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US2300561A - Adjustable seat construction - Google Patents

Adjustable seat construction Download PDF

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Publication number
US2300561A
US2300561A US352127A US35212740A US2300561A US 2300561 A US2300561 A US 2300561A US 352127 A US352127 A US 352127A US 35212740 A US35212740 A US 35212740A US 2300561 A US2300561 A US 2300561A
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Prior art keywords
seat
cushion
frame
figures
construction
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US352127A
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Charles E Ferreira
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TRANSP SEAT Co
TRANSPORTATION SEAT Co
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TRANSP SEAT Co
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B61RAILWAYS
    • B61DBODY DETAILS OR KINDS OF RAILWAY VEHICLES
    • B61D33/00Seats
    • B61D33/0057Seats characterised by their mounting in vehicles
    • B61D33/0078Seats characterised by their mounting in vehicles adjustably mounted

Definitions

  • This invention relates to adjustable seats and particularly to that type of adjustable seat in which the angle of the back cushion may be varied to suit the convenience and comfort of the occupant. More particularly this invention relates to a seat of this type in which the seat cushion is also adjustable.
  • this invention is illustrated and described in its application to seats for railway coaches, airplanes, auto busses or other similar vehicles, for which this invention is especially well suited.
  • vehicle seats are fr..- quently provided with a back cushion which is inclinable, that is angularly adjustable with reference to the seat frame, from a normal substantially upright position to a semi-reclining position.
  • a back cushion which is inclinable, that is angularly adjustable with reference to the seat frame, from a normal substantially upright position to a semi-reclining position.
  • no provision is made for the altering of the position of the seat cushion, either simultaneously with or independently of the adjustment of the back.
  • Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a double vehicle seat embodying this invention, the seat back and the cushion being shown in full lines in an upright position and being shown in dot and dash lines in a reclining position, certain locking mechanism being shown in dotted lines.
  • Fig. 2 is a somewhat enlarged view of the locking mechanism provided for fixing the seat parts in the desired adjusted position, this view showing the mechanism on the near side of the seat illustrated in Fig. 1, the arm rest frame and certain other elements 'being removed, and certain portions of the mechanism being shown in section for the sake of clearness, this view being taken from the plane indicated by line 2, 2 in Figures 3 and 4.
  • Fig. 3 is a plan section of the seat frame taken generally on the plane indicated by line 3, 3, in Fig. 1 showing the locking mechanism and the seat cushion adjusting mechanism for each of the adjacent seats, the arm rest frames being omitted for the sake of clearness and the cushions being shown in dot and dash lines.
  • Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the planes indicated by line4, 4, 4 in Fig. 1, the cushions being omitted for the sake of clearness and the base being shown in front elevation.
  • Fig. 5 is an enlarged view showing the seat cushion support and adjusting mechanism adjacent the arm rest frame, this view beingvtaken on the plane indicated byline 5, 5 in Fig. 3, the seat cushion being shown principally in elevation, and the full line showing illustrating the parts in the position which they assume when the seat back is in an upright position and the broken line showing illustrating the position of parts when the seat back is in a reclined position.
  • Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 the parts being shown in the position assumed when the seat back is reclined, the position of the parts in Fig.
  • .are intended to indicate a position or direction intended to indicate a direction from front to rear of the seat, that is in a direction lengthwise of the car or vehicle in which the seat is normally mounted; and the term transversely" is intended to indicate a, direction from side to side of the 6 corresponding with the dot and dash position shown in Fig. 5.
  • Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to a portion of Fig. 5, showing, however, the construction of the corresponding parts at the center of the seat frame, this view being taken on. the plane indicated by line I, I in Figures 3 and 4.
  • Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view showing certain details of construction, this view being taken on the plane indicated by line 8, 8, in Fig. 6,
  • Fig. 9 is another fragmentary view showing certain details of this construction, this view being taken on the plane indicated by line 9,3, in Fig. 6, also showing the mechanism on the near side of the seat.
  • Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view similar to a portion of Fig. 6 illustrating one of a series of antifriction roller supports which may optionally be used for supporting the seat cushion.
  • Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the intirriction roller and mounting illustrated in Fig. 10.
  • fr'ont Or forseat, that is in a direction which would be trans versely of the length of the car or vehicle in which the seat would be normally positioned.
  • the type of seat with which this improved construction is shown is a double railway'coach seat of the revolving type having separate adjacent seat and back cushions for each passenger, these cushions being mounted on a single seat supporting frame, which is in turn mounted on a base fixed to the vehicle floor.
  • the base for supporting this improved adjustable seat structure is indicated at l and consists of a generally rectangular base frame 2 preferably formed of square tubular members and having an upper surface 3 and being supported on a pair of spaced base pedestals 4 secured to the floor of the vehicle. Adjacent the upper surface 3, the base is provided with a substantially centrally positioned ands preferably horizontally disposed plate indicated at 5 formed with an opening 6 as will best appear in Fig. 3.
  • a seat frame indicated generallyat I Superimposed upon and rotatably and shiftably supported on the upper surface 3 of the base frame 2 is a seat frame indicated generallyat I, having a lower surface 8 adapted to rest on the upper surface 3 of the base frame 2.
  • This seat frame I supports the seat cushions and the improved adjusting mechanism associated with the cushions.
  • This seat frame is preferably formed of round tubular members including a front transverse tube 9, a rear transverse tube it), a pair of outer longitudinal tubes II and a pair of intermediate longitudinal tubes l2, slightly spaced from the outer tubes H as best appears in Figures 3 and 4. Reference to these figures will further disclose a central longitudinal tube l3 and diagonal tubes l4 framing into a curved tube section l5.
  • a seat of the rotating or revolving type such as that shown
  • certain mechanism is provided for the purpose of .guiding and shifting the seat frame with reference to the base frame.
  • This mechanism may be of any one of a number of well known types for instance, that disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,201,839.
  • a portion of this mechanism for rotatably guiding and shifting the seat frame is a pin plate I6, Fig. 3, preferably fixed to the lower faces of the tubes l3, l4 and I5 by welding or other suitable means.
  • This plate IG supports three downwardly projecting pins Ilia, adapted to successively engage certain arcuate guide surfaces and sockets in the opening 6 during the rotation of the seat from one terminal position to another. Due to the fact that this apparatus forms no part of this invention it is not here further illustrated or described.
  • each outer longitudinal tube H Upwardly pi OJECtlllg from and securely fixed to the front end of each outer longitudinal tube H is a front bracket I1, Figures 1 and 2.
  • Each outer longitudinal tube H is formed rearwardly of the rear transverse tube ID with an upwardly curved extension I8. Securely welded to this extension and he rear portion of the tube II is a gusset plate I9.
  • an arm rest frame 28 Fixedly supported on each longitudinal tube H and to the associated front bracket l1 and gusset plate I9 is an arm rest frame 28 which may be of any acceptable design, and upon the upper bar of which is an upholstered arm rest 2
  • the upwardly curved extensions l8 are provided at their upper ends with split clamp bearings 24 adapted to firmly but removably support stub sha ts or pivot pins as shown at 25 in Figures 2 to 6.
  • the upwardly curved extension 22 is likewise formed at its upper end with a split amp bearing 26 supporting a double stub shaft or pivot pin 21, Figures 3, 4, and '7.
  • the pivot pins 25 and 21 are axially alined in a direction transverse y of the seat frame.
  • the pivots 25 and 21. as will appear from Figure 5, are ,positioned above the lower portion of the seat frame and a. e substantially alined with the upper surface f the seat cushion, when the seat parts are in the upright position, Figures 1 and 5.
  • Pi otally mounted on the stub shafts 25 and 21 are reclining seat backs indicated generally at 28.
  • These seat backs each preferably include a tubular frame 29 of inverted U shape mounted in and supported on a pair of brackets, the outer brackets being indicated at 38 and the central brackets being indicated at 3
  • are each formed with sockets 32 and 33 respectively, to receive the lower legs of the U shaped frame 29.
  • Each bracket 38 is formed with a bearing 34 pivotally mounted on the stub shaft 25 and each bracket 3
  • Suitable antifriction members such as needle bearings, bushings, or the like, may be interposed between the stub shafts 25 and 21 and the bearings 34 and 35 respectively.
  • Each of the outer seat back brackets 30 is formed with a downwardly extending projection or arm 36, this arm being outwardly offset from the upper or socket portion of this bracket as best appears in Figures 4 and 8, and the seat back bracket 3
  • the lower end of the arm 36 is fashioned with a pair of spaced ears forming a clevis and is provided with a preferably shouldered pin 38.
  • the downwardly projecting arm 31 is formed at its lower end with a boss in which is fixedly mounted a shouldered pin 39.
  • the pins 38 and 39 pass thru the lower ends of the arms 36 and 31 and project outwardly from the arms in a direction toward each other, these pins being axially alined in each pair of brackets 38 and 3
  • Suitable transverse braces such as those indicater! at 48 in Fig. 4 may be provided to properly space the brackets 38 and 3
  • may be mounted in any desired manner upon the U frame 29, brackets 38 and 3
  • Associated with the downwardly extending arm 36 is suitable mechanism 42 for selectively locking the seat back and seat cushion in any one of a series of desired positions.
  • This mechanism 42 is most clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2, and consists of a tubular member or cylinder 43 secured in any suitable manner to the outer tube in which is mounted a spring actuated plunger including a slotted head 45 fixed to one end of a tie rod 44 and a cylindrical portion 46 fixed to the other end of the tie rod, this portion 46 being formed with a plurality of equally spaced recesses 41.
  • the slotted head 45 is connected bv means of a link 48 to the shoulder pin 38 mounted in the downwardly extending proJection 36.
  • a block 49 Fixedly mounted intermediate the ends of the cylinder 43 is a block 49 thru which the tie rod 44 is adapted to slide. Interposed between the block 49 and the slotted head 45 is a spring 58. Pivotally mounted on the block 49 is a detent 5
  • is provided with an upwardly projecting hand piece 53 and the detent is resiliently forced downwardly by means of a coil tension spring 54
  • the coil sprin 58 is so tensioned as to force the depending arm 36 to move in a clockwise direction thus constraining the upper portion of the seat back 28 to move to the forward or upright posit on about the stub shafts or pivots 25 and 21.
  • a rearward inclination of the seat back causes the arm 36 to move forwardly and increases the tension on the spring in response to the greater counterbalancing effect which the spring is required to exert when the seat back is tilted rearwardly.
  • the resilience of the spring is so selected that the spring will, in the absence of any restraint, automatically move the seat back from any inclined position to the upright position, when the looking mechanism 42 is released to permit the spring to function, that is, when the detent 5
  • two seat cushions each indicated in their entirety at 55 are provided, one seat cushion associated with each of the seat backs 28.
  • Each wardly projecting portion formed with a downwardly opening vertical slot 6
  • the seat cushion 56 is supported in part on the relatively stationary front transverse tube 9 at the point indicated at 62. It will be evident that the point of support of the cushion on the tube 9 is interposed between the front and rear ends of the cushion. It will also appear that the cushion at the point 62 simply rests upon the tube 9 and is capable of pivoting about said tube 9 and in the embodiment illustrated in the above figures, is capable of sliding forwardly and rearwardly on this tube 9.
  • the cushion 55 is likewise supported in part on mechanism indicated generally at 63 disposed adjacent the rear edge of the seat cushions 55 and mounted on the seat frame 1 likewise adjacent its rear edge.
  • a horizontal corner plate or gusset plate 64 is provided in each rear corner of the frame formed by the intersection of the outer longitudinal tubes II and the central longitudinal tube 13, with the rear transverse tube l6.
  • a pair of upwardly projecting spaced ears 65, 65 each pair of ears being provided with a pin 66 adjacent the upper end.
  • a lever element 61 Pivotally mounted on this pin 66 as a fulcrum and preferably between the ears 65, 65, is a lever element 61 illustrated as a triangular plate.
  • the ears 65 are suitably spaced apart on the seat frame so that the inner surfaces of the lever elements 61 will be substantially alined with the outer side faces of the corner brackets 60a, 6612 on the cushion board.
  • the lever element 61 embodies provisions for two connections spaced from the fulcrum and spaced from each other.
  • One of the connections, the rearmost connection as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, consists of a slot 68 formed in the lever element 61, adapted to slidably encompass the pins 38 or 39.
  • connection 68 and 69 may be assumed to be positioned on lines radiating outwardly from the fulcrum and forming an included angle of substantially but preferably slightly less than comprises in effect a bell crank lever with angularly diverging arms.
  • Figures 5 and 6 illustrate one of the downwardly projecting arms 36 and the associated mechanism 63 at the outer sides of the seat frame and Figure '1 illustrates one of the. downwardly projecting arms 31 and its associated mechanism 63 at the center of the seat frame.
  • the entire seat adjusting mechanism is actuated by a variation in the angular position of the seat back 28. It is likewise clear that the lever element 61 is movable in an arcuate path about the fulcrum 66, in a vertical plane in unison with the movement of the seat back. It will also be evident from an inspection of Figure 5 that a movement of one of the connections 68 or 69 produces a simultaneous movement of the other connection and that the movement of one connection is in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of the other connection.
  • adjustable seat construction provides a maximum of comfort in all positions of the seat and eliminates any tendency on the part of the occupant to slide downwardly and forwardly when the seat back is in a semi reclining position.
  • this seat construction provides for the progressive lowering of the rear of the seat cushion simultaneously with the rearward inclining of the seat back.
  • the seat cushion is so balanced on the front transverse tube 9 of the seat frame that a slight forward bending or forward shifting of the weight of the seat occupant will remove any unbalanced weight from the rear end of the seat cushion and the presence of the occupant will therefor not interfere with the adjusting of the seat parts and will particularly not interfere with the automatic forward movement of the seat back and the accompanying upward movement of the rear of the seat cushion, in response to the expansion of thg spring 50 in the locking mechanism 42.
  • this improved adjustable seat construction comprises novel mechanism for supporting and adjusting the seat cushion and that this construction otherwise fulfills the objects set forth at the beginning of this description.
  • Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a modified form of support for the seat cushion, this modification comprising an anti-friction mounting for the front end of the cushion for optional use in a construction of the type illustrated in Figures 1 to 9. This modification is utilized when a minimum of frictional resistance is desired in the shifting of the cushions from one position to another.
  • This anti friction unit comprises a U shaped clevis or yoke 83 suitably fixed-in any desired manner, as for instance by welding, to the front transverse tube 0.
  • This yoke is provided with a pin 84 upon which is mounted a roller 85 upon iwhich is supported the board 59 of the cushion
  • any number of such units may be provided transversely on the tube 8 to antifrictionally support the seat cushion, and it will be'clear that this antifriction unit will permit the shifting of the cushions with a minimum of frictional resistance.
  • the seat frame need not be of tubular construction but maybe of any other desired type of construction, and it will likewise be evident that the support of the seat cushion on the frame may be variously located with respect to the'cushion and with respect to the seat frame.
  • a seat frame in combination, a seat frame, a fulcrum on the seat frame adjacent the rear of the seat frame, a bell crank lever mounted on the fulcrum and formed with a pair of angularly diverging arms, a pivot provided on the seat frame adjacent the rear of the frame and above said fulcrum, a seat back mounted on the pivot and extending above the pivot for supporting a back cushion and formed with a portion extending below the pivot having pin and slot connection with one arm of the bell crank lever, a seat cushion board adapted to support a seat cushion, said cushion board being pivotally engaged with the other arm of the bell crank lever and being movably supported on the frame at a point spaced from the lever, the bell crank lever being adapted to lower the adjacent portion of the seat cushion when the seat back is tilted rearwardly and adapted to raise the adjacent portion of the seat cushion when the seat back is moved forwardly.
  • a stationary seat frame a fulcrum provided on the frame adjacent the rear edge there.- of, a bell crank lever element mounted on the fulcrum and formed with two angularly diverging lever arms having an effective included angle of substantially degrees, a pivot formed on the seat frame above the fulcrum, a seat back mounted on the pivot and formed with an arm extending below the pivot, said arm being pivotally and slidably connected with one of said lever arms, a seat cushion slidably supported intermediate its front and rear ends on the frame and hinged at its rear end to the other of said lever arms.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)

Description

NOV. 3, 1942. A Q FERRElRA 2,300,561
ADJUSTABLE SEAT CONSTRUCTION I Filed Aug. 10, 1940 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 45 W 49 61min: 5 Ewes/1m.
ATTORNEY NOV. 3, 1942. Q FERRE|RA 2,300,561
ADJUSTABLE SEAT CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 10, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 38 66 4,5 44L 50 49 45 '5 43 24' "W-a- 'm'm 'mww" .Tf' P NOV. 3, 1942. c FERRE|RA 2,300,561
ADJUSTABLE SEAT CONSTRUCTION mm WWW. M v I H V 1H If! v 29 F v fivvewrbk:
Cf/A/FLAS E firm-m4 NOV. 3, 1942. Q 5 FERREIRA 2,309,561
ADJUSTABLE SEAT CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 10, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Nov. 3,, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Transportation Seat Company,
Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application August 10, 1940, Serial No. 352,127
3 Claims. (01. 155-116) This invention relates to adjustable seats and particularly to that type of adjustable seat in which the angle of the back cushion may be varied to suit the convenience and comfort of the occupant. More particularly this invention relates to a seat of this type in which the seat cushion is also adjustable.
In the present disclosure, this invention is illustrated and described in its application to seats for railway coaches, airplanes, auto busses or other similar vehicles, for which this invention is especially well suited.
In travelling on vehicles, the passenger normally occupies the same seat for long periods of time and the provision of maximum seating comfort is accordingly of prime importance. As one of the features intended to contribute to the comfort of the passengers, vehicle seats are fr..- quently provided with a back cushion which is inclinable, that is angularly adjustable with reference to the seat frame, from a normal substantially upright position to a semi-reclining position. In many cases in which an adjustable back is provided, no provision is made for the altering of the position of the seat cushion, either simultaneously with or independently of the adjustment of the back.
It has been found that such rearward inclining of the back without a corresponding angular change in the position of the seat cushion causes the occupant to progressively slide downwardly and forwardly in the seat, especially in the presence of vibration which necessarily occurs in travelling coaches or busses. As a result of this unfavorable condition, the seat occupant has had to make use of foot rests and other devices to brace himself against this tendency to slide downwardly and forwardly.
In an attempt to overcome this deficiency in the construction of this type of seat, provision has been made in a few cases for moving the seat cushion forwardly independently of, or simultaneously with the rearward tilting of the back. While this expedient has provided a more advanced support for the occupant it has not preventzd the objectionable downwardly and forwardly sliding, due to the fact that such a forward shifting of the seat cushion produced no angular change in the position of the seat cush- 10m.
A somewhat more effective effort has also been made to prevent the downward and forward sliding of the seat occupant by raising the front of the seat cushion simultaneously with the rearexpedient, to some extent, counteracts the tendency of the occupant to slide forwardy, it introduces another disadvantage which seriously inconveniences the occupant. This disadvantage arises from the increase of the distance of the front end of the seat cushion above the floor, which accompanies the raising of the cushion thus holding the feet of the occupant off the floor, to his discomfort.
Having these deficiencies of the prior seat construction in mind, it is a general object of this invention to produce an improved adjustable vehicle seat of the reclining back type, which provides the maximum of comfort in all positions into which the seat is capable of being adjusted.
It is consonantly an important further general object of this invention to produce an improved adjustable seat of the reclining back type in which there is no tendency of the occupant to slide downwardly and forwardly in any adjusted position of the seat, even in the presence of considerable vehicle vibration.
It is a further prime object of this invention to produce an adjustable vehicle seat of this type in which the front upper surface of the seat cushion is maintained at a substantially constant duce such an adjustable seat in which the up-' per surface at the front of the seat cushion is maintained substantially at the same level while the rear of the seat cushion is lowered.
It is another object of this invention to so position the seat cushion with respect to its support that the presence of the occupant on the seat will not seriously interfere with the raising and lowering or tilting of the rear of the seat cushion.
It is a further and more specific object of this inventicn to produce improved mechanism for supporting the seat cushion and improved mechanism associated with the seat back for tilting the seat cushion simultaneously with the back.
It is a further object of this invention to produce combined back and seat adjusting mechanism of this type which is simple and rigid in construction, which is formed of a minimum of parts and which is not easily damaged or disward inclining of the back cushion. While this 5 arranged in repeated adjustments, and which will continue to function satisfactorily for long periods of time without attention.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following description and from reference to the accompanying drawings. This description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain means embodying this invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but two of the forms in which the principles of this invention may be applied.
In said annexed drawings:
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a double vehicle seat embodying this invention, the seat back and the cushion being shown in full lines in an upright position and being shown in dot and dash lines in a reclining position, certain locking mechanism being shown in dotted lines.
Fig. 2 is a somewhat enlarged view of the locking mechanism provided for fixing the seat parts in the desired adjusted position, this view showing the mechanism on the near side of the seat illustrated in Fig. 1, the arm rest frame and certain other elements 'being removed, and certain portions of the mechanism being shown in section for the sake of clearness, this view being taken from the plane indicated by line 2, 2 in Figures 3 and 4.
Fig. 3 is a plan section of the seat frame taken generally on the plane indicated by line 3, 3, in Fig. 1 showing the locking mechanism and the seat cushion adjusting mechanism for each of the adjacent seats, the arm rest frames being omitted for the sake of clearness and the cushions being shown in dot and dash lines.
Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the planes indicated by line4, 4, 4 in Fig. 1, the cushions being omitted for the sake of clearness and the base being shown in front elevation.
Fig. 5 is an enlarged view showing the seat cushion support and adjusting mechanism adjacent the arm rest frame, this view beingvtaken on the plane indicated byline 5, 5 in Fig. 3, the seat cushion being shown principally in elevation, and the full line showing illustrating the parts in the position which they assume when the seat back is in an upright position and the broken line showing illustrating the position of parts when the seat back is in a reclined position.
Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 the parts being shown in the position assumed when the seat back is reclined, the position of the parts in Fig.
wardly when used with reference to the seat structure or to the parts of the seat structure,
.are intended to indicate a position or direction intended to indicate a direction from front to rear of the seat, that is in a direction lengthwise of the car or vehicle in which the seat is normally mounted; and the term transversely" is intended to indicate a, direction from side to side of the 6 corresponding with the dot and dash position shown in Fig. 5.
Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to a portion of Fig. 5, showing, however, the construction of the corresponding parts at the center of the seat frame, this view being taken on. the plane indicated by line I, I in Figures 3 and 4.
Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view showing certain details of construction, this view being taken on the plane indicated by line 8, 8, in Fig. 6,
but showing the mechanism on the near side of the seat.
Fig. 9 is another fragmentary view showing certain details of this construction, this view being taken on the plane indicated by line 9,3, in Fig. 6, also showing the mechanism on the near side of the seat.
Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view similar to a portion of Fig. 6 illustrating one of a series of antifriction roller supports which may optionally be used for supporting the seat cushion.
Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the intirriction roller and mounting illustrated in Fig. 10.
In this description the terms fr'ont" Or forseat, that is in a direction which would be trans versely of the length of the car or vehicle in which the seat would be normally positioned.
The type of seat with which this improved construction is shown, for purposes of illustration, is a double railway'coach seat of the revolving type having separate adjacent seat and back cushions for each passenger, these cushions being mounted on a single seat supporting frame, which is in turn mounted on a base fixed to the vehicle floor.
This improved adjustable seat construction will first be described with reference to Figures 1 to 9 inclusive.
The base for supporting this improved adjustable seat structure is indicated at l and consists of a generally rectangular base frame 2 preferably formed of square tubular members and having an upper surface 3 and being supported on a pair of spaced base pedestals 4 secured to the floor of the vehicle. Adjacent the upper surface 3, the base is provided with a substantially centrally positioned ands preferably horizontally disposed plate indicated at 5 formed with an opening 6 as will best appear in Fig. 3.
Superimposed upon and rotatably and shiftably supported on the upper surface 3 of the base frame 2 is a seat frame indicated generallyat I, having a lower surface 8 adapted to rest on the upper surface 3 of the base frame 2.
This seat frame I supports the seat cushions and the improved adjusting mechanism associated with the cushions. This seat frame is preferably formed of round tubular members including a front transverse tube 9, a rear transverse tube it), a pair of outer longitudinal tubes II and a pair of intermediate longitudinal tubes l2, slightly spaced from the outer tubes H as best appears in Figures 3 and 4. Reference to these figures will further disclose a central longitudinal tube l3 and diagonal tubes l4 framing into a curved tube section l5.
In a seat of the rotating or revolving type, such as that shown, certain mechanism is provided for the purpose of .guiding and shifting the seat frame with reference to the base frame. This mechanism may be of any one of a number of well known types for instance, that disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,201,839.
A portion of this mechanism for rotatably guiding and shifting the seat frame is a pin plate I6, Fig. 3, preferably fixed to the lower faces of the tubes l3, l4 and I5 by welding or other suitable means. This plate IG supports three downwardly projecting pins Ilia, adapted to successively engage certain arcuate guide surfaces and sockets in the opening 6 during the rotation of the seat from one terminal position to another. Due to the fact that this apparatus forms no part of this invention it is not here further illustrated or described.
Upwardly pi OJECtlllg from and securely fixed to the front end of each outer longitudinal tube H is a front bracket I1, Figures 1 and 2. Each outer longitudinal tube H is formed rearwardly of the rear transverse tube ID with an upwardly curved extension I8. Securely welded to this extension and he rear portion of the tube II is a gusset plate I9. Fixedly supported on each longitudinal tube H and to the associated front bracket l1 and gusset plate I9 is an arm rest frame 28 which may be of any acceptable design, and upon the upper bar of which is an upholstered arm rest 2|, this arm rest frame and arm rest being shown in Figure 1 and being omitted from the other figures for the sake of clarity as it forms no part of this invention.
Transversely alined with the upwardly curved extensions l8 and centrally positioned on the seat frame in longitudinal alinement with the tube I3. is an upwardly curved extension 22 which is suitably braced from the base frame by a diagonal member 23 (Figures 3 and 7).
The upwardly curved extensions l8 are provided at their upper ends with split clamp bearings 24 adapted to firmly but removably support stub sha ts or pivot pins as shown at 25 in Figures 2 to 6. The upwardly curved extension 22 is likewise formed at its upper end with a split amp bearing 26 supporting a double stub shaft or pivot pin 21, Figures 3, 4, and '7. The pivot pins 25 and 21 are axially alined in a direction transverse y of the seat frame. The pivots 25 and 21. as will appear from Figure 5, are ,positioned above the lower portion of the seat frame and a. e substantially alined with the upper surface f the seat cushion, when the seat parts are in the upright position, Figures 1 and 5.
Pi otally mounted on the stub shafts 25 and 21 are reclining seat backs indicated generally at 28. These seat backs each preferably include a tubular frame 29 of inverted U shape mounted in and supported on a pair of brackets, the outer brackets being indicated at 38 and the central brackets being indicated at 3|. The brackets 38 and 3| are each formed with sockets 32 and 33 respectively, to receive the lower legs of the U shaped frame 29. Each bracket 38 is formed with a bearing 34 pivotally mounted on the stub shaft 25 and each bracket 3| is formed with a bearing 35 pivotally mounted on one end of the stub shaft 21. Suitable antifriction members such as needle bearings, bushings, or the like, may be interposed between the stub shafts 25 and 21 and the bearings 34 and 35 respectively.
Each of the outer seat back brackets 30 is formed with a downwardly extending projection or arm 36, this arm being outwardly offset from the upper or socket portion of this bracket as best appears in Figures 4 and 8, and the seat back bracket 3| is formed with a downwardly extending projection or. arm 31, this arm being generally alined with the socket portion of the bracket 3|. The lower end of the arm 36 is fashioned with a pair of spaced ears forming a clevis and is provided with a preferably shouldered pin 38. The downwardly projecting arm 31 is formed at its lower end with a boss in which is fixedly mounted a shouldered pin 39. As will appear from Figures 3 and 4, the pins 38 and 39 pass thru the lower ends of the arms 36 and 31 and project outwardly from the arms in a direction toward each other, these pins being axially alined in each pair of brackets 38 and 3|, in a direction transversely of the seat.
Suitable transverse braces such as those indicater! at 48 in Fig. 4 may be provided to properly space the brackets 38 and 3| and to stiffen the back frame 29. A suitable back cushion 4| may be mounted in any desired manner upon the U frame 29, brackets 38 and 3| and brace 48.
Associated with the downwardly extending arm 36 is suitable mechanism 42 for selectively locking the seat back and seat cushion in any one of a series of desired positions. This mechanism 42 is most clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2, and consists of a tubular member or cylinder 43 secured in any suitable manner to the outer tube in which is mounted a spring actuated plunger including a slotted head 45 fixed to one end of a tie rod 44 and a cylindrical portion 46 fixed to the other end of the tie rod, this portion 46 being formed with a plurality of equally spaced recesses 41. The slotted head 45 is connected bv means of a link 48 to the shoulder pin 38 mounted in the downwardly extending proJection 36. Fixedly mounted intermediate the ends of the cylinder 43 is a block 49 thru which the tie rod 44 is adapted to slide. Interposed between the block 49 and the slotted head 45 is a spring 58. Pivotally mounted on the block 49 is a detent 5| preferab'y formed with a plurality of teeth 52 adapted to selectivey engage the recesses 41. The detent 5| is provided with an upwardly projecting hand piece 53 and the detent is resiliently forced downwardly by means of a coil tension spring 54 In practice the coil sprin 58 is so tensioned as to force the depending arm 36 to move in a clockwise direction thus constraining the upper portion of the seat back 28 to move to the forward or upright posit on about the stub shafts or pivots 25 and 21. and also tending to lift the rear end of the seat cushion by means of suitable mechanism, to be described. A rearward inclination of the seat back causes the arm 36 to move forwardly and increases the tension on the spring in response to the greater counterbalancing effect which the spring is required to exert when the seat back is tilted rearwardly. The resilience of the spring is so selected that the spring will, in the absence of any restraint, automatically move the seat back from any inclined position to the upright position, when the looking mechanism 42 is released to permit the spring to function, that is, when the detent 5| is raised.
It will also be apparent that the spring pressed detent 5| will effectively hold the plunger comprised of the parts 45, 44, 46. and hence the pin 38 and associated parts in a fixed or locked position when the detent is in engagement with the cylindrical portion 46. It w ll also be evident that a raising of the detent to free the engagement of the teeth 52 with the recesses 41 will permit a movement of the plunger 45, 44, 46 in the cylinder 43 and will accordingly permit a corresponding movement of the link 48, pin 38 and associated parts, either by the occupant of the seat or in response to the spring tension.
The seat cushion and the mechanism for tilting ihe seat cushion simul aneously with the inclining of the seat back will now be described with particular reference to Figures 3 to 9 inelusive.
In the embodiment of this invention illus trated, two seat cushions each indicated in their entirety at 55 are provided, one seat cushion associated with each of the seat backs 28. Each wardly projecting portion formed with a downwardly opening vertical slot 6| closed at the top.
As will best appear from an inspection of Figures 1, 5, and 6, the seat cushion 56 is supported in part on the relatively stationary front transverse tube 9 at the point indicated at 62. It will be evident that the point of support of the cushion on the tube 9 is interposed between the front and rear ends of the cushion. It will also appear that the cushion at the point 62 simply rests upon the tube 9 and is capable of pivoting about said tube 9 and in the embodiment illustrated in the above figures, is capable of sliding forwardly and rearwardly on this tube 9.
As shown in Figures 1, 5, and 6,the cushion 55 is likewise supported in part on mechanism indicated generally at 63 disposed adjacent the rear edge of the seat cushions 55 and mounted on the seat frame 1 likewise adjacent its rear edge.
As will appear from reference to Figures 3 and 4, four sets of this mechanism 63 are provided, one set located at each rear comer of the cushion boards 59, 59. As all of these mechanisms are identical, a description of one mechanism will suiiice.
As best appears in the plan view, Figure 3, a horizontal corner plate or gusset plate 64 is provided in each rear corner of the frame formed by the intersection of the outer longitudinal tubes II and the central longitudinal tube 13, with the rear transverse tube l6. Suitably welded or otherwise fixed to each of these gusset plates is a pair of upwardly projecting spaced ears 65, 65 each pair of ears being provided with a pin 66 adjacent the upper end.
Pivotally mounted on this pin 66 as a fulcrum and preferably between the ears 65, 65, is a lever element 61 illustrated as a triangular plate. The ears 65 are suitably spaced apart on the seat frame so that the inner surfaces of the lever elements 61 will be substantially alined with the outer side faces of the corner brackets 60a, 6612 on the cushion board. The lever element 61 embodies provisions for two connections spaced from the fulcrum and spaced from each other. One of the connections, the rearmost connection as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, consists of a slot 68 formed in the lever element 61, adapted to slidably encompass the pins 38 or 39. The other connection consists of a pin 69 projecting laterally from the lever element 61, in a direction toward the cushion board and is, in fact, seated in the vertical slot 6| formed in the comer brackets 66a and 695. As will appear from Figures 5, 6, and 9, a lock pin 16 is placed in the corner brackets 66a and 60b, passing thru the vertical slot 6| at a point below the pin 6|. These spaced connections 68 and 69 may be assumed to be positioned on lines radiating outwardly from the fulcrum and forming an included angle of substantially but preferably slightly less than comprises in effect a bell crank lever with angularly diverging arms.
Figures 5 and 6 illustrate one of the downwardly projecting arms 36 and the associated mechanism 63 at the outer sides of the seat frame and Figure '1 illustrates one of the. downwardly projecting arms 31 and its associated mechanism 63 at the center of the seat frame. The only difference between the center and the outer construction insofar as the seat adjusting mechanism is concerned, being in the conformation of the arms 36 and 31 and in the pins 38 and 39, as will appear from an inspection of Figures 3, 4, 6 and. '1.
It will be clear from an inspection of Figure 5 that a counterclockwise rotation of the downwardly projecting arms 36 and 31 caused by a rearward tilting of the upper portion of the seat back 28 about the pivots 25 and 21 causes the lever element 61 to rotate in a clockwise direction about the pivot 66.
It will further be evident that such a clockwise rotation, between the limits indicated, will produce a very substantial dropping of the rear portion of the cushion 55 due to the location of the connections 68 and 69 with reference to the fulcrum 66. It will also be evident that due to the presence of the downwardly extending portion of the back cushion 4|, indicated at 1|, no opening is developed between the seat cushion 55 and the back cushion in the lowermost position of the seat cushion.
Attention is also called to the fact that the pins 38 serve to connect the downwardly projecting arm 36 to the locking means 42 and that these pins are also connected to the adjacent seat cushion adjusting mechanism 63. It will therefor be evident that, when the locking means 42 has been adjusted to hold the seat back 28 in the desired position it will also simultaneously hold the seat cushion 55 in the corresponding comfortably adjusted position. While Figures 5 and 6 show two terminal positions, for purposes of illustration, which the seat cushions may occupy as determined by the limiting positions of the lock mechanism 42, it is to be noted that the seat cushion may be maintained in a number of progressively advanced intervening positions, limited only by the number of and arrangement of teeth in the locking mechanism 42.
It will also be evident that the entire seat adjusting mechanism is actuated by a variation in the angular position of the seat back 28. It is likewise clear that the lever element 61 is movable in an arcuate path about the fulcrum 66, in a vertical plane in unison with the movement of the seat back. It will also be evident from an inspection of Figure 5 that a movement of one of the connections 68 or 69 produces a simultaneous movement of the other connection and that the movement of one connection is in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of the other connection.
It will be evident that the hereinbefore described adjustable seat construction provides a maximum of comfort in all positions of the seat and eliminates any tendency on the part of the occupant to slide downwardly and forwardly when the seat back is in a semi reclining position.
It will further be clear that this seat construction provides for the progressive lowering of the rear of the seat cushion simultaneously with the rearward inclining of the seat back.
It will also be evident that the upper front 90 degrees; in other words, this lever element 61 portion of the seat cushion is maintained at substantially the same height above the vehicle floor while the rear end of the cushion is progressively lowered.
It is further to be noted that the seat cushion is so balanced on the front transverse tube 9 of the seat frame that a slight forward bending or forward shifting of the weight of the seat occupant will remove any unbalanced weight from the rear end of the seat cushion and the presence of the occupant will therefor not interfere with the adjusting of the seat parts and will particularly not interfere with the automatic forward movement of the seat back and the accompanying upward movement of the rear of the seat cushion, in response to the expansion of thg spring 50 in the locking mechanism 42.
It will further be evident that this improved adjustable seat construction comprises novel mechanism for supporting and adjusting the seat cushion and that this construction otherwise fulfills the objects set forth at the beginning of this description.
Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a modified form of support for the seat cushion, this modification comprising an anti-friction mounting for the front end of the cushion for optional use in a construction of the type illustrated in Figures 1 to 9. This modification is utilized when a minimum of frictional resistance is desired in the shifting of the cushions from one position to another.
This anti friction unit comprises a U shaped clevis or yoke 83 suitably fixed-in any desired manner, as for instance by welding, to the front transverse tube 0. This yoke is provided with a pin 84 upon which is mounted a roller 85 upon iwhich is supported the board 59 of the cushion As will be understood, any number of such units may be provided transversely on the tube 8 to antifrictionally support the seat cushion, and it will be'clear that this antifriction unit will permit the shifting of the cushions with a minimum of frictional resistance.
It should be noted that various changes can be made in the location, spacing and arrangement of the elements and connections of the mechanisms II to produce adjustments varying in detail or degree from those shown.
It will also appear that the seat frame need not be of tubular construction but maybe of any other desired type of construction, and it will likewise be evident that the support of the seat cushion on the frame may be variously located with respect to the'cushion and with respect to the seat frame.
It will also be understood that this invention may also be readily applied to a single seat as well as to the double seat descrIbed and that also this invention is not limited to vehicle seats,
but may be applied with equal advantage seats for home and omce use.
" n! other modifications may be mad'ej i'nth'e i advances the seat cushion forwardly to accommay construction shown and many be substituted for the come withinthespirit andscopeofthis'inv'ention, and many such modifications in addition to those shown or suggested will naturally occur to those skilled in this art and the present disclosures should therefor be considered as typical only and applicant desires not to be limited to the exact construction shown anddescribed.
What I claim is:
1. In an adjustable seat construction in combination, a seat frame, a fulcrum on the seat frame adjacent the rear of the seat frame, a bell crank lever mounted on the fulcrum and formed with a pair of angularly diverging arms, a pivot provided on the seat frame adjacent the rear of the frame and above said fulcrum, a seat back mounted on the pivot and extending above the pivot for supporting a back cushion and formed with a portion extending below the pivot having pin and slot connection with one arm of the bell crank lever, a seat cushion board adapted to support a seat cushion, said cushion board being pivotally engaged with the other arm of the bell crank lever and being movably supported on the frame at a point spaced from the lever, the bell crank lever being adapted to lower the adjacent portion of the seat cushion when the seat back is tilted rearwardly and adapted to raise the adjacent portion of the seat cushion when the seat back is moved forwardly.
2. In an adjustable seat construction in combination, a stationary seat frame, a fulcrum provided on the frame adjacent the rear edge there.- of, a bell crank lever element mounted on the fulcrum and formed with two angularly diverging lever arms having an effective included angle of substantially degrees, a pivot formed on the seat frame above the fulcrum, a seat back mounted on the pivot and formed with an arm extending below the pivot, said arm being pivotally and slidably connected with one of said lever arms, a seat cushion slidably supported intermediate its front and rear ends on the frame and hinged at its rear end to the other of said lever arms.
3. In an adjustable seat construction in combination a stationary seat frame, a fulcrum provided on the frame adjacent the rear edge thereof, a rocker element mounted on the fulcrum arcuately movable about the fulcrum, a pivot formed on the seat frame above the fulcrum, a seat back mounted on the pivot for rearward and forward inclination relatively to the frame, said back including a back cushion extending above and below the pivot, an arm extending below the pivot positioned rearwardly of the back cushion, and a seat cushion slidably supported intermediate its front and rear ends on the frame and hinged adjacent its rear end to the rocker element at a point above said fulcrum, the rear end of the seat cushion being positioned substantially in contact with the back cushion and below a horizontal plane passing thru the said pivot, and the downwardly extending arm being operatively connected to the rocker element, whereby, when the seat back is inclined rearwardly, the rocker pivot.-
OHARLEB E. FERREIRA.
US352127A 1940-08-10 1940-08-10 Adjustable seat construction Expired - Lifetime US2300561A (en)

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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2512353A (en) * 1946-04-16 1950-06-20 Newburgh Metal Mfg Corp Reclining chair
US2560796A (en) * 1947-03-27 1951-07-17 Coach & Car Equipment Corp Arm cap release for reclining backs of coach seats
US2746154A (en) * 1953-08-18 1956-05-22 Jr Donald A Lewis Sky lookout chair
DE947558C (en) * 1954-08-29 1956-08-16 Augsburg Nuernberg A G Zweigni Reversible seat, especially for vehicles
US2831528A (en) * 1955-03-07 1958-04-22 Herman Miller Furniture Compan Folding sofa
US2857955A (en) * 1954-05-18 1958-10-28 Vries Nicholas De Reclining chair
US2860691A (en) * 1955-02-24 1958-11-18 Orville S Caesar Reclining chair for passenger vehicles
DE2740697A1 (en) * 1977-09-09 1979-03-22 Bremshey Ag Reclining seat for railway carriage - has seat back mounted on forward sliding pivot for compact movement within compartment

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2512353A (en) * 1946-04-16 1950-06-20 Newburgh Metal Mfg Corp Reclining chair
US2560796A (en) * 1947-03-27 1951-07-17 Coach & Car Equipment Corp Arm cap release for reclining backs of coach seats
US2746154A (en) * 1953-08-18 1956-05-22 Jr Donald A Lewis Sky lookout chair
US2857955A (en) * 1954-05-18 1958-10-28 Vries Nicholas De Reclining chair
DE947558C (en) * 1954-08-29 1956-08-16 Augsburg Nuernberg A G Zweigni Reversible seat, especially for vehicles
US2860691A (en) * 1955-02-24 1958-11-18 Orville S Caesar Reclining chair for passenger vehicles
US2831528A (en) * 1955-03-07 1958-04-22 Herman Miller Furniture Compan Folding sofa
DE2740697A1 (en) * 1977-09-09 1979-03-22 Bremshey Ag Reclining seat for railway carriage - has seat back mounted on forward sliding pivot for compact movement within compartment

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