This invention relates to a driver seat assembly for an agricultural vehicle.

The known driver seats for agricultural vehicles consist of a variety of distinct mechanical structure designs/seat models to accommodate different Seat Index Point (SIP) in vertical and horizontal directions on different vehicles by the same manufacturer or different manufacturers as illustrated in FIG.1. This also leads to different suspension travel values and various formed plate designs for fixing the seat on the vehicle base.

In order to avoid this drawback, there have been proposed several mechanical structure designs/seat models in which each seat assembly is supplied with a different seat structure. The known current driver seat mechanical structure assembly configuration consists of three separate parts, namely, base plate, triangular reinforcement plate and top guide bracket which are fixed together with welding. Due to this configuration separate mechanical structure assemblies are required for achieving different Seat Index Point (SIP) values. This is highly undesirable for driver seat manufacturers since it leads to enormous part variety and different mechanical structure assembly/seat models specific to each manufacturer which results in great cost in manufacture.

This invention relates to driver seat assembly and more particularly to single mechanical structure assembly as shown in the drawings to be used along with seat 11 and back 12. The seat 11 and back 12 have an outer skin to cover a cushion body arranged on a bottom plate. The single mechanical structure assembly has minimum two provisions for adjustment in vertical and horizontal directions to achieve different Seat Index Point (SIP) value 13. This single mechanical structure assembly shall also have minimum two provisions for stopper position adjustment to facilitate different suspension stroke values in vertical direction.

The novel features of this invention are:

• Single mechanical seat structure assembly that can be used on different vehicles by the same manufacturer or different manufacturers.

• Integral one-piece formed plate.

• Vertical adjustment provision with minimum 2 adjustments in Integral one-piece formed plate for fixing the top guide bracket.

• Horizontal adjustment provision with minimum 2 fixing points in Integral one-piece formed plate with for fixing on different vehicle base by same manufacturer or different manufacturers.

• No special welding to join base plate with triangular reinforcement plate required since it is Integral one-piece formed.

• No special welding to join triangular reinforcement plate with top guide bracket since they are fixed by other joining methods.

• Minimum 2 adjustments in top guide bracket for stopper to accommodate different suspension travel values.

This invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings below which illustrate by way of example, and not by way of limitation, its possible embodiments.

The drawings show the single mechanical structure assembly 14 to be used along with seat 11 and back 12 in an agricultural vehicle for driver seating. It also consists of mechanical suspension and hydraulic shock absorber 15. The knob 7 can be adjusted to accommodate any driver weight between 50 and 120 kg.

The drawings show the seat 11 and back 12 which are both contoured with relief 11a and 12a for extended freedom of movement for the driver in vehicle driving condition. The suspension travel is achieved by restricting the movement of plastic part 5 hinged on L shape plate 3 inside top guide bracket 2 at top and bottom positions with stopper 18.

The integral formed plate 1 has minimum of two openings 8 to facilitate adjustment and fixing 6 of top guide bracket 2 at different predefined dimensions. The integral formed plate 1 has minimum of two openings 1a1 and 1a2 facilitate fixing it on vehicle base 19 with fixing points 19a and 19b. The top guide bracket 2 has minimum of two openings 9 at top and bottom positions to facilitate adjustment and fixing stopper 18 at different predefined dimensions. By configuring predefined positions of top guide bracket 2 with integral formed plate 1 and fixing stopper 18 at top and bottom positions each along with integral formed plate 1 fixing with openings 1a1 or 1a2 on vehicle base19 with fixing points 19a and 19b the different Seat Index Point (SIP) value 13 and suspension travel can be achieved in vertical and horizontal direction.

The drawings illustrate an integral formed plate 1 in which Face A and Face B are placed at 90 degree. It has enhanced structural strength with reinforcement pattern given on Face A and Face B respectively and also at intersection plane of Face A and Face B through minimum one corner embossing 1a3 that is symmetric on LH & RH side along longitudinal centre plane of mechanical structure assembly; without special welding of Face A and Face B. It also has minimum two openings 1a1 and 1a2 to facilitate horizontal adjustment while fixing of integral formed plate 1 on vehicle base 19 using fixing points 19a and 19b.

The drawings illustrate L shape plate 3 with minimum of two openings 3a and 3b for fixing seat 11 and back 12. For damper 15 mounting at eyelet it has integrated bracket 3c and openings 3d for fixing spring mounting bracket 21 at predetermined dimensions with fixing joint 19 other than welding. To facilitate easy replacement of seat 11 the bracket 20 which is fixed with L shape plate 3 consists of minimum of two openings 3b which are symmetric on LH & RH side along longitudinal centre plane of mechanical structure assembly.

It will be appreciated that various other embodiments of this invention are possible without departing from its scope and ambit

We Claim:

1 A driver seat assembly for an agricultural vehicle comprising single mechanical structure provided with seat and back having an outer skin to cover a cushion body arranged on a bottom plate; means for. adjustment of the seat in vertical and horizontal direction; means for adjustment of stopper position for facilitating different suspension stroke values in vertical direction; mechanical suspension and hydraulic shock absorber; a knob for adjustment of driver weight;

2 A driver seat assembly as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the said seat and back are both contoured with relief for extended freedom of movement for the
driver while driving.

3 A driver seat assembly as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein an integral formed plate has two faces placed at 90 degree, providing enhanced structural strength with reinforcement pattern given on the faces and also at intersection plane of the said faces by corner embossing.

4 A driver seat assembly for an agricultural vehicle substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings