Claims:
1. A sleeping system (100) for passengers in a vehicle, said system (100) comprising:
a pair of columns (102) spaced apart and pivotably connected to a floor (104) of said vehicle;
a board assembly (106) mounted on free ends of said columns (102);
an actuating mechanism (112) mounted between the pair of columns (102) and configured to angularly displace said columns (102), thereby displacing said board assembly (106) in an upward or downward direction; and
a pair of connecting rods (114), each connecting rod (114) connected between said actuating mechanism (112) and a column of said pair of columns (102), said connecting rods (114) configured to angularly displace said columns (102) upon rotated by said actuating mechanism (112).
2. The sleeping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said columns (102) includes two parallel rods (116) connected to each other via a connecting member (118) and said connecting rod (114) is engaged to said connecting member (118).
3. The sleeping system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said connecting rod (114) has an elongated slot configured to receive the connecting member (118) and facilitate travel of the connecting member (118) in said slot upon angularly displacing said columns (102).
4. The sleeping system (100) for a vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system (100) includes a locking arrangement (120) configured to lock displacement of said board assembly (106) at a lower and a higher position.
5. The sleeping system (100) of vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein said locking arrangement (120) comprises a linear actuator (122) configured to selectively engage with said pair of columns (102) to prevent angular displacement of said columns (102).
6. The sleeping system (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein each column (102) includes a pair of holes configured to receive said linear actuator (122).
7. The sleeping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuating mechanism (112) includes a pair of gears (124) engaged with each other and each connecting rod (114) is connected to a shaft of one gear (124).
8. The sleeping system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said actuating mechanism (112) includes an actuator configured to manually rotate one of said gears (124).
9. The sleeping system (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein said actuating mechanism (112) includes a first sensor (110) configured to detect uppermost and lowermost position of said board assembly (106), a motor coupled to said pair of gears (124), and a controller (128) configured to receive signals from said first sensor (110) and selectively actuate said motor to rotate said gears (124).
10. The sleeping system (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said actuating mechanism (112) includes a second sensor (132) configured to detect position of a seat in front of said sleeping system (100), and transmit sensed signals corresponding to said sensed position of said seat, and said controller (128) is configured to actuate said motor based on position of said seat.
11. The sleeping system (100) for a vehicle (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuating mechanism (112) includes a load sensor (130) configured to detect the load of a passenger.
12. The sleeping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said board assembly includes a bed (108).
13. The sleeping system (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein said board assembly (106) includes a platform for supporting said bed (108) thereon.
14. The sleeping system (100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein said bed (108) is placed on said platform in a folded state.
15. The sleeping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pair of columns (102) are pivotably connected to said floor (104) between adjacent seat rows of said vehicle.
16. The sleeping system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said floor (104) has a depression (105) and said pair of columns (102) are mounted in said depression (105).
, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

A SLEEPING SYSTEM FOR PASSENGERS IN A VEHICLE;

MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA LIMITED, A COMPANY REGISTERED UNDER THE INDIAN COMPANIES ACT, 1913, HAVING ADDRESS AT MAHINDRA RESEARCH VALLEY (MRV), MAHINDRA WORLD CITY, PLOT NO: 41/1, ANJUR P.O., CHENGALPATTU – 603004, KANCHEEPURAM DIST., TAMIL NADU, INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE NATURE OF THIS INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED.

FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of a sleeping system for passengers in a vehicle.
BACKGROUND
Over a long journey in passenger vehicle, passengers tend to sit for long hours. Passenger/Driver may be exhausted or may get fatigue and there will be pain in the body of passengers. The passengers tend to take breaks frequently which may affect the duration of the journey. Drivers who are driving for long time may also feel dizziness and may need sleep at frequent intervals.
While beds for vehicles are known in the art, few of these beds can also be used as already existing seats for occupants or drivers. Seats that can be converted from a bed to a seat are difficult to assemble and require lot of parts and components such as fasteners or screws. These beds while providing comfort in the seated position are often uncomfortable in the reclined position or vice versa. In order to provide secure position for driving, these seats are not easily adjustable and rarely removable.
Currently, passengers or drivers are taking rest by recliner seats or sleeping on back seat of car which is not comfortable and increases the fatigue in the passengers and driver. If drivers are not having adequate rest, the chances of accidents are more and that leads to casualties.
Hence, there is a need of a sleeping system for passengers in vehicle which alleviates drawbacks of conventional systems.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
Some of the objectives of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An objective of present disclosure is to provide a sleeping system for a vehicle.
Another objective of present disclosure is to provide a sleeping system for a vehicle that can be used for any type of vehicle.
Other objectives and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention envisages a sleeping system for passengers in a vehicle.

The system comprises a pair of columns pivotably connected to a floor of vehicle, a board assembly mounted on free ends of columns.

The sleeping system includes an actuating mechanism configured to angularly displace columns and hence displacing board assembly in an upward or downward direction. The sleeping system includes a pair of connecting rods connected between actuating mechanism and a column of the pair of columns. The connecting rods are configured to angularly displace the columns upon rotated by the actuating mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The sleeping system for passenger for a vehicle of the present invention will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a sleeping system for a passenger of a vehicle.
Figure 2 illustrates another schematic view of the sleeping system, in accordance with the present invention.
Figures 3a and 3b illustrate schematic views of a linear actuator of the locking assembly of the sleeping system.
Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram for illustrating process flow of actuating mechanism of the sleeping system; and
Figures 5a and 5b illustrate schematic views of the sleeping system in closed state and in deployed state respectively.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
100 – System
102 – Columns
104 – Floor
105 – Depression
106 – Board Assembly
108 – Bed
110 – First Sensor
112 – Actuating Mechanism
114 – Connecting rod
116 – Parallel Rods
118 – Connecting member
120 – Locking Arrangement
122 – Linear Actuator
124 – Pair of Gear
128 – Controller
130 – Load Sensor
132 – Second Sensor
The foregoing and other features of embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In this disclosure, a number of embodiments are provided to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present invention to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
As a general practice followed in various embodiments of this disclosure, no additional or specific details has been provided for processes, apparatus set-ups, or techniques that are well known and available in the state of the art.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining an embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “including” and “having” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being “mounted on”, “engaged to”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly mounted, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner”, “outer”, “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
Referring to Figure 1, a sleeping system (100) for passengers in a vehicle is shown. The sleeping system (100) comprises a pair of columns (102), a board assembly (106), an actuating mechanism (112) and a pair of connecting rods (114).
The pair of columns (102) are arranged spaced apart and pivotably connected to a floor (104) of the vehicle. More specifically, one end of each column (102) is pivotably connected to the floor (104) such that the column (102) is angularly displaceable about the joint between the connected end and the floor (104). In an embodiment, the columns (102) are connected to the floor (104) between adjacent seat rows.
In an embodiment, the floor (104) has a depression (105) to receive the pair of columns (102). The pair of columns (102) are mounted in the depression (105). The width and depth of the depression (105) is determined such that whole system (100) sits perfectly in the depression (105) and is at same level as that of the non-depressed area of the floor (104) as seen in figure 5a when the system (100) is in closed state.
In an embodiment, each column (102) includes a single rod. In another embodiment, each column (102) includes two or more rods.
In another embodiment as shown in Figures 1 and 2, each column (102) includes two parallel rods (116) arranged in a spaced apart configuration and connected to each other via a connecting member (118). The connecting member (118) can be any rigid member, for example a rod.
The board assembly (106) is mounted on free ends of the columns (102).
In an embodiment, the board assembly (106) includes a bed (108) placed thereon. The board assembly (106) includes a platform for supporting the bed (108) thereon. In an embodiment, the bed (108) is placed on the platform in folded state. The board assembly (106) and the platform can be folded using hinge arrangement provided on them.
The actuating mechanism (112) is mounted between the pair of columns (102) and is configured to angularly displace the columns (102), thereby displacing the board assembly (106) in an upward or downward direction. The actuating mechanism (112) angularly displaces the columns (102) in opposite rotational direction with respect to each other.
The sleeping system (100) includes a pair of connecting rods (114). Each connecting rod (114) is connected between the actuating mechanism (112) and a column of the pair of the columns (102). The connecting rods (114) are configured to angularly displace the columns (102) upon rotated by the actuating mechanism (112).
In an embodiment, wherein the column (102) includes a single rod, one end of the connecting member (118) is slidably connected to the rod to angularly displace the rod.
In another embodiment, wherein the column (102) includes two parallel rods (116), the connecting rod (114) includes an elongated slot configured to receive the connecting member (118) and to facilitate travel of the connecting member (118) in the slot upon angularly displacing the columns (102).
In another embodiments shown in fig. 3, the sleeping system (100) includes a locking arrangement (120) configured to lock displacement of board assembly (106) at a lower and a higher position. In an embodiment, a locking arrangement (120) has a linear actuator (122) configured to selectively engage with pair of columns (102) to prevent angular displacement of columns. Each column (102) further comprises a pair of holes configured to receive linear actuator (122). In an embodiment, the holes are configured on the columns (102) such that the linear actuator (122) is received in the holes when the board assembly (106) is at uppermost position and is at lowermost position. This prevents accidental slippage of the board assembly (106) from its uppermost and lowermost position.
In an embodiment, the connecting rods (114) are rotated manually using any suitable mechanical means or linkage arrangements.
In another embodiment as shown in fig 4, the actuating mechanism (112) includes a pair of gears (124) which are engaged to each other. In an embodiment, the gears (124) are rotated manually. An actuator is coupled to one of the gears (124) to rotate the same. In an embodiment, the actuator is a lever connected to the shaft of the gear (124) to rotate them. In another embodiment, the gears (124) are rotated automatically. The actuating mechanism (112) includes a motor coupled to the gears (124) for rotating them. Each connecting rod (114) is connected to a shaft of one gear (124) such that the connecting rod (114) is angularly displaced along with the rotation of the gear (124), thereby rotating the column (102) coupled to that connecting rod (114).
In another embodiment, the actuating mechanism (112) includes a first sensor (110), the motor and a controller (128). The first sensor (110) is configured to detect uppermost and lowermost position of board assembly (106). The motor is coupled to the pair of gears (124). The controller (128) is configured to receive signals from the sensor to selectively actuate the motor to rotate the gears (124). When the board assembly (106) reaches its pre-decided uppermost position, the first sensor (110) senses the same and transmits a signal to the controller (128). Upon receiving the signal, the controller (128) de-actuates the motor to prevent further raising of the board assembly (106). Similarly, when the board assembly (106) reaches its pre-decided lowermost position, the first sensor (110) senses the same and transmits another signal to the controller (128). Upon receiving the signal, the controller (128) de-actuates the motor to prevent further lowering of the board assembly (106).
In another embodiment of the invention, the actuating mechanism (112) includes a second sensor (132) configured to detect position of seat in front of the sleeping system (100) and transit signals corresponding to sensed position of seat. The controller (128) is configured to actuate the motor based on position of seat. More specifically, the controller (128) actuates the motor only when the seat in front of the sleeping system (100) is at its predefined place. This prevents any interference of the seat in front of the sleeping system (100) with the components of the sleeping system (100).
The system (100) also consists of a load sensor (130) to detect load of a passenger.
In an operative configuration, a user activates the sleeping system (100). The controller (128), based on the instructions received from the user, raises or lowers the board assembly (106) by actuating the motor. The rotation of an output shaft of the motor is decided based on whether the board assembly (106) is to be lowered or raised. The rotation directions of the shaft of the motor and the gears are opposite to each other for lowering the board assembly (106) and for raising the board assembly (106). For example, if the shaft of the motor is required to be rotated in a clockwise rotational direction for raising the board assembly (106), the same shaft is rotated in opposite direction, i.e., in anti-clockwise direction to lower the board assembly (106).
Figure 5a shows the system (100) in a closed position, in which the board assembly (106) is in lowermost position. In closed position of the system (100), the board assembly (106) is kept in a folded state to avoid exposure of the bed (108) to foot wares of the passengers.
Figure 5b shows the system (100) in deployed state in which the board assembly (106) is in uppermost position.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the sleeping system which:
• reduces fatigue of passenger/ Driver during long hours journey.
• increases passenger comfort; and
• increases driving efficiency of driver.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.