FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a convertible seat that can toggle between a sitting posture and a lying posture.

BACKGROUND

Seats of passenger transport means, such as a bus or a train are provided with features for comfortable long journeys. Some of the features are but are not limited to, lumbar support, and reclining seats, among other examples. Some passenger transport means, such as the semi-sleeper type provide adjustable seats that have a reclining mechanism which changes the inclination of the back support of the seat. Some of the seats have a full reclining mechanism that can be reclined to an almost horizontal posture. Another type of passenger transport means is a full-sleeper type that has fixed berths for allowing the person to lie down for the complete journey. Yet another type of passenger transport means is a hybrid type which has adjustable seats for sitting as well as an overhead berth for lying.

Various types of adjustable seats are known. One of the known adjustable seats includes units, such as a leg rest, a seat base, a backrest and a headrest, such that all four units together forms the bed. Further, the aforementioned units are connected to each other using linkages which rotate the units to transform from a seat to a bed. Another type of adjustable seat includes a seat base and a backrest that can tilt with respect to the seat base. Further, two adjustable seats arranged in a row are needed to convert the seat into a berth. In other words, one complete seat and seat base of the next row seat are converted into one berth.

There are various limitations with the current type of adjustable seats which makes them less effective in providing both sitting support and lying support. For instance, the adjustable seat is not able to completely transform the seat into a berth owing to its mechanism. Further, in some case, conversion of the seat into the berth warrant the use of more than one seat thereby reducing the number of occupancies of the seats. One of the ways to mitigate this issue is to use complex mechanisms which make the adjustable seats vulnerable to breakdown.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

The present disclosure relates to a convertible seat for a coach. The convertible seat can transform from a seating posture to a lying posture. The convertible seat employs a four- bar linkage to toggle between the seating posture and the lying posture.

In an embodiment, a convertible seat that can toggle between a sitting posture and a lying posture is disclosed. The convertible seat includes a seat base, a mounting frame adapted to install the seat base on a platform, and a seat back pivotably coupled to the seat base. Further, the seat base and the seat back are adapted to toggle between the sitting posture and the lying posture. The convertible seat also includes a first mechanism adapted to couple the mounting frame to the seat base to pivot the seat base with respect to the mounting frame, the first mechanism comprises a pair of front linkages, each having a lower end pivotably attached to a front section of the mounting frame and an upper end pivotably attached to a front portion of the seat base and a pair of rear linkages, each having a lower end pivotably attached to a rear section of the mounting frame and an upper end pivotably attached to a rear portion of the seat base.

According to the present disclosure, a front linkage, a rear linkage, the seat base, and the mounting frame forms a four-bar linkage. As a result, the seat base remains is pivoted to a greater degree and currently a known mechanism of the same dimension. Moreover, the first mechanism keeps the seat base remains parallel to the mounting frame during the transition from the sitting posture to the lying posture. Furthermore, the second mechanism tilts the seat back with respect to the seat base to a greater degree to fully recline the seat back to assume the lying posture despite being compact in size. Therefore, the second mechanism and the first mechanism allow the convertible seat to assume the seating posture and lying posture within a small space thereby keeping the convertible seat compact.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a side view and a perspective view of a convertible seat in the sitting posture, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 illustrates a side view and a perspective view of the convertible seat in the lying posture, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates transition of the convertible seat from the sitting posture to lying posture, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 illustrates the convertible seat depicting the sitting posture as well as the lying posture in phantom lines, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure

Figure 5 illustrates the convertible seat having a seat base, a seat back, and a headrest attached to the seat back, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 6 illustrates the convertible seat with the headrest de-attached from the seat back, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 7 illustrates the convertible seat with the seat base in lying posture, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

Figure 8 illustrates the convertible seat with the seat back in lying posture, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which invention belongs. The system and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more...” or “one or more elements is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and nonobviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

For the sake of clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral of each component of the present disclosure is indicative of the Figure number, in which the corresponding component is shown. For example, reference numerals starting with digit “1” are shown at least in Figure 1. Similarly, reference numerals starting with digit “2” are shown at least in Figure 2.

Figures 1 to 3 show a convertible seat 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 1 illustrates a side view (A) and a perspective view (B) of the convertible seat 100 in the sitting posture while Figure 2 illustrates a side view (A) and a perspective view (B) of the convertible seat 100 in the lying posture. Further, Figure 3 illustrates the transition of the convertible seat 100 from the sitting posture to the lying posture. The sitting posture may be understood as a seat configuration in which the convertible seat 100 can be used for sitting whereas the lying posture may be understood as the seat configuration in which the convertible seat 100 can be used for lying down. The convertible seat 100 is configured to provide an occupant provision to sit or to lie. The convertible seat 100 can be used in passenger transport means, such as buses or trains. The convertible seat 100 can be arranged linearly as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Although the present illustration shows two convertible seats 100 arranged one after another, a greater number of convertible seats 100 can be envisioned in a similar fashion. The occupants of the convertible seat 100 can use the convertible seat 100 for sitting as shown in Figure 1 and lying down as shown in Figure 2. The convertible seat 100 is adapted to transform from a sitting chair to a full lying bed within the area the convertible seat 100 is installed thereby making the convertible seat 100 compacts. Furthermore, the convertible seat 100 is designed in such a way that consecutive convertible seats 100 do not overlap each other in the lying posture.

The convertible seat 100 may include, but is not limited to, a seat base 102, a mounting frame 104, an upper cover 106, a lower cover 108, a seat back 110, an armrest 112, a headrest 114, and a handlebar 116. The upper cover 106 is designed to cover the linkages of the seat base 102 while the lower cover 108 covers the linkages of the mounting frame 104. Further, the upper cover 106 and the lower cover 108 may contact each other when the convertible seat 100 is in a sitting posture.

The seat base 102 is installed on a platform P, such as a floor of a bus coach by the mounting frame 104. The mounting frame 104 can be termed as a chassis of the convertible seat 100 and supports all other components of the convertible seat 100. On the other hand, the seat base 102 forms a base on which an occupant can sit. Further, the seat back 110 is pivotably attached to the seat base 102 and is adapted to provide support to the back of the occupant. The headrest 114, on the other hand, allows the occupant to rest his/her head thereon. Furthermore, the armrest 112 is attached on either side of the seat back 110 to allow the occupant to rest his/her arms thereon. In one example, the convertible seat 100 can be converted from the sitting posture to a lying posture by operating a recliner knob 118 positioned under the armrest 112 and tilting the seat back 110 backward by holding down the seat back 110. In one example, the seat base 102, the seat back 110, and the headrest 114 are upholstered to provide comfort to the occupant.

Referring now to Figure 3, the convertible seat 100 transitions from the sitting posture to the lying posture in four steps. In the sitting posture as shown in (A), the convertible seat 100 is configured to seat the occupant. Further, the transition begins by removing the headrest 114 and folding away the armrest 112 as shown in (B). thereafter, the seat base 102 is actuated to pivot ahead of the mounting frame 104, such that the upper cover 106 lands on the platform P as shown in (C). Finally, the seat back 110 is pivoted to assume the lying posture as shown in (D).

In one example, the seat base 102 and the seat back 110 are configured to transition, individually, between the sitting posture and the lying posture. For instance, the seat base 102 may assume a sitting posture as shown in (A) and (B) and may pivot forwards to assume the lying posture. Similarly, the seat back 110 assumes the sitting posture as shown in (A) and (B) and may pivot backwards to assume the lying posture. Further, the convertible seat 100 includes a different mechanism that enables the pivoting of the seat base 102 and the seat back 110. Details of such mechanisms are explained in detail in subsequent paragraphs.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the convertible seat 100 in both sitting posture (shown in bold lines) and lying posture (shown in phantom lines), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As mentioned before, the convertible seat 100 includes a different mechanism to transition the convertible seat 100 between the sitting posture and lying posture. For an example, the convertible seat 100 includes a first mechanism and a second mechanism that are responsible for the transition. Specifically, the first mechanism pivots the seat base 102 with respect to mounting frame 104 while the second mechanism pivots the seat back 110 with respect to seat base 102.

The first mechanism may include components that may couple to a pair of front coupling arms 120 and a pair of rear coupling arms 122. As shown in Figure 5, the pair of front coupling arms 120 extends from the bottom of the seat base 102 and is a part of the front portion of the seat base 102. On the other hand, the pair of rear coupling arms 122 extends from the bottom of the seat base 102 and is a part of a rear portion of the seat base 102. The first mechanism may include a pair of front linkages 124 and a pair of rear linkages 126. Although the present illustration shows a single front linkage 124 and rear linkage 126, the other front linkage 124 and rear linkage 126 of their respective pair are hidden behind their visible counterpart. Further, each front linkage has a lower end 124A and an upper end 124B, such that the lower end 124A is pivotably attached to a front section of the mounting frame 104 and the upper end 124B is pivotably attached to the front coupling arms 120 of the front portion of the seat base 102. Similarly, the rear linkage 126 may have a lower end 126A and an upper end 126B, such that the lower end 126A is coupled to a rear section of the mounting frame 104 and the upper end 126B is coupled to the rear coupling arms 122 of the rear portion of the seat base 102. As seen in Figure 5, the mounting frame 104, the front linkage 124, the seat base 102, and the rear linkage 126 form a four-bar linkage which ensures that the seat base 102 remains parallel to the mounting frame during the transition from the sitting posture to lying posture and vice versa.

The convertible seat 100 has a locking pin 138 and a latch 140 which is operated by a pin 140A to lock the front linkage 124 to the mounting frame 104. During the operation, the occupant may operate the latch pin 140 A to release the latch and enable the pivoting of the front linkage 124. Thereafter, the front linkage 124 and the rear linkage 126 may start pivoting with respect to the mounting frame 104 to move the seat base 102 into the lying posture. The same operation is repeated to transition back to lying posture.

In one example, the second mechanism is configured to transition the seat back 110. The second mechanism may include a first bracket 128 and a second bracket 130. Further, the first bracket 128 is attached to the seat base 102 at the front section of the seat base 102. On the other hand, the second bracket 130 pivotably couples the seat back 110 to the seat base 102. Specifically, the second bracket 130 is attached to the seat back 110 and rotatably coupled to the seat base 102, such that the second bracket 130 is adapted to rotate the seat back 110 with respect to the seat base 102 to toggle between the sitting posture to lying posture. The second bracket 130 has a plurality of attachment points, namely, a first attachment point 130A that pivotably couples the seat base 102 to the seat back 110 and a second attachment point 130B that couples the second bracket 130 to the seat back 110. In one example, the second attachment point 130B is welded to a frame inside the seat back 110.

The convertible seat 100 has a gas spring 132 another latch operated by the knob 118 to lock the second bracket 130 to the mounting frame 104. During the operation, the occupant may operate the knob 118 to release the gas spring 132 and enable the pivoting of the second bracket 130. In one example, a single knob 118 may be used to lock or releases the latches locking the front linkage 124 and the second bracket 130. Further, the switch may be present underneath the seat base 102.

In one example, the gas spring 132 couples to a third attachment point 130C to the first bracket 128. Further, the gas spring 132 may have a piston-cylinder arrangement in which the cylindrical end is coupled to the third attachment point 130C while the piston end is coupled to the first bracket 128. The aforementioned ends of gas spring 132 are attached in such a way that the gas spring 132 undergoes compression and decompression during the transition between the sitting posture and lying posture. For instance, the gas spring 132 undergoes compression when the seat base 102 and the seat back 110 toggles from the sitting posture to lying posture. On the other hand, the gas spring 132 undergoes decompression when the seat base 102 and the seat back 110 toggles from the lying posture to the sitting posture. The gas spring 132, during its operation, ensures a smooth and jerk- free transition between the sitting posture and lying posture. Moreover, the gas spring 132 maintains an angle of inclination between the seat base 102 and the seat back 110 in the sitting posture. When actuated, the second mechanism pivots the seat back 110 about the seat base 102 to assume the lying posture. A similar pivoting occurs in the reverse direction to assume the sitting posture.

While in the lying posture, the seat base 102 and the seat back 110 may require additional support to transfer the load to the platform P so that the load of the occupant does not affect or possibly damage the first mechanism and the second mechanism. Accordingly, each of the front coupling arms 120 comprises a leg 134 which is adapted to support the seat base 102 on the platform P in the lying posture. On the other hand, the rear section of the mounting frame 104 comprises another leg 136 which is adapted to support the seat back 110 on the platform P in the lying posture. Thus, the legs 134 and 136 ensure the transfer of load from the seat base 102 and seat back 110 directly to the platform P thereby ensuring longevity to the first mechanism and the second mechanism.

Referring now to Figures 5 to 8 that illustrate different positions of the convertible seat 100 when transitioning from sitting posture to lying posture, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 5 illustrates the convertible seat having the seat base 102, the seat back 110, and the headrest 114 attached to the seat back 110 in the sitting posture. Further, Figure 6 illustrates the convertible seat 100 with the headrest 114 deattached from the seat back 110. Furthermore, Figure 7 illustrates the convertible seat 100 with the seat base 102 in lying posture whereas Figure 8 illustrates the convertible seat with the seat back 110 in lying posture.

Initially, the convertible seat 100 is in the sitting posture and the occupant may use the convertible seat 100 for sitting purposes. For the sitting purpose, the headrest 114 are attached to an end of the seat back 110 and the armrest 112 as shown in Figure 5. The occupant may detach the headrest 114 to assume an intermediate position as shown in Figure 6. Thereafter, the occupant may operate the latch 140 to push the seat base 102 and the seat back 110 forward causing the first mechanism to pivot the seat base 102 with respect to the mounting frame 104. The seat base 102 pivots until the leg 134 lands on the platform P. Once landed, the seat base 102 has assumed the lying posture as shown in Figure 7. At the same time, the armrest 112 may be folded away in a dedicated cut-out on the sides of the seat back 110. Once the seat base 102 assumes the lying posture, the knob 118 is operated to pivot the seat back 110 about the seat base 102. Once operated, the second bracket 130 starts pivoting the seat back 110 with respect to the seat base 102. As the second bracket 130 pivots clockwise, the gas spring 132 starts compressing while the first bracket 128 ensures the compression of the gas spring occurs linearly. Further, the gas spring 132 ensures the tilting of the seat back 110 is smooth and occurs at a constant rate/speed. The second bracket 130 continues to pivot until the seat back 110 lands on the leg 136. Once landed, further pivoting is prevented and thus the seat back 110 assumes the lying posture as shown in Figure 8. Consequently, the convertible seat also assumes the lying posture. In this position, the occupant may use the convertible seat for lying thereon. Further, the occupant may reverse the aforementioned steps to revert to the sitting posture.

According to the present disclosure, the combination of the first mechanism and the second mechanism ensures a smooth transition between the sitting posture and the lying posture. Further, the legs 134 and 136 ensure that the load and/or vibration on the convertible seat 100 in the lying posture is transferred directly to the platform P thereby ensuring that the first mechanism and the second mechanism are protected. Moreover, the front linkages 124 and the rear linkages 126 are sized in such a way that the seat base 102 remains parallel to the mounting frame 104 during the transition which helps in achieving a flat horizontal surface in the lying posture. Similarly, the second mechanism ensures that the seat back 110 pivots to a greater degree than conventional seats to achieve a flat horizontal surface which, along with the seat base 102 achieves the lying posture while keeping the size of the convertible seat 100 compact.

While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.