Seat member workstation assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a seat member workstation assembly. A method and apparatus, the apparatus including a seat member pedestal including a first substrate and a second substrate. A living hinge couples the second substrate to the first substrate such that the second substrate is movable between a closed position and an expanded workstation position. The magnetic closure selectively retains the second substrate to the first substrate in the closed position.

Description

background

[0002] Vehicles are being used more than ever as mobile offices. Increasing the available work surface area within the passenger compartment increases the effectiveness of the vehicle as a mobile office. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example row of seats in a 40 / 20 / 40 configuration.

[0005] Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1 , but showing the 20% seat folded into the armrest position.

[0006] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the workstation assembly in a closed position.

[0007] Figure 4 Similar to Figure 3 , but the workstation assembly is shown in a deployed position.

[0008] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 End view of the workstation components.

[0009] Figure 6 It is along Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the length of the workstation assembly.

[0010] Fig. 7A is a partial perspective view of an upper portion of a living hinge connecting an upper base plate and a lower base plate of a workstation assembly.

[0011] Figure 7B yes Fig. 7A Magnified cross-sectional view of a living hinge.

[0012] Fig. 8A is a top view of the lower work surface of the workstation assembly with magnets.

[0013] Figure 8B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper magnetic closing member and the lower magnetic closing member in the upper substrate and the lower substrate. Detailed Description

[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the detailed description that follows, many specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments described. However, it is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the various embodiments described may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, processes, components, circuits, and networks are not described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the embodiments.

[0016] “One or more” includes a function performed by one element, a function performed by more than one element (eg, in a distributed manner), several functions performed by one element, several functions performed by several elements, or any combination of the foregoing.

[0017] It should also be understood that, although in some cases, the terms first, second, etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first contact may be referred to as a second contact, and similarly, a second contact may be referred to as a first contact without departing from the scope of the various embodiments described. Both the first contact and the second contact are contacts, but they are not the same contact.

[0018] The terms used in the description of the various embodiments described herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to be limiting. As used in the description of the various described embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to also include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and covers any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It should be further understood that when used in this specification, the terms "includes", "including", "comprises" and / or "comprising" specify the presence of the features, wholes, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof.

[0019] As used herein, the term "if" is optionally interpreted to mean "when..." or "upon..." or "in response to determining..." or "in response to detecting...", as the context requires. Similarly, the phrases "if it is determined" or "if [the condition or event] is detected" are optionally interpreted to mean "upon determining..." or "in response to determining..." or "upon detecting [the condition or event]" or "in response to detecting [the condition or event]", as the context requires.

[0020] It should be understood that terms such as "about," "substantially," and "approximately" are not intended to be open-ended terms, and should be interpreted in the same manner as those skilled in the art interpret these terms.

[0021] The present disclosure is directed to a seating component having a workstation assembly that provides an enlarged flat work surface area to support a smart device, laptop, or other work materials.

[0022] Figure 1 A seating arrangement 10 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The seating arrangement 10 may be used for seating in a vehicle such as an automobile, an airplane, a boat, or any other seating environment. In the exemplary seating configuration 10, there is a driver's side seat 12, a passenger's side seat 14, and a center seat 16 between the driver's side seat 12 and the passenger's side seat 14. Each seat 12, 14, 16 includes a seat base or bottom 18 and a seat back 20. The seats 12, 14, 16 may also include a head restraint 22 mounted to the seat back 20.

[0023] In one example, the seat member pedestal 24 is positioned between the driver side seat 12 and the passenger side seat 14. The seat member pedestal 24 may be in an upright position (e.g., as shown in FIG. Figure 1 seated position as shown) and lowered position (e.g. Figure 2 For a row of seats including the driver's side seat 12, the seat member pedestal 24, and the passenger's side seat 14, a total seat length L is defined. In one example, the total seat length L is defined as extending from the driver's side seat outer edge 26 to the passenger's side seat outer edge 28. Figure 1-Figure 2 The seating arrangement 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes 20% of the total seat length L of the seat member pedestal 24, 40% of the total seat length L of the driver's side seat 12, and 40% of the total seat length L of the passenger's side seat 14. Thus, when the seat member pedestal 24 is in the upright seating position ( Figure 1 ), a center seat 16 is provided which is 20% of the total seat length L. When the seat component base 24 is in the lowered position ( Figure 2 ), an armrest 30 is provided.

[0024] In one example, the seat component base 24 includes a first base plate 32 and a second base plate 34. Figure 3 In one example, the first substrate 32 includes a lower plate body and the second substrate 34 includes an upper plate body. The first substrate 32 is fixed to the seat member pedestal 24 and the second substrate 34 can be moved from a closed position ( Figure 3 )Move to the deployment station location ( Figure 4 ), in the deployed workstation position, the upwardly facing surfaces 36, 38 of the first substrate 32 and the second substrate 34, respectively, provide an enlarged flat work surface. Figure 4When shown in the fold-flat position, the working surface includes a seamless transition between the fixed lower base plate 32 and the upper movable base plate 34 .

[0025] Thus, when in the deployed position, a workstation area is provided with the lower plate of the first base 32 forming a portion of the work surface and the upper plate of the second base 34 forming the remainder of the work surface. For example, the flat surface area of ​​the workstation supports items such as smart devices, laptops, or other work materials.

[0026] In addition, in one example, the first substrate 32 is fixed to or located on the storage chamber 40 ( Figure 3 ). Optionally, a cup holder or open storage container 42 is positioned at one end of the stacked lower and upper base panels 32, 34. When the upper base panel 34 is pivoted to the deployed position, the cup holder / open storage container 42 is at least partially covered by the upper base panel 34. In addition, additional bracket members / flanges 44 are provided to increase stability and support as desired. A handle portion 46 can be grasped to lift the base panels 32, 34 and gain access to the storage compartment 40.

[0027] In one example, if Figure 3 As shown, the upper base plate 34 is shorter in length than the lower base plate 32. In this example, a raised boss portion 48 extends upward from a front edge 50 of the lower base plate 32 and extends to a front edge of the upper base plate 34. The raised boss portion 48 includes a recessed area 52 for finger clearance to grasp the edge of the upper base plate 34 so that the upper base plate 34 can be manually pivoted from the closed position to the extended position, as shown by arrow 54.

[0028] In one example, the first substrate 32 and the second substrate 34 are constructed of a plastic material; however, other types of materials may also be used. The raised boss portion 48 may also be constructed of a plastic material that is the same as or different from the material of the first substrate 32 and the second substrate 34.

[0029] In one example, a living hinge 56 couples the second substrate 34 to the first substrate 32 so that the second substrate 34 can move between a closed position (in which the upper flat panel substrate 34 is stacked on top of the lower flat panel substrate 32) and an extended workstation position (in which the upper flat panel substrate 34 is pivoted away from the lower flat panel substrate 32 to form a work surface). In one example, the living hinge 56 includes a body made of a thermoplastic elastomer that attaches the overlapping edges of the first substrate 32 and the second substrate 34 together, such as Figure 4-Figure 5The use of a living hinge 56 is advantageous because it allows the assembly to withstand significantly higher downward forces on the cantilevered portion of the workstation because the hard stop is not located within the hinge itself.

[0030] In one example, the magnetic closure 58 selectively holds the second substrate 34 to the first substrate 32 in a closed position. In one example, the magnetic closure 58 includes one or more first members 60 embedded in the first substrate 32 and one or more second members 62 embedded in the second substrate 34. The first members 60 and the second members 62 generate a magnetic field to attract the second substrate 34 toward the first substrate 32 for magnetic latching.

[0031] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view is shown along the length of the first base plate 32 and the second base plate 34 when in the closed position. One or more fasteners 64 may be used to attach the raised boss portion 48 to the first base plate 32. One or more additional fasteners 66 may be used to couple the bracket member / support flange 44 to the lower base plate 32 where desired.

[0032] In one example, the living hinge 56 is attached to the first substrate 32 and the second substrate 34 via heat stake. Figure 7A-7B In one example, the living hinge 56 comprises a thermoplastic elastomer (e.g., a class of copolymers or physical mixtures of polymers, such as plastic and rubber), which includes materials having both thermoplastic and elastomeric properties. The living hinge 56 is formed by Figure 7B The heatstake interface shown at 70 in FIG. 1 is attached to the upper substrate 34 and the lower substrate 32. Heatstake bonding is a process that uses heat to join parts together, where at least one of the parts is made of plastic, and the plastic is heated to just above the glass transition temperature while force is applied to deform the plastic. The parts are then cooled under the force to permanently fix the parts together.

[0033] In one example, a first heat compression plate 72 is associated with the first substrate 32, a second heat compression plate 74 is associated with the second substrate 34, and a hinge body portion 76 transitions from the first heat compression plate 72 to the second heat compression plate 74. In one example, the first heat compression plate 72 includes a plastic sheet / material plate that covers one end 78 of the living hinge 56 and is secured to the first substrate 32 via one or more heat compression pins (heat staking pins) 80 and washers 82. In one example, the second heat compression plate 74 includes a plastic sheet / material plate that covers the opposite end 84 of the living hinge 56 and is secured to the second substrate 34 via one or more heat compression pins 86 and washers 88. In one example, the hinge body portion 76 that transitions from the first heat compression plate 72 to the second heat compression plate 74 includes a central folded portion of two overlapping layers 90, 92. When the upper substrate 34 is pivoted to the deployed position, the layers 90, 92 are moved from the folded position ( Figure 7B ) to the expanded position ( Figure 4 ) to provide a seamless transition between the working surfaces 36, 38.

[0034] In one example, the components 60, 62 of the magnetic closure 58 are embedded within the material of the first and second substrates 32, 34, respectively, by being completely surrounded or enclosed on all sides so that the components 60, 62 are hidden from view, such as from the outwardly facing surfaces 36, 38 of the first and second substrates 32, 34. Figure 4 ). The one or more first members 60 embedded in the first substrate 32 include one or more first magnetic closing members, each of which includes a body that generates a magnetic field or is attracted to a magnetic field. The one or more second members 62 embedded in the second substrate 34 include one or more second magnetic closing members, each of which includes a body that generates a magnetic field or is attracted to a magnetic field.

[0035] In one example, if Figure 8A-8B As shown, one or more first magnet closing components 60 are heat-pressed into the first substrate 32. As described above, the heat-pressing process uses heat while applying force to deform the plastic and connect the parts together. In one example, the one or more first magnet closing components 60 each include a discrete coin 94, where the coins 94 are spaced apart from each other across the width of the first substrate 32. The coin 94 includes a disc-shaped body made of a metal / magnetic material. In one example, each component 60 is heat-pressed to the first substrate 32 using an associated heat-pressing plate 96. As shown in FIG. Fig. 8A As shown, the heat compression plate 96 includes a plastic sheet / plate of material covering each of the components 60 , and the heat compression plate 96 is secured to the first substrate 32 via heat compression pins 98 .

[0036] In one example, one or more second magnetic closure members 62 of the magnetic closure 58 are embedded in the second substrate 34 via an overmold interface 100, such as Figure 8B In one example, one or more second magnet closure members 62 are overmolded in the second substrate 34 using an injection molding process. The injection molding process is typically used to mold a plastic (e.g., rubber-like plastic (TPE)) on top of another component (e.g., a substrate).

[0037] exist Figure 4 In one example shown, the magnetic surface of the one or more second magnet closure members 62 is larger than the corresponding surface of the one or more first magnet closure members 60. For example, the one or more second magnet closure members 62 have a larger surface area than the one or more first magnet closure members 60 to ensure positive positioning of the magnetic closure 58 one hundred percent of the time.

[0038] exist Figure 4 In the example shown, the second magnet closing member 62 includes, for example, a discrete shaped member (e.g., a rod or a disk) embedded in the second substrate 34; however, the second magnet closing member 62 may also include a plurality of coin-shaped pieces or other discrete members similar to the first magnet closing member 60. In one example, the discrete shaped member of the second magnet closing member 62 includes a flat elongated body that is completely surrounded or enclosed on all sides by the material of the second substrate 34. In one example, one or more discrete second magnet closing members 62 (e.g., disks or coin-shaped pieces) are also embedded in the second substrate 34.

[0039] In one example, a method of deploying a chair workstation assembly having a living hinge 56 and a magnetic closure 58 includes supporting a first base plate 32 and a second base plate on a chair component pedestal 24, overcoming a magnetic retention force that holds the second base plate 34 to the first base plate 32 in a closed position, and pivoting the second base plate 34 to a deployed workstation position so that a work surface extends across both the first base plate 32 and the second base plate 34.

[0040] Additional method steps may include any of the following steps in any combination. The method may include attaching the living hinge 56 to the first substrate 32 and the second substrate 34 via thermocompression bonding. In one example, the method includes thermocompressing one end 78 of the living hinge 56 to the first substrate 32, thermocompressing an opposite end 84 of the living hinge 56 to the second substrate 34, and forming a flexible hinge body 76 between the ends 78, 84 of the living hinge 56.

[0041] The method may include embedding magnetic closure members 60, 62 in the first substrate 32 and the second substrate 34. In one example, the method includes embedding at least one first magnetic closure member 60 in the first substrate 32 and embedding at least one second magnetic closure member 62 in the second substrate 34 to align or overlap the at least one second magnetic closure member 62 with the at least one first magnetic closure member 60 when the second substrate 34 is pivoted to the closed position.

[0042] The method may include various embedding methods for the magnetic closure members 60, 62. In one example, the method includes thermocompression bonding at least one first magnetic closure member 60 to the first substrate 32 and overmolding at least one second magnetic closure member 62 into the second substrate 34.

[0043] The method can include providing different sizes for the magnetic closure members 60, 62. In one example, the method includes forming the magnetic surface of the at least one second magnetic closure member 62 to have a larger surface area than the corresponding surface area of ​​the at least one first magnetic closure member 60. This provides the second closure member 62 with a larger surface area than the first closure member 60 to ensure that the magnetic closure latch is always properly positioned.

[0044] The method may include defining a seating position for the workstation assembly. In one example, the method includes providing a row of seats including a driver-side seat and a passenger-side seat, and the method further includes: positioning a seat component pedestal 24 between the driver-side seat 12 and the passenger-side seat 14 to define a total seat length L for the row of seats; providing 20% ​​of the total seat length for the seat component pedestal 24; providing 40% of the total seat length for the driver-side seat 12; and providing 40% of the total seat length for the passenger-side seat 14.

[0045] The present disclosure provides a workstation assembly that is integral with a 20% seat storage armrest and includes a magnetic latch system coupled to a living hinge that allows the workstation to fold open to a nearly flat position. The living hinge is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer and is attached to a base plate via heat compression to provide a seamless transition between a fixed base plate and an upper movable base plate when unfolded to a folded flat position. In order to turn or pivot the workstation, the user must overcome the holding force of the magnetic latch system by pulling upward. When the workstation is turned to a closed position, the magnet will "re-latch" once the polarity between the two surfaces of the base plate is within a detectable range (which is determined by the distance between the magnetic fields). In one example, on one of the base plates, the magnetic surface is oversized relative to its matching magnet to ensure correct positioning one hundred percent of the time.

[0046] In addition to creating usable space at the top of the 20% armrest where the user can physically perform work, the implementation of the magnetic latch and living hinge is integrated as a packaging solution in situations where typical mechanical hinges and latches cannot be packaged in the limited space along the z-axis direction. The use of a living hinge also allows the assembly to withstand significantly higher downward forces on the cantilevered portion of the workstation because the hard stop is not located within the hinge itself. Typical mechanical hinges (i.e., metal / plastic dual pivots) will break or warp once significant downward forces are applied beyond the folded flat position. This is avoided by using a living hinge.

[0047] Although different examples have specific components shown in the drawings, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those specific combinations. Some components or features in one example may be used in combination with features or components in another example. In addition, the various drawings accompanying the present disclosure are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be enlarged or minimized to show certain details of a particular component or arrangement.

[0048] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above embodiments are exemplary and not restrictive. That is, modifications to the present disclosure will fall within the scope of the claims. Therefore, the appended claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.

Claims

1. A device comprising A chair component pedestal, the chair component pedestal comprising a first substrate and a second substrate; a living hinge coupling the second substrate to the first substrate such that the second substrate is movable between a closed position and an extended workstation position; and A magnetic closure selectively holds the second substrate to the first substrate in the closed position.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The living hinge includes a thermoplastic elastomer and is attached to the first and second substrates by thermocompression bonding.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein: A first heat compression plate is associated with the first substrate, a second heat compression plate is associated with the second substrate, and a hinge body portion transitions from the first heat compression plate to the second heat compression plate.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first substrate comprises at least one first magnet closing member, and the second substrate comprises at least one second magnet closing member, and wherein the at least one first magnet closing member and the at least one second magnet closing member are hidden from view.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The at least one first magnet closing member is embedded in the first base plate by thermal compression bonding.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one first magnet closing member comprises a plurality of discrete coin-shaped pieces spaced apart from one another across a width of the first substrate, and wherein each discrete coin-shaped piece is heat-bonded to the first substrate by an associated heat-bonding plate.

7. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The at least one second magnetic closure member is overmolded in the second substrate.

8. The device according to claim 4, wherein: The magnetic surface of the at least one second magnetic closure member is larger than the corresponding surface of the at least one first magnetic closure member.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein: The at least one second magnet closing member comprises a discrete shaped member embedded in the second substrate.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The seat member pedestal is positioned between a driver-side seat and a passenger-side seat, and wherein the seat member pedestal is pivotable between an upright position and a lowered position.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein: The total seat length of a row of seats including the driver's side seat, the seat component pedestal and the passenger's side seat includes: 20% of the total seat length of the seat component pedestal, 40% of the total seat length of the driver's side seat, and 40% of the total seat length of the passenger's side seat.

12. The device according to claim 10, wherein: When the seating member pedestal is in the upright position, a center seat is provided, the center seat being 20% ​​of the total seat length of a row of seats including the center seat.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein: When the seat member pedestal is in the lowered position, an armrest with a workstation area is provided.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The first base plate is secured to the chair component pedestal and the second base plate is movable from the closed position to the deployed workstation position in which upwardly facing surfaces of the first and second base plates provide an enlarged flat work surface.

15. A method comprising: supporting the first substrate and the second substrate on a chair component pedestal; overcoming a magnetic retention force holding the second substrate to the first substrate in a closed position; and The second base plate is pivoted via a living hinge to an unfolded workstation position and a work surface is extended across both the first base plate and the second base plate.

16. The method according to claim 15 includes heat-pressing one end of the movable hinge to the first substrate, heat-pressing the opposite end of the movable hinge to the second substrate, and forming a flexible hinge body between the one end of the movable hinge and the opposite end of the movable hinge.

17. The method of claim 15, comprising embedding at least one first magnetic closure member within the first substrate, and embedding at least one second magnetic closure member within the second substrate to align with the at least one first magnetic closure member when the second substrate is pivoted to the closed position.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising thermocompression bonding the at least one first magnetic closure member to the first substrate, and overmolding the at least one second magnetic closure member into the second substrate.

19. The method of claim 17, comprising forming a magnetic surface of the at least one second magnetic closure member to have a larger surface area than a corresponding surface area of ​​the at least one first magnetic closure member.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein: A row of seats includes a driver-side seat and a passenger-side seat, and the method includes: positioning the seat member pedestal between the driver-side seat and the passenger-side seat to define an overall seat length for the row of seats; providing said seat member pedestal with 20% of said total seat length; providing 40% of the total seat length for the driver's side seat; and The passenger side seat is provided with 40% of the total seat length.

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