Seat back mounted load floor system and method of making the same

1. Field of the Invention

The field of the present invention relates generally to a seat back mounted load floor systems which may be selectively stowed and deployed and a method of making the same.

2. Background Art

Load floor systems are known. Examples of load systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,207,616; 7,188,881; 7,059,646; 6,698,829; 6,905,155; 6,136,259; and 5,855,310, and also in Published U.S. Patent Application Nos. 2006/0108817; and 2004/0105744.

In one aspect of the invention, a load floor system for use with a vehicle seat is disclosed. In at least a first embodiment, the load floor system includes a load floor member that is adapted for pivotal connection to a vehicle seat back. The load floor member can be configured to move between a stowed position and a deployed position when the load floor member is pivotally connected to the seat back. In at least this embodiment, the load floor member is substantially horizontal and disposed above and spaced apart from a floor surface of the vehicle when in the deployed position. A support member supports the load floor member when the load floor member is in the deployed position. In at least one implementation of the first embodiment, in instances where the seat back is configured to recline with respect to the seat bottom, the system may further include a hinge which may be connected to an end of the load floor member. The hinge may be configured to pivotally connect the load floor member to the seat back. The hinge may be further configured to raise the end of the load floor member as the seat back reclines in a first direction and to lower the end of the load floor member as the seat back reclines in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. In at least one variation of this implementation, in instances where the seat back is configured to recline about a pivot point between a plurality of upright positions, the hinge may be disposed rearward of and a first distance below the pivot point when the seat back is in a first upright position. The hinge may be disposed rearward of, and a second distance below the pivot point that is greater than the first distance when the seat back is in a second upright position that is reclined rearward of the first upright position. In a further variation of this implementation, in instances where the seat back may be further configured to fold onto the seat bottom, the hinge may be configured to position the load floor member substantially flush with the seat back when the seat back is folded onto the seat bottom while the load floor member is in the deployed position. In a further variation of this implementation, the load floor may be substantially parallel with the seat back when the seat back is folded onto the seat bottom while the load floor member is in the deployed position.

In another implementation of the first embodiment, the load floor member may be substantially adjacent and substantially parallel to the seat back when in the stowed position.

In another implementation of the first embodiment, the support member may be pivotally connected to the load floor member and may be configured to move between a retracted position and a support position. In a variation of this implementation, the support member may be substantially adjacent and substantially parallel to the load floor member when the support member is in the retracted position. In another variation of this implementation, the support member may be substantially transverse to the load floor member when the support member is in the support position. In at least another variation of this implementation, the load floor member may be a leg having a width that is substantially equal to a width of the load floor member and a length that is sufficient to support the load floor member at a substantially horizontal orientation when deployed. In at least another variation of this implementation, the support member may include a securing member that is configured to releasably secure the support member in a position that is substantially adjacent and substantially parallel to the load floor member while the support member is in the retracted position. In a further variation, the securing member may be configured to releasably attach both the support member and the load floor member to the vehicle seat while the support member is in the retracted position and the load floor member is in the stowed position. In some variations, the securing member may be a hook that is configured to engage a portion of the vehicle seat. In the deployed position, the support member may contact the vehicle floor and may have a depression in the floor for locating a distal end of the support member.

In at least another implementation of the first embodiment, the load floor member may define an opening extending there through to permit a user to access the seat back while the load floor member is in the stowed position. In at least one variation of this implementation, the load floor member may include a cover member that is configured to move between a cover position and an exposed position to permit a user to selectively cover the opening.

In at least another implementation of the first embodiment, the load floor member may be disposed at least 100 mm above the floor surface when the load floor member is in the deployed position.

In at least a second embodiment, a vehicle seat system may be used in a vehicle having a tub that is defined in a floor surface of the vehicle. In this embodiment, the vehicle seat system includes a seat body that has a seat back pivotally connected to a seat bottom. The seat back is configured to pivot between a plurality of upright positions and to fold onto the seat bottom. The seat body is adapted for attachment to the vehicle proximate to and forward of the tub. A load floor member having a hinge is pivotally connected to the seat back by the hinge and is configured to move between a stowed position and deployed position. When in the deployed position, the load floor member is disposed above and substantially covering the tub when the seat body is attached to the vehicle. The hinge is configured to raise and lower an end of the load floor member as the seat back pivots between the plurality of upright positions. A support member is pivotally connected to the load floor member and supports the load floor member above the tub while the load floor member is in the deployed position. In at least one implementation of this embodiment, the load floor member may be disposed substantially adjacent and substantially parallel to the seat back when in the stowed position.

In at least another implementation of the second embodiment, in instances where the vehicle has a support member receiver proximate a rear portion of the tub, the support member may have an engagement portion that is configured to engage the support member receiver.

In another aspect of the invention, a method of making a vehicle seat having a retractable load floor system for use with a vehicle is disclosed. In a third embodiment, the method includes providing a seat body that is configured for attachment to the vehicle. The seat body has a seat back connected to a seat bottom. A load floor system is provided. The load floor system includes a load floor member and a support member that is pivotally attached to the load floor member. The load floor system is pivotally connected to the seat back such that the load floor system is disposed rearward of the seat body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmented perspective view illustrating a vehicle equipped with an embodiment of the seat back mounted load floor system of the present invention in both a deployed and a stowed configuration;

FIG. 2 is a fragmented perspective view illustrating the seat back mounted load floor system of FIG. 1 in a second deployed configuration;

FIG. 3 is a fragmented perspective view illustrating the seat back mounted load floor system of FIG. 1 in the stowed configuration with the seat assembly in a folded flat configuration;

FIG. 4 is a fragmented cross-sectional view of a portion of the seat back mounted load floor system of FIG. 1 in a deployed configuration;

FIG. 5 is a fragmented cross-sectional view of the seat back mounted load floor system illustrated in FIG. 4 in an alternate deployed configuration;

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Previous Patent Application:
Drive unit of a movable vehicle component
Next Patent Application:
Latch rear seat back operation
Industry Class:
Chairs and seats

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