Claims:We Claim:
1. A seat (S) for a vehicle with a restraint mechanism (100) for restricting sliding motion of an occupant (P), the seat comprising:
a stopper member (1), defining:
a central portion (2); and
a first contact portion (1a) and a second contact portion (1b) extending outwardly from either sides of the central portion (2);
a sleeve member (3) connected to the seat (S), wherein the central portion (2) of the stopper member (1) is pivotally connected to the sleeve member (3); and
at least one locking member (4) provided adjacent to the stopper member (1), wherein, the stopper member (1) is configured to move the seat (S) from a seating position to a restraint position when the occupant (P) contacts the first contact portion (1a), and the at least one locking member (4) is configured to lock the stopper member (1) in the restraint position, to restrict sliding motion of the occupant (P).
2. The seat (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second contact portion (1a) pivotally moves to the restraint position when the occupant (P) contacts the first contact portion (1b).

3. The seat (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the restraint position corresponds to raised position of the second contact portion (1b).

4. The seat (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one locking member (4) is a gear.

5. The seat (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the stopper member (1) is defined with gear teeth (5) for engaging with the at least one locking member (4).

6. The seat (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stopper member (1) is provided within a seating portion (6) of the seat (S).

7. The seat (100) as claimed in claim 1 comprises at least one handle (7) for disengaging the at least one locking member (4) from the stopper member (1).

8. The seat (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second contact portion (1b) moves the seating portion of the seat (S) upwardly to restrict sliding motion of the occupant (P).

9. The seat as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sleeve member (3) is a torsion bar, and the torsion bar is accommodated in the central portion (2) of the stopper member (1).

10. A vehicle comprising a seat as claimed in claim 1.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure in general relates to an automobile. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a seat for a vehicle. Further embodiments of the disclosure discloses a restrain mechanism configured within the seat of the vehicle to restrain sliding movement of the occupant.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Occupant or Passenger safety is one of a major concern and requirement that vehicle manufacturers need to follow to meet the regulatory government laws and regulations. Vehicle manufacturers equip an array of safety equipment’s such as seat belts, airbags, anti-lock braking (ABS) systems, electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and the like to increase the safety aspects of the vehicle. Many of these safety systems are programmed to operate at various levels of vehicle crashes or different vehicle crash incidents. Safety systems in modern vehicles are equipped in almost all around the vehicle as well as within the cabin of the vehicle. This ultimately increases active and passive safety of both the occupants and bystanders during the vehicle crash. Evidently, vehicle manufacturers concentrate majority of the safety systems in the front of the vehicle, as frontal crash of the vehicle is most common and can lead to fatal injuries to the occupants. Conventionally, when the vehicle experiences a front crash, the airbags equipped within the vehicle deploy and save the occupant from crashing onto the dashboard or steering wheel. In addition to the airbags, seat belts with pretensioners may also be equipped within the vehicles to prevent sliding motion of the passengers in the frontal crash.

However, even with the safety features equipped within the vehicle, the occupant in a front crash tends to slide forward to due sudden deceleration and gravitational forces acting on the occupant. This frontal motion may still cause severe injury to the occupant as the knees or torso of the occupant may impact the dashboard of the steering wheel. In view of the above, several conventional systems modify the seat, more particularly a seat pan of the seat, in order to restrain the occupant within the seat. However, the seat pan which is primarily designed to ergonomically occupy the occupant undergoes a design change. However, this may not be desirable as it would change the comfort of the seat pan leading to other disadvantages, such as lack in comfort, increased harness of the seat and the like.

Moreover, changing the shape of the seat may not be suitable to all occupants as, the seats would not aid in ergonomically holding the occupants within the seat. Additionally, usage of stoppers or restrictors within the seat or seat cushioning increases the harness of the seat leading to discomfort to the user. Several other conventional seat restraint mechanisms use complex actuators systems and electronic aids in order to sense the frontal crash to restrain the occupant. However, these restrain mechanisms are expensive and complex in nature to build and assemble. Moreover, this set-up may not be feasible for use in all forms of vehicles as the cost for installation of such systems may be expensive and may increase the overall cost of the vehicle.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above and any other limitations associated with the prior arts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a mechanism as disclosed and additional advantages are provided through the mechanism as described in the present disclosure.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the mechanism of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In one non-limiting embodiment, a seat for a vehicle with a restraint mechanism for restricting sliding motion of an occupant is disclosed. The seat comprising, a stopper member defining a central portion. A first contact portion and a second contact portion extending outwardly from either sides of the central portion. A sleeve member connected to the seat, wherein the central portion of the stopper member is pivotally connected to the sleeve member. At least one locking member provided adjacent to the stopper member, wherein, the stopper member is configured to move the seat from a seating position to a restraint position when the occupant contacts the first contact portion, and the at least one locking member is configured to lock the stopper member in the restraint position, to restrict sliding motion of the occupant.
In an embodiment, the second contact portion pivotally moves to the restraint position when the occupant contacts the first contact portion.
In an embodiment, the restraint position corresponds to raised position of the second contact portion.
In an embodiment, the at least one locking member is a gear.
In an embodiment, the stopper member is defined with gear teeth for engaging with the at least one locking member.
In an embodiment, the stopper member is provided within a seating portion of the seat.
In an embodiment, at least one handle for disengaging the at least one locking member from the stopper member.

In an embodiment, the second contact portion moves the seating portion of the seat upwardly to restrict sliding motion of the occupant.

In an embodiment, the sleeve member is a torsion bar, and the torsion bar is accommodated in the central portion of the stopper member.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended description. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure.1 illustrates a perspective view of a stopper member of a restraint mechanism for a seat of a vehicle, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the restraint mechanism employed in the seat of the vehicle in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure. 3 illustrates perspective view of an occupant contacting the stopper member in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the mechanism illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the description of the disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that, such restraint mechanism for a seat of the vehicle from the scope of the disclosure. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, as to operation of the restraint mechanism, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the spirit and the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a system that comprises a list of acts does not include only those acts but may include other acts not expressly listed or inherent to such method. In other words, one or more acts in a method proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other acts or additional acts in the method.
Embodiments of the present disclosure discloses a seat for a vehicle with a restraint mechanism for restricting sliding motion of an occupant. Generally, during a front crash of the vehicle the occupant of the seat may slide forward thereby impacting the dashboard or steering wheel of the vehicle. In order to prevent or restrict such forward sliding of the occupant over the seat, the restrain mechanism may be provided within the seat of the vehicle. The restraint mechanism comprises a stopper member, wherein the stopper member is defined with a central portion. A first contact portion and a second contact portion extends outwardly from either sides of the central portion. Further, a sleeve member is connected to the seat wherein the central portion of the stopper member is pivotally connected to the sleeve member. Additionally, at least one locking member is provided adjacent to the stopper member. The stopper member is configured to move the seat from a seating position to restraining position. The restraining position of the seat is achieved when the occupant seated on the seat contacts the first contact portion of the stopper member. This contact pivots the stopper member upwardly in order to restraint the occupant from sliding forward over the seat. Lastly, the at least one locking member is configured to lock the stopper member in the restraint portion, to restrict sliding motion of the occupant.
Accordingly, the present disclosure discloses a restraint mechanism configured within a seat of the vehicle. The restraint mechanism may be operated by the user when the vehicle is experiencing a frontal crash. In other words, due to sharp braking and rapid deceleration of the vehicle, the occupant seated on the seat, may slide forward. This forward sliding motion, changes the contact portion of the occupant to the seat [i.e. from initial position to final position]. As the occupant slides forward, a first contact portion of the stopper member is pushed inwardly into the seat, thereby making a second contact portion to pivot upwardly through the seat. This upwardly protruded second contact portion restrains further sliding motion of the occupant over the seat. Moreover, the at least one locking member which is configured within the restraint mechanism locks the stopper member in the restraint position. This creates a protrusion within the seat to prevent forward sliding of the occupant.
In the following detailed description, embodiments of the disclosure are explained with reference of accompanying figures that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Figure. 1, illustrates a perspective view of a stopper member (1) for a restraint mechanism (100). The restraint mechanism (100) may be configured within a seat (S) of a vehicle. The stopper member (1) is defined with a central portion (2) wherein a first contact portion (1a) and a second contact portion (1b) extends outwardly from either sides of the central portion (2). Further, the seat (S) comprises of a sleeve member (3) that may be connected to seat frame [not shown in figures]. The sleeve member (3) may be provided to impart rigidity to the seat (S) of the vehicle. The stopper member (1) with its central portion (2) may be pivotally connected to the sleeve member (3) within a seating portion (6) of the seat (S). In an embodiment, the stopper member (1) may be configured to pivot around the sleeve member (3). The first contact portion (1a) and the second contact portion (1b) may also be configured to pivot from an initial position to a first position. Further, the first contact portion (1a) and the second contact portion (1b) may be designed to be symmetrical in shape.
Now referring to Figure 2, which illustrates a perspective view of the restraint mechanism for a seat of the vehicle. The figure shows an occupant (P) seated on the seat (S) at an initial position. The initial position of the occupant (P) on the seat (S) relates to the normal seating position of the occupant (P) i.e. when the occupant (P) is seated with a pelvic of the occupant close to a seat back rest. In the normal seating position of the occupant on over, the weight is distributed over the seat (S) closer to the seat back. However, in case of an emergency braking or sudden deceleration of the vehicle in a forward direction, the occupant (P) tends to slide forward over the seat (S). This forces the pelvic portion of the occupant (P) to move away from the seat back and towards a tip end of the seat (S). The restraint mechanism (100) is configured within the seat (S) within the vicinity of the tip end of the seat (S). In an embodiment, configuring the restraint mechanism (100) close to the tip end of the seat (S) prevents the restrain mechanism (100) from being actuated when the occupant (P) is seated in the normal seating position. The sleeve member (3) connected to the seat (S) is also provided close to the tip end of the seat (S) so that, the restraint mechanism (100) may be pivotally connected to the sleeve member (3). The first contact portion (1a) of the stopper member (1) may be provided so that it may recede farthest away from the tip end of the seat (S). As an example, the first contact portion (1a) may be provided at a central location of the seat (S) and the second contact position (1b) may be provided at the tip end of the seat (S). In an embodiment, the stopper member (1) connected to the sleeve member (3) of the seat (3) may extend throughout the breadth of the seat (S). In operation, the stopper member (1) assists in providing a wider range of contact area between the first and second contact portions (1a, 1b) and the occupant (P).
Further, at least one locking member (4) is provided adjacent to the stopper member (1). In an embodiment, the at least one locking member (4) may be a gear or a gear wheel, wherein the at least one locking member engages with a plurality of gear teeth (5) defined on the stopper member (1). The at least one locking member (4) is configured to engage the plurality of gear teeth (5) as and when the stopper member (1) displaces from the initial position to a pivoted position. Further, the at least one locking member (4) is configured to lock with the plurality of gear teeth (5) in one direction of rotation. In other words, the at least one locking member (4) is unidirectional and does not allow counter rotation of the gear or gear wheel. This configuration of the at least one locking member (4) provides locking of the stopper member (1) in the pivoted position.
Referring now to figure 3, which illustrates perspective view of the seat showing occupant (P) contacting the stopper member (1). As the vehicle abruptly decelerates or on hard braking, the occupant (P) slides forward over the seat (S). Forward sliding of the occupant (P) shifts the contact point or the pelvic of the occupant (P) over the first contact portion (1a). As the occupant (P) contacts the first contact portion (1a), the stopper member (1) pivots on the sleeve member (3). The occupant (P) applies a predetermined amount of weight on the first contact portion (1a) thereby pivoting the stopper member (1). Pivoting action of the stopper member (1) pushes the second contact point (1b) upwardly. This upward movement of the second contact portion (1b), raises the seat (S) at the tip portion. Due to the sliding motion of the occupant (P) over the seat (S), the raised portion i.e. the second contact portion (1b) contacts the occupant (P) and restricts further sliding motion of the occupant in the forward direction. As disclosed above, due to the pivoting movement of the stopper member (1), the at least one locking member (4), locks the stopper member (1) in its pivoted position i.e. restraint position of the seat.
In an embodiment, contact surfaces of the first contact portion (1a) and the second contact portion (1b) are configured with padding to prevent injury to the occupant (P). The padding used at the contact surfaces of the first contact portion (1a) and the second contact portion (1b) may be at least one of hard foam material, soft plastics, soft polymers and the like.
In an embodiment, the restraint mechanism (100) may be provided with a handle (7) for disengaging the at least one locking member (4) engaged with the plurality of gear teeth (5). As an example, if the occupant (P) accidently actuates the restrain mechanism (100) by contacting the first contact portion (1a), the occupant (P) may operate the handle in order to release the gear or gear wheel locked to the plurality of gear teeth (5).
In an embodiment, the sleeve member (3) may be a torsion bar, wherein the torsion bar may be passed through at least one mounting hole (9) defined at the central portion (2) of the stopper member (1). Further, the stopper member (1) may be mounted around at least one bearing (8) mounted on the sleeve member (3) for pivotal action or movement of the stopper member (1).
In an embodiment, the first contact portion (1a) and the second contact portion (1b) of the stopper member (1) may be any a geometrical shape including a rectangular shape, a square shape and like. However, the geometrical shapes mentioned above are for illustrative purposes and cannot be considered as a limitation. The geometrical shape of the first contact portion (1a) and the second contact portion (1b) may vary based on the requirement.
In an embodiment, the restraint mechanism (100) offers additional restraining force in lieu of seat belts worn by the occupants (P). This inherently prevents the occupant (P) from crashing into the dashboard or the steering wheel of the vehicle in a frontal crash.
In an embodiment, the restraint mechanism (100) is configured within the seat (S) of the vehicle and is mechanically operated based on the weight distribution of the occupant (P) seated on the seat (S). This mechanism (100) mitigates usage of complex mechanisms, and thereby making the mechanism simple in construction and easy to maintain.
EQUIVALENTS

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referral Numerals:

Description Referral Numerals
100 Restraint mechanism
1 Stopper member
1a First contact portion
1b Second contact portion
2 Central portion
3 Sleeve member
4 At least one locking member
5 Gear teeth
6 Seating portion
7 Handle
8 Bearing
9 At least one mounting hole
P Occupant