Storable exterior seat for a vehicle

Details Storable exterior seat for a vehicle Storable exterior seat for a vehicle

1999-05-13

2001-03-06

Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)

Land vehicles: bodies and tops

Bodies

Seats with body modifications

C296S065010, C293S117000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06196612

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to an automotive seat and, more particularly, to such a seat that is movable between a stowed and a use position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known for automotive vehicles such as pickup trucks and station wagons to have fold-down tailgates that may be used, when the vehicle is parked, as a seat or as a table-top for placing items such as drinks, food, and the like.
For vehicles without fold-down tailgates or similar such structures, the rear bumper may be the only convenient alternative surface available for use as a seat or a table-top. However, the upper surfaces of bumpers are typically quite narrow and are often slanted at an angle that would cause a seated person to slide off or have to push back with his or her legs to remain seated. In addition, bumper surfaces are typically coated with substances such as dirt and road salt—substances which can leave unsightly marks on one's clothing.
What is needed is a stowable seat with a surface that is wide enough and level enough to seat a person without the problems present in existing rear bumper configurations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An automotive seat assembly
10
,
10
′ is provided that comprises a platform
18
,
18
′ including an upper seating surface
20
,
20
′ supported on an automotive vehicle
12
,
12
′. The vehicle
12
,
12
′ includes an exterior shell
14
,
14
′ that defines and bounds a vehicle interior. At least a portion of the upper seating surface
20
,
20
′ extends outside the vehicle interior when the platform
18
,
18
′ is in a generally horizontal use position. A platform support structure
24
,
24
′ is supported on the vehicle
12
,
12
′ and is engageable with the platform
18
,
18
′ to support the platform
18
,
18
′ in the use position. Characterizing the invention is an opening
22
,
22
′ in the exterior shell
14
,
14
′ through which the platform
18
,
18
′ is movable between the use position and an interior stowed position within the vehicle interior to protect the platform
18
,
18
′ from the elements and to prevent the platform
18
,
18
′ from interfering with the operation of a vehicle bumper
26
,
26
′ in a collision.
Unlike existing automotive seating systems and exterior vehicle structures, a seat assembly constructed according to the present invention has a platform and seating surface that may be kept clean by moving the platform to a stowed position in the vehicle interior when the seat assembly is not in use. In addition, the platform width may extend laterally beyond an associated vehicle bumper when in the use position.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2228203 (1941-01-01), Hoffman
patent: 3338620 (1967-08-01), Cauvin
patent: 3357719 (1967-12-01), McCrea
patent: 3796456 (1974-03-01), Bergeson et al.
patent: 4089276 (1978-05-01), Enos
patent: 5040467 (1991-08-01), King

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