Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to reclining seat assemblies in vehicles and more particularly, to a seat assembly which provides comfortable seating in a trunk area of a vehicle, allowing a passenger to sit facing towards rear-side of the vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[002] Generally, passenger vehicles have seating arrangement which allows passengers of the vehicle to recline a seat backward, and move the seat forward or rearward, as per the passenger’s comfort. Conventionally, the seating arrangement in passenger vehicles is designed to provide comfort and ensure safety of the passengers during travelling. To provide additional storage space, some vehicles have provision to fold a back row of seats, allowing the passenger to store extra luggage in the vehicle. Although the conventional seating arrangement provides comfort during travelling, however, the conventional seating arrangement lacks adaptability to allow the passenger to carry out camping and leisure activities such as enjoying a scenic view, or relaxing at a campsite. The conventional seating arrangement fails to provide better visibility to the passenger, wherein the view is obstructed by the body of the vehicle.
[003] Further, the passenger needs to carry additional accessories and equipment such as folding chairs, shade umbrellas, tent, etc. in the vehicle while travelling, for setting up comfortable seating outside the vehicle. Carrying additional accessories takes up the storage space in the vehicle, leaving lesser space for storing essential luggage. Moreover, it is cumbersome and time consuming to set up and pack a seating arrangement placed outside the vehicle. Furthermore, the seating arrangement may not provide adequate protection against weather conditions such as rain, heat, wind, etc.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a seat assembly for a vehicle which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a seat assembly which facilitates seating in a trunk area of a vehicle.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the seat assembly which allows a passenger to sit facing towards a rear-side of the vehicle.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the seat assembly which provides comfortable seating in the trunk area of the vehicle with minimal assembly requirements.
[008] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide the seat assembly which is easy to assemble, inexpensive, and compact.
[009] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0011] Fig. 1 depicts an isometric view of a seat assembly for seating in a trunk area of a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0012] Fig. 2 depicts another isometric view of the seat assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig. 3 depicts isometric view of a seat provided in a rear portion of the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0014] Fig. 4 depicts a side view of the seat provided in the rear portion of the vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0015] Fig. 5 depicts an isometric view of a locking assembly of the seat assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0016] Fig. 6 depicts a side view of a connecting member of the locking assembly, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0018] The embodiments herein achieve a seat assembly for seating in a trunk area of a vehicle, allowing a passenger to sit facing towards a rear-side of the vehicle. Further the embodiments herein achieve the seat assembly which is easy to assemble, and has minimal assembly requirements. Referring now to the drawings Figs. 1 through 6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0019] Fig. 1 depicts an isometric view of a seat assembly (100) for seating in a trunk area (10) of a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The seat assembly (100) includes a backrest portion (102), a locking assembly (104), and a seating portion (106). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the seat assembly (100) is explained herein with below reference to at least one seat (200) provided in a rear portion of the vehicle. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use/practice the components of the seat assembly (100) for any other seat(s) provided in the vehicle, without otherwise deterring from the intended function of the seat assembly (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. As shown in Fig. 1, the seat assembly (100) is configured to allow at least one passenger (P) to sit facing towards a rear-side (R) of the vehicle, in the trunk area (10) of the vehicle.
[0020] Fig. 2 depicts another isometric view of the seat assembly (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 respectively depict an isometric view, and a side view, of the seat (200) of the vehicle provided in the rear portion of the vehicle. The at least one seat (200) includes a seatback (202), and a seating part (204). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the seat assembly (100) is explained herein with below reference to the seat (200) having the seatback (202) pivotably connected to the seating part (204) through a pivoting mechanism (202P) (as shown in Fig. 4). However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use/practice the components of the seat assembly (100) for a seat which has a fixed seatback, and a seat with movable/ reclinable seatback, without otherwise deterring from the intended function of the seat assembly (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. The at least one seat (200) provides seating for the passenger to sit facing towards a frontside (F) of the vehicle. In an initial position, the seatback (202) of the seat (200) is configured to be positioned upright with respect to the seating part (204) of the seat (200). The seatback (202) is configured to pivot frontwards towards the seating part (204) of the seat (200), and pivot backwards away from the seating part (204) of the seat (200). The seatback (202) is configured to pivot to a frontward position, wherein in the frontward position, the seatback (202) is inclined towards the seating part (204). In an embodiment, in the frontward position, the seatback (202) is inclined at an angle ranging from 30 to 40 degrees from a perpendicular axis. In an embodiment, the at least one seat (200) further includes a headrest (206) connected to the seatback (202) with at least one headrest rod (206R).
[0021] The backrest portion (102) of the seat assembly (100) is defined by a rear surface (202B) of the seatback (202) of the seat (200). The seatback (202) in the frontward position thereby provides a backward inclination to the backrest portion (102) of the seat assembly (100). The backward inclination of the backrest portion (102) can be adjusted by adjusting the frontward position of the seatback (202) of the seat (200). The locking assembly (104) is configured to securely hold the seatback (202) in the frontward position. Further, the seating portion (106) of the seat assembly (100) is defined by a floor (12) of the trunk area (10) of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the seat assembly (100) further includes at least one backrest cushion (108) adapted to be connected with the backrest portion (102) of the seat assembly (100), and at least one seat cushion (110) adapted to be placed on the floor (12) of the trunk area (10). The at least one backrest cushion (108) and the at least one seat cushion (110) provide cushioning, respectively in the backrest portion (102) and the seating portion (106) of the seat assembly (100), thereby providing comfortable seating in the trunk area (10) of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the backrest cushion (108) is removably attachable with the backrest portion (102) of the seat assembly (100) through an attaching means, such as, but not limited to, Velcro, snap fitting, tongue and groove, etc.
[0022] Fig. 5 is an isometric view of the locking assembly (104) of the seat assembly (100), according to embodiments disclosed herein. The locking assembly (104) includes at least one first securing member (104A), at least one second securing member (104B), and at least one connecting member (104C). The first securing member (104A) is provided on the seatback (202) of the at least one seat (200). The second securing member (104B) is provided on a wall (10W) of a body of the vehicle, near the trunk area (10). The connecting member (104C) is adapted to be connected with the first securing member (104A) and the second securing member (104B). The connecting member (104C) is configured to securely hold the seatback (202) in the frontward position when the connecting member (104C) is connected with the first securing member (104A) and the second securing member (104B). In an embodiment, the first securing member (104A) is the headrest rod (206R) of the at least one seat (200), and the second securing member (104B) is a striker loop plate. In another embodiment, the second securing member (104B) is adapted to lock the seatback (202) in the initial position.
[0023] Fig. 6 depicts a side view of the connecting member (104C), according to embodiments disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the connecting member (104C) includes a flexible strap (104S), and a locking member (104H) connected at each end of the flexible strap (104S). The locking member (104H) is configured to secure the flexible strap (104S) with the first securing member (104A) and the second securing member (104B). In an embodiment, the locking member (104H) is a locking hook.
[0024] Further, in an embodiment, the seat assembly (100) includes a headrest portion. The headrest portion includes the headrest (206) of the at least one seat (200) displaced from a front initial position to a rear position. In the front initial position, the headrest (206) faces towards the frontside of the vehicle, and in the rear position the headrest (206) faces towards the rear side of the vehicle.
[0025] The technical advantages of the seat assembly (100) for seating in a trunk area of the vehicle are as follows. Allows passengers to sit comfortably in the trunk area of the vehicle facing at the rear side of the vehicle, thereby providing a wider unobstructed view when a tail gate of the vehicle is opened. Easy to set up with minimal assembly requirements. Provides a safe and private seating area for the passengers to enjoy camping and leisure activities.
[0026] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, Claims:We claim:
1. A seat assembly (100) for seating in a trunk area (10) of a vehicle, said seat assembly (100) comprising:
a backrest portion (102) defined by a rear surface (202B) of a seatback (202) of at least one seat (200) provided in a rear portion of the vehicle, said seatback (202) configured to pivot frontwards towards a seating part (204) of said at least one seat (200);
a locking assembly (104) configured to securely hold said seatback (202) in a frontward position; and
a seating portion (106) defined by a floor (12) of the trunk area (10) of the vehicle.

2. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in said frontward position, said seatback (202) of said at least one seat (200) is adapted to incline towards the seating part (204) of said at least one seat (200), thereby providing a backward inclination to said backrest portion (102) of said seat assembly (100), wherein said seat assembly (100) is adapted to provide seating which allows at least one passenger to sit facing towards a rear side of the vehicle.

3. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking assembly (104) comprises:
at least one first securing member (104A) provided on said seatback (202) of said at least one seat (200);
at least one second securing member (104B) provided on a wall (10W) of a body of the vehicle, near the trunk area (10); and
at least one connecting member (104C) adapted to be connected with said first securing member (104A) and said securing member (104B),
wherein,
said at least one connecting member (104C) is configured to securely hold said seatback (202) in the frontward position when said connecting member (104C) is connected with said first securing member (104A) and said second securing member (104B).

4. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at least one first securing member (104A) is a headrest rod (206R) connecting a headrest (206) of said at least one seat (200) with said seatback (202) of said at least one seat (200).

5. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at least one second securing member (104B) is a striker loop plate.

6. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein said second securing member (104B) is adapted to lock said seatback (202) in an initial position, wherein in the initial position the seatback (202) is positioned upright with respect to the seating part (204) of said at least one seat (200).

7. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said connecting member (104C) comprises:
a flexible strap (104S); and
a locking member (104 H) connected at each end of said flexible strap (104S), said locking member (104H) configured to secure said flexible strap (104S) with said at least one first securing member (104A) and said at least one second securing member (104B).

8. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said locking member (104H) comprises a locking hook.

9. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said seat assembly (100) comprises:
at least one backrest cushion (108) adapted to be connected with said backrest portion (102) of the seat assembly (100);
at least one seat cushion (110) adapted to be placed on the floor (12) of the trunk area (10).

10. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said seat assembly (100) includes a headrest portion comprising a headrest (206) of said at least one seat (200), wherein said headrest (206) of said at least one seat (200) is configured to be displaced from a front initial position to a rear position, wherein in the front initial position the headrest (206) faces towards a front side of the vehicle, and in the rear position the headrest (206) faces towards the rear side of the vehicle.

11. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said locking assembly (104) is configured to securely hold said seatback (202) of said at least one seat (200) at an angle ranging from 30 to 40 degrees from a perpendicular axis, in the frontward position.