Claims:We Claim:
1. A mechanism 100 for anchoring and articulating a seat assembly 200 of a vehicle interior (not shown), wherein the mechanism 100 comprising:
an articulation unit 20 having a pivot shaft 22, the pivot shaft 22 is mounted on a front portion 200b of the seat assembly 200 and the articulating unit 20 comprises a rotating member 24 is pivotally arranged on the pivot shaft 22 for enabling swivelable movements of the seat assembly 200 around an axis 22b of the pivot shaft 22 between a first position 100a and one or more second positions 100b or 100c; and
an anchoring unit 40 arranged on the rotating member 24 for anchoring the rotating member 24, thereby anchoring the seat assembly 200 at the first position 100a or at the one or more second position 100b or 100c.

2. The mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anchoring unit 40 comprising:
a static unit 42 mounted on the front portion 200b of the seat assembly 200, the static unit 42 is having an engaging member 44 arranged therein; and
a flange 46 coaxially arranged on the rotating 24, the flange 46 includes two or more cavities 46a, 46b, 46c & 46d configured thereon,
wherein the engaging member 44 is adapted to engage with a cavity 46a or 46b or 46c of the cavities 46a, 46b & 46c for anchoring the seat assembly 200 in the first position 100a or the second position 100b or 100c

3. The mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 2, the engaging member 44 is operated by an operating member 47 connected therewith, the operating member 47 arranged on the static unit 42, and upon operating the operating member 47, the engaging member 44 disengages from the cavity 46a or 46b or 46c, thereby un-anchors the seat assembly 200 for enabling swivelable movements of the seat assembly 200 around the axis 22b of the pivot shaft 22 between the first position 100a and the second position 100b.

4. The mechanism 110 as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anchoring unit 40a comprising:
a static unit 42a mounted on the vehicle interior, and the static unit 42a is having a flange 46 arranged thereon, the flange 46 is projecting towards the seat assembly 200, the flange 46 is having two or more cavities 46a, 46b, 46c & 46d configured thereon
an engaging member 44a arranged with the seat assembly 200 at the front portion 200b,
wherein the engaging member 44a is adapted to engage with a cavity 46a or 46b or 46c of the cavities 46a, 46b, 46c & 46d of the flange 46 for anchoring the seat assembly 200 in the first position 100a or the second position 100b or 100c.

5. The mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 4, the engaging member 44a is operated by an operating member 47a connected therewith, the operating member 47a is arranged on the seat assembly 200, and upon operating the operating member 47a, the engaging member 44 disengages from the cavity 46a or 46b or 46c or 46d, thereby unanchors the seat assembly 200 for enabling swivelable movements of the seat assembly 200 around the axis 22b of the pivot shaft 22 between the first position 100a and the second position 100b.

6. The mechanism 100 as claimed in claims 2 & 4, wherein the flange 46 is configured in a circular shape and the cavities 46a, 46b, 46c & 46d are peripherally configured on the flange 46.

7. The mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 2, 4 &6, wherein the cavities 46a, 46b, 46c & 46d are holes or pockets or the cavity 46a or 46b or 46c or 46d is a slot or a slit.

8. The mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 1, the anchoring unit is having a recliner unit 70 for enabling pivotal movements of the rotating member 24 and the pivot shaft 22 with a bracket 22a mounted to the vehicle interior and also anchoring the rotating member 24 and the shaft 22 and thereby the seat assembly 200 at the first position 100a or at one or more second positions 100b or 100c.

9. The mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 8, the recliner unit 70 includes:
a rotating member 24 mounted on the front portion 200b of the seat assembly 200, the rotating member 24 is axially connected to the bracket 22a with a recliner 74 arranged therebetween coaxially;
a spiral spring 76 connected between a first bracket 76a and a second bracket 76b, the first bracket 76a and the second brackets 76b are fixed with respect to the vehicle interior; and
an operating member 47b is arranged with the spiral spring 76, wherein the recliner 74 latches the rotating member 24 to the bracket 22a, thereby anchors the seat assembly 200; and upon operating the operating member 47b, the spiral spring 76 is adapted to release the latch of the recliner 74 with the bracket 22a, thereby unanchoring the seat assembly 200.

10. The mechanism 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cushioning member 250 is arranged on a floor of the vehicle interior, and when the seat assembly 200 is placed on the cushioning member 250 at the first position 100a, the cushioning member 250 provides cushioning effect to the seat assembly 200 and restricts further movements of the seat assembly 200 beyond the first position 100a.
, Description:Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to an anchoring and an articulating mechanism. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mechanism for anchoring and articulating a seat assembly of a vehicle interior.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Generally, vehicles are provided with seat assembly assemblies for accommodating the passengers (occupant). The seat assembly assemblies may include a backrest and a headrest or armrest for providing comforts to the passengers. Presently, foldable and tumble seat assemblies are also provided in the vehicle interiors. The tumble seat assemblies are arranged pivotally at a front portion of the tumble seat assembly.

[0003] Generally, these tumble seat assemblies are anchored at a rear portion of the seat assembly. For configuring anchoring mechanisms at the rear portion, additional space in the vehicle interior is required, and also respective constructive elements are extended from the rear portion of the seat assembly. These mechanism anchors the seat assembly at the rear portion only when the seat assembly is at a deployed position. The deployed position here refers to, a position of the seat assembly when a passenger can sit on the seat assembly.

[0004] Further, when the seat assembly is lifted to a tumble position, the constructive elements extending from the rear portion of the seat assembly may injure the occupants when the occupants are entering into the vehicle.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a mechanism for anchoring and articulating the seat assembly, which overcomes few or all the drawback of the existing prior art.

Objects of the Invention

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for anchoring and articulating a seat assembly of a vehicle interior.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for articulating a seat assembly of a vehicle interior and anchoring the seat assembly at different (various) positions required by an occupant.

[0008] Yet an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for anchoring and articulating a seat assembly of a vehicle interior, which prevents injury to the occupants when the seat assembly is lifted to a tumble position.

[0009] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for anchoring and articulating a seat assembly of a vehicle interior, which is simple in construction and easy in operation.

Summary of the invention

[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided with a mechanism for anchoring and articulating a seat assembly of a vehicle interior. The seat assembly may pivotally be connected to a backrest at a rear portion of the seat assembly. The mechanism may include an articulation unit and an anchoring unit. The articulation unit may be having a pivot shaft mounted on a front portion of the seat assembly. Further, the articulation unit may include a rotating member extending from the seat assembly. The rotating member may be pivotally arranged on the pivot shaft for enabling swivelable movements of the seat assembly around an axis of the pivot shaft between a first position and one or more second positions.

[0011] The anchoring unit may be arranged on the rotating member for anchoring the rotating member, thereby anchoring the seat assembly at the first position or one or more the second positions. Further, a cushioning member is arranged on a floor of the vehicle interior for providing cushioning effect to the seat assembly and restricting further movements of the seat assembly beyond the first position, when the seat assembly is placed on the cushioning member at the first position.

[0012] In an embodiment, the anchoring unit may include a static unit mounted on the vehicle interior. The static unit may be having an engaging member arranged therein. Further, the anchoring unit may include a flange coaxially arranged on the rotating member. The flange may include two or more cavities configured thereon. The flange may be configured in a circular shape. The cavities may be peripherally configured on the flange. In an embodiment, the cavities may be holes or pockets. In an alternative embodiment, the cavity may be a slot or a slit. The engaging member may be adapted to engage with a cavity of the cavities of the flange for anchoring the seat assembly in the first position or the second position.

[0013] Further, the engaging member may be operated by an operating member connected therewith. The operating member may be arranged on the static unit. Upon operating the operating member, the engaging member disengages from the cavity, thereby un-anchors the seat assembly for enabling swivelable movements of the seat assembly around the axis of the pivot shaft between the first position and the second position.

[0014] In one more embodiment, the anchoring unit may include a static unit mounted on the vehicle interior. The static unit may be having a flange arranged thereon. The flange may be projecting towards the seat assembly. The flange may be having two or more cavities configured thereon. Further, the static unit may have an engaging member arranged with the seat assembly at the front portion. The engaging member may be adapted to engage with a cavity of the cavities of the flange for anchoring the seat assembly in the first position or the second position.

[0015] Further, the engaging member may be operated by an operating member connected therewith. The operating member may be arranged on the seat assembly. Upon operating the operating member, the engaging member disengages from the cavity, thereby un-anchors the seat assembly for enabling swivelable movements of the seat assembly around the axis of the pivot shaft between the first position and the second position.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment, the mechanism may be having an anchoring unit comprising a recliner unit. The recliner unit may be enabling pivotal movements of the rotating member, and the pivot shaft with a bracket mounted to the vehicle interior and also anchoring the rotating member and the shaft and thereby the seat assembly at the first position or at one or more second positions. The recliner unit may include a recliner and a spiral spring. In this embodiment, the rotating member may be a tumble bracket mounted on the front portion of the seat assembly. The rotating member may be axially connected to a bracket and on the rotating member with the recliner arranged therebetween coaxially.

[0017] The spiral spring may be connected between a first bracket and a second bracket. The first bracket and the second brackets may be fixed with respect to the vehicle interior. Further, an operating member may be arranged with the spiral spring. The recliner may latch the rotating member to the bracket, thereby anchors the seat assembly. Further upon operating the operating member, the spiral spring may be adapted to release the latch of the recliner with the bracket, thereby unanchoring the seat assembly.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] The advantages and features of the present invention will be understood better with reference to the following detailed description of some embodiments of the impact energy absorber and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which;

[0019] Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of a seat assembly with a mechanism for anchoring and articulating the seat assembly in accordance with the present invention;
[0020] Figure 2 shows another schematic side view of the seat assembly shown in figure 1a;

[0021] Figure 3 shows a schematic top view the anchored seat assembly at a first position with the mechanism shown in figures 1 & 2;

[0022] Figure 4a shows a schematic side view of a seat assembly with an articulating mechanism in figure 3;

[0023] Figure 4b shows another schematic side view with the seat assembly shown in figure 4a at a second position;

[0024] Figure 5a shows a front view of a flange of an anchoring unit of the mechanism shown in figure 3;

[0025] Figure 5b shows a side view of the figure 5a;

[0026] Figure 6 shows another schematic top view of figure 3 with an unanchored seat assembly;

[0027] Figure 7 shows a schematic top view of the unanchored seat assembly shown in figure 6 at another second position;

[0028] Figure 8 shows a schematic top view of the unanchored seat assembly shown in figure 7 at the second position;

[0029] Figure 9 shows a schematic top view of seat assembly shown in figure 8 with an anchored seat assembly;

[0030] Figure 10 shows a schematic top view of an anchored seat assembly at the first position with an alternative embodiment of a mechanism for anchoring and articulating the seat assembly in accordance with the present invention;

[0031] Figure 11a shows a schematic top view of the unanchored seat assembly at the second position with the mechanism shown in figure 10;

[0032] Figure 11b shows a schematic top view of the figure 11a with the anchored seat assembly; and

[0033] Figure 12 shows an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a mechanism for anchoring and articulating the seat assembly in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention
[0034] An embodiment of this invention, illustrating its features, will now be described in detail. The words "comprising, "having, "containing," and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open-ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.

[0035] The terms “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another, and the terms “an” and “a” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

[0036] The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.

[0037] Referring now to figures1, 2 & 3 showing various views of a mechanism 100 for anchoring and articulating a seat assembly 200 of a vehicle interior (not shown) in accordance with the present invention are illustrated. The seat assembly 200 is pivotally connected to a backrest 210 at a rear portion 200a of the seat assembly 200 with a pivotal connection 220 therebetween. The pivotal connection 220 enables swivelling movements of the backrest 210 with the seat assembly 200, as shown in figure 2.
[0038] The mechanism 100 includes an articulation unit 20 and an anchoring unit 40. The articulation unit 20 is having a pivot shaft 22. The pivot shaft 22 is mounted on a front portion 200b of the seat assembly 200 (refer figure 4a and 4b). The front portion 200b here refers to a front portion of the complete (entire) seat assembly 200 not restricted to a specific part of the seat assembly 200. More specifically, the pivot shaft 22 can be mounted on a track (not shown) or a cushion 250 arranged on the vehicle interior. The pivot shaft 22 is mounted to a bracket 22a extending from the vehicle interior. The bracket 22a can be extending from the track or cushion 250.

[0039] Further, the articulation unit 20 includes a rotating member 24 extending from of the seat assembly 200. In an embodiment, the rotating member 24 is a hollow cylindrical member. More specifically, the rotating member 24 is extending from the front portion 200b of the seat assembly. Further, the rotating member 24 is pivotally arranged on the pivot shaft 22. More specifically, the rotating member 24 is coaxially arranged on the pivot shaft 22 (Refer figures 3, 4a &4b) with a pivotal arrangement 26 therebetween. The pivotal arrangement 26 enables swivelable movements of the seat assembly 20 around an axis 22b of the pivot shaft 22 between a first position 100a (shown in figure 4a) and one or more second position 100b (shown in figure 4b) or 100c ( shown in figure 7).

[0040] The first position 100a here refers to a position at which the seat assembly 200 is nearly parallel to the floor. The first position 100a can be called as “a deployed position” of the seat assembly 299. At the first position 100a, a passenger (occupant) can sit on the seat assembly 200. The second position 100b or 100c here refers to a position in which the seat assembly 200 is at an angle (elevated) from the cushion 250. The second position 100b can be called as a tumble position of the seat assembly 200. The seat assembly 200 can be swivelled to the second position 100b or 100c from the first position 100a by pulling the seat assembly 200 away from the first position 100a.

[0041] Further, the cushioning member 250 is arranged on a floor of the vehicle interior. When the seat assembly 200 is placed (rested) on the cushioning member 250 at the first position 100a, the cushioning member 250 provides cushioning effect to the seat assembly 200 and also restricts the further movement of the seat assembly 200 beyond the first position 100a.

[0042] Further, the anchoring unit 40 is arranged on the rotating member 24 for anchoring the rotating member 24, thereby anchoring the seat assembly 200 at the first position 100a (refer figure 4a, 3& 6) or the second position 100b (refer 4b & 8, 9) or another second position 100c (third position) (refer figure 7). In an embodiment, the anchoring unit 40 may be arranged in the articulation unit 20. The anchoring unit 40 includes a static unit 42 mounted on the vehicle interior. The static unit 42 is having an engaging member 44 arranged therein. The anchoring unit 40 includes a flange 46 coaxially arranged on the rotating member 24, as shown in figure 5b. The flange 46 includes two or more cavities 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d configured thereon (refer figure 5a).

[0043] In an embodiment shown in figure 5a, the flange 46 is configured in a circular shape. Further, the cavities 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d are peripherally configured on the flange 46. The cavities 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d are holes or pockets. In an alternative embodiment, the cavity 46a or 46b or 46c or 46d is a slot or a slit. The engaging member 44 is adapted to engage with a cavity 46a or 46b or 46c or 46d of the cavities 46a, 46b, 46c, 46d of the flange 46 for anchoring the seat assembly 200 in the first position 100a (refer figures 4a & 3) or the second position 100b or 100c (refer figures 4b, 7 & 9) In the present embodiment, the engaging member 44 is a plunger. The engaging member 44 is connected to a biasing member 48 for biasing the engaging member 44 towards the flange 46.

[0044] Further, the engaging member 44 is operated by an operating member 47 connected therewith. The operating member 47 is arranged on the static unit 42. Upon operating the operating member 47, the engaging member 44 disengages from the cavity 46a or 46b or 46c or 46d (as shown in figures 6, 7 & 8), thereby un-anchors the seat assembly 200 for enabling swivelable movements of the seat assembly 200 around the axis 22b of the pivot shaft 22 between the first position 100a and the second position 100b. The operating member 47 is accessible to the occupant (user). The occupant can operate the operating member 47 for disengaging the engaging member 44 from the cavity 46a or 46b or 46c or 46d and the seat assembly 200 can be swivelled to the desired position between the first position 100a and the second position 100b by applying an external force on the seat assembly 200.

[0045] Upon removal of the external force from the seat assembly 200 and the operating member 47, the engaging member 44 engages with the respective cavity 46a or 46b or 46c or 46d at a position of the seat assembly 200 with respect to the cushion 250 due to the biasing force of the biasing member 48, thereby anchors the seat assembly 200 at the respective position. It may be obvious to a person skilled in the art to configure geometry, profiles, contours, number of cavities, and dimensions of the flange 46, engaging member 44, cavities 46a, 46b, 46c & 46d of the flange 46 for placing the flange 46 and engaging member 44 with the cavity 46a or 46b or 46c or 46d at respective positions (100a, 100b, 100c). Also, to increase or decrease the number of cavities 46a, 46b, 46c & 46d according to the number of positions 100a, 100b and 100c required to be anchored.

[0046] For example, the seat assembly 200 can be unanchored from the anchored first position 100a (figure 3) by operating the operating member 47. When the operating member 47 is operated, the engaging member 44 disengages from the cavity 46a, and the seat assembly 200 is unanchored at the first position 100a (refer figure 6). The seat assembly 200 can be swivelled to the second position 100b (figure 8) or 100c (figure 7). Upon releasing the operating member 47, the engaging member 44 is engaged with the cavity 46d for anchoring the seat assembly 200 at the second position 100b or 100c (refer figures 7&9). Similarly, the seat assembly 200 can be anchored or un-anchored from various positions according to the occupant by operating the operating member 47.

[0047] Referring now to figures 10, 11a & 11b, various view of an alternative embodiment of a mechanism 110 for anchoring and articulating the seat assembly 200 in accordance with the present invention are illustrated. In the mechanism 110, the anchoring unit 40a of the mechanism 110 includes a static unit 42a mounted on the vehicle interior. The static unit 42a is fixed with respect to the vehicle interior such that the static unit 42a has no relative movement with respect to the vehicle interior. The static unit 42a is having the flange 46 arranged thereon. The flange 46 is projecting towards the seat assembly 200. Further, the static unit 42a is having the engaging member 44a arranged with the seat assembly 200 at the front portion 200b. The engaging member 44a is adapted to engage with the cavity 46a or 46b or 46c or 46d of the cavities 46a, 46b, 46c and 46d of the flange 46 for anchoring the seat assembly 200 in the first position 100a or the second position 100b or 100c

[0048] Further, the engaging member 44a is operated by an operating member 47a connected therewith. The operating member 47a is arranged on the seat assembly 200. Upon operating the operating member 47a, the engaging member 44 disengages from the cavity 46a or 46b or 46c or 46d of the cavities 46a, 46b, 46c and 46d (refer figures 11a and 11b), thereby enabling swivelable movements of the seat assembly 200 around the axis 22b of the pivot shaft 22 between the first position 100a and the second position 100b.

[0049] Referring now to figure 12, an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a mechanism 120 for anchoring and articulating the seat assembly 200 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the mechanism 120 is having an anchoring unit 40b. The anchoring unit 40b is having a recliner unit 70 for enabling pivotal movements the rotating member 24 on the pivot shaft 22 with the bracket 22a (with respect to floor) and also anchoring the rotating member 24 and the shaft 22 and thereby the seat assembly 200 at the first position 100a or at one or more second positions 100b or 100c. In this embodiment, the rotating member 24 is a tumble bracket which is mounted on the seat assembly 200 at the front portion 200b of the seat assembly 200.

[0050] More specifically, the recliner unit 70 includes a recliner 74, a spiral spring 76 and an operating member 47b. The rotating member (tumble bracket) 24 is axially connected to the static bracket 22a. Further, the rotating member (tumble bracket) 24 is arranged (connected) with the recliner 74 such that the reclined 74 will anchor (un-anchor) the rotating member (tumble bracket) 24. The spiral spring 76 is connected between a first bracket 76a and a second bracket 76b. The first bracket 76a and the second brackets 76b are fixed with respect to the vehicle interior. In an embedment, the first bracket 76a is mounted on the bracket 22a and the second bracket 76b is mounted on a frame (not numbered) extending from the cushion 250. The arrangement of the spiral spring 76 with the first bracket 76a and the second brackets 76b keeps the spiral spring 76 at a preloaded condition.

[0051] Further, the operating member 47b is arranged with the spiral spring 76. The recliner 74 latches the rotating member (tumble bracket) 24 to the bracket 22a for latching the rotating member 24 to the bracket 22a, thereby anchors the seat assembly 200 at the first position 200a or two or more second position 100b or 100c. Furthermore, upon operating the operating member 47b, the preloaded spiral spring 76 is adapted to release the latch of the recliner 74 with the bracket 22a, thereby unanchoring the seat assembly 200 from the first position 200a or two or more second position 100b or 100c.

[0052] Therefore, the present invention has the advantage of providing the mechanism 100, 110 & 120 for anchoring and articulating the seat assembly 200 of the vehicle interior. Further, the mechanism 100, 110 & 120 anchors the seat assembly 200 at different (various) positions 100a, 100b & 100c with reference to the cushion 250 according to the requirement of an occupant. Furthermore, the mechanism 100, 110 & 120 reduces injuries to the occupant from constructive elements of the seat assembly 200 when the seat assembly 200 is at the tumble position. Also, the mechanism 100, 110 & 120 is simple in construction and easy in operation.

[0053] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilise the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.