Vehicle with guide rail system

Abstract

A vehicle includes a rail system coupled to a floor chassis and a floor covering having a bridge. The vehicle also includes one or more anchors coupling a seat assembly to the rail system and configured to displace the bridge as the anchors traverse the rail system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to vehicles and, more particularly, to vehicles having a guideway system. Background Art

[0002] Vehicles are often equipped with seat assemblies that can be adjusted to suit the comfort of the occupants. Some seat assemblies in vehicles can be moved in a fore-aft or side-to-side direction. However, there is a need for reconfigurable seat assemblies in vehicles that can be moved to different positions within the vehicle cabin. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes a track system coupled to a floor pan, and a floor covering having a bridge. The vehicle also includes one or more anchors coupling a seat assembly to the track system and configured to displace the bridge when the anchors traverse the track system.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or combination of the following features:

[0005] The vehicle further includes wheels operably coupled to the seat assembly and located on one or more sides of each of the one or more anchorages configured to at least partially support the seat assembly;

[0006] the bridge being operably coupled to a first side of the rail system and having a rigid arm extending over a channel in the rail system to prevent the floor covering from entering the channel;

[0007] the vehicle further comprising a conductor positioned between the rail system and the floor covering on a second side of the rail system and provided with electrical power;

[0008] The seat assembly has an electrical connector configured to engage the conductor to provide electrical power to the seat assembly;

[0009] The guide rail system is equipped with multiple positioning holes;

[0010] At least one of the anchors has a locking pin that can be coupled to the plurality of positioning holes in the track system to allow for movement through various positions of the seat assembly; and

[0011] The seat assembly further includes a trim portion substantially enclosing the wheel and the anchorage, wherein the trim portion is positioned to generally correspond to a width of the track system.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes a rail system coupled to a floor pan, and a floor covering having a bridge. The bridge is operably coupled to the rail system and has rigid arms that extend over a channel in the rail system to prevent the floor covering from entering the channel. The vehicle also includes one or more anchors that couple a seat assembly to the rail system and are configured to displace the bridge when the anchors traverse the rail system.

[0013] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or combination of the following features:

[0014] The vehicle further includes wheels operably coupled to the seat assembly and located on one or more sides of each of the one or more anchorages configured to at least partially support the seat assembly;

[0015] The bridge is operably coupled to a first side of the rail system;

[0016] the vehicle further comprising a conductor positioned between the rail system and the floor covering on a second side of the rail system and provided with electrical power;

[0017] The seat assembly has an electrical connector configured to engage the conductor to provide electrical power to the seat assembly;

[0018] The guide rail system is equipped with a plurality of positioning holes; and

[0019] At least one of the anchoring elements has a locking pin that can be coupled with the plurality of positioning holes in the track system to enable movement through various positions of the seat assembly.

[0020] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes: a rail system coupled to a floor pan; and a floor covering having a bridge. The bridge is operably coupled to a first side of the rail system and has a rigid arm that extends over a channel in the rail system, thereby preventing the floor covering from entering the channel. The vehicle also includes a conductor positioned between the rail system and the floor covering on a second side of the rail system, and the conductor is provided with power. One or more anchors couple a seat assembly to the rail system and are configured to displace the bridge when the anchor traverses the rail system. The seat assembly has an electrical connector configured to engage with the conductor so that power is provided to the seat assembly. Wheels are operably coupled to the seat assembly and are located on one or more sides of each of the one or more anchors.

[0021] Embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or combination of the following features:

[0022] The guide rail system is equipped with multiple positioning holes;

[0023] At least one of the anchoring members has a locking pin that can be coupled with the plurality of positioning holes in the track system to enable movement through various positions of the seat assembly;

[0024] the floor pan and the floor covering are separated by a filling layer, and the thickness of the filling layer generally corresponds to the height of the rail system; and

[0025] The conductor further includes a housing having a living hinge, wherein the electrical connector of the seat assembly separates the housing about the living hinge to allow electrical connection between the conductor and the electrical connector.

[0026] These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosure will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art after studying the following description, claims, and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the attached figure:

[0028] Figure 1 is a top view of a vehicle passenger cabin showing a track system and a seat assembly according to one embodiment;

[0029] Figure 2 is a top view of a vehicle passenger cabin according to another embodiment, showing a track system and a seat assembly;

[0030] Figure 3is a top view of a track system according to one embodiment, illustrating movement of a seat assembly along the track system;

[0031] Figure 4 is a top view of a track system according to another embodiment, illustrating movement of a seat assembly along the track system;

[0032] Figure 5 is a top view of a portion of a track system according to one embodiment, showing one of the seat assemblies traversing the track system through a corner;

[0033] Figure 6 is a top perspective view of a corner of a rail system according to one embodiment with an anchor coupled to the rail system;

[0034] Figure 7 is a top view of an anchor engaged with a rail system according to one embodiment, showing a curved side of the anchor;

[0035] Figure 8 is a schematic top view of a rounded corner of a rail system according to one embodiment, illustrating a trapezoidal seat base;

[0036] Figure 9 According to one embodiment Figure 8 A side view of the anchor member coupled to the rail system, taken along line IX-IX in FIG.

[0037] Figure 10 is a side view of a wheel of a seat assembly according to one embodiment;

[0038] Figure 11 is a side perspective view of a seat assembly according to one embodiment showing a partial cross-sectional view of an anchorage;

[0039] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 an enlarged view of the anchor shown in ;

[0040] Figure 13 According to one embodiment Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the guide rail system and the anchoring member taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG.

[0041] Figure 14 According to another embodiment Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the guide rail system and the anchoring member taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG.

[0042] Figure 15 According to yet another embodiment Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the guide rail system and the anchoring member taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG.

[0043] Figure 16 According to one embodiment Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the guide rail system and the anchoring member taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG.

[0044] Figure 17 It is along Figure 9 A sectional view of the guide rail system taken along line XVI-XVI in FIG. 1 , showing the bridge of the floor covering in a lowered position;

[0045] Figure 18 According to one embodiment Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the guide rail system and anchorage member taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 1 , showing the locking pin and drive cable in the lowered position;

[0046] Figure 19 According to another embodiment Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the guide rail system and anchorage taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 1 , showing the locking pin and drive cable in a raised position; and

[0047] Figure 20 According to one embodiment Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the rail system and anchoring member taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 1 shows the data line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] For the purpose of description, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and their derivatives shall be used as such. Figure 1 The concepts are not necessarily associated with the embodiments herein as oriented in the drawings. However, these concepts may adopt various alternative orientations unless expressly stated to the contrary. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0049] The illustrated embodiments primarily reside in a combination of method steps and apparatus components related to a vehicle. Accordingly, apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, with only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure being shown to avoid obscuring the disclosure with details that would be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Furthermore, like reference numerals in the specification and drawings represent like elements.

[0050] As used herein, the term "and / or," when used to list two or more items, means that any one of the listed items may be employed individually, or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition may contain: A alone; B alone; C alone; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0051] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, etc. are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another and do not necessarily require or imply any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without more constraints, an element preceded by "comprises ... a" does not preclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0052] refer to Figures 1 to 20 , the vehicle 30 has a passenger cabin 34 that includes a track system 38 coupled to a floor pan 42 and a floor covering 46 including a bridge 50. The vehicle 30 also includes one or more anchors 54 that couple a seat assembly 58 to the track system 38 and are configured to displace the bridge 50 as the anchors 54 traverse the track system 38.

[0053] Reference again Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the vehicle 30 may be a wheeled motor vehicle provided with a plurality of wheel and tire assemblies 62 and one or more access doors 66. For example, there may be four wheel and tire assemblies 62, with one wheel and tire assembly 62 positioned generally at each corner of the vehicle 30. The access doors 66 may be positioned on one or more sides 70 of the vehicle 30. The access doors 66 may additionally or alternatively be positioned on the front 74 of the vehicle 30 and / or the rear 78 of the vehicle 30. According to some embodiments, the vehicle 30 may be an autonomous vehicle ( Figure 1 In an alternative embodiment, the vehicle 30 may be driven by an operator or driver ( Figure 2) control. The rail system 38 can define a track within the passenger cabin 34 of the vehicle 30. The rail system 38 can include an inner track 82 and an outer track 86. In some embodiments, the rail system 38 can also include a loading and unloading track 90. ​​The loading and unloading track 90 can extend between the sides 70 of the vehicle 30 and / or between the front 74 and the rear 78 of the vehicle 30. The loading and unloading track 90 can include an open end 94 that facilitates coupling the seat assembly 58 to the rail system 38. In embodiments that do not include the loading and unloading track 90, the seat assembly 58 can be coupled directly to at least one of the inner track 82 and the outer track 86 without utilizing the open end 94 of the rail system 38.

[0054] Further references Figure 1 and Figure 2 The seat assembly 58 includes a comfort structure 98 and a seat base 102. The seat base 102 operably couples the seat assembly 58 to the track system 38. The seat base 102 may be operably coupled to the comfort structure 98 via a pivot mechanism 106. The seat assembly 58 may include an armrest 110. With the assistance of the pivot mechanism 106, an occupant 114 of the seat assembly 58 can pivot the seat assembly 58 about a vertical axis, allowing the occupant 114 and their feet 118 to face any desired direction within the passenger cabin 34 of the vehicle 30. Regardless of the translational position of the seat assembly 58 on the track system 38, the pivot mechanism 106 enables the seat assembly 58 to be positioned in the rotational position desired by the occupant 114. The track system 38 may also accommodate furniture and / or items that may be useful or desired by the occupants 114 of the passenger cabin 34. For example, a table 122 may be operably coupled to the track system 38 in a manner similar to the coupling of the seat assembly 58. The table 122 can be moved through various locations and / or positions along the rail system 38. The table can be rotated about a vertical axis, moved laterally, moved longitudinally, and / or assume various pitch angles relative to the floor pan 42 of the vehicle 30. In some embodiments, the table 122 can be provided by the rear surface of the seat assembly 58 when the seat assembly 58 is in the folded position. The passenger cabin 34 of the vehicle 30 can be provided with a privacy wall 124 that separates the driver or operator from the passenger area of ​​the vehicle 30.

[0055] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the rail system 38 includes an inner rail 82 and an outer rail 86. In some embodiments, the rail system 38 also includes a loading rail 90 and an open end 94. The loading rail 90 can extend from one side of the rail system 38, as shown herein. Alternatively, the loading rail 90 can extend from one side of the rail system 38 to the opposite side of the vehicle 30, as the loading rail 90 crosses the vehicle 30 from one side to the other. Figure 1), or the rail system 38 may intersect the loading and unloading track 90. ​​The rail system 38 may be equipped with a drive cable 126. In some embodiments, the drive cable 126 is generally associated with the outer track 86 of the rail system 38. The drive cable 126 may engage with one or more pulleys 130, which are positioned at various locations around the rail system 38. In some embodiments, the pulleys 130 may be positioned at direction change points along the rail system 38. For example, the pulleys 130 may be positioned at a corner of the rail system 38, at the intersection of the loading and unloading track 90 and the rail system 38, and / or may be associated with a location on the rail system 38 where the seat assembly 58 changes direction as the seat assembly 58 traverses the tracks of the rail system 38.

[0056] Reference again Figure 3 and Figure 4The drive cable 126 can be operably coupled to the motor 134 and the control module 138. The drive cable 126 can be routed around a tensioner, such as a clockwise tensioner or a counterclockwise tensioner, to facilitate engagement between the drive cable 126 and the pulley 130. The drive cable 126 can also be routed through one or more routing guides 140, which help guide the drive cable 126 onto and off the rail system 38 so that it can engage the pulley 130. The routing guides 140 can help prevent the drive cable 126 from becoming disengaged from the rail system 38. The routing guides 140 can provide a height change to the drive cable 126, which can be beneficial, for example, at the intersection of the loading and unloading track 90 and the rest of the rail system 38. The drive cable 126 can be a continuous loop of material. The drive cable 126 can be routed in a manner that avoids having the drive cable 126 pass through the center of the loading and unloading track 90. By avoiding allowing the drive cable 126 to pass through the center of the loading and unloading track 90, the seat assembly 58 can avoid premature engagement with the drive cable 126 when the seat assembly 58 is loaded onto the track system 38. For example, when the seat assembly 58 is loaded onto the track system 38 (e.g., the loading and unloading track 90), the drive cable 126 can move to one side of the loading and unloading track 90, thereby allowing the seat assembly 58 to be loaded onto the track system 38 and pass over the drive cable 126. In the illustrated embodiment, the track system 38 is generally rectangular, includes four corners, and is equipped with the loading and unloading track 90. ​​Each of the four corners of the track system 38 is equipped with a pulley 130 positioned outside of the outer track 86. Additionally, the pulley 130 is positioned at the intersection between the outer track 86 and the loading and unloading track 90. The track system 38 may also be equipped with additional pulleys 130 positioned on the inner track 82 and generally corresponding to the pulleys 130 positioned at the intersection of the outer track 86 and the loading track 90. ​​By positioning the pulleys 130 in this manner, the seat assembly 58 may be smoothly moved across the track system 38 by selectively engaging the drive cables 126 while the control module 138 engages the motor 134 to be activated.

[0057] Further references Figure 3 and Figure 4, the seat assembly 58 may be equipped with one or more anchors 54. The anchors 54 may be positioned to generally correspond to each of the four corners of the seat assembly 58. Generally, it may be beneficial to equip the seat assembly 58 with at least one anchor 54 that is operably coupled to each of the inner track 82 and the outer track 86. The seat assembly 58 may preferably be equipped with a plurality of anchors 54 that engage with each of the inner track 82 and the outer track 86 (e.g., the inner track 82 and the outer track 86 are each equipped with two anchors 54, such that the seat assembly 58 is equipped with four anchors 54). According to one embodiment, the various shadings of the anchors 54 represent the engaged or disengaged state of the anchors 54 with the drive cables 126. The anchors 54 are shown with varying degrees of shading that convey whether the anchors 54 are engaged or disengaged with the rail system 38 and the drive cables 126. Anchors 54 that are not shaded represent anchors 54 that are engaged with the rail system 38, locked in place (e.g., by a locking pin), and disengaged from the drive cable 126. Anchors 54 that are fully shaded represent anchors 54 that are engaged with the rail system 38, unlocked from the rail system 38, and engaged to the drive cable 126.

[0058] Now refer to Figure 5 , a seat assembly 58 is shown operably coupled to the track system 38 via an anchor 54. More specifically, the seat assembly 58 is shown in positions A through G and depicts an example of how the seat assembly 58 traverses the track system 38 by selectively engaging the anchor 54 with the drive cable 126. The anchors 54 are shown with varying degrees of shading, which convey whether the anchor 54 is engaged or disengaged from the track system 38 and the drive cable 126. Anchors 54 that are unshaded, such as the anchors 54 in positions A and G, represent anchors 54 that are engaged with the track system 38, locked in place (e.g., by a locking pin), and disengaged from the drive cable 126. Anchors 54 that are partially shaded with vertical lines represent anchors 54 that are engaged with the track system 38, unlocked from the track system 38 (e.g., by raising a locking pin), and disengaged from the drive cable 126. A fully shaded anchorage 54, such as the anchorage 54 located at the upper right of the seat assembly 58 in position B, represents an anchorage 54 engaged with the track system 38, unlocked from the track system 38, and engaged to the drive cable 126. Figure 5 The pulley 130 is omitted, but the pulley 130 is similar to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The approaches discussed in the foregoing apply to the depicted embodiments. Figure 5 Movement of the seat assembly 58 along the track system 38 and a right-angle transition of the seat assembly 58 from a first portion of the track system 38 to a second portion of the track system 38 through selective engagement of the anchor 54 with the track system 38 and the drive cable 126 are depicted.

[0059] Reference again Figure 5 Position A of the seat assembly 58 represents a secured position for the seat assembly 58, in which the seat assembly 58 is secured to the track system 38 by a locking pin, preventing the seat assembly 58 from accidentally or unintentionally traversing the track system 38 (e.g., during vehicle maneuvers, a crash event, etc.). In position A, the seat assembly 58 is generally ready to receive an occupant. In position D, the seat assembly 58 has unlocked each anchorage 54 from the track system 38 and engaged one anchorage 54 to the actuation cable 126, allowing the seat assembly 58 to begin traversing the track system 38. While the seat assembly 58 can traverse the track system 38 when occupied or unoccupied, it may be beneficial to limit the traversal of the seat assembly 58 on the track system 38 when the seat assembly 58 is unoccupied to reduce the risk of injury to the occupant. In the illustrated embodiment, position B engages the anchorage 54 located at the upper right corner of the seat assembly 58 to the actuation cable 126 and begins traversing the track system 38. By engaging the anchorage 54 as shown in position B, the possibility of motion injuries to the seat assembly 58 can be reduced. For example, if position B engages the anchorage 54 located at the upper left of the seat assembly 58 to the drive cable 126, a situation may arise where the seat assembly 58 approaches a pulley 130 located at a corner of the track system 38, where a sticking or movement injury may occur because the anchorage 54 engaged by the drive cable attempts to follow the path of the drive cable 126 around the pulley 130 and encounters forces from the track system 38, the travel guide 140 ( Figure 4 ) and / or the structural resistance of the pulley 130.

[0060] Further references Figure 5When the seat assembly 58 reaches a corner 142 of the track system 38, the engaged configuration of the anchorages 54 transitions to the engaged configuration shown in position C. The seat assembly 58 in position C provides the anchorages 54 unlocked from the track system 38, with one of the anchorages 54 engaged with the drive cable 126. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat assembly 58 reaches the corner 142 of the track system 38 and comes to a rest, at least temporarily. Once the seat assembly 58 reaches the corner 142, the engaged configuration of the anchorages 54 can be adjusted if it is desired to move the seat assembly 58 along the second portion of the track system 38. In position D, the seat assembly 58 transitions from the locked configuration of the anchorages 54 to the moving configuration. For example, an occupant may already be seated in the seat assembly 58 and desire to sit at a corner of the track system 38; however, a new configuration of the passenger compartment 34 of the vehicle 30 is desired. When the seat assembly 58 is transitioning from the first portion to the second portion of the track system 38 , the anchor 54 can be in a locked position relative to the track system 38 while being disengaged from the drive cable 126 to prevent accidental or unintentional free movement of the seat assembly 58 along the track system 38 (e.g., while the vehicle is in motion).

[0061] Further references Figure 5 At position E, the seat assembly 58 is prepared to exit the corner 142 of the track system 38 by having three anchorages 54 unlocked from the track system 38 and disengaged from the drive cable 126, while the remaining anchorage 54 is disengaged from the track system 38 and engaged with the drive cable 126. Once the anchorages 54 engage the drive cables 126 at position E, the seat assembly 58 begins traversing the second portion of the track system 38, as shown in position F. Position G may be the occupant's final desired position, correspondingly, the anchorages 54 are all placed in a locked position relative to the track system 38 and disengaged from the drive cables 126. While positions A through G have been described as occurring in a stepwise manner, it is contemplated that these positions may be traversed in a continuous manner. Those skilled in the art will recognize that variations of the above sequence may be implemented without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. The described and depicted sequence of positions A through G illustrates one embodiment of how the seat assembly 58 may traverse the corner 142 of the track system 38. Alternative embodiments of the track system 38 , anchorage 54 , and / or seat assembly 58 are possible without departing from the concepts disclosed herein.

[0062] refer to Figure 6 , illustrates an intersection of the rail system 38, such as a corner 142, where the anchor 54 is operably coupled to the rail system 38. A connecting plate 146 may be positioned below the rail system 38. The connecting plate 146 may define a floor coupling hole 150 that is used to couple the connecting plate 146 to the floor pan 42 ( Figure 9) or another support structure. The connecting plate 146 can be operably coupled to the guide rail system 38, or can be integrally formed with the guide rail system 38. In some embodiments, the guide rail system 38 can be integrally formed with the floor pan 42. The guide rail system 38 is equipped with a plurality of locking pin holes 154, which are configured to receive locking pins 158 of the anchor 54. The locking pins 158 can pass through the legs 162 of the anchor 54 to engage with the locking pin holes 154. The guide rail system 38 can define a channel 166. The channel 166 can be configured to resemble an inverted T-shape. The legs 162 of the anchor 54 can generally correspond to or be associated with the cross member of the inverted T-shaped channel 166, and the locking pins 158 can generally correspond to the vertical portion of the inverted T-shaped channel 166.

[0063] Now refer to Figure 7 , the anchor 54 may include one or more curved sides 170. Curved sides 170 may be beneficial in embodiments of the rail system 38 that do not employ an orthogonal or generally square track arrangement. For example, in some embodiments, the rail system 38 may transition from a first portion of the rail system 38 to a second portion through a generally arcuate turn, such as shown below in FIG. Figure 8 . The curved sides 170 provide additional clearance between the walls 174 of the rail system 38, particularly when the anchor 54 navigates turns or corners in the rail system 38. The length 178 of the anchor 54 can generally correspond to the cross member of the inverted T-shaped channel 166. The width 182 of the anchor 54 can generally correspond to the distance between the walls 174 of the rail system 38. More specifically, the width 182 of the anchor 54 measured from the widest point of the anchor 54 can generally correspond to the distance between the walls 174 of the rail system 38.

[0064] refer to Figure 8 , a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the track system 38 is shown having rounded corners. The seat assembly 58 is shown transitioning from a first portion to a second portion of the track system 38 via rounded corners. The rounded corners of the track system 38 have an inner radius 186 associated with the inner track 82 and an outer radius 190 associated with the outer track 86. In the illustrated embodiment, the seat base 102 of the seat assembly 58 may generally resemble a trapezoidal geometry. The distance between the anchors 54 associated with the inner track 82 may be less than the distance between the anchors 54 associated with the outer track 86 of the track system 38. The anchors 54 are configured to engage with the track system 38 so as to prevent the anchors 54 from sticking or adhering within the track system 38 as the seat assembly 58 traverses the tracks. The feet 162 ( Figure 6 ) can be generally rectangular and dimensioned to avoid sticking or binding within the rail system 38. Alternatively, the legs 162 of the anchor 54 can have a geometry including rounded edges and / or sides, such as Figure 7 , or the legs 162 may have a generally circular or oval cross-section. In general, it may be beneficial to avoid sharp edges on the legs 162 of the anchorage 54 so that transitions between the first portion, the second portion, and other portions of the rail system 38 may be accomplished with a reduced likelihood of sticking, binding, and / or general misalignment of the anchorage 54.

[0065] Now refer to Figure 9 , one side of the seat assembly 58 is shown according to one embodiment. The track system 38 is present in the embodiment shown; however, Figure 9 The track system 38 is omitted from the figure to illustrate more detail of the anchorage 54. The anchorage 54 is operably coupled to the seat base 102 of the seat assembly 58 and extends downwardly therefrom. The anchorage 58 may include wheels 194 configured to interact with the floor covering 46 and facilitate smooth movement of the seat assembly 58 as it traverses various locations along the track system 38. The legs 162 of the anchorage 54 are positioned proximate the lower end of the anchorage 54. A locking pin 158 extends through the anchorage 54 along a vertical axis. The locking pin 158 extends beneath the anchorage 54 and engages with the locking pin aperture 154 of the track system 38. The track system 38 and / or the floor pan 42 may include a locking pin plate 198. According to one embodiment, the locking pin plate 198 may be formed from folded steel.

[0066] refer to Figure 10 , the wheels 194 of the anchorage 54 can be operably coupled to the load frame 202 via wheel support arms 206. In some embodiments, the wheel support arms 206 are pivotally coupled to the load frame 202 at suspension pivots 210. The load frame 202 can be operably coupled to the seat base 102 ( Figure 9 ) or integrally formed with the seat base 102. The downward force 214 is applied generally to the wheel support arm 206, such as by the seat assembly 58 and / or the occupant 114 ( Figure 1 ) in some embodiments, the downward force 214 can result in a situation where the wheels 194 may begin to dig into the floor covering 46, making it more difficult for the seat assembly 58 to move around the passenger cabin 34 along the track system 38. A resilient member 218 can be disposed between the load frame 202 and the anchorage 54 or the wheel 194. The resilient member 218 can provide a degree of suspension to the wheel 194 to resist the downward force 214. Because the wheel support arm 206 is pivotally coupled to the load frame 202 at the suspension pivot 210, the downward force 214 can additionally generate a compression force 222 that compresses the resilient member 218. Thus, the resilient member 218 provides a force opposing the compression force 222, which can help maintain the suspension of the wheel 194.

[0067] Reference again Figure 10 According to some embodiments, the wheels 194 can carry the entire weight of the seat assembly 58, such that the weight is transferred to the floor covering 46. The resilient members 218 can generate a lateral force against the sides of the anchorage 54, which is transferred to the load frame 202 in an opposite and equal manner. In response to the lateral force, a downward force 214 can be applied and cause the load frame 202 and / or the anchorage 54 to lift in a vertical direction. The resilient members 218 can be configured with a strength or spring constant sufficient to lift the weight of the seat assembly 58, such that the entire weight of the seat assembly 58 is supported on the wheels 194. The resilient members 218 can be configured to lift the weight of the seat assembly 58 only when the seat assembly 58 is unoccupied.

[0068] Further references Figure 10 The seat assembly 58 may also include an electrical conductor 226 configured to engage with a conductor 230 to provide electrical power to the seat assembly 58. The conductor 230 may be positioned between the track system 38 and the floor covering 46. When the seat assembly 58 traverses the track system 38, the electrical conductor 226 may extend from at least one of the anchorages 54 to engage with the conductor 230. In some embodiments, the electrical conductor 226 extends from the anchorage 54 and trails behind the wheel 194 to avoid damaging the electrical conductor 226 and / or the conductor 230. The electrical conductor 226 may trail behind the anchorage 54 and be separated from the contact point between the wheel 194 and the floor covering 46 by a distance 234 of at least about 5 mm, at least about 10 mm, at least about 15 mm, at least about 20 mm, less than about 25 mm, less than about 30 mm, less than about 35 mm, less than about 40 mm, and / or combinations and ranges thereof including intermediate values.

[0069] Now refer to Figure 11 and Figure 12 Due to the coupling of the pivot mechanism 106 to the comfort structure 98, the seat assembly 58 can rotate about a vertical axis. The comfort structure 98 can include a seat back 238 pivotally coupled to the seat 242. The pivot mechanism 106 can be positioned between the seat 242 and the seat base 102. The seat base 102 of the seat assembly 58 can include a trim portion 246 positioned to generally correspond to a width 250 of the track system 38, as shown. Figure 14 The decorative portion 246 preferably encloses the anchorage 54, thereby presenting a smooth and aesthetically pleasing seat assembly 58 to the user. Additionally, by enclosing the anchorage 54 with the decorative portion 246, the anchorage 54 and the track system 38 are protected from debris. In embodiments utilizing wheels 194, such as Figure 9 、 Figure 10In the embodiments shown in FIG and discussed below, the decorative portion 246 can additionally enclose the wheels 194 of the anchorage 54. In the illustrated embodiment, the wheels 194 are not used. A plow can be positioned below the floor covering 46 and above the track system 38, operably coupled to the leading edge of the anchorage 54, causing the floor covering 46 and / or bridge 50 to rise. The decorative portion 246 can extend around the perimeter of the seat base 102 and prevent the floor covering 46 and / or bridge 50 from prematurely rising, while also ensuring that the floor covering 46 and / or bridge 50 are closed once the anchorage 54 has passed. Additionally or alternatively, the bridge 50 can be made of a rigid yet resilient material so that once the anchorage 54 has passed, the restoring force stored in the structure of the bridge 50 forces the bridge 50 down onto the track system 38. The bridge 50 is shown in a raised position. The bridge 50 of the floor covering 46 can be operably coupled to the rail system 38. The bridge 50 generally corresponds to the channel 166 defined by the vertical portion of the inverted T-shaped channel 166 in the rail system 38. The bridge 50 includes a rigid arm 258 that extends over the channel 166 in the rail system 38 so that when the bridge 50 is in the lowered position ( Figure 17 ) prevents floor covering 46 from entering channel 166. Bridge 50 can be operably coupled to first side 262 of rail system 38 via bridge coupling protrusions 266. Conductor 230 can be positioned between rail system 38 and floor covering 46 on second side 270 of rail system 38. First side 262 and second side 270 of rail system 38 can be separated by channel 166 such that bridge 50 and conductor 230 can be positioned on either side of channel 166.

[0070] Reference again Figure 11 and Figure 12The conductor 230 may also include a housing 274 equipped with a living hinge 278. The electrical conductor 226 may be separated from the housing 274, causing the housing 274 to open about the living hinge 278 to allow electrical connection between the conductor 230 and the electrical conductor 226, thereby providing power to the seat assembly 58. The housing 274 may be a dust-resistant elastomeric extrusion and include a rail coupling lug 282 that engages the track system 38. The anchor 54 may include a post 286 surrounded by a body 290. In some embodiments, the post 286 extends above and below the body 290 and terminates in an upper head 294 and a lower head 298. The lower head 298 may alternatively be referred to as the foot 162 of the anchor 54. The post 286 surrounds the locking pin 158. The locking pin 158 may be actuated within the post 286, allowing the locking pin 158 to selectively engage and disengage with the locking pin aperture 154 of the track system 38. The locking pin hole 154 may alternatively be referred to as a locating hole. The anchor 54 may be equipped with a first spring 302 positioned between the upper head 294 and the body 290. In some embodiments, the weight of the seat assembly 58 is transferred to the post 286 and / or cushioned by the interaction of the first spring 302 and the upper head 294. Thus, the weight of the seat assembly 58 may be substantially supported by the post 286 interacting with the low friction portion 318. Additionally, the first spring 302 may act upwardly on the underside of the upper head 294 such that the body 290 of the anchor 54 is lifted to suspend the lower head 298 within the track system 38. The described embodiments are relatively simple to implement with respect to utilizing wheels 194 (e.g., Figure 10 A benefit of an embodiment of the present invention may be that the body 290 can be instantly switched to travel in a different direction at the intersection of the rail system 38, whereas the wheels 194 may have to be positioned in a different direction before changing direction. A second spring 306 may be positioned in a lower region of the locking pin 158. The second spring 306 may be configured to bias the locking pin 158 in a downward direction, for example, to engage one of the locking pin apertures 154. The second spring 306 may be positioned within the lower head 298 of the post 286. The locking pin 158 may also include a shoulder 310 that engages with the underside of the second spring 306. The upper side of the second spring 306 may engage with the lower head 298 of the post 286. The lower head 298 may define a recessed area in its underside that is configured to receive the second spring 306 and the shoulder 310. At least a portion of the locking pin 158 extends below the lower head 298, such that the locking pin 158 engages with the locking pin aperture 154. The first spring 302 and the second spring 306 can act in opposite directions relative to each other. In other words, the restoring force of the first spring 302 can resist the restoring force of the second spring 306.

[0071] Further references Figure 11 and Figure 12In some embodiments, the first spring 302 provides cushioning or vibration reduction for sudden movements that may be caused by obstacles in the vehicle's path. For example, the upper head 294 of the post 286 can be operably coupled to or integrally formed with the seat base 102 to provide additional cushioning to the seat assembly 58. In such an embodiment, the locking pin 158 can be actuated by a manual lever or by a power mechanism operably coupled to the locking pin 158. The anchor 54 can be configured in a generally cylindrical form, allowing the anchor 54 to rotate within the track system 38. In some embodiments, the electrical conductor 226 operably coupled to the anchor 54 is generally disc-shaped and extends radially outward from the circumference of the anchor 54 in a continuous manner, allowing the electrical connector 226 to engage the conductor 230 regardless of the rotational position of the anchor 54. The track system 38 can be operably coupled to the floor pan 42 via one or more fasteners 314. The track system 38 may include a low friction portion 318 that extends from the top surface of the track system 38 into the inverted T-shaped channel 166, such that the upper surface of the lower head 298, the outer surface of the post 286, and the underside of the body 290 may contact the low friction portion 318, thereby reducing the effort or force required to move the seat assembly 58 along the track system 38. The floor pan 42 and the floor covering 46 may be separated by a filler layer 322. The thickness 326 of the filler layer 322 may generally correspond to the height of the track system 38. The height of the track system 38 may include the bridge 50 and the housing 274 of the conductor 230. The bridge 50 and the housing 274 of the conductor 230 may have similar or equal thicknesses.

[0072] refer to Figure 13 , the anchoring member 54 can utilize the first spring 302 and omit the second spring 306 ( Figure 12 ). Similar to Figure 12As with the previous embodiment, the first spring 302 can assist in actuating the locking pin 158 or provide additional cushioning for the seat assembly 58. The anchor 54 is configured to displace the bridge 50 as the anchor 54 traverses the track system 38. The bridge 50 can be displaced by the anchor 54, causing it to pivot upward about the flexible portion 330 to a raised position. When pivoting upward, the bridge 50 can contact the inner surface of the trim portion 246 and / or the outer surface of the body 290 of the anchor 54. The first spring 302 can be positioned between the upper head 294 of the post 286 and the upper surface of the body 290. The body 290 of the anchor 54 rests on the low-friction portion 318 of the track system 38. Additionally, the anchor 54 can be configured such that the lower head 298 of the post 286 is vertically offset from the lower surface of the channel 166. Thus, the majority of the weight of the seat assembly 58 can be supported by the main body 290, such that movement of the seat assembly 58 along the track system 38 can be performed with much less effort than if the lower head 298 supported the majority of the weight of the seat assembly 58 and the lower head 298 contacted the bottom surface of the channel 166. In other words, the majority of the weight of the seat assembly 58 is supported by components that experience relatively low friction or resistance to motion (e.g., rolling friction compared to sliding friction, low-friction material interactions, etc.).

[0073] Reference again Figure 13 The locking pin 158 can be actuated manually or by utilizing a powered mechanism within the post 286 and / or lower head 298 so that the locking pin 158 selectively engages the locking pin aperture 154 as the seat assembly 58 traverses various locations along the track system 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the conductor 230 is positioned on the track system 38 radially inward of the trim portion 246. The trim portion 246 can be positioned above the housing 274 of the conductor 230 to maintain increased positive contact between the conductor 230 and the electrical conductor 226 as the seat assembly 58 traverses the track system 38. A filler layer 322 is positioned between the floor covering 46 and the floor pan 42. The floor pan 42 can be constructed of a hard and rigid material, such as steel. The track system 38 can be operably coupled to the floor pan 42 via fasteners 314. The fasteners 314 can be, but are not limited to, weld nuts, bolts, rivets, or the track system 38 can be integrally formed with the floor pan 42. The rail system 38 can be constructed from a variety of materials. For example, in one embodiment, the rail system 38 can be constructed from a steel rail 334 that defines at least a portion of the channel 166 and is positioned within an aluminum rail 338 that constitutes the majority of the remainder of the rail system 38.

[0074] Now refer to Figure 14 and Figure 15The wheels 194 are operably coupled to the trim portion 246 such that one of the wheels 194 is generally positioned over the conductor 230, thereby providing a compressive force that improves electrical contact between the electrical conductor 226 and the conductor 230. The depicted embodiment omits the first spring 302 and the second spring 306. The locking pin 158 is positioned within the post 286 and can be actuated between a raised position and a lowered position. The electrical conductor 226 extends from an outer surface of the post 286. When the electrical conductor 226 passes through the conductor 230, the housing 274 of the conductor 230 is separated and opened about the living hinge 278, thereby establishing an electrical connection between the electrical conductor 226 and the conductor 230. In the illustrated embodiment, the wheels 194 can support a majority of the weight of the seat assembly 58 while suspending the lower head 298 of the post 286 above the lower surface of the channel 166. Thus, the seat assembly 58 can be moved about the track system 38 with less effort than if the lower head 298 rested on the lower surface of the channel 166. When the anchor 54 is positioned over the locking pin hole 154 and the locking pin 158 is aligned with the locking pin hole 154, the locking pin 158 can be placed in the lowered position. Figure 10 In the embodiment of the structure shown and described in FIG, the weight of the seat assembly 58 can be transferred to the wheel 194 and ultimately to the floor covering 46 to prevent the lower head 298 from contacting the rail 334. In such an embodiment, the anchor 54 is prevented from sticking in the track system 38 because the surfaces of the lower head 298 and the rail 334 can be free of the low friction portion 318.

[0075] refer to Figure 16 The rail system 38 is shown operably coupled to the floor pan 42 and having an anchor 54. According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the locking pin 158 can be actuated within the post 286 of the anchor 54. For example, the locking pin 158 can be actuated vertically manually or via a powered mechanism. The depicted embodiment illustrates one example of how the locking pin 158 can be actuated and can accommodate manual and / or powered operation of the depicted mechanism. A lever 342 can engage the underside of a platform 346 such that actuation of the lever 342 raises the locking pin 158 out of the locking pin aperture 154. For example, the lever 342 can have a generally sinusoidal shape such that downward actuation of the lever 342 at a first end 350 causes upward movement of the lever 342 at a second end 354, which translates into vertical movement of the locking pin 158. The lever 342 can have a pivot point 358 located between the first end 350 and the second end 354. For example, the pivot point 358 may be located generally at the center of the length of the control rod 342 .

[0076] Now refer to Figure 17, rail system 38 is shown without anchors 54 and depicts bridge 50 of floor covering 46 in a lowered or resting position. Rigid arms 258 of bridge 50 span the opening defined by the vertical portion of channel 166 and contact first side 262 and second side 270 of rail system 38. By thus covering channel 166, bridge 50 and floor covering 46 prevent debris, obstructions, and other items that should not be located within channel 166 from entering channel 166. Additionally, a substantially level and continuous surface of floor covering 46 is presented to the user, thereby eliminating trip hazards and presenting the user with an aesthetically pleasing cabin 34. Furthermore, the positioning and composition of rigid arms 258 ensures that when pressure is applied to floor covering 46 directly above channel 166, bridge 50 is supported by rail system 38 and prevented from entering channel 166. Due to the reaction force to the applied pressure provided at the contact point 362 between the rail system 38 and the bridge 50 , the bridge 50 is prevented from entering the channel 166 .

[0077] refer to Figure 18 and Figure 19 , the locking pin 158 is shown in the lowered position ( Figure 18 ) and raised position ( Figure 19). The locking pin 158 can also be placed in an intermediate position, in which the locking pin 158 is disengaged from the locking pin hole 154 but has not yet engaged the drive cable 126. The depicted embodiment employs the drive cable 126. The drive cable 126 can be positioned between the lower head 298 of the post 286 and the shoulder 310 of the locking pin 158. The drive cable 126 can be positioned radially outward of the second spring 306. The second spring 306 is positioned between the lower head 298 and the shoulder 310, with the locking pin 158 passing through the center of the second spring 306. When the locking pin 158 is in the lowered position, the seat assembly 58 is disengaged from the drive cable 126 and locked to the track system 38. Therefore, when the locking pin 158 is in the lowered position, the seat assembly 58 is stationary on the track system 38. When the locking pin 158 is actuated upward, the drive cable 126 becomes sandwiched between the lower head 298 and the shoulder 310. More specifically, the drive cable 126 engages the seat assembly 58 when the shoulder 310 of the locking pin 158 compresses the second spring 306 and ultimately clamps the drive cable 126 between the lower head 298 and the shoulder 310. Once the seat assembly 58 is engaged to the drive cable 126 via the anchor 54, the seat assembly 58 can begin to traverse the track system 38 because the action of engaging the drive cable 126 simultaneously disengages the locking pin 158 from the locking pin aperture 154. The depicted embodiment may share some or all of the features described herein for the various component alternatives depicted. For example, the electrical conductor 226 extends radially outward from the outer surface of the body 290 of the anchor 54, the body 290 surrounds the post 286, the fastener 314 couples the track system 38 to the floor pan 42, a low-friction portion 318 is employed, a filler layer 322 fills the space between the floor covering 46 and the floor pan 42, and the like.

[0078] Now refer to Figure 20 , the seat assembly 58 may also include a recess 366 in at least one side of the lower head 298 of the anchorage 54. The recess 366 may receive a data line 370 configured to send and receive data related to the positioning of the seat assembly 58. The recess 366 may include one or more data readers 374 that are operably coupled to a data path 378 of the seat assembly 58. The data path 378 may be routed through the anchorage 54 to the seat base 102 ( Figure 11 ), where the data path 378 can then branch to various sensors and controllers. Data related to the configuration of the seat assembly 58 can be sent to and received from the data line 370 by the data reader 374. The data received by the seat assembly 58 from the data line 370 may include, but is not limited to, commands related to the pitch angle of the seat back 238 relative to the seat 242, the rotational position of the pivot mechanism 106 ( Figure 11), heating or ventilation information for providing heated or cooled surfaces to the seat assembly 58, commands to prepare the seat assembly 58 for translation along the track system 38, commands to execute translation of the seat assembly 58 along the track system 38, and the like. Data transmitted from the seat assembly 58 to the data line 370 may include, but is not limited to, the occupancy status of the seat assembly 58, the current pitch angle of the seat back 238 relative to the seat 242, the position of the seat assembly 58 on the track system 38, the temperature of the surface of the seat assembly 58, the current rotational position of the pivot mechanism 106, general information regarding the configuration of various components on the seat assembly 58, and the like. Data can be transmitted to and from the data line 370 via near-field data transmission. By using near-field data transmission, contact conduction noise, wear on the data line 370, and wear on the data reader 374 can be reduced or entirely avoided. The data line 370 can be configured to send and receive data from more than one seat assembly 58 at a time, thereby eliminating the use of multiple data lines 370 that may be required in designs that use one data line per seat assembly. Thus, crossover and tangling issues that can occur with multiple data cable arrangements are avoided, particularly when negotiating corners of the track system 38. Furthermore, for systems using one data cable 370 per seat assembly 58, vehicles with large seating capacities may present packaging difficulties, a problem not encountered with the present disclosure.

[0079] The vehicle 30 is typically provided with a seat assembly that can be adjusted to suit the comfort of the occupant 114. Some seat assemblies in the vehicle 30 are capable of translating in a fore-aft or side-to-side direction. However, conventional seat assemblies are typically not translatable to various positions within the passenger cabin 34 of the vehicle 30. The components of the passenger cabin 34 of the vehicle 30 disclosed herein, such as the track system 38, seat assembly 58, drive cables 126, and data cables 370, provide a user with a reconfigurable passenger cabin 34. The seat assembly 58 and other components coupled to the track system 38 can be repositioned, reorganized, or reordered to present a variety of configurations suitable for the user's desired purpose.

[0080] Modifications of the present disclosure will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the concepts disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined by the following claims interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law (including the doctrine of equivalents).

[0081] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the described concepts and other components of construction are not limited to any particular material. Unless otherwise specified herein, other exemplary embodiments of the concepts disclosed herein may be formed from a variety of materials.

[0082] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all its forms, coupled, coupled, coupled, etc.) generally refers to the connection of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such connection may be fixed in nature or movable in nature. Such connection may be achieved by the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate components that may be integrally formed as a single unitary body with each other or with the two components. Unless otherwise specified, such connection may be permanent in nature or removable or releasable in nature.

[0083] It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the present disclosure shown in the exemplary embodiments are only illustrative. Although only a few embodiments of the present invention are described in detail in this disclosure, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible (e.g., changes in the specifications, sizes, structures, shapes, and proportions of the various elements, changes in parameter values, mounting arrangements, the use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without departing substantially from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter. For example, an element shown as being integrally formed may be made up of multiple parts, or an element shown as being multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of an interface may be reversed or otherwise changed, the length or width of the structure and / or components or connectors or other elements of the system may be changed, and the nature or quantity of the adjustment positions provided between the elements may be changed. It should be noted that the elements and / or assemblies of the system may be made of any of a variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, presenting any of a variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all of these modifications should be included within the scope of the present invention. Without departing from the spirit of the present invention, other replacements, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of desired and other exemplary embodiments.

[0084] It should be understood that any described process or step in a described process can be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting.

[0085] It will also be understood that changes and modifications may be made in the foregoing structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and that these concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless the language of the claims expressly dictates otherwise.

[0086] According to the present invention, a vehicle is provided having a rail system coupled to a floor pan, a floor covering having a bridge, and one or more anchors coupling a seat assembly to the rail system and configured to displace the bridge as the anchors traverse the rail system.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the above invention further features wheels operably coupled to the seat assembly and located on one or more sides of each of the one or more anchorages configured to at least partially support the seat assembly.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized in that the bridge is operably coupled to a first side of the rail system and has a rigid arm that extends over a channel in the rail system to prevent the floor covering from entering the channel.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a conductor positioned between the rail system and the floor covering on a second side of the rail system, wherein the conductor is provided with electrical power.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the seat assembly has an electrical connector configured to engage the conductor to enable electrical power to be provided to the seat assembly.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the guide rail system is equipped with a plurality of positioning holes.

[0092] According to one embodiment, at least one of the anchoring elements has a locking pin that can be coupled with the plurality of positioning holes in the rail system to enable traversal of various positions of the seat assembly.

[0093] According to one embodiment, the seat assembly further includes a trim portion substantially enclosing the wheel and the anchorage, wherein the trim portion is positioned to generally correspond to a width of the track system.

[0094] According to the present invention, a vehicle is provided having: a rail system coupled to a floor pan; a floor covering having a bridge, wherein the bridge is operably coupled to the rail system and has rigid arms that extend over a channel in the rail system to prevent the floor covering from entering the channel; and one or more anchors coupling a seat assembly to the rail system and configured to displace the bridge as the anchors traverse the rail system.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the above invention further features wheels operably coupled to the seat assembly and located on one or more sides of each of the one or more anchorages configured to at least partially support the seat assembly.

[0096] According to one embodiment, the bridge is operably coupled to a first side of the rail system.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a conductor positioned between the rail system and the floor covering on a second side of the rail system, wherein the conductor is provided with electrical power.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the seat assembly has an electrical connector configured to engage the conductor to enable electrical power to be provided to the seat assembly.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the guide rail system is equipped with a plurality of positioning holes.

[0100] According to one embodiment, at least one of the anchoring elements has a locking pin that can be coupled with the plurality of positioning holes in the rail system to enable traversal of various positions of the seat assembly.

[0101] According to the present invention, a vehicle is provided, the vehicle having: a rail system coupled to a floor pan; a floor covering having a bridge, wherein the bridge is operably coupled to a first side of the rail system and has rigid arms that extend over a channel in the rail system to prevent the floor covering from entering the channel; a conductor positioned between the rail system and the floor covering on a second side of the rail system, wherein the conductor is provided with power; one or more anchors coupling a seat assembly to the rail system and configured to displace the bridge as the anchor traverses the rail system, and wherein the seat assembly has an electrical connector configured to engage the conductor so that power is provided to the seat assembly; and wheels operably coupled to the seat assembly and located on one or more sides of each of the one or more anchors.

[0102] According to one embodiment, the guide rail system is equipped with a plurality of positioning holes.

[0103] According to one embodiment, at least one of the anchoring elements has a locking pin that can be coupled with the plurality of positioning holes in the rail system to enable traversal of various positions of the seat assembly.

[0104] According to one embodiment, the floor chassis and the floor covering are separated by a filling layer, and wherein the thickness of the filling layer generally corresponds to the height of the rail system.

[0105] According to one embodiment, the conductor further includes a housing having a living hinge, wherein the electrical connector of the seat assembly separates the housing about the living hinge to allow electrical connection between the conductor and the electrical connector.

Claims

1. A vehicle, comprising: a rail system coupled to the floor pan; a floor covering having a bridge; one or more anchors coupling the seat assembly to the track system and configured to displace the bridge as the anchors traverse the track system; and Wheels are operably coupled to the seat assembly and located on one or more sides of each of the one or more anchorages configured to at least partially support the seat assembly.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the bridge is operably coupled to a first side of the rail system and has a rigid arm that extends over a channel in the rail system to prevent the floor covering from entering the channel.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, further comprising: A conductor is positioned between the rail system and the floor covering on a second side of the rail system, wherein the conductor is provided with electrical power. 4 . The vehicle of claim 3 , wherein the seat assembly has an electrical connector configured to engage the conductor to enable power to be provided to the seat assembly. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the rail system is provided with a plurality of positioning holes.

6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein at least one of the anchors has a locking pin that can be coupled with the plurality of locating holes in the track system to enable traversal of various positions of the seat assembly.

7. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the seat assembly further comprises: A decorative portion encloses the wheels and the anchorage, wherein the decorative portion is positioned to correspond to a width of the rail system.

8. The vehicle of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the guideway system further comprises: Loading and unloading tracks.

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