DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a three-wheeled vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a seat assembly for the three-wheeled vehicle.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In many of the developing & under developed countries, motor vehicle particularly a three-wheeled automotive vehicle is a significant mode of public transportation. It is vastly used as a point to point mode of transport of both goods and persons from one place to other in rural as well as in urban areas. Storage compartment provided behind a rear seat of the vehicles provides space for storage of goods and the rear seat for accommodating passengers. However, the storage or the load space provided is limited by the rear seat.
[0003] In a known mechanism of increasing the storage space behind the rear seat of the vehicle, seat adjustment units are provided. With a seat adjustment mechanism, the storage space is increased without losing seating room and, the back rest of the rear seat can be moved forwards in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Alternatively, the upper edge of the back rest are also moved forwards and the seat upholstery are displaced forwards independently of the back rest, after which the seat upholstery is folded upwards and the back rest is be folded down behind the folded-up seat upholstery in order to increase completely the storage space into the horizontal position.
[0004] In one of the conventional seat adjustment mechanism an adjustable vehicle seat assembly has an adjustable seat cushion and a foldable seat back. The adjustable seat assembly is pivotally mounted on the vehicle for rotation, from an extended passenger carrying position to a storage position behind the passenger carrying position. The seat adjusting assembly is rotated with the folded seat cushion and seat back into the storage position after release of the latch.
[0005] In another known mechanism for the adjustable seat, a seat back is tilted toward the front of the vehicle and the lock on the longitudinal sliding mechanism is released, allowed the seat body to move toward the front of the vehicle. As a result, the space behind the vehicle seat is increased, which creates a larger boarding space.
[0006] In some other conventional seat adjustment mechanism, the vehicle seat includes a longitudinal sliding mechanism which is configured to support a seat support body such that the seat body is slidable relative to a vehicle floor in the vehicle longitudinal direction. A lateral sliding mechanism is configured to support the seat body such that the seat body is slidable in longitudinal direction. In one of the known art of seat adjustment for a convertible motor vehicles, an auxiliary storage compartment of relatively large capacity is provided therein. The shiftable rear seat is adjusted from its normal upright passenger carrying position, rearwardly and hence upwardly and forwardly in parallel position with the top or roof of the vehicle body where it is suspended in inverted position while the rear of the vehicle body is utilized for storage purposes.
[0007] However, all known and conventional seat adjustment mechanisms have the drawback of being relatively complicated and expensive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0009] Fig. 1. shows a side view of a three-wheeled vehicle according to the present invention.
[00010] Fig.2 and Fig.3 shows a side perspective view of the three-wheeled vehicle according to the present invention.
[00011] Fig.4 illustrates a perspective view of at least one passenger seat assembly with a hinge assembly and a pair of adjustable units, according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[00012] Fig.5. shows an exploded perspective view of one of said pair of adjustable units as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[00013] Fig.6. illustrates a perspective view of the seat assembly with said at least one supporting bracket as per one embodiment of the present invention.
[00014] Fig.7. illustrates an enlarged exploded plan view of the the pair of adjustable unitswith said at least one supporting bracket as per one embodiment of the present invention
[00015] Fig.8 shows adjustment of the seat assembly along A'-A positions with respect to a first supporting bracket and a second supporting bracket of said at least one supporting bracket.
[00016] Fig. 9 illustrates an area with which the seat assembly is adjusted as per one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00017] Vehicle seats generally are adjustable in that the entire seat, including the backrest, is slidable and the backrest generally is adjustable relative to the seat bottom. It becomes necessary for passenger and load carrying vehicle to increase the space provided behind the seat to increase the storage space. Such seat adjustment mechanism provides for forward or backward adjustment of the seat. These seats can be arranged in a number of different configurations adapted to the special activities and areas of use. The seats typically are secured to the vehicle floor via attachments which are more or less easy for the user to manipulate.
[00018] Generally, in three-wheeled vehicle, the load space area is limited by the rear passenger seat and hence there involves necessity for implementing seat adjustment mechanism to extend the possibilities of increasing storage space in the vehicle with improved seating comfort. However, certain seat adjustment mechanisms for adjustment of whole of the seat assembly of the vehicle seat are known by which the space behind the passenger seat can be enlarged and thus providing enough storage area for storing the goods.
[00019] In vehicles, particularly three-wheeled vehicles, the space provided behind the passenger seat is utilized for the transportation of luggage. For the accommodation of larger transport objects to this is hardly suitable, because the space behind rear passenger seat usually is little space for easy accommodation of large transport objects. Also, the existing seat space is often limited, as users carry more items, and often encounter problems. Therefore, it is necessary to make further improvements in the seat assembly adjustment mechanism to increase the storage space.
[00020] With such objective in view, the present invention provides for a seat assembly with an adjustable mechanism. In comparison with the known complicated and heavy backrest/seat adjustment mechanisms, the present invention discloses a cost-effective and lightweight construction which fully satisfies modern ergonomic requirements as regards sitting comfort. The present invention provides a more compact and simplified seat adjustment mechanism. The adjustable seat mechanism can be manufactured and installed at low cost and permits enough storage space behind the passenger seat. Based on the requirement of storage or transportation, the seat assembly can be forward or backward adjusted. The seat assembly has a hinge assembly with the vehicle at a position to the forward of the seating position and a the pair of adjustable units at the rear of seat assembly for retaining storage space and provides increased storage space in the vehicle when said at least one passenger seat is adjusted in forward direction along a longitudinal axis of said vehicle. To achieve a considerable increase in the loading area of the vehicle that is to provide an improved storage compartment behind said at least one passenger area, the entire seat assembly is adjusted as per one embodiment of the present invention. As per one embodiment of the present invention, it would be advantageous to provide a seat adjustment mechanism that is adapted to move the seat out of the way, to maximize interior storage volume of the interior of the vehicle, without requiring removal and storage of the seat outside of the vehicle, and further to provide such a seat that is adjustable in position and orientation while in use.
[00021] The present invention provides an efficient, economical and mechanical seat adjustment assembly which allows the entire seat assembly to adjust in a forward direction along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle thus increasing the storage space by substantial amount. As per the one embodiment of present invention, the seat is adjusted to front side to accommodate load at rear side. As per one embodiment, the adjustable passenger seating system in three-wheeled vehicles is cost-effective.
[00022] Fig. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary three-wheeled vehicle (10) (hereinafter ‘vehicle’), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The vehicle (10) has a frame assembly (not shown), which includes a head tube, a main tube assembly extending rearward from the head tube. The vehicle (10) has a front cowl (20) positioned in the anterior portion of the head tube. A wind shield (13) is mounted to the front cowl (20). A floorboard (17) is extending from the bottom portion of the front cowl (20) to the rearward direction of the vehicle (10), supported by the main frame assembly. A handle bar assembly (12) is rotatably supported by the head tube, positioned behind the front cowl (20). A steering assembly comprises a front wheel (15) connected to the handle bar assembly (12) through one or more suspension(s) (not shown). A front fender (11) is above the front wheel (15), covering at least a portion of the front wheel (15). A bottom portion of a body panel (21) is connected to the posterior portion of the floorboard (17). In one embodiment, a pair of rear wheels (19) are connected to a swing arm through one or more suspension(s), the swing arm is in turn connected to the frame assembly. The rear suspension includes a shock absorber and a suspension spring mounted to the frame. A hood (14) connects a top portion of the front cowl (20) and a top portion of the body panel (21). The vehicle (10) is longitudinally divided into two portions along the line X-X’; a front portion (F) has a driver’s seat (16) while a rear portion (R) has at least one passenger seat assembly (100) with a seating capacity of one or more passengers. The driver seat (16) is positioned in a posterior portion to the handle bar assembly (12). The driver operates the vehicle (1) in a sitting position by sitting on the seat base. A partition wall is positioned along the line X-X’ extending in the lateral direction of the vehicle (10). As per one embodiment, the driver’s seat (16) comprises a seat base (16a) and a fixed backrest (16b).
[00023] Fig.2. and Fig.3 shows a side perspective view of the vehicle (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the vehicle (10) comprises of the rear cabin (18) disposed in the posterior portion of said vehicle (10).In one embodiment, the rear cabin (18) is supported on the pair of rear wheels (19) located on either side of the longitudinal axis (AA) of said vehicle (10). As per one embodiment of the present invention, a rearward extending portion (102) extends rearwardly of said at least one passenger seat assembly (100). A storage space (105) is defined to the rear of said at least one passenger seat (101).
[00024] Fig. 4. illustrates a perspective view of the at least one passenger seat assembly (100) with the hinge assembly (200) and the pair of adjustable units (300), according to one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the at least one passenger seat assembly (100) comprises of said at least one passenger seat (105) for accommodating one or more passenger, a seat support frame (101), and a seat back frame (104). As per one embodiment, a middle portion (22) extends vertically from the seat base of said at least one passenger seat to said floorboard (17). In one embodiment, said seat back frame (104) of said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) is pivotally connected with respect to the seat support frame (101) about a hinge axis. As per one embodiment, said a rearward extending portion (102) extends rearwardly of said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) and said storage space (105) is defined to the rear of said at least one passenger seat assembly (100). The at least one passenger seat assembly (100) is adjusted in forward direction along the longitudinal axis of said vehicle (10), to accommodate more load at rear side. In one embodiment, said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) comprises of pair of adjustable units. In one embodiment, said at least one passenger seat (101) is welded with the hinge bracket frame (201a), (201b) and is mounted on the hinge support brackets (202a), (202b) with fasteners. The hinge assembly (200) is the assembly of a hinge tube (200) and said hinge support brackets (202a), (202b) and is fixed in the hinge bracket frame (201a), (201b). The mechanism of adjusting at least one passenger seat involves adjusting entire said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) along with said seat support frame (101) and said seat back frame (104). The whole of said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) is adjusted with respect to the hinge centre axis. As per one embodiment of the present invention, said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) comprises of said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303) to hold the hook member (301). In one embodiment, said at least one supporting bracket (103),(303) includes a first supporting bracket (103) and a second supporting bracket (303) and said at least one supporting bracket (103),(303) is welded on at least one side said a rearward extending portion(102). In one embodiment, said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) along with the seat support frame (101) and the seat back frame (104) is adjusted with respect to the hinge centre.
[00025] Fig.5 shows an exploded perspective view of the pair of adjustable units (300) including the hook member (301), the stopper member (302) and said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303) as per one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303) comprises of at least one horizontal flange (303a), (303b) extending away from each end thereof. In one embodiment, said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303) is provided with atleast one engaging member (305) for securing the hook member (301) and said the pair of adjustable units (300). As per one embodiment, said first supporting bracket (103) and said second supporting bracket (303) are installed on said a rearward extending portion (102). At least a portion (301c) of said and at least a portion (302b) of said hook member (301) are detachably secured to said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303) through said engaging member (305) of said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303). As per one embodiment, said first supporting bracket (103) and said second supporting bracket (303) are installed on said at least one side of said a rearward extending portion (102). In one embodiment, said hook member (301) of said the pair of adjustable units (300) is releasably secured to said through a locater member (304) and at least one hole (301a), (302a) is provided in said hook member (301) and said stopper (301). In one embodiment, said is secured to said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303) through said engaging member (305) provided in said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303). An upper end portion (301b) of said stopper is fixedly attached to said seat support frame (101) of said seat assembly (100). In one embodiment, said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303) is a U-shaped bracket. Further in Fig.5, as per one embodiment, the at least one passenger seat assembly (100) comprises of said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303). As per one embodiment, said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303) includes a first supporting bracket (103) and a second supporting bracket (303). In one embodiment, said first adjustable unit comprises of a hinge assembly (200) said second adjustable unit comprises of the pair of adjustable units including the hook member and the stopper member (302). In one embodiment, at least one side (206), (207) of a front portion of said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) is provided with said hinge assembly (200) and at least one side (208), (209) of a rear portion of said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) is provided with said pair of adjustable units including the hook member and the stopper member (302). As per one embodiment, said hinge assembly (200) comprises of a hinge assembly, said hinge support bracket (202a), (202b), said hinge bracket frame (201a), (201b) and said hinge tube (203) is disposed onto said hinge assembly of said hinge assembly (200).
[00026] Fig.6. illustrates a perspective view of the at least one passenger seat assembly (100) with said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303) as per one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, said first supporting bracket (103) and said second supporting bracket (303) of said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303) is installed on said at least one side of said a rearward extending portion(102) through welding. In one embodiment, said storage space (105) is defined by said a rearward extending portion (102). As per one embodiment, when an increased storage space is required with respect to goods or luggage, the capacity of said storage space (105) can be increased by adjusting said entire at least one passenger seat assembly (100) with respect to said pair of adjustable units (300) including the hinge assembly (200) and the pair of adjustable units (300) including the hook member and the stopper member (302). Thus, said entire at least one passenger seat assembly (100) is lifted and adjustably shifted from said first supporting bracket (103) to said second supporting bracket (303) of said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303). Thus, increasing the storage space for goods and luggage. In one embodiment, said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) is disposed onto the hinge bracket frame (201a), (201b) of said hinge assembly (200). In one embodiment, said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) through said pair of adjustable units, said seat support frame and seat back frame is adapted to extend longitudinally through at least a portion of said a rearward extending portion (102) so as to increase the storage space behind said at least one passenger seat assembly (100). In one embodiment, said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) is adjustable between first supporting bracket (103) and said second supporting bracket (303) of said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303) in the forward direction and along the longitudinal axis (AA) of said vehicle (10).
[00027] Fig.7. illustrates an enlarged exploded plan view of the pair of adjustable units (300) including the hook member (301) and the with said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303) as per one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, said of said pair of adjustable units (300) including the hook member (301) and the is fixedly attached to the said seat support frame (101). In one embodiment, said hook member (301) of said the pair of adjustable units (300) gets releasably secured to said stopper member (302) through said at least one hole (301a), (302a). As per one embodiment, said second supporting bracket (303) comprises of said engaging member (305) for detachably securing entire said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) to said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303). As per one embodiment, said at least one passenger seat (105) of said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) is supported by said seat support frame (101) and the seat back frame (104). Thus, with said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303), entire at least one passenger seat assembly (100) can be adjusted in the forward direction and along the longitudinal axis of said vehicle (10) to enlarge the storage space (105).
[00028] Fig.8. shows adjustment of the at least one passenger seat assembly (100) along B'-B positions with respect to the first supporting bracket and the second supporting bracket of said at least one supporting bracket. One embodiment of the present invention illustrates the mechanism with which said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) is adjusted from one position A' to the other position A with respect to said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303). Before adjustment of the seat assembly (100)’, said at least one passenger seat assembly (100)' is supported by said seat support frame (101) ' and said seat back frame (104)'. As per one embodiment, said at least one passenger seat assembly (100)' is held by said hinge assembly (200) and said first supporting bracket (103) of said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303) of said the pair of adjustable units (300). After adjustment of seat assembly (100), the storage space in said storage compartment (108) is increased by at least (20) mm in the forward direction along the longitudinal axis of said vehicle (100). In one embodiment, said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) is adjusted and secured by the second supporting bracket (303) of said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303). Thus, said at least one passenger seat assembly (100)' position changes from a first sitting position (B') to a second sitting position (B), thus adjusting said at least one passenger seat (100) by said at least (20) mm and enlarging the space in said storage compartment space (108) whenever required.
[00029] Fig. 9 illustrates an area with which the at least one passenger seat assembly (100) is adjusted as per one embodiment of the present invention. In one embodiment, the at least one passenger seat assembly (100) is adjusted with respect to said first supporting bracket (103) and said second supporting bracket (303) of said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303).The area or the space achieved by adjusting said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) results in increase or extension of storage space preferably by said at least (20) mm space in the forward direction along the longitudinal axis of said three-wheeled vehicle (10). Thus, increasing the said a rearward extending portion (102) space at least by (20) mm hence increasing the storage potential of the storage compartment (108) behind said at least one passenger seat. As per one embodiment, said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303) is installed on said a rearward extending portion (102) by welding. As per one embodiment, said hook- stopper mechanism (300) including said of said pair of adjustable units including the hook member and the stopper member (302) is attached to the rear portion of said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) through welding. As per one embodiment, said hook member (301) gets latched to said stopper member (302) with a locater member (304) through said at least one hole (301a), (302a) in said hook member (301) and said stopper member (302).
[00030] Advantageously, as per the present invention, the seat assembly can be adjustable based on the usage. That is, when required more storage space at said seat back portion, the entire said seat assembly can be adjusted. Said adjustment mechanism involving hinge assembly and said the pair of adjustable units enables to get more luggage space without compromising said at least one passenger seat spacing. As per one embodiment of the present invention, the adjustable passenger seating system in three-wheeled vehicles can be implemented in less cost. The seat adjustment mechanism provides an economical mechanism which allows the entire seat assembly to adjust fore and aft with respect to said at least one supporting bracket. While such adjustability of said at least one passenger seat is, in and of itself, of prime importance, it is also a matter of considerable concern that the seat offer such capability without detracting from its overall appearance and passenger’s comfort. According to the present invention, said seat adjustable mechanism exhibits high structural strength and offer good overall comfort with sufficient storage space behind said at least one passenger seat.
[00031] Improvements and modifications may be incorporated herein without deviating from the scope of the invention.
,CLAIMS:I/We claim:

1. A three - wheeled vehicle (10), said vehicle (10) comprising:
a frame (400) defining a vehicle longitudinal axis (AA);
a driver compartment (D) and a passenger compartment (P) supported on said frame (400);
at least one passenger seat assembly (100) disposed in said passenger compartment (P), said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) includes a seat portion (100a) supported on a seat support frame (101) and a backrest assembly (100b) supported on a seat back frame (104);
a rearward extending portion (102) disposed rearward of said at least one passenger seat assembly (100), said rearward extending portion (102) defines at least one storage space (105) on the vehicle (10); and
wherein said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) is adjustably moved from a first sitting position (B’) to a second sitting position (B) in a fore and aft direction along the vehicle longitudinal axis (AA) so as to provide an increased storage capacity in said at least one storage space (105) of said rearward extending portion (102).
2. The three-wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claim1, wherein a front portion (F) of said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) is hingedly attached to said seat support frame (101).
3. The three-wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claim1, wherein a rear portion (R) of said at least one passenger seat assembly (100)comprises a pair of adjustable units (300) being detachably secured to said seat back frame (104) at either side of said at least one passenger seat assembly (105).

4. The three-wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claim1 or claim 3, wherein said pair of adjustable units (300) is configured for movement of said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) in the fore and aft direction along the vehicle longitudinal axis (AA).
5. The three-wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claim1, wherein each of said pair of adjustable units (300) is interposed between said rear portion (R) of said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) and at least a portion of said a rearward extending portion (102).
6. The there-wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claim1, wherein said front portion (F) of said at least one passenger seat assembly (100) is hingedly secured to said seat support frame (101) through a pair of hinge assembly (200) being detachably secured to either side of said at least one passenger seat assembly (105).
7. The three-wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claim1, wherein each of said pair of adjustable units (300) comprises a hook member (301),a and at least one supporting bracket (103), (303).
8. The three-wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claim1, wherein said at least one supporting bracket (103), (303) is fixedly attached to said at least a portion of said a rearward extending portion (102).
9. The three-wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said at least one supporting bracket (303) is provided with atleast one engaging member (305) for securing said hook member (301) and said of said pair of adjustable units (300).
10. The three-wheeled vehicle (10) as claimed in claim1, wherein the hook member (301) of said pair of adjustable units (300) is releasably secured to said through a locater member (304) and at least one hole (301a), (302a) provided in said hook member (301) and the stopper member (302) respectively.