shaft member 3 in the form of a bearing-rod is connected to the flat base member 1. A second shaft member 4 in the form of a U-shaped rail is connected to the first shaft member 3 for supporting the seat plate 5.

As can be seen, the bearing rod 3 is integrated into the flat base member 1 for strength and ease of manufacture. Also, the bearing rod 3 is set at a sufficient angle and orientation to allow the seat plate 5 to be in substantial alignment and adjacent a vehicle seat when deployed. The relationship of the transfer seat 1 A with respect to a vehicle seat is best seen in Figures 2 and 3, where the transfer seat 1 A is substantially adjacent to the vehicle seat 6 in a deployed position.

Referring back to Figure 1 , the flat base member 1 is welded or otherwise attached to the bearing rod 3 and secured to the footwell floor 2 of the vehicle via a three point triangular arrangement of fasteners that engage with corresponding apertures 7 (Figure 3). The three point triangular arrangement of fasteners provides stability and a secure attachment arrangement when attached to the footwell floor 2.

Shown in detail A of Figure 1 is a collar pivot 8 and separate collar 9. The collar pivot 8 is located about the shaft members (bearing rod 3, U-shaped rail 4) for attachment of the U-shaped rail 4 to the bearing rod 3 to provide translational and rotational articulation for the transfer seat 1 A to be moved from a deployed to a stowed position. The collar pivot 8 not only acts as an attachment point for the U-shaped rail 4 to the bearing rod 3, but also acts as a rotational lock whereby the collar pivot 8 is lifted and released to provide translational and rotational articulation for the transfer seat 1A.

Also, the separate collar 9 attached to the bearing rod 3 sets the desired height of the transfer seat 1A relative to the flat base member 1 by acting as a lower limit to the collar pivot 8 position on the bearing rod 3. This provides a relatively simple means of adjusting the height of the transfer seat 1 A relative to the flat base member 1. An interlocking indentation element 10A located on the side surface of the collar 9 and in the form of a grub screw secures the collar 9 within or against the bearing rod 3. The grub screw 10A is driven with an internal-wrenching drive, such as a hex socket (Allen), star (Torx), square socket (Robertson), slot or the like. The grub screw 10A passes through a threaded hole on the side surface of the collar 9 and is tightened against the inner bearing rod 3 to prevent it from moving relative to the collar. Also, additional grub screws 10B located on the top surface are utilised in the collar 9 (best seen in Detail B, Figure 5) that engage with corresponding apertures in the collar pivot 8 to prevent unwanted rotation of the transfer seat 1A about the shaft members (bearing rod 3, U-shaped rail 4) relative to the vehicle seat 6 when in the deployed position. The vehicle transfer seat 1 A may be sold as a kit of parts, which includes instructions for installation and assembly. In this example, the transfer seat 1 A is assembled and permanently attached to the footwell floor 2 area of a vehicle as described below to provide for a secure and stable device.

The flat base member 1 attached to the bearing rod 3 is mounted to the floorpan or footwell floor 2 area in known fashion. Care should be taken during drilling through the footwell floor 2 area to avoid any cables, tubes or other vehicle equipment. The footwell floor 2 area offers a good seat deployment position, but remains clear of the vehicle seat 6 (over a sufficient range of position/adjustment as required by a user), and remains clear of the vehicle door when closed. The collar 9 is slid onto the bearing rod 3 and is allowed to slide to the bottom of its travel by ensuring the grub screw 10A located on the side surface of the collar 9 is not yet tightened. The seat plate 5 is bolted to the U-shaped rail 4 in known fashion. Simultaneously, the collar pivot 8 and U-shaped rail 4 are slid over the bearing rod 3. The seat plate 5 is lowered to the desired deployed position and orientation, normally approximately level with the vehicle seat 6 (best seen in Figure 2). While holding this position, the collar 9 is slid up the bearing rod 3 until the grubscrews 10B located on the top surface of the collar 9 engage with the corresponding apertures on the collar pivot 8. The grubscrew 10A located on the sidewalls of the collar 9 are tightened to retain the transfer seat 1A at the desired height.

Also, in this example, the transfer seat 1A is manually operated without the requirement of electrical, hydraulic componentry and the like. This provides for a simple low cost mechanical device that does not require complex componentry to operate.

In particular, Figures 4 to 9 illustrates the mechanism of operation where the transfer seat 1 A is rotatable about a pivot located about the shaft members (bearing rod 3, U-shaped rail 4) to allow translational and rotational articulation of the transfer seat 1A relative to the flat base member 1 from the deployed position to a stowed position. This dual articulation facilitates the seat plate 5 moving from the deployed to stowed position, clearing all objects which could block its path and is described further as follows:

Figure 4 illustrates the orientation of the transfer seat 1 A in the deployed position. As above, the required deployment position is adjusted by untightening/tightening of the grub screw 10A located on the side surface of the collar 9 to allow rotation and alter the orientation of the U- shaped rail 4 with respect to the base member 1. Also, different size collar spacers (not shown) allow adjustment of the height and orientation of the transfer seat 1 A relative to the base member 1 in the deployed position.

Figure 5 illustrates the transfer seat 1A being lifted such that the apertures of the collar pivot 8 (acting as a rotational lock) clear and are released from the grub screws 10B of the collar 9 to allow for translational and rotational articulation for the transfer seat 1 A.

Figure 6 illustrates the motion where the U-shaped rail 4 at first pivots forward about its axis and the seat plate 5 is rotated about the bearing rod 3 out of a vehicle cabin and into an open door space where there are no obstructions.

Figure 7 illustrates further rotation of the U-shaped rail 4 about the bearing rod 3 to lower the seat plate 5 upside down near vehicle sill height.

The above rotation is then combined further with some inward rotation of the U-shaped rail 4 about the bearing rod 3, which passes the seat plate 5 through an area of greatest clearance to the dash and A-pillar such that the seat plate 5 is rotated into a footwell floor 2 area of a vehicle as seen in Figure 8.

Figure 9 illustrates the final position of the transfer seat 1 A where it lies substantially flat in the footwell floor 2 area in front of or partially in front of the vehicle seat (depending on fore and aft vehicle seat position of a vehicle) in the fully stowed position.

EXAMPLE 2

Referring to Figure 10, an alternative transfer seat 1 B embodiment is illustrated in the deployed position, Figure 10 showing a first shaft member 1 1 in the form of a tube or rod configured to mount substantially parallel to the front of a vehicle seat (not shown) at floor level. The base member 12 for mounting to the footwell floor of the vehicle includes sidewall members 13 for attachment of the first shaft member 11 to the base member 12. This configuration allows for rotation about a centreline segment of the first shaft member 11 while minimising lateral movement of the first shaft member 11 with respect to the base member 12.

A second shaft member 14 is a tube or rod connected or welded substantially perpendicular to the first shaft member 11 and includes an incline that rises at its endpoint to be substantially in a horizontal plane with a seat member (not shown) of a vehicle seat (not shown).

A pivot rod 15 with tab is connected to the second shaft member 14, via knuckle joint 18 which in turn is connected to a seat bracket 16 for supporting the seat plate (not shown) via a stopper bracket 17. Further, a U-shaped bracket or knuckle joint 18 links the second shaft member 14 to the pivot rod 15 for translational and rotational articulation of the transfer seat 1 B via the pivot rod.

As for transfer seat embodiment 1A, alternative embodiment 1 B is permanently attached to the footwell floor area and is operated without the requirement of electrical, hydraulic componentry and the like. Figure 11 illustrates the transfer seat 1 B in a deployed position where the seat plate 19 supported by the seat bracket 16 is substantially in a horizontal plane with respect to the vehicle seat 20. The knuckle joint 18 locks the seat plate 19 rigidly in place when the seat plate 19 is in the horizontal plane.

The mechanism of operation of the transfer seat 1 B from a deployed position to a fully stowed position is shown in Figures 12 to 15. Figure 12 illustrates the seat plate 19 being lifted from the horizontal plane to allow rotation about the knuckle joint 18. The seat plate 19 is then rotated about the pivot rod 15 and knuckle joint 18 to a vertical position as shown in Figure 13.

In turn, the knuckle joint 18 is free to articulate such that the seat plate 19 is able to be pushed forward and lowered towards a vehicle sill as shown in Figure 14.

Figure 5 shows the transfer seat 1 B positioned in a vertical orientation in the footwell floor area 21 of a vehicle in the fully stowed position. This orientation takes advantage of the empty space beside a driver's door and provides less interference with a user's legs when in the stowed position.

Aspects of the transfer seat, method and uses have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims herein.