Claims:We Claim:

1. A seat assembly (10) for a vehicle, comprising:
a portable element (1), defined by a first surface (1a) and a second surface (1b), both the surface (1a, 1b) being opposite to each other,
wherein the portable element (1) comprises an attaching member (2);
a vehicle seat (20) with an engaging member (3) enabling the attaching member (2) to releasably attach the portable element (1) with the vehicle seat (20) in a first configuration (100) and in a second configuration (200) such that the first surface (1a) forms an armrest in the first configuration (100) and the first surface (1a) forms at least a portion of a backrest in the second configuration (200).

2. The seat assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the attaching member (2) has a first attaching member (2a, 15a) arranged on the second surface (1b) of the portable element (1) for configuring the first configuration (100) or second configuration (200) and a second attaching member (2b, 15b) arranged substantially perpendicular to the first attaching member (2a) particularly on a third surface (1c) or on a fourth surface (1d) of the portable element (1) for configuring the second configuration (200) or first configuration (100).

3. The seat assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engaging member (3) has a first engaging member (not shown) arranged on the vehicle seat (20) for configuring the first configuration (100) and a second engaging member (not shown) arranged on the vehicle seat (20) for configuring the second configuration (200).

4. The seat assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first surface (1a) has a softer trim part compared to the second surface (1b) of the portable element (1).

5. The seat assembly (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the engaging member (3) is a hook shaped member secured or integral to a mounting bracket (60) of a backrest frame (70) of the vehicle seat (20) adapted to engage with the attaching member (2) of the portable element (1).

6. The seat assembly (10) as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the attaching member (2) is a slot adapted to engage with the engaging member (3) of the vehicle seat (20) wherein the attaching member (2) is covered by a pivotable covering element (2c) which opens up when the attaching member (2) engages with the engaging member (3).

7. The seat assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the first configuration (100) the portable element (1) is essentially in a horizontal position and in the second configuration (200) the portable element (1) is essentially in a vertical position.

8. The seat assembly (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein in the second configuration (200) the portable element (1) is arranged in a recess (5) of a backrest (21) of the vehicle seat (20).

9. The seat assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first surface (1a) has a cushioning surface and the second surface (1b) is coated with a protective coating material or is covered by plastic cover.

10. The seat assembly (10) as claimed in claim 1 and 9, wherein the portable element (1) is completely released from the vehicle seat (10), to use as a lap-table wherein the first surface (1a) is placed on the lap of a user (9) and the second surface (1b) as a table-top surface for holding articles (11) thereon or therein.
, Description:Field of the Invention

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of a seat assembly for a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a seat assembly which can improve convenience in use by using a portion of a backrest in different utility positions.

Background of the Invention

[0002] In conventional vehicles generally a portion of a vehicle rear seat backrest is installed with a hinge or a pivot structure and dependent upon the use of the portion of the backrest pivoted forward in the longitudinal direction protrudes into the central region may be disposed to be used as a central armrest. However, this arrangement requires a hinged or pivoted mechanism and a cushioning pad along with “grade A” cover material at both sides of the portion of the backrest which adds the overall cost of the vehicle seat.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to overcome the above drawback(s) and provide an improved and cost-effective seat assembly for a vehicle which provides improved customize options to the passenger(s) of the vehicle interior.

Objects of the Invention

[0004] Some of the objectives of the present invention, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as listed herein below.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a seat assembly having a system designed for providing improved and cost-effective customization options to a passenger of the vehicle interior.

[0006] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a seat assembly which is easy to operate.

[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a seat assembly with a lesser number of elements or component without using any cumbersome design.

[0008] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an improved seat assembly for vehicle interior, which is lean and compact in design and aesthetically pleasing.

[0009] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide an arrangement wherein a proposed portable element is use as armrest and lap-table.

Summary of the invention

[0010] The present invention relates to the field of a seat assembly for a vehicle. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a seat assembly which can improve convenience in use by using a portion of a backrest in different utility positions.

[0011] An aspect of the present invention relates to a seat assembly for a vehicle. The seat assembly for a vehicle may comprises a vehicle seat, a portable element having a first surface and a second surface being opposite to each other and can be joined by a peripheral third and fourth surface. The portable element is a substantially a rectangular shaped article/block which can be easily carried or moved, especially because being of a lighter and smaller version than usual. The portable element may comprise an attaching member. The vehicle seat may include an engaging member which enables the attaching member to releasably attach the portable element with the vehicle seat in a first configuration and in a second configuration such that the first surface may forms an armrest in the first configuration and the first surface may forms at least a portion of a backrest in the second configuration. Wherein in the first configuration the portable element is essentially in a horizontal position and in the second configuration the portable element is essentially in a vertical position.

[0012] In an aspect, the attaching member may have a first attaching member arranged on the second surface of the portable element for configuring the first configuration or second configuration and a second attaching member arranged substantially perpendicular to the first attaching member particularly on a third surface or on a fourth surface of the portable element for configuring the second configuration or first configuration.

[0013] In another aspect, the engaging member may have a first engaging member arranged on the vehicle seat for configuring the first configuration and a second engaging member arranged on the vehicle seat particular on an opposite side of the first engaging member for configuring the second configuration.

[0014] In an aspect, the first surface may have a softer trim part compares to the second surface of the portable element. More particularly, the first surface may have a cushioning surface and the second surface can be coated with a protective coating material like by a heat resistive, scratch free coating material or may have a plastic cover.

[0015] In an aspect, the engaging member can be a hook shaped member secured or integral to a mounting bracket of a backrest frame and the attaching member can be a slot adapted to engage with the engaging member of the vehicle seat. Further, the first attaching member and / or the second attaching member can be covered by a pivotable covering element which opens up as and when the attaching member engages with the engaging member. In another aspect, the engaging member can be a slot located on a mounting bracket of a backrest frame and the attaching member can be a hook adapted to engage with the slot/engaging member of the vehicle seat. Further, the first engaging member and / or the second engaging member can be covered by a pivotable covering element which opens up as and when the attaching member engages with the engaging member.

[0016] In an aspect, in the second configuration the portable element can be arranged in a recess of a backrest of the vehicle seat. In an aspect, the portable element can be completely released from the vehicle seat for example by a strap manually, to use as a lap-table wherein the cushioning first surface will be place on the lap of a user and the protective coated or plastic covered second surface will be a table top surface for holding articles thereon or therein.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0018] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

[0019] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary view of a proposed seat assembly for a vehicle illustrating a proposed portable element in both, a first configuration in solid line and in a second configuration in a dotted line, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 illustrates an exploited view of the proposed seat assembly illustrating a portable element with an attaching member and a vehicle seat with an engaging member, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary view of the proposed portable element of the seat assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4a and 4b illustrates an exemplary view of the proposed seat assembly for a vehicle which is configured in a first configuration and in a second configuration respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figures 5a and 5a illustrates an exploited view of the proposed seat assembly illustrating a portable element with an attaching member and a vehicle seat with an engaging member, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary view of the proposed seat assembly in a third configuration where the proposed portable element is uses as a lap-table, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0025] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0026] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.

[0027] The present disclosure relates to a seat assembly for a vehicle which improves convenience in use and overall cost of the seat assembly.

[0028] Referring now to figure 1, according to an embodiment, a seat assembly (10) for a vehicle is shown. The seat assembly (10) comprising a portable element (1) and a vehicle seat (20). The portable element (1) has a first surface (1a), and a second surface (1b) which are joined by a peripheral third and fourth surface (1c and 1d). The portable element (1) is substantially a rectangular shaped article/block which can be easily carried or moved, especially because being of a lighter and smaller version than usual. The portable element (1) comprises an attaching member (2) and the vehicle seat (20) comprises an engaging member (3). These members (2 and 3) enable, to releasably attach the portable element (1) with the vehicle seat (20) in a first configuration (100) and in a second configuration (200) such that, the first surface (1a) forms an armrest in the first configuration (100) and the first surface (1a) forms at least a portion of a backrest in the second configuration (200).

[0029] In an embodiment as illustrated in figures 2 and / or 3, the attaching member (2) has a first attaching member (2a) arranged on the second surface (1b) of the portable element (1) for configuring the first configuration (100) and a second attaching member (2b) arranged substantially perpendicular to the first attaching member (2a) particularly on the third surface (1c) of the portable element (1) for configuring the second configuration (200). More particularly as shown in figures 1 or 2, the engaging member (3) is a hook shaped member secured or integral to a mounting bracket (60) of a backrest frame (70) of the vehicle seat (20) and the attaching member (2) is a slot or more particular an I-shaped slot adapted to engage the portable element (1) with the vehicle seat (20). In the present embodiment, the mounting bracket (60) is secured to the backrest frame by a screw or a rivet (50). Further, as shown in figure 1, the second attaching member (2b) is covered by a pivotable covering element (2c) which opens up as and when the second attaching member (2b) engages with the engaging member (3).

[0030] In another embodiment (not shown), the engaging member has a first engaging member arranged on the vehicle seat for configuring the first configuration and a second engaging member arranged substantially at opposite end of the first engaging member for configuring the second configuration. More particularly, the engaging member is a slot arranged on the vehicle seat and the attaching member is a hook shaped member adapted to engage the portable element with the vehicle seat.

[0031] In an embodiment as illustrated in fig 3, the first surface (1a) has a softer trim part compares to the second surface (1b) of the portable element (1). More particularly the first surface (1a) has a cushioning surface, and the second surface (1b) is coated with a protective coating material like by a heat resistive and / or a scratch free coating paint.

[0032] In an embodiment as illustrated in fig 4a and 4b, in the first configuration (100) the portable element (1) is essentially in a horizontal position lying on a seat pan (22) and in the second configuration (200) the portable element (1) is essentially in a vertical position stowed in a recess (5) of a backrest (21) of the vehicle seat (20).

[0033] In a second embodiment as illustrated in fig 5a, 5b and 5c, an attaching member (15) has a first attaching member (15a) arranged on the second surface (1b) of a portable element (1) for configuring the second configuration (100) and a second attaching member (2b) arranged substantially perpendicular to the first attaching member (2a) particularly on a fourth surface (1d) of the portable element (1) for configuring the first configuration (200) is shown. More particularly as shown in figures 5a, 5b and 5c, the engaging member (3) is a hook shaped member secured or integral to a mounting bracket (60) of a backrest frame (70) of the vehicle seat (20) and the attaching member (2) is a slot or more particular an L-shaped slot adapted to engage the portable element (1) with the vehicle seat (20).

[0034] In an embodiment as illustrated in fig 6, the portable element (1) can be completely released from the vehicle seat (20) for example by a strap (8) manually, to use as a lap-table wherein the cushioning first surface (1a) will be place on the lap of a user and the protective coated or plastic covered second surface (1b) will be a table top surface for holding articles thereon or therein.

[0035] In an implementation, usually the portable element (1) is stowed vertically inside the recess (5) of the backrest (22) wherein the first surface (1a) act as a portion of backrest (i.e. the second configuration (200) as shown in figure 4b). As and when desired by the user, with the help of strap (8) the user can remove the portable element (1) out from the recess (5) and can use the portable element as lap-table wherein the first surface (1a) lying on the lap of the user (i.e. the third configuration (300) as shown in fig 5) or the user can engage the portable element (1) in a horizontal position wherein the first surface (1a) act as armrest (i.e. the first configuration (100) as shown in figure 4a).

[0036] Moreover, in interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ….and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

[0037] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

[0038] The proposed invention provides an advantage of cost-effective, easy to use seat assembly by providing a portable element, which can be use as backrest or armrest or a lap table as desired by the user of the vehicle.