Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A seat assembly (100) for a vehicle (10), comprising:
a cushion member (102);
a base member (104) comprising one or more mounting portion (106), a first surface (108) configured to support the cushion member (102) and a second surface (110) configured to connect with a seat frame (12) of the vehicle (10); and
one or more reinforcement plates (112) disposed onto the first surface (108) of the base member (104) and connecting the seat frame (12) at the one or more mounting portion (106) through one or more fastening member (114, 116), wherein the one or more reinforcement plates (112) are configured to distribute load to a larger area, thereby reducing pressure at the one or more mounting portion (106) of the base member (104).

2. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the base member (104) comprises two mounting portions (106) provided at a front portion (104A) of the base member (104), the mounting portions (104) being one or more through holes (106A, 106B) for accommodating fastening members (114, 116).

3. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein each mounting portion (106) of the base member (104) comprises a central hole (106A) for accommodating a screw (114) to connect the base member (104) with a bracket (118) of the seat frame (12).

4. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more reinforcement plates (112) comprises a screw mounting through hole (112A), the screw mounting through hole (112A) being aligned with the central hole (106A) of the base member (104) for mounting the base member (104) with the seat frame (12).

5. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the screw mounting through hole (112A) is surrounded by a flange (120) having predetermined height and thickness.

6. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more reinforcement plates (112) comprises a first surface (112B) contacting a bottom surface (102A) of the cushion member (102) and a second surface (112C) contacting the first surface (108) of the base member (104).

7. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first surface (112B) comprises a plurality of ribs (122) extending in a longitudinal direction (L1) and a transverse direction (L2), each rib (122) is in predetermined height for increasing surface area of the one or more reinforcement plates (112).

8. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of ribs (122) in the longitudinal direction (L1) and in the transverse direction (L2) form a plurality of gap (G), allowing the cushion member (102) to accommodate inside the gap (G).

9. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more reinforcement plates (112) comprises a plurality of rivet mounting holes (112D), each rivet mounting hole (112D) is provided at each corner of the one or more reinforcement plates (112).

10. The seat assembly (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the one or more reinforcement plates (112) being connected to the base member (104) through rivets (116), each rivet (116) being passed through the rivet mounting hole (112D) in the one or more reinforcement plates (112) and the through hole (106B) in the mounting portion (106) of the base member (104) for connecting the one or more reinforcement plates (112) with the base member (104) of the seat assembly (100).

11. A vehicle (10) comprising:
a frame comprising a pair of long members (18) extending in a vehicle front-rear direction (D1),
a seat frame (12) disposed onto the frame; and
a seat assembly (100) disposed on the seat frame (12), the seat assembly (100) comprising a cushion member (102), a base member (104) comprising one or more mounting portion (106), a first surface (108) configured to support the cushion member (102) and a second surface (110) configured to connect with a seat frame (12) of the vehicle (10); and
one or more reinforcement plates (112) disposed onto the first surface (108) of the base member (104) and connected the seat frame (12) at the one or more mounting portion (106) through one or more fastening member (114, 116), wherein the one or more reinforcement plates (112) being configured to distribute load to a larger area, thereby reducing pressure at the one or more mounting portion (106) of the base member (104).

Dated this 10th Day of December 2021

TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
By their Agent & Attorney

(Nikhil Ranjan)
of Khaitan & Co
Reg No IN-PA-1471
, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

TITLE OF INVENTION
A Seat Assembly for A Vehicle

APPLICANT
TVS MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED, an Indian company, having its address at “Chaitanya”, No.12 Khader Nawaz Khan Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai 600 006, Tamil Nadu, India.

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention generally relates to a vehicle. More particularly relates to a seat assembly for a vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] In conventional passenger three-wheeled seat assembly, mounting is made up of a chipboard, where the chipboard is generally made of recycled material. However, when the chipboard is made with a plastic or a metal material, it will incur additional cost in manufacturing which is not desirable for economical vehicles such as a three-wheeled vehicle and the like. A seat is mounted to a seat frame through the chipboard using screw mounting. However due to this, mounting pressure on the mounting points is higher which results in deformation and breakage of the chipboard.
[003] One way attempted to overcome such deformation and breakage is by providing plastic and metal chipboard. However, the usage of plastic and metal chipboard is not cost efficient.
[004] In yet another attempt, a seat is fully rested on a metal seat frame using a mechanism in which the deformation is negligible. However, in mounting arrangement, where the seat is supported on seat frame brackets on certain points, stress is higher and thus may not be effective.
[005] The aforementioned attempts include one or more limitations. In the present three-wheeled vehicles, the passenger seat can come off / slide off within the desired usage time since the passenger seat base chipboard will get broken at the mounting areas. This causes discomfort for passengers while boarding as well as alighting the vehicle. Also, there are safety concerns surrounding the unexpected sliding off of the seats. This will further lead to customer dissatisfaction.
[006] In one kind of existing seat structure assembly, the seat structure assembly includes a bottom seat frame, a back seat frame, a connecting member, at least one seat belt, and a plurality of load transfer members. The back seat frame is coupled with the bottom seat frame via the connecting member and is configured to provide back support to passengers seated on a seat disposed on the bottom seat frame. The seat belt is connected to the connecting member to secure the passengers on the seat. The plurality of load transfer members is disposed between the back seat frame and the connecting member and is configured to facilitate transfer of load and tension generated due to movement of the passengers during a collision or sudden braking of the vehicle, from the connecting member to the back seat frame.
[007] Thus, there is a need in the art for a seat assembly for a vehicle which could address at least the aforementioned problems and limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[008] In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a seat assembly for a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a cushion member, a base member having one or more mounting portion, a first surface configured to support the cushion member and a second surface configured to connect with a seat frame of the vehicle. The seat assembly further includes one or more reinforcement plates disposed onto the first surface of the base member and connected the seat frame at the one or more mounting portion through one or more fastening member. The one or more reinforcement plates are configured to distribute load to a larger area, thereby reducing pressure at the one or more mounting portion of the base member.
[009] In an embodiment, the base member includes two mounting portions provided at a front portion of the base member. The mounting portions are one or more through holes for accommodating fastening members.
[010] In a further embodiment, each mounting portion of the base member includes a central hole for accommodating a screw to connect the base member with a bracket of the seat frame.
[011] In a further embodiment, the one or more reinforcement plates includes a screw mounting through hole. The screw mounting through hole is aligned with the central hole of the base member for mounting the base member with the seat frame.
[012] In a further embodiment, the screw mounting through hole is surrounded by a flange having predetermined height and thickness.
[013] In a further embodiment, the one or more reinforcement plates includes a first surface contacting a bottom surface of the cushion member and a second surface contacting the first surface of the base member.
[014] In a further embodiment, the first surface includes a plurality of ribs extending in a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction. Each rib is in predetermined height for increasing surface area of the one or more reinforcement plates.
[015] In a further embodiment, the plurality of ribs in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction form a plurality of gap, allowing the cushion member to accommodate inside the gap.
[016] In a further embodiment, the one or more reinforcement plates includes a plurality of rivet mounting holes. Each rivet mounting hole is provided at each corner of the one or more reinforcement plates.
[017] In a further embodiment, the one or more reinforcement plates are connected to the base member through rivets. Each rivet is passed through the rivet mounting hole in the one or more reinforcement plates and the through hole in the mounting portion of the base member for connecting the one or more reinforcement plates with the base member of the seat assembly.
[018] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a frame having a pair of long members extending in a vehicle front-rear direction, a seat frame disposed onto the frame; and a seat assembly disposed on the seat frame. The seat assembly includes a cushion member, a base member having one or more mounting portion, a first surface configured to support the cushion member and a second surface configured to connect with a seat frame of the vehicle. The seat assembly further includes one or more reinforcement plates disposed onto the first surface of the base member and connected the seat frame at the one or more mounting portion through one or more fastening member. The one or more reinforcement plates are configured to distribute load to a larger area, thereby reducing pressure at the one or more mounting portion of the base member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[019] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a three-wheeled vehicle having a seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a top perspective view of a portion of a passenger cabin of the vehicle shown in Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a portion of a passenger cabin of the vehicle shown in Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 illustrates an exploded view of a base member and reinforcement plates of the seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates an assembled view of the base member and the reinforcement plates of the seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 illustrates a top perspective view of the reinforcement plate of the seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 illustrates a top view of the reinforcement plate of the seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 illustrates a bottom view of the reinforcement plate of the seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[020] Various features and embodiments of the present invention here will be discernible from the following further description thereof, set out hereunder. In the ensuing exemplary embodiments, the vehicle is a three-wheeled vehicle. However, it is contemplated that the disclosure in the present invention may be applied to any automobile like a four-wheeled vehicle capable of accommodating the present subject matter without defeating the scope of the present invention.
[021] The present invention relates to a seat assembly for a vehicle, for example a three-wheeled vehicle.
[022] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle 10 having a seat assembly 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The term “vehicle” as used in the present disclosure may include, but not limited to, a “three-wheeled vehicle”. The terms “vehicle” and “three-wheeled vehicle” as used herein are interchangeably used and they are one and the same. However, the term “vehicle” is used in place of the term “three-wheeled vehicle” for brevity.
[023] Referring to Figures 1 - 3, the vehicle 10 includes a frame having a pair of long members 18 extending in a vehicle front-rear direction D1 and a seat frame 12 disposed onto the frame. The vehicle 10 also includes an Internal combustion engine (not shown) or an electric powertrain (not shown) for driving the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 further includes one or more front wheels 14, two or more rear wheels 16. The pair of long members 18 extending in the vehicle front-rear direction D1 are substantially parallel to each other. The frame further includes one or more cross members (not shown) that extend transversely between the pair of long members 18.
[024] The vehicle 10 further includes a steering assembly (not shown) operatively connected to the front wheel 14 and a front suspension (not shown) which is adapted to support the front wheel 14 of the vehicle 104. An upper portion of the front wheel 14 is covered by a front fender 28 which is mounted to a lower portion of the front suspensions at an end of a steering shaft (not shown). The vehicle 10 further includes a handlebar (not shown) which is fixed to an upper bracket (not shown) and can rotate about an axis of the steering shaft to both sides of the vehicle 10.
[025] A front portion of the frame is adapted to support a plurality of body panels to form a driver cabin 20. The driver cabin 20 is adapted to accommodate a driver’s seat (not shown) and the handlebar. The driver cabin 20 includes a pair of headlights 30 on its front face.
[026] The rear wheel 16 of the vehicle 10 is covered by a rear fender 38 that is disposed above the rear wheel 16. The rear wheels 16 are rotated by a driving force of a vehicle powertrain (not shown). The vehicle 10 further includes a passenger cabin 22 which consists of multiple panels, including, but not limited to, side panels, a rear panel with a tail door, a front seat base, middle and rear seat bases. The panels are joined together by spot welding, or any other fabrication method known in the art. The passenger cabin 22 includes a seat assembly 100 for providing a seat for passengers.
[027] Referring now to Figures 4 – 6, it illustrates the seat assembly 100 for the vehicle 10. The seat assembly 100 includes a cushion member 102 providing a cushioning to the seat assembly 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the cushion member 102 may be provided with an upholstery 102’ made of a synthetic leather or resin material. The seat assembly 100 further includes a base member 104 below the cushion member 102. The base member 104 has one or more mounting portion 106, a first surface 108 configured to support the cushion member 102 and a second surface 110 configured to connect with the seat frame 12 of the vehicle 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the base member 104 includes two mounting portions 106 provided at a front portion 104A of the base member 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting portions 106 are one or more through holes 106A, 106B for accommodating fastening members 114, 116. Further, each mounting portion 106 of the base member 104 includes a central hole 106A for accommodating a screw 114 to connect the base member 104 with a bracket 118 (shown in Figure 3) of the seat frame 12.
[028] The seat assembly 100 further includes a one or more reinforcement plates 112. In the illustrated embodiment in Figures 4 - 6, there are two reinforcement plates 112 provided in the seat assembly 100. It should be understood that the number of reinforcement plates 112 as illustrated should not meant to be limiting the scope of the present invention. Further, the two reinforcement plates 112 are of same construction and therefore, only one reinforcement plate 112 has been explained in the present invention for sake of brevity. In an exemplary embodiment, the reinforcement plate 112 is made of a metallic material or a plastic material. However, any other suitable material can be used, for providing stiffness to a joint between the base member 104 and the cushion member 102, and that the reinforcement plate 112 can take a pressure or load on it such that the base member 104 does not break.
[029] Referring to Figures 3, 5 and 6, the reinforcement plate 112 is disposed onto the first surface 108 of the base member 104 and connected with the seat frame 12 at the one or more mounting portion 106 through one or more fastening member 114, 116. The reinforcement plate 112 is configured to distribute load to a larger area, thereby reducing pressure at the one or more mounting portion 106 of the base member 104.
[030] Referring to Figure 7, the reinforcement plate 112 includes a screw mounting through hole 112A. The screw mounting through hole 112A is aligned with the central hole 106A of the base member 104 for mounting the base member 104 with the seat frame 12. Further, the screw mounting through hole 112A is surrounded by a flange 120 having predetermined height and thickness. The height and thickness of the flange 120 will reduce an impact of force that can be exerted continuously by tightening the screw 114.
[031] Referring again to Figure 7 along with Figures 4 and 8, the reinforcement plate 112 includes a first surface 112B contacting a bottom surface 102A of the cushion member 102 and a second surface 112C contacting the first surface 108 of the base member 104. As shown in Figure 8, the first surface 112B includes a plurality of ribs 122 extending in a longitudinal direction L1 and a transverse direction L2. Each rib 122 of the reinforcement plate 112 is in predetermined height for increasing surface area of the reinforcement plate 112. The plurality of ribs 122 in the longitudinal direction L1 and in the transverse direction L2 form a plurality of gap G (shown in Figure 8), allowing the cushion member 102 to accommodate inside the gap G. In other words, the gap G between the ribs 122 will help the cushion member 102 to settle-in without requiring an additional foam to fill a space between the base member 102 and the reinforcement plate 112, if a space is created when the reinforcement plate 112 and the base member 102 are mounted above one another. Therefore, overall height of the seat assembly 100 does not change.
[032] Further, the reinforcement plate 112 includes a plurality of rivet mounting holes 112D. In the illustrated embodiment of Figures 8 and 9, each rivet mounting hole 112D is provided at each corner of the reinforcement plate 112. The reinforcement plate 112 is connected to the base member 104 through rivets 116. Each rivet 116 is passed through the rivet mounting hole 112D in the reinforcement plate 112 and the through hole 106B (shown in Figure 5) in the mounting portion 106 of the base member 104 for connecting the reinforcement plate 112 with the base member 104 of the seat assembly 100.
[033] In an embodiment, around each rivet mounting hole 112D, a predetermined height of the ribs 122 is provided for reducing the impact of force getting transferred to the base member 104 through the rivets 116.
[034] In an embodiment, the number of reinforcement plates 112 can be increased based on a design of a seat mounting and a type of the vehicle, and thus the reinforcement plates 112 can be applied onto any type of seat mounting.
[035] Advantageously, the base member having the reinforcement plate in the present invention distributes the pressure on the mounting points evenly and prevent base member (chipboard) from deformation and damage. The reinforcement plates in the present is designed such that the pressure is distributed to a larger surface area even with small reinforcement plates. Thus, the reinforcement plate increases area of contact to avoid deflection and breakage of the base member / chipboard.
[036] The rivet mounting in the seat assembly is easy to assemble during manufacturing the seat and no error occur. The reinforcement plate can be fitted in the existing seat assembly layout providing a desired benefit of preventing the damage/breakage of the seat assembly. The seat assembly as disclosed in the present invention is durable and there are only minor modifications with a minimum cost.
[037] The rivet mountings provided between the reinforcement plate and the base member increases the point of contact. If the reinforcement plate is fitted only through one screw at centre, then the reinforcement plate may get damaged. Whereas in the present invention, since there are multiple rivet mounting points, the resultant force between the reinforcement plate and the base member is distributed on a bigger area unlike in the prior art where it was at a single point.
[038] The second surface towards the base member/chip board is plane such that the reinforcement plate abuts with the base member nicely and no free gap is left, preventing the damage of the base member.
[039] While the present invention has been described with respect to certain embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.