Seat belt restraint system, reversible vehicle seat and vehicle

Abstract

Vehicle seat (10), comprising: a backrest (22); a cushion (12); a fastening arrangement (36) to which the cushion (12) is attached and which has a first fastening arm (44) which is connected to the backrest (22) and is rotatable with respect to the cushion (12) so that the backrest (22) can be moved over the cushion (12); and a first retaining arm which is connected to the backrest (22) and is operatively connected to the first fastening arm (44), such that a displacement of the backrest (22) drives a rotation of the first retaining arm, wherein the first retaining arm is operatively connected to the first fastening arm (44) via first (68) and second (58) interlocking gears, each of which is connected thereto; wherein the cushion (12) has a first edge (16) and a second edge (18); and the backrest (22) can be moved over the cushion (12) between a first position in which the backrest (22) lies next to the first edge (16) of the cushion (12) and a second position in which the backrest (22) lies next to the second edge (18) of the cushion (12); and wherein the resulting rotation of the first retaining arm with the displacement of the backrest (22) looks such that: the first retaining arm in the first position of the backrest (22) is at a first angle to the first fastening arm (44) and is arranged between the backrest (22) and the cushion (12) closer to the second edge (18) than to the first edge (16); and the first retaining arm in the second position of the backrest (22) is at a second angle to the first fastening arm (44) and is positioned between the backrest (22) and the cushion (12) closer to the first edge (16) than to the second edge (18).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a restraint system for use in conjunction with a reversible vehicle seat. Components of the restraint system are operatively connected to the seat's reclining mechanism so that they are translated from a forward-facing position to a rearward-facing position in a manner consistent with the seat's reconfiguration. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Various types of reversible or reconfigurable vehicle seats have been used to provide different seating orientations and positions for vehicle occupants. For example, some vehicle seats allow repositioning between at least one forward-facing position, in which the vehicle occupant faces the front of the vehicle, and one rearward-facing position, in which the vehicle occupant faces the rear of the vehicle. A number of different seat configurations can accommodate this repositioning, including those in which the seat rotates about a horizontal plane and about a vertical axis between positions.

[0003] In certain locations in certain vehicles, rotation-based seat reconfiguration may be impossible. For example, front seats in a car (for example, the driver's seat in a fully autonomous vehicle), as well as rear and middle row seats in larger vehicles, may be positioned too close together or too close to vehicle components to rotate between different positions. Consequently, some reversible seats have been developed in which the backrest is movable across and independently of the seat cushion. Such arrangements allow a forward-facing position with the backrest toward the back of the cushion and a rearward-facing position with the backrest toward the front of the cushion. In these arrangements, the backrest has two opposing seating surfaces for use in either the forward-facing or rearward-facing configurations.Because the seat components move separately during reconfiguration and not as a single unit (as may be the case with horizontally rotating reversible seats), the seat belt components may also need to be relocated between seat configurations.

[0004] US 2008 / 0 290 700 A1 discloses a vehicle seat comprising a backrest, a cushion, and a mounting assembly supporting the cushion. The mounting assembly has a first mounting arm connected to the backrest and rotatable relative to the cushion, allowing the backrest to be displaced vertically above the cushion. Furthermore, the mounting assembly has a first retaining arm connected to the backrest and connected to the first mounting arm, such that displacement of the backrest drives rotation of the first retaining arm.

[0005] The object is to provide a restraint system and a vehicle seat with such a restraint system which enables the reconfiguration of components thereof in response to the repositioning of the vehicle seat. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat comprising the features of claim 1 comprises a backrest and a cushion. A mounting assembly supports the cushion and includes a first mounting arm connected to the backrest and rotatable relative to the cushion so that the backrest can be translated over the cushion. The vehicle seat further includes a first retaining arm connected to the backrest and operatively connected to the first mounting arm so that translation of the backrest drives a corresponding rotation of the first retaining arm.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle restraint system having the features of claim 7 comprises a buckle assembly having a first arm and a buckle receptacle mounted thereon, and having a first rotary coupling opposite the receptacle and a first gear axially aligned with the first rotary coupling. The system further comprises an anchor having a body and further having a second rotary coupling and a second gear attached to the body and axially aligned with each other. A webbing is attached to the body of the anchor, and a buckle insert receives the webbing therethrough and is removably attachable to the buckle receptacle.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a vehicle having the features of claim 12 includes a seat with a backrest, a cushion, and a mounting arrangement supporting the cushion and connected to the backrest so that the backrest can be translated over the cushion. The vehicle further includes a restraint system having a restraint arm connected to the backrest and operatively connected to the mounting arrangement so that translation of the backrest drives corresponding rotation of the restraint arm. The restraint system also includes a webbing retractably mounted in the backrest.

[0009] These and other aspects, objects and features of the present invention will become apparent and understandable to those skilled in the art upon reading the following specification, claims and appended drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The drawings show: Fig. 1 is a partial view of a vehicle having a seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2A-2D different configurations of the seat Fig. 1 with a repositioning sequence and in use of an appropriate restraint system; Fig. 3 the vehicle seat Fig. 1 in an inverted configuration; Fig. 4 the seat Fig. 1 in the original configuration in use of its restraint system; Fig. 5 internal features of the seat Fig. 1 in the original configuration and with components of the restraint system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 6 the inside view of the seat Fig. 5, with additional sections removed; Fig. Figure 7 is a partial view of additional internal features of the seat in the forward-facing position, with additional components of the restraint system; and Fig. 8 the inside view of the seat Fig. 6 from an alternative perspective; and Fig. 9 a detailed view of additional internal features related to the restraint system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] For the purposes of the description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inner,” “outer,” and their derivatives refer to the orientation of the invention as described in Fig. 1. It is to be understood, however, that the invention may assume various alternative orientations unless expressly stated to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and methods shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting unless expressly stated otherwise in the claims.In addition, unless otherwise specified, it is to be understood that discussion of a particular feature or component extending in or along a given direction or the like does not imply that the feature or component follows a straight line or axis in such a direction or that it extends only in such a direction or on such a plane without other directional components or deviations, unless otherwise specified.

[0012] Now referring to Fig. 1, the reference numeral 10 generally designates a type of seat that can be used in a motor vehicle 2. In one example, the vehicle 2 may be an autonomous vehicle that allows the occupant sitting in the driving position, the example of the seat 10 in Fig. 1, allows the user to sit in a forward-facing position. The seat 10 is shown as a seat for a single vehicle occupant or as a "leader" seat, as opposed to a bench seat or the like, which is designed for multiple users. The seat 10 includes a cushion 12 and a backrest 22 which are movably attached to one another and are suitably adapted to be mounted in any one of a number of locations within the interior of a vehicle. In particular, the seat 10 is shown as a "reversible" seat, with the seat 10 being able to be positioned in a forward-facing position, as in Fig. 1, and a rearward facing position, as in Fig. 3. This configuration can generally be achieved by moving the backrest 22 and translating it in a front-to-back direction across the cushion 12, as discussed further below.

[0013] As in Fig. 1, the seat cushion 12 has a seating surface 14 generally shaped to support the lower body of a seated vehicle occupant. The cushion 12 has a front edge 16 and a rear edge 18 disposed on opposite sides thereof. Depending on the construction of the cushion 12, no sharp or distinct edge may be defined, but there may be, for example, a frontmost or rearmost portion or a seam bounding the seating surface 14 intended to constitute such an edge 16 or 18. When the seat 10 is mounted in the vehicle 2, the cushion 12 is arranged, for example, such that the front edge 16 is itself or adjacent to the nearest portion of the cushion 12 toward the front 4 of the vehicle 2, and a rear edge 18 is itself or adjacent to the nearest portion of the cushion 12 toward the rear 6 of the vehicle 2.However, these designations are used herein with respect to the seat 10 only as a reference because the reversible nature of the seat 10 (and its ability to be placed on either side of the vehicle 2 or at other locations within the vehicle 2, such as in the middle or rear rows of seats) means that either of the edges 16 or 18 could be positioned towards the end 4 or 6 of the vehicle 2.

[0014] The cushion 12 is mounted in the vehicle 2 via a mounting assembly 36, which may, for example, include a pair of supports 40 and 42 disposed along opposite sides of the cushion 12. The supports 40 and 42 may be mounted on sliding elements of tracks 38 that are connected to other parts of the sliding track system and to the seat cross members or the chassis (not shown) of the vehicle 2. The mounting assembly 36 further includes a pair of mounting arms 44 and 46, each extending from the supports 40 and 42, to which they are pivotally connected about pivot points 48 and 50, respectively. The mounting arms 44 and 46 are generally rigid, elongated members for supporting and positioning the seatback 22 in both the forward-facing and rearward-facing positions, as discussed herein.Additional release and locking elements may be provided for securing the backrest 22 to the cushion 12 or track members 38, as used in other known vehicle seats. It should be noted that the fastening arrangement may be concealed in portions of the cushion 12 and / or the backrest 22, or in cosmetic covers or the like that are mounted with the seat 10 (not shown).

[0015] The backrest 22 is pivotally connected to the mounting arms 44 and 46 at respective pivot points 52 and 54, so that the mounting arms 44 and 46 support the backrest 22 in desired positions relative to the cushion 12. As shown in Fig. 1, such a position may be a forward-facing position in which the backrest 22 extends in a generally upward direction from the adjacent rear edge 18 of the cushion 12 such that the front backrest surface 24 is open to and generally faces the seat surface 14 of the cushion 12. In this position, the attachment arms 44 and 46 extend in a generally rearward direction from the supports 40 and 42 such that the connections to the backrest 22 at points 52 and 54 are adjacent the rear edge 18 of the cushion 12.

[0016] Fig. 2A-2C show the seat 10 during the transition from the forward facing position (seat 10 in Fig. 2A) to the rearward facing position (seat 10' in Fig. 2C). It should be noted that the seat 10 is referred to as seat 10' when specifically discussed with respect to the rearward-facing position, and that it may otherwise be referred to generically as seat 10. Accordingly, the discussion of seat 10 shall apply both to the seat in the forward-facing position and, in a general sense, without exclusion to the seat 10' in the rearward-facing position, unless otherwise specified. As in Fig. 2B, the movement of the backrest 22 is permitted by rotating the mounting arms 44 and 46 on the respective pivot points 48 and 50 with the supports 40 and 42. By this rotation, the pivot points 52 and 54, by which the backrest 22 is connected to the arms 44 and 46, can be relocated adjacent the front edge 16 of the cushion 12, with the backrest 22 extending generally upwardly therefrom so that the rear seat surface 26 is open to and generally faces the seat surface 14 of the cushion 12, as shown in Fig. 2C and Fig. 3 can be seen.

[0017] How to continue in Fig. 2A-2C, the cushion 12 may be pivotally connected to the supports 40 and 42 at points 48 and 50 (or at locations axially aligned therewith) so that the cushion 12 may exhibit a series of tilting movements, as shown, to allow the seat surface 14 to be tilted rearwardly (as in Fig. 2A) or forward (as shown in Fig. 2C) according to the front or rear seating configurations. This tilting action may be associated with the rotation of the mounting arms 44 and 46 or may occur independently. Other mechanisms within the seat 10 may allow adjustment of the front or rear tilt positions according to the vehicle occupant's preferences. Furthermore, user-operable mechanisms may allow the seat 10 to be releasably locked in any position.

[0018] The generally upright placement of the backrest 22 in the forward-facing and rearward-facing positions may be such that the backrest 22 is angled to be slightly reclined in the forward-facing configuration of the seat 10 or in the rearward-facing configuration of the seat 10'. Such variation in the exact positioning of the backrest 22 is to be understood in terms of a generally upright position. The mounting arrangement 36 may be configured to maintain this positioning of the backrest 22 in a generally upright configuration and may be further configured to provide substantially identical reclined positions in the forward-facing and rearward-facing configurations for the seats 10 and 10'.To achieve this configuration, the mounting assembly 36 may include cables, motors, actuators, additional arms in a linkage arrangement with mounting arms 44 and 46, or other mechanisms or devices not shown herein. Furthermore, the seat 10 may also include additional mechanisms (not shown) to allow the seated vehicle occupant to further adjust the respective angle of the seatback 22.

[0019] A restraint system for use with the seat 10 or another reversible seat having a generally similar configuration is described herein. As in Fig. 1, the restraint system is in the form of a specially adapted three-point belt having a webbing 60 which can be pulled over the body and lap of a seated vehicle occupant and appropriately secured as shown in Fig. 2D, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. As shown, the webbing 60 is configured to extend from the seatback 22 near an upper portion 27 thereof to be placed generally in the shoulder area of ​​a vehicle occupant. The webbing is connected to the anchor assembly 62 disposed on the side of the seatback 22 from which the webbing 60 extends. Further, a buckle assembly 72 (as shown in Fig. 5, which shows a seat 10 in the forward facing position from the side of the buckle assembly 72) is arranged opposite the anchor assembly 62 and is adapted to have the buckle tongue 82, which slidably receives the belt webbing 60, releasably connected thereto so that the belt webbing 60 can be secured above the vehicle occupant on the seat 10 by buckling.

[0020] As in Fig. 4-6, all of the above-mentioned components of the restraint system are connected to and extend from the seat 10. In this configuration, the components move with the seat 10 during reconfiguration between the forward-facing and rearward-facing positions, as discussed above. This configuration can allow access to and use of the seat 10 by the vehicle occupant in both of the above-mentioned positions. In particular, Fig. 6, a belt retractor 84 which is connected to the backrest frame 30 so that it lies inside the backrest 22. The belt retractor 84 has a spool or the like on which the belt webbing 60 is wound so that a required length of the belt webbing 60 can be pulled out and pulled over the carrier, as in Fig. 4. The spool is spring-loaded to hold the webbing 60 over the user and to retract the extended length of the webbing 60 upon removal of the seat belt. In one example, the retractor 84 may further include a locking and / or clutch mechanism to prevent the webbing 60 from uncoiling during an accident, sudden braking, or the like. Thus, the retractor 84 provides an adjustable anchor for a variable end of the webbing 60. As shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 8, the webbing 60 passes through a slot 86 or other route through the frame 30 at a location adjacent the retractor 84 and extends upwardly to the positioner 90 which provides an opening in the seat back 22 through which the webbing 60 passes for accessibility by the vehicle occupant.

[0021] The positioner 90 is arranged on the backrest 22 within the upper portion 27 thereof to allow the belt webbing 60 to be positioned as described above and to extend over the shoulder of the vehicle occupant. As shown in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 8, the positioner 90 is constructed as a rigid insert made of metal, plastic, or a combination of plastic and metal, which can be connected to the backrest frame 30 and defines a slot sized to allow the webbing 60 to slide freely through it during extension. As shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 8, the positioner 90 is configured to extend in a generally lateral direction between the front backrest surface 24 and the rear backrest surface 26. In this configuration, the webbing 60 extends from the backrest 22 and abuts the outer side 28 of the backrest 22 in a retracted position, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3. By being oriented in a generally neutral position with respect to the backrest surfaces 24 and 26, the webbing 60 can extend from the positioner 90 in use in the forward-facing or rearward-facing positions in substantially the same manner as in the examples of seat 10' in Fig. 2C and seat 10 in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 can be seen.

[0022] On the same side of the seat 10 as the positioner 90, the anchor assembly 62 is connected to the seat 10 to fix the end of the belt webbing 60 relative to the end connected to the belt retractor 84. The anchor assembly 62 includes a body 64 made of a rigid material, such as steel or the like. The body 64 is configured as an elongated arm with a slot 66 or D-ring construction at a free end thereof. The anchor assembly 62 is pivotally connected at the pivot point 70 to a portion of the seatback 22, such as the bracket 34, which also connects the frame 30 to the arm 46. In another example, the anchor assembly 62 may be connected directly to the frame 30 or other appropriate portion of the seatback 22.Such a pivotal connection is preferably maintained by an appropriate rotary coupling construction having a fastener such as a bolt secured with a nut or the like, or with a rivet assembly, etc. A bushing, bearing, or other insert may be used to allow the connection to pivot.

[0023] In addition to securing the associated end of the webbing 60 to the seat 10, the anchor assembly 62 contributes to the positioning of the portion of the webbing 60 that extends across the lap of the vehicle occupant on the seat 10. Thus, the anchor assembly 62 may extend from the pivot point 70 in a direction such that the webbing 60 is positioned in a desirable manner, for example, such that the anchor assembly 62 extends at an angle A1 and A1' (in the respective positions of the seat 10 and 10') between the seat surface 14 of the cushion 12 and the backrest surface 24 or 26 for use in the corresponding seating position (forward or rearward facing) of the seat 10. As shown in Fig. 2A-2C, the angles A1 and A1' are determined with respect to a horizontal reference line passing through the pivot point 70, but the angle for the anchor assembly 62 can also be determined differently. In general, it is desirable that the angles A1 and A1' be such that the anchor assembly 62 and the adjacent portion of the webbing 60 are disposed toward the edge 16 or 18 opposite the position of the backrest 22. In other words, when the seat 10 is in the forward-facing position, it is desirable that the anchor assembly 62 be disposed toward the front 4 of the vehicle 2, as in Fig. 1. When the seat 10 is in the rearward-facing position, however, it is desirable for the anchor assembly 62 to be positioned toward the rear 6 of the vehicle 2. The respective angles A1 and A1' may vary in such a configuration and, depending on the embodiment, may be 50° to 80°, measured clockwise or counterclockwise from the horizontal, respectively. In another embodiment, the angle A1 may be between 30° and 60°, or approximately 50°.

[0024] To provide the described positioning of the anchor assembly 62, particularly during movement of the seat 10 between the forward and rearward facing positions, the rotation of the anchor assembly 62 may be restricted with respect to the movement of the backrest 22 between its relevant positions. As shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, this limited rotation may be provided by gear 68 included in anchor assembly 62 and rigidly connected to its body 64 about pivot point 70 to coincide with the location of the rotational coupling between body 64 and bracket 34. Such rigid connection of gear 68 to body 64 may be achieved, at least in part, with the same construction used to connect anchor assembly 62 to seat back 22 as discussed above, with appropriate features engaging gear 68 and body 64. Another gear 58 may be connected, at least in a fixed rotational position, to mounting arm 46 at pivot point 50 between mounting arm 46 and seat back 22. The relative positioning of pivot points 50 and 70 may be such that gears 68 and 58 are in meshing engagement with one another or otherwise mate with one another.Consequently, rotation of the arm 46, such as during movement of the seat 10 between the forward and rearward facing positions, can drive a corresponding movement of the anchor assembly 62 to the desired angle A1 for the respective position of the seat 10.

[0025] The relationship between the gears 68 and 58 can be adjusted to provide the desired movement of the anchor assembly 62 given the range of rotation of the arm 46 during reconfiguration of the seat 10. The particular configuration of the mounting assembly 36, including considerations regarding the size and position of the cushion 12 and the backrest 22, can result in varying angular rotations during movement of the seat 10 between the forward-facing and rearward-facing configurations. Furthermore, similar configurations can result in different desired angles A1 for the anchor assembly 62, which in turn can result in different amounts of angular rotation during reconfiguration of the seat 10. For example, the mounting assembly 36 can be designed so that the mounting arms 44 and 46 rotate through an angle A2 of approximately 160° to approximately 180° during reconfiguration of the seat 10.In the same example, it may be desirable for the armature assembly 62 to rotate through an angle A3 of approximately 30° to approximately 60°. The ratio of the gear 68 to the gear 58 (in size, measured by diameter or ratio, or, for example, in number of teeth) can be selected to achieve the desired angle of rotation A3 for the given angle of rotation A2. In the above example, the ratio of the gear 68 to the gear 58 can be between approximately 1:1 and approximately 1:2, depending on the angles of rotation A3 and A2 in a given seat 10.

[0026] By configuring the anchor assembly 62 with the pivotal movement described above by reconfiguring the seat 10 between the forward-facing and rearward-facing positions, the adjacent portion of the webbing 60 can be arranged to extend over the user's lap as desired and can be placed in a position that is more easily accessible to a vehicle occupant in the seat when buckling up. It may further be desirable to position the portion of webbing opposite the anchor assembly 62 and adjacent the buckle assembly 72 in a similar manner as anchor assembly 62 in the forward- and rearward-facing positions of the seat 10. Accordingly, the buckle assembly 72 may also include a gear 78 connected to the buckle arm 74 via a similar pivot coupling and axially connected to the pivot point 80 at which the buckle arm 74 is connected to the seatback 22 (e.g.,with the backrest bracket 32, as in . Fig. 9). Thus, the pivot point 80 can be arranged with respect to the pivot point 52 between the fastening arm 44 and the backrest 22 (which can also be arranged on the bracket 32, for example), so that the gear 78 can mesh with the gear 56 rigidly connected to the fastening arm 44.

[0027] The gears 78 and 56 may have a similar or identical relationship to the gears 68 and 58 to provide similar implementation of the buckle assembly 72 in repositioning the seat 10 in a similar manner to the anchor assembly 62. For example, the intermeshed relationship between the gears 78 and 56 may place the buckle assembly 72 at angles similar to, or in some examples identical to, angles A1 and A1', corresponding to a forward-facing configuration of the seat 10 or a rearward-facing configuration of the seat 10'. Similarly, the gears 78 and 56 may be configured to provide driven angular movement of the buckle assembly 72 through an angle similar to or the same as angle A3.Some variations in the relative positions and rotation angles of the buckle assembly 72 relative to those of the anchor assembly 62 may be desirable depending on the design or configuration of the buckle assembly 72, the anchor assembly 62, and other components of the seat 10. Such repositioning of the buckle assembly 72 and the anchor assembly 62 may provide user comfort and convenient use of the seat belt in a vehicle seat 10 with a reversible design.

[0028] Alternative structures, components, or devices may be used to achieve the powered reconfiguration of the buckle assembly 72 and the anchor assembly 62 described above. For example, friction rollers with similar ratios to those of the gears 78 and 56 or 68 and 58 may be included as an alternative to gears. Further, a system of pulleys and cables may be used to drive the rotational movement of the buckle assembly 72 and / or the anchor assembly 62, or a series of linkages attached between the buckle assembly 72 or the anchor assembly 62 and the respective mounting arms 44 and 46 may be incorporated for powered reconfiguration. In another example, a reversible seat, similar to seat 10, may include motors for automatically inverting the seat between configurations.In such an example, when repositioning the seat 10, motors may also drive the movement of the buckle assembly 72 and the anchor assembly 62 in a coordinated manner.

[0029] In another example, the seat 10 may include a pretensioner mechanism 92 that communicates with the buckle assembly 72. Generally, pretensioners may be included in restraint systems for tightening a seat belt upon detection of a potential crash event. As shown in Fig. 7, pretensioning mechanisms 92 may be disposed in the seatback 22 and include a cable 96 that may be connected to a mechanical actuator or the like (not shown) mounted in the seatback 22 to apply a force to the cable 96 when commanded by a crash sensing system in the vehicle 2. The cable 96 may be oppositely connected to the buckle receptacle 76, which may be movable in a direction toward the pivot point 80, which may occur when the actuator has applied the aforementioned force to the cable 96. The cable 96 may further be routed through the bracket 32 ​​(or other associated portion of the seatback frame 30) through an opening 98 to extend with the buckle arm 74 to the buckle receptacle 76.A pulley 94 may also be connected to the bracket 32 ​​or the like in or adjacent to the opening 98 for rerouting the cable 96 as discussed above.

[0030] In the Fig.7, the opening 98 and the pulley 94 are shown in a position aligned with the buckle arm 74 when the seat 10 is in the forward-facing configuration. In such an example, the pretensioner mechanism 92 may be deactivated when the seat 10' is in the rearward-facing configuration. Alternatively, an additional cable or pretensioner may be similarly aligned with the buckle arm 74 in the reversed configuration. As a further alternative, additional pulleys or the like may be included with the pretensioner 92 so that the cable 96 is properly routed to the buckle receptacle when the seat 10 is in either the forward-facing or rearward-facing configuration.

[0031] Another embodiment may include two separate restraint systems of the type discussed above, associated with opposite sides of a bench seat. Such a bench seat may include a similar mechanism for reconfiguration between forward-facing and rearward-facing positions. Furthermore, the restraint components may include the reversible buckle assembly described above and anchor assemblies similarly driven for rotational movement between positions by reconfiguration of the bench seat.

[0032] It will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any particular material. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a variety of different materials, unless otherwise described herein.

[0033] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "connected" (in all its forms, connect, connection, joined, etc.) generally means the direct or indirect connection of two components (electrical or mechanical) to one another. Such a connection may be stationary or movable. Such a connection may be with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate parts integrally formed as a unitary body, to one another, or to the two components. Such a connection may be permanent, removable, or detachable, unless otherwise specified.

Claims

[1] Vehicle seat (10), comprising: a backrest (22); a cushion (12); a mounting arrangement (36) to which the cushion (12) is attached and which has a first mounting arm (44) connected to the backrest (22) and is rotatable relative to the cushion (12) so that the backrest (22) can be displaced over the cushion (12); and a first restraining arm connected to the backrest (22) and operatively connected to the first mounting arm (44) such that displacement of the backrest (22) drives rotation of the first restraining arm, wherein the first retaining arm is operatively connected to the first mounting arm (44) via first (68) and second (58) interlocking gears respectively connected thereto; wherein the cushion (12) has a first edge (16) and a second edge (18); and the backrest (22) can be translated over the cushion (12) between a first position in which the backrest (22) lies adjacent the first edge (16) of the cushion (12) and a second position in which the backrest (22) lies adjacent the second edge (18) of the cushion (12); and wherein the resulting rotation of the first retaining arm with the displacement of the backrest (22) is such that: the first retaining arm is located at a first angle to the first attachment arm (44) in the first position of the backrest (22) and is arranged between the backrest (22) and the cushion (12) closer to the second edge (18) than to the first edge (16); and the first retaining arm is located at a second angle to the first fastening arm (44) in the second position of the backrest (22) and is arranged between the backrest (22) and the cushion (12) closer to the first edge (16) than to the second edge (18). [2] The vehicle seat (10) of claim 1, wherein a gear ratio between the first (68) and second (58) mating gears is between 1:1 and 1:

2. [3] The vehicle seat (10) of claim 1, wherein the first restraint arm has a buckle receptacle (76) mounted thereon. [4] The vehicle seat (10) of claim 3, wherein the attachment assembly (36) includes a second attachment arm (46) connected to the seat back (22) opposite the first attachment arm (44) and rotatable relative to the cushion (12), the vehicle seat (10) further including a restraint anchor connected to the seat back (22) and operatively connected to the second attachment arm (46) such that displacement of the seat back (22) further drives rotation of a seat belt anchor caused thereby. [5] The vehicle seat (10) of claim 1, wherein the first restraint arm comprises a restraint anchor. [6] Vehicle seat (10) according to claim 5, further comprising: a belt retractor (84) mounted in the backrest (22) on one side thereof adjacent the first restraint arm; a seat belt positioner (90) connected to the backrest (22) in an opening between an outer side (28) and an inner side of the backrest (22); and a belt strap (60) connected at a first end to the belt retractor (84), extends through the seat belt positioner (90) and is connected at a second end to the restraint anchor. [7] Vehicle restraint system comprising: a buckle assembly (72) having a first arm with a buckle receptacle (76) thereon and having a first rotary coupling opposite the receptacle and a first gear (78) axially aligned with the first rotary coupling; an armature having a body (64) and having a second rotary coupling and a second gear (56) fixed to the body (64) and axially aligned with each other; a webbing (60) attached to the body (64) of the anchor; and a belt buckle insert which receives the belt strap (60) through it and can be releasably attached to the belt buckle holder (76). [8] The vehicle restraint system of claim 7, wherein the first gear (78) and the second gear (56) have the same diameter. [9] A vehicle restraint system according to claim 7, wherein first (78) and second gears (56) are sized to connect one of the buckle assembly (72) and the anchor to a seat mounting assembly (36) of a vehicle (2) such that the buckle assembly (72) and the anchor are driven in a rotational movement by movement of a portion of the seat mounting assembly (36). [10] The vehicle restraint system of claim 7, further comprising a seat belt pretensioner (92) connected to the buckle receptacle (76) on a cable extending through a portion of the first arm. [11] A vehicle restraint system according to claim 7, wherein the buckle assembly (72) and the anchor are operatively connectable to respective portions of a reversible vehicle seat (10) via the respective first and second rotary couplings, and wherein the first (78) and second gears (56) are operable to drive rotation of the buckle assembly (72) and the anchor in accordance with a turning movement of the vehicle seat (10). [12] Vehicle (2), comprising: a seat (10) having a backrest (22), a cushion (12) and a mounting arrangement (36) to which the cushion (12) is attached and which is connected to the backrest (22) so that the backrest (22) can be displaced over the cushion (12); and a restraint system comprising: a restraint arm connected to the backrest (22) and operatively connected to the mounting arrangement (36) such that displacement of the backrest (22) drives rotation of the restraint arm; and a belt strap (60) connected to the restraint arm and the backrest (22), wherein the mounting assembly (36) includes a first mounting arm (44) pivotally connected to the backrest (22) and the cushion (12) such that the backrest (22) can be translated over the cushion (12) by rotation of the first mounting arm (44); and the retaining arm is operatively connected to the fastening arrangement (36) on the first fastening arm (44); wherein the restraint arm has a first gear (68) attached thereto at a junction between the restraint arm and the backrest (22); the first mounting arm (44) has a second gear (58) attached thereto at a junction between the first mounting arm (44) and the backrest (22); and the retaining arm has an interlocking relationship between the first (68) and second gears (58) are connected to the first mounting arm (44); wherein the cushion (12) has a first edge (16) arranged towards a rear side (6) of the vehicle (2) and a second edge (18) arranged towards the front side (4) of the vehicle (2); and the backrest (22) can be displaced via the seat cushion (12) between a first position in which the backrest (22) lies adjacent to the first edge (16) of the cushion (12) and a second position in which the backrest (22) lies adjacent to the second edge (18) of the cushion (12); and wherein the resulting rotation of the retaining arm with the displacement of the backrest (22) is such that: the retaining arm is located at a first angle to the first fastening arm (44) in the first position of the backrest (22) and is arranged between the backrest (22) and the cushion (12) closer to the first edge (16) than to the second edge (18), the first edge (16) of the cushion (12) being arranged towards a front side (4) of the vehicle (2); and in the second position of the backrest (22), the retaining arm is at a second angle to the first fastening arm (44) and is arranged between the backrest (22) and the cushion (12) closer to the second edge (18) than to the first edge (16), the second edge (18) of the cushion (12) being arranged towards a rear side (6) of the vehicle (2). [13] Vehicle (2) according to claim 12, wherein the restraint arm comprises an anchoring body (64) and a belt buckle connected thereto.

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