TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a rear seat hinge mounting bracket to couple rear seat frame with the vehicle body. The rear seat hinge mounting bracket is mounted on vehicle to avoid generation of noise due to unnecessary vibration of the seat frame while vehicle in dynamic mode.

BACKGROUND
[0002] The comfort of passengers in a vehicle, to a very great extent, depends on the seat assembly. The seat assembly primarily includes a seat cushion and a seat back. The seat cushion is directly mounted on a cushion frame fixed on the vehicle floor and the seat back is usually oriented in an inclined or vertical position. Generally, the seat back has a back frame which is attached to the vehicle side body. The upper end of the back frame is generally attached to the vehicle side body at an upper portion (latch point) and the lower end of the back frame is attached to the vehicle side body at a bottom portion (hinge point).
[0003] Referring to Figure 1a illustrating the arrangement of back frame on the vehicle side body in accordance with the existing art. The upper end 101 of the back frame is attached to the vehicle side body (side body inner quarter) at upper portion. At the upper portion a latch mounting 102 is provided to accommodate upper end 101 of the back frame (not shown) which is in the form of a striker. This latch mounting 102 tightly holds the striker, such that, the striker is locked in the latch mounting 102. This point of locking of the striker in the latch mounting is referred as latching point (shown as B). The lower end 103 of the back frame is attached to the vehicle side body in lower portion. In the lower portion a rear seat hinge mounting bracket 104 is provided to accommodate lower end 103 of the back frame through a bush. The bush holds the lower end 103 of the back frame, such that, the bush and the rear seat hinge mounting bracket 104 act as a hinge. This point of resting of the lower end 103 of the back frame by bush provided in the rear seat hinge bracket is referred as hinge point (shown as A).
[0004] Referring to Figure 1b illustrating the rear seat hinge mounting bracket 104 in accordance with the existing art. The rear seat hinge mounting bracket 104 includes a base portion 105 and a platform 106 elevating from the base portion 105. The base portion 105 rests on the vehicle side body in the lower portion. A cut-out 107 is provided for installation of the bush to accommodate lower end 103 of the seat frame. The cut-out 107 primarily includes a passage portion 107a, a guiding portion 107b and a resting portion 107c. The bush is introduced into the cut-out through the passage portion 107a. The width of the passage portion 107a is made more than the diameter of the bush for easy introduction of bush into the cut-out during installation. The guiding portion 107b is provided to guide the bush inside the cut-out towards the resting portion 107c. The contour of the guiding portion 107b is maintained slanting downwards towards the resting portion 107c. The resting portion 107c is provided to hold the bush inside the cut-out. The contour of the resting portion 107c is U-shaped to provide resting surface to the bush. Further, angle of the contour of the resting portion 107c is maintained identical with the guiding portion 107b. The overall angle of contour of the resting portion 107c and the guiding portion 107b are maintained in the direction of the striker in the latching point.
[0005] The dimensions of the upper end 101 of the back frame which is in the form of striker is designed so that it matches the dimensions of the latch mounting. Generally, due to the limitations in the manufacturing process, the dimensions are not accurate as required. Accordingly, the latch mounting is designed, so that, it can work with some level of tolerance in the dimensions of the striker. Within this tolerance limit, the striker is immovably locked at the latching point in the latch mounting.
[0006] Similarly, the dimensions of the bush are designed so that it matches the dimensions of the resting portion 107c of the cut-out of the rear seat hinge bracket 104. Generally, due to the limitations in the manufacturing process, the dimensions of the bush and the resting portion 107c of the cut-out are not accurate as required. Due to the structural attributes of the cut-out and the bush, the tolerances may result in movement of bush inside the resting portion 107c due to the formation of gap between the surface of bush and the resting portion 107c. This movement is in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the angle of contour of the resting portion 107c and the guiding portion 107b. During movement of the vehicle (in dynamic mode), this movement of the bush inside the cut-out of the rear seat hinge mounting bracket 104 generates noise and become cause of discomfort to the passengers sitting on the rear seat.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for change in shape of a rear seat hinge mounting bracket which could work with some level of tolerance in the dimensions of the bush and the resting portion of the cut-out of the rear seat hinge mounting bracket.

SUMMARY
[0008] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a rear seat mounting hinge bracket to avoid generation of noise due to unnecessary movement of the bush inside the cut-out of the rear seat hinge bracket when the vehicle is in dynamic mode. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0009] The present disclosure discloses a rear seat hinge mounting bracket according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The rear seat hinge mounting bracket includes a base and a platform elevating from the base portion. The platform is provided with a cut-out for installation of a bush to accommodate lower end of seat frame. The cut-out includes a passage portion, a guiding portion and a resting portion. The passage portion is provided to introduce the bush into the cut-out. The guiding portion is provided to guide the bush, introduced from the passage portion, inside the cut-out. The guiding portion has contour slanting downwards. The resting portion is provided to hold the bush inside the cut-out. Further, angle of contour of the resting portion is identical with the angle of the contour of the guiding portion. A snap fit mechanism is provided in the guiding portion to restrict the movement of the bush inside the resting portion.
[0010] In an aspect, the snap fit mechanism comprises a recess and a flexible cantilever. The recess is provided on the guiding portion of the cut-out. The upper end of the flexible cantilever is attached to the upper part of the recess and the lower end of the flexible cantilever is free. The flexible cantilever is adapted to move inside the recess in stress condition and come out of the recess in release condition.
[0011] In an aspect, lower end of the flexible cantilever presses the top surface of the bush against resting portion of the cut-out in release condition.
[0012] In an aspect, the dimensions of the passage portion are kept more than the dimensions of the bush for easy introduction of bush into the cut-out of the rear seat hinge mounting bracket.
[0013] In an aspect, the angle of contour of the guiding portion and the resting portion are maintained in the direction of the striker in the latching point.
[0014] In an aspect, dimensions of the resting portion are kept in conformity with the dimensions of the bush.
[0015] In an aspect, dimensions of the guiding portion are kept more than the dimensions of the bush for unobstructed maneuver of the bush from the passage portion to the resting portion.
[0016] In an aspect, contour of the resting portion is kept identical to the contour of the surface of the bush resting over the resting portion.
[0017] To further understand the characteristics and technical contents of the present subject matter, a description relating thereto will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings are illustrative only but not used to limit the scope of the present subject matter.
[0018] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0019] The illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of the rear seat hinge mounting bracket that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1a illustrates the arrangement of back frame on the vehicle side body in accordance with the existing art;
[0021] FIG. 1b illustrates the rear seat hinge bracket in accordance with the existing art;
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary rear seat hinge mounting bracket that can be utilized to implement an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 3a illustrates flexible cantilever of the rear seat hinge mounting bracket, in stress condition during installation, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; and
[0024] FIG. 3b illustrates flexible cantilever of the rear seat hinge mounting bracket, in release condition during installation, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0025] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] A few aspects of the present disclosure are explained in detail below with reference to the various figures. Example implementations are described to illustrate the disclosed subject matter, not to limit its scope, which is defined by the claims. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize a number of equivalent variations of the various features provided in the description that follows.
Definitions
[0027] In the disclosure hereinafter, one or more terms are used to describe various aspects of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, a few definitions are provided herein for better understating of the present disclosure.
[0028] “Contour” is defined as an outline representing boundary of various portions of the cut-out present in the rear seat hinge bracket.
[0029] “Angle of Contour” may be defined as an angle made by the boundary of various portion of the cut-out present in the rear seat hinge mounting bracket with an imaginary horizontal line.
[0030] “Latching Point” may be defined as point of locking of the striker in the latch mounting.
[0031] “Hinge Point” may be defined as point of resting of the lower end of the back frame by bush provided in the bracket.
[0032] “Dynamic Mode” may be defined as when the vehicle is in motion and the rear seat is unoccupied.
[0033] “Stress Condition” may be defined as the condition when the bush is travelling over the flexible cantilever of the snap mechanism.
[0034] “Release Condition” may be defined as the condition when the bush is in the resting portion after moving over the flexible cantilever of the snap mechanism. In the release condition, the flexible cantilever faces a reaction from the bush, which is minimal.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0035] While the present disclosure may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. Not all of the depicted components described in this disclosure may be required, however, and some implementations may include additional, different, or fewer components from those expressly described in this disclosure. Variations in the arrangement and type of the components may be made without departing from the scope of the claims as set forth herein.
[0036] In a conventional rear seat assembly, seat cushion part is attached to the vehicle floor and seat back part is attached to vehicle side body through a back frame. The back frame is attached to the vehicle side body at an upper portion and a lower portion. Upper end of the back frame is attached to a latch mounting provided on upper portion and lower end of the back frame is attached to a rear seat hinge mounting bracket.
[0037] The lower end of the back frame is not directly attached to the rear seat hinge mounting bracket. Instead, a bush which is part of the lower end of the back frame is installed in the rear seat hinge mounting bracket to accommodate the back frame. A cut-out is provided in the rear seat hinge mounting bracket to make the overall installation of the bush effortless. Further, the dimensions of the cut-out are designed in conformity with the dimensions of the bush for secure installation.
[0038] However, due to limitations in manufacturing process, often the dimensions of the cut-out or the bush are not as accurate as required. The difference in the dimensions of the cut-out or the bush may result in formation of gap between the surface of bush and the edge of cut-out. During movement of the vehicle (in dynamic mode), this movement of the bush inside the cut-out of the bracket generates noise and become cause of discomfort to the passengers sitting on the rear seat.
[0039] To solve the problem, a rear seat hinge mounting bracket is required which can eliminate the noise generate due to unnecessary movement of the bush inside the cut-out provided in the rear seat hinge mounting bracket.
[0040] In order to achieve this goal of elimination of noise, a rear seat hinge mounting bracket may be utilized. The features of the rear seat hinge bracket are described in more detail below.
[0041] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear seat hinge mounting bracket that can be utilized to implement one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The rear seat hinge bracket 200 comprises a base portion 201 and a platform 202 elevating from the base portion 201. The base portion 201 rests in the lower portion of the vehicle side body. In an aspect, the base portion 201 is welded on the lower portion of the vehicle side body. The platform 202 which elevates from the base portion 201 has a flat outer face. A cut-out 203 is provided on the flat outer face of the platform 202. During installation of the seat frame, the lower end of the seat frame is attached with a bush (not shown). The cut-out 203 facilitates the installation of the bush to accommodate lower end 103 of the seat frame.
[0042] The cut-out 203 provided on the flat outer face of the platform 202 comprises a passage portion 203a, a guiding portion 203b and a resting portion 203c. The bush is introduced into the cut-out 203 through the passage portion 203a. The dimensions of the passage portion 203a are kept more than the dimensions of the bush for easy introduction of bush into the cut-out during installation. The guiding portion 203b is provided to guide the bush 204 inside the cut-out towards the resting portion 203c. The contour of the guiding portion 203b is maintained slanting downwards towards the resting portion 203c. The dimensions of the guiding portion 203b are kept more than the dimensions of the bush for unobstructed maneuver of the bush from the passage portion 203a to the resting portion 203c. The resting portion 203c is provided to hold the bush inside the cut-out 203. The contour of the resting portion 203c is kept identical to the contour of the surface of the bush resting over the resting portion 203c. Further, angle of the contour of the resting portion 203c is maintained identical with the angle of the contour of the guiding portion 203b. The overall angle of contour of the resting portion 203c and the guiding portion 203b are maintained in the direction of the striker in the latching point. The dimensions of the resting portion 203c is made in conformity with the dimensions of the bush.
[0043] In an aspect, the bush has circular contour and the contour of the resting portion 203c is C-shaped to hold the bush having circular contour. Further, the width of the passage portion 203a is kept more than the diameter of the bush of circular contour. Furthermore, width of the guiding portion 203b is kept more than the diameter of the bush of circular contour. The width of the passage portion 203a and the guiding portion 203b are kept more for easy maneuver of bush inside the cut-out towards the resting portion 203c. In addition to this bush may have cover over it.
[0044] To restrict the movement of the bush inside the resting portion 203c, a snap fit mechanism 205 is provided in the guiding portion 203b. The snap fit mechanism 205 comprises a recess 205a and a flexible cantilever 205b. The recess 205a is provided on the guiding portion 203b of the cut-out 203. The dimensions of the recess 205a is kept identical to the dimensions of the flexible cantilever 205b. In an aspect, the length of the recess 205a is identical to the length of the flexible cantilever 205b and the height of the recess 205a is identical to the width of the flexible cantilever 205b. The upper part of the flexible cantilever 205b is fixed to the upper edge of the recess 205a and the lower part of the flexible cantilever 205b is free facilitating the angular movement of the flexible cantilever 205b. The flexible cantilever 205b is adapted to move inside the recess 205a in stress condition and move out of the recess 205a in release condition. In the release condition, the lower end of the flexible cantilever 205b presses on the top surface of the bush resulting in restriction of movement of the bush inside the resting portion 203c.
[0045] Before the installation of the bush into the cut-out 203 of the rear seat hinge bracket 200, trim is installed over the rear seat hinge bracket 200 covering the surface and leaving the cut-out 203 portion.
[0046] A cap is provided to cover the passage portion 203a and the guiding portion 203b after installation of bush. The cap holds the trim and the rear seat hinge bracket 200. In addition, the cap presses the bush 204 in vertical direction resulting in restriction of vertical movement of the bush inside the resting portion 203c.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b illustrating flexible cantilever of the rear seat hinge mounting bracket, in stress condition and release condition during installation, respectively, in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure During installation of the bush 301into the cut-out 203 of the rear seat hinge bracket 200 for fixing of lower end of the back frame, the bush 301is introduced in the cut-out 203 through the passage portion 203a. Since the dimensions of the passage portion is kept more than the dimensions of the bush 301, the bush 301is introduced easily into the cut-out 203 of the rear seat hinge bracket 200. Subsequently, the bush 301 travelled through the guiding portion 203b of the cut-out 203. In the guiding portion 203b, the bush 301 travels over the flexible cantilever 205b (stress condition) forcing the flexible cantilver 205b to move inside the recess 205a. The flexible cantilever 205b comes out (release condition) of the recess 205a as soon as the bush 301 reach the resting portion 203c. In release condition, the lower end of the flexible cantilever 205b presses on the top surface of the bush 301. Since the dimensions of the resting portion 203c is in conformity with the dimensions of the bush 301 and the lower end of the flexible cantilever 205b presses on the top surface of the bush 301, the movement of the bush 301, in X-Y direction and direction normal to the X-Y direction is restricted in the resting portion 203c. Subsequent to installation of bush 301 into the cut-out 203, cap is installed over the cut-out 203 to cover the passage portion 203a and the guiding portion 203b, and press the bush 301i n vertical direction resulting in restriction of vertical movement of the bush 301 inside the resting portion 203c.
[0048] Thus, with the implementation of the rear seat hinge bracket of the present subject matter, it is ensured that there are no unnecessary vibrations or movement of the bush inside the resting portion. Since the movement and vibrations of the bush inside the resting portion of the cut-out is completely restricted, there are no noise generated while dynamic mode.
[0049] The above description does not provide specific details of the manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.
[0050] Further, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0051] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
[0052] It will be appreciated that variants of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

Claims:

We Claim:

1. A rear seat hinge mounting bracket (200) comprising:
a base portion (201);
a platform (202) elevating from the base portion (201) having a cut-out (203) provided for installation of a bush (301) to accommodate lower end of seat frame, the cut-out (203) comprising:
a passage portion (203a) provided for introducing the bush (301) into the cut-out (203);
a guiding portion (203b) provided to guide the bush (301) introduced from the passage portion (203a) inside the cut-out (203), wherein the contour of the guiding portion (203b) is maintained slanting downwards; and
a resting portion (203c) having angle of contour identical with the angle of the contour of the guiding portion (203b) provided to hold the bush (301) inside the cut-out (203), wherein a snap fit mechanism (205) is provided in the guiding portion (203b) to restrict the movement of the bush (301) inside the resting portion (203c).
2. The rear seat hinge mounting bracket (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the snap fit mechanism (205) comprises:
a recess (205a) provided on the guiding portion (203b) of the cut-out (203); and
a flexible cantilever (205b) with upper end fixed to the upper edge of the recess (205a) and the lower end of the flexible cantilever (205b) free adapted to move inside the recess (205a) in stress condition and come out of the recess (205a) in release condition.
3. The rear seat hinge mounting bracket (200) as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein lower end of the flexible cantilever (205b) presses the top surface of the bush (301) against resting portion (203c) of the cut-out (203) in release condition.
4. The rear seat hinge mounting bracket (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the dimensions of the passage portion (203a) are kept more than the dimensions of the bush (301) for easy introduction of bush (301) into the cut-out (203) of the rear seat hinge bracket (200).
5. The rear seat hinge mounting bracket (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the angle of contour of the guiding portion (203b) and the resting portion (203c) are maintained in the direction of the striker in the latching point.
6. The rear seat hinge mounting bracket (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein dimensions of the resting portion (203c) are kept in conformity with the dimensions of the bush (301).
7. The rear seat hinge mounting bracket (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein dimensions of the guiding portion (203b) are kept more than the dimensions of the bush (301) for unobstructed manoeuvre of the bush (301) from the passage portion (203a) to the resting portion (203c).
8. The rear seat hinge mounting bracket (200) as claimed in claim 3, wherein contour of the resting portion (203c) is kept identical to the contour of the surface of the bush (301) resting over the resting portion (203c).