Claims:We claim:

1. A mechanism (10) for securing a seat panel (1) to a vehicle body (8), the mechanism (10) comprising:
a bracket (2) having a first portion (2a) connectable to the seat panel (8) and a second portion (2b) extending substantially perpendicular to the first portion (2a), wherein, the second portion (2b) is defined with a slot (3).
wherein, a draft angle (4) is defined from an end of the second portion (2b) and extending up to a portion of the slot (3); and
a knob (5) connectable to the vehicle body (8), wherein the knob (5) is receivable by the slot (3) and is configured to slide along the draft (4) to position and secure the seat panel (1) to the vehicle body (8).

2. The mechanism (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the draft angle(4) extends till a substantially central portion of the slot (3).

3. The mechanism (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slot (3) is defined in the substantially central region of the second portion (2b) of the bracket (2).

4. The mechanism (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle body (8) comprises a receiving portion to receive the knob (5).

5. The mechanism (10) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the receiving portion is at least one of a threaded nut and a threaded hole defined in the vehicle body (8).

6. The mechanism (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the knob (5) includes a head portion (5a) and a threaded bolt (5b) extending from the head portion (5a).

7. The mechanism (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the knob (5) is aligned with the receiving portion of the vehicle body (8) when the seat panel (1) is in seating position.

8. The mechanism (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the knob (5) is actuatable in a clockwise direction to positively engage the seat panel (1) with the vehicle body (8).

9. The mechanism (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the knob (5) is actuatable in an anticlockwise direction to disengage the seat panel (1) from the vehicle body (8).

10. The mechanism (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the knob (5) when actuated in the clockwise direction along the draft angle (4), the bracket (2) gradually lowers the seat panel (1) and secures it to the vehicle body (8).

11. The mechanism (10) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a polymeric beading (11) provided along a perimeter of the seat panel (1).

12. A vehicle comprising a mechanism (10) as claimed in claim 1.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to vehicles such as commercial vehicles in which engine and other related components are provided below seat panels of the vehicle. Further embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a mechanism for securing a seat panel with the vehicle body.

BACKGROUND

In vehicles such as but not limiting to small commercial vehicles, engine and related components such as Electronic control unit, oil hole and dipstick may be provided under the seat assembly. In order to access the components, the seat panels have to be dismounted/disengaged from the vehicle bodies. Further, when the seat is in closed position, the seat should be positively secured to the vehicle body in order to avoid rattling sound or engine sound entering the cabin. Conventionally, to secure the seat to the vehicle bodies, clamp mechanism may be employed between the seat and the vehicle body such that the seats can be readily and easily engaged and disengaged. The clamps such as but not limiting to toggle clamps may be used for engaging the seat panels with the vehicle body.

Generally, toggle clamps, including a clamping arm which pivots between a released and a clamped positions, are used extensively to hold seat panels securely with vehicle bodies. Toggle clamps may be quickly engaged and disengaged with the seat panels for providing considerable holding capacity and exerting a substantial clamping force to secure the seat panel with the vehicle body.

Further, toggle clamps may be held in the clamped position through a variety of means, including maintaining the force applied to handle or actuating arm of the clamp. These type of clamp mechanisms, may require considerable human efforts, or a power cylinder such as pneumatic or hydraulic to secure the seat panel firmly with the vehicle body. Additionally, various types of releasable latch assemblies have been used to hold toggle clamps in both a clamped, locked position or an unclamped, released position. However, clamps over a period of time may develop locking pressure by passing the links of the toggle clamp through an over centre position. Passing through an over centre position subjects the links and pivot pins to very high loads, resulting in increased wear and potential deformation of the clamp components, thereby reducing the life of the clamp. Further, the vibrations of the vehicles may cause release of the clamp and the clamps may deteriorate over a period of time. This may reduce the positive connectivity while locking of the seat panels with the vehicle body.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or other such relevant limitations associated with conventional mechanisms.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the conventional system are overcome by the assembly as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the provision of assembly as claimed in the present disclosure.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered as a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a mechanism for securing a seat panel to a vehicle body is disclosed. The mechanism includes a bracket having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the bracket is connectable to the seat panel and the second portion extends substantially perpendicular to the first portion. Further, the second portion is defined with a slot. Furthermore, a draft is defined from an end of the second portion which extends up to a portion of the slot defined in the bracket. Also, the mechanism includes a knob that is connectable to the vehicle body. The knob is receivable by the slot and is configured to slide along the draft to position and secure the seat panel to the vehicle body.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the draft extends till a substantially central portion of the slot.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the slot is defined in the central region of the second portion of the bracket.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the vehicle body comprises a receiving portion to receive the knob. The receiving portion is at least one of a threaded nut and a threaded hole that is defined in the vehicle body.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the knob includes a head portion and a threaded bolt extending from the head portion.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the knob is aligned with the receiving portion of the vehicle body when the seat panel is in seating position.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the knob is actuatable in a clockwise direction to positively engage the seat panel with the vehicle body. Also, the knob is actuatable in an anticlockwise direction to disengage the seat panel from the vehicle body.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, the knob when actuated in clockwise direction along the draft portion of the bracket, gradually lowers the seat panel and secures it to the vehicle body.
In an embodiment of the disclosure, a polymeric beading is provided along a perimeter of the seat panel.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

FIG.1 illustrates a pictorial representation of a seat panel secured to a vehicle body using a mechanism, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG.2 illustrates an exploded view of bracket and knob of the mechanism for securing the seat panel to the vehicle body, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGs.3a and 3b illustrates schematic side views of the mechanism of FIG.2 as the knob is actuated to secure the seat panel with the vehicle body, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the assembly illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure.

It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiments disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other mechanism for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent processes do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a mechanism for securing a seat panel to a vehicle body. The mechanism ensures a positive locking between the seat panel and the vehicle body even after long periods of usage. The mechanism also eliminates rattling noise that may be created with the usage of conventional securing mechanisms. Additionally, the mechanism of the present disclosure filters the noise of the engine from reaching the cabin.

The mechanism broadly includes a bracket and a knob. A portion of the bracket is connected firmly to the seat and other portion of the bracket extends vertically the portion of the bracket connected to seat. The bracket may be defined with a slot in the portion extending vertically from the portion connected to the seat panel. Further, a draft angle may be provided on the vertical portion, such that the draft partially coincides with the slot from one end of the bracket. The mechanism further includes a receiving portion which may be defined in the vehicle body. In an embodiment, the receiving portion of the vehicle body may be aligned with the slot defined in the bracket.

In an embodiment, the knob includes a head portion and an extended threaded bolt portion. The threaded bolt portion may be configured to be positioned in the receiving portion of the vehicle body via the slot defined in the bracket. During operation of the mechanism, the threaded bolt portion may be received by the receiving portion of the vehicle body, while the head of knob coincides with the draft of the bracket. As the head of the knob is actuated in a clockwise direction, the extended threaded bolt portion of the knob may enter the receiving portion of the vehicle body. Further, the head of the knob slides along the draft, defined on the bracket. In an embodiment, as the knob slides along the draft to tighten the bracket and thus pull the seat panel connected to the bracket towards surface of the vehicle body. This secures the seat panel firmly with the vehicle body. In one embodiment, a polymeric beading may be provided on perimeter of the seat panel to avoid metal to metal contact between the surfaces of seat panel and the vehicle body. Further, when the seat panel is actuated in anticlockwise direction, the seat panel may be disengaged from the vehicle body and can be moved to an open position.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the specification, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or method. In other words, one or more elements in an assembly proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the assembly.

Henceforth, the present disclosure is explained with the help of one or more figures of exemplary embodiments. However, such exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limitation of the present disclosure. In the figures neither the vehicle nor the seating arrangement is depicted for the purpose of simplicity. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the mechanism may be employed in the seat panel arrangement system of any vehicle including but not limiting to passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and the like.

The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference to FIGS.1-3b. In the figures, same element or elements which have similar functions are indicated by the same reference signs.

In vehicles such as but not limiting to small commercial vehicles, the engine and other related components such as Electronic control unit, oil hole and dipstick may be provided under the seat assembly. In order to access the components, the seat panels have to be dismounted from the vehicle bodies. In an embodiment, the closed position of the seat panel (1) refers to seating position. When the seat panel (1) is in closed position, the seat should be positively locked/secured/engaged to the vehicle body (8) in order to avoid rattling noise or engine noise entering the vehicle cabin. The present disclosure provides a mechanism (10) to overcome one or more limitations stated above.

Referring to FIG.1, it illustrates a pictorial representation of a seat panel (1) secured to a vehicle body (8) with the aid of a mechanism (10) of the present disclosure. The mechanism (10) broadly includes a bracket (2) and a knob (5) that may be used to secure the seat panel (1) to the vehicle body (8). The mechanism (10) positively engages the seat panel (1) with the vehicle body (8). It is important to firmly secure the seat panel (1) to the vehicle body (8) in order to avoid discomfort/inconvenience to the user in the cabin of the vehicle. The inconvenience may be caused due to the rattling noise caused by metal to metal contact or engine noise entering the cabin etc which may occurs due to improper locking of seat panel (1) with the vehicle body (8). Further, the mechanism (10) also includes a polymeric beading (11) which may be positioned along the perimeter of the seat panel (1) which avoids metal to metal contact, thereby assisting in reducing the rattling sound to an extent. Referring to FIG.2 in conjunction with FIG.1, it illustrates an exploded view of the bracket (2) and the knob (5) which forms part of the mechanism (10) for securing the seat panel (1) to the vehicle body (8). In an embodiment, the bracket (2) as shown in FIG.2 may include a first portion (2a) and a second portion (2b). In an embodiment, the first portion (2a) and the second portion (2b) may be casted as a single part and in another embodiment, the first portion (2a) and the second portion (2b) may be cast as separate parts and thermally joined with each other. As shown in FIG.1, the first portion (2a) of the bracket (2) may be firmly connected to the seat panel (1). In an embodiment, the first portion (2a) of the bracket (2) may be connected to the seat panel (1) either by mechanical joining process or by thermal joining process, such as but not limiting to welding or fastening. In an embodiment, the second portion (2b) of the bracket (2) may be defined with a slot (3) as shown in FIG.2. In an embodiment, the slot (3) may be defined at a substantially central region of the second portion (2b) of the bracket (2), however, the slot (3) may be defined at regions other than the central region and the same should not be construed as a limitation to the present disclosure. Further, the bracket (2) is defined with a draft angle (4) from one end of the second portion (2b) of the bracket (2). Herein above and below, draft angle (4) and draft (4) may be interchangeably used. In an embodiment, the draft (4) may be thick at the end of the second portion (2b) and gradually tapers as it extends towards the substantially central region of the slot (4) in the second portion (2b). In an embodiment, the shape of the brackets may be any one of but not limiting to “L” shape. The knob (5) may include a head portion (5a) and a threaded bolt portion (5b) extending from the head portion (5a). In an embodiment the head portion (5a) of the knob (5) may be made of materials such as but not limiting to hard plastics or ceramics or metals. Also, the extended threaded bolt portion (5b) may be made of materials such as but not limiting to alloys or ferrous materials.

Once the first portion (2a) of the bracket (2) is connected or secured to the seat panel (1) by at least one of the above-mentioned securing process, the seat panel (1) may be positioned over the vehicle body (8) [best shown in FIG.1]. In an embodiment, a side (1a) of the seat panel (1) may form a hinged joint with vehicle body (8). The seat panel (1) may be hinged to the vehicle body (8) on the side (1a) opposite to the side (1b) of the seat panel (1) where the bracket (2) may be secured. The hinged portion of the seat panel (1) ensures that one end of the seat panel (1) is always fixed to the vehicle body (8) and also facilitates opening and closing of the seat panel (1) with respect to vehicle body (8). Once the seat panel (1) may be positioned entirely on the vehicle body (8) i.e., when the seat panel (1) is closed completely, the slot (3) in the second portion (2b) of the bracket (2) coincides or aligns with a receiving portion [not shown] defined in the vehicle body (8). In an embodiment, the receiving portion may be a threaded nut configured to receive the threaded bolt portion (5b) of the knob (5).

Referring back to FIG.1, the mechanism may include a polymeric beading (11) provisioned along perimeter of the seat panel (1) on the side facing the vehicle body (8). The polymeric beading (11) ensures that there is no metal to metal contact when the seat panel (11) is completely positioned onto the vehicle body (8). Further, the slot (3) on the second portion (2b) of the bracket (2) coincides with the receiving portion of the vehicle body (8) such that the knob (5) may be accommodated in the receiving portion via the slot (3). The knob (5) consisting of the threaded bolt portion (5b) extending from the head portion (5a) may be positioned in the receiving portion. When the knob (5) is positioned in the receiving portion, the head (5a) of the knob (5a) contacts the draft (4) on the second portion (2b) of the bracket (2). Further, the threaded bolt portion (5b) of the knob (5) may be received by the receiving portion such that the extended threaded bolt (5b) may ingress into the receiving portion. In an embodiment, the receiving portion may be at least one of but not limiting to a threaded nut or a threaded hole.

In the present disclosure, the positive engagement of the seat panel (1) with the vehicle body (8) reduces the flow of heat from the engine compartment to the cabin compartment.

Referring now to FIG.3a and FIG.3b, in operation, when the seat panel (1) is engaged with the vehicle body (8), the slot (3) in the bracket (2) may coincide with the receiving portion defined in the vehicle body (8). The extended threaded bolt (5b) of the knob (5) may then be ingressed into to the receiving portion of the vehicle body (8) through the slot (3). At this moment, the head (5a) of the knob (5) may contact the draft (4) of the bracket (2) [best shown in FIG.3a]. Further, the knob (5) may be rotated/actuated clockwise into the receiving portion of the vehicle body (8). When the knob (5) is actuated in the clockwise direction, the knob (5) slides along the draft (4) and into the receiving portion as shown by arrow (9a) in FIG.3a. As the knob (5) is actuated into the receiving portion, the sliding motion of the knob (5) over the draft (4) triggers the downward motion of the bracket (2) as shown by arrow (9b) [best shown in FIG.3b]. The downward motion of the bracket (2) simultaneously pulls down the seat panel (1) towards the vehicle body (8), thereby positively securing the seat panel (1) with the vehicle body (8). In an embodiment, the beading (11) provided on the seat panel (1) gets compressed [best shown in FIG.3b], as the seat panel (1) is being pulled down towards the vehicle body (8) due to the downward motion of the bracket (2). Further, when the knob (5) is completely actuated into the receiving portion, the head (5a) of the knob (5) may no longer coincide with the draft (4) as shown in FIG.3b. The surface of the head (5a) facing the bracket (2) may now be in contact with a flat surface (2c) of the bracket (2) of the second portion (2b). The head (5a) of the knob (5) restricts further movement of the bracket (2) as there is no further provision for the knob (5) to slide along the bracket (2) and hence, it firmly secures the bracket (2) against the vehicle body (8). In an embodiment, when the seat panel (1) has to be disengaged from the vehicle body (8), the knob (5) may be actuated in an anticlockwise direction. When the knob (5) is actuated in the anticlockwise direction, the compressed beading (11) [shown in FIG.3b] may expand and pushes the seat panel (1) upwards (i.e., due to the relaxation of compressive forces in the beading (11)). The seat panel (1), when pushed up by the compressed beading (11), the bracket (2) simultaneously moves in an upward direction thus disengaging the seat panel (1) from the vehicle body (8). The seat panel (1) may then be moved to the open position from the closed position. The open position of the seat panel (1) provides access for the user to the engine components to perform maintenance work.

The mechanism (10) of the present disclosure offers advantages including positive locking of the seat panel (1) with the vehicle body (8). The mechanism (10) assists in reduction of engine sound and heat entering the vehicle cabin. Also, force required by the user to lock and unlock the seat panel (1) with the mechanism (10) of the present disclosure is minimal unlike the conventional toggle clamps which require more human effort to lock or unlock. Further, the mechanism (10) of the present disclosure reduces the rattling noise.

Equivalents

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding the description may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated in the description

Referral Numerals:

Description Reference Number
Mechanism 10
Seat panel 1
Bracket 2
First portion of the bracket 2a
Second portion of the bracket 2b
Flat surface on the bracket 2c
Slot 3
Draft 4
Knob 5
Receiving portion 6
Beading 11
Vehicle body 8
Arrow depicting sliding of knob against the draft 9a
Arrow depicting movement of bracket to secure the seat panel with the vehicle body 9b