backrest

Abstract

Seating arrangement (2) for a vehicle, wherein the seating arrangement (2) comprises the following: a safety belt (40); and a backrest (10) comprising one or more features (50) arranged between a top (10a) and a bottom (10b) of the backrest (10), wherein the features (50) are provided at one or more points on the backrest (10) which are covered by a safety belt (40) in a stowed position, wherein the one or more features (50) are formed, to expose an edge (10c, 10d) of a safety belt (40) so that the safety belt (40) can be more easily grasped and deployed by a user, wherein the safety belt (40) is arranged such that it rests on the backrest (10) in the stowed position, the safety belt (40) lying flat against a front (14) of the backrest (10) and the safety belt (40) is designed to run over one or more features (50) in the stowed position, characterized in that at least one of the features (50) comprises a raised projection (250) that projects over the surrounding area of ​​the backrest (10), wherein the projection (250) comprises a rib, the rib extending in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the safety belt (40) in the stowed position.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a seat arrangement and a vehicle, for example a motor vehicle, having such a seat arrangement. background

[0002] In seat belts, particularly rear-seat seat belts and those integrated into front seats, the webbing typically lies flat against the seat cushion. Once the belt is fastened, the wearer must grasp the webbing with their fingers and pull it away from the seat cushion before the belt can be positioned over the wearer's body. This is normally a simple task, but it can be more difficult if the occupant is wearing heavy gloves or if their grip strength or mobility is limited.

[0003] A seat arrangement according to the preamble of claim 1 is already known from US 5 380 060 A. Vehicle seats are known from DE 196 03 946 A1 and DE 101 53 138 A1. Explanations of the invention

[0004] The object of the invention is to improve a seat arrangement known from the aforementioned prior art and a vehicle using the same. This object is achieved by a seat arrangement according to claim 1 and a vehicle according to claim 12. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0005] One or more of the features may include a local recess in the backrest.

[0006] For example, the projection may comprise a local peak in the surface of the backrest.

[0007] A top surface of the rib may have a width less than the width of the seat belt so that the edge of the seat belt may be exposed.

[0008] One or more of the features may include a rounded edge portion. The rounded edge portion may have a radius that differs from a rounded edge at another location along the same edge. For example, the rounded edge may include a tight radius edge that may be provided at or adjacent to the edge of the backrest. The tight radius edge may be curved, with a radius that is tighter (e.g., smaller) than the radius at another location along the edge of the backrest.

[0009] One or more of the features may be configured to expose one or both edges of the safety belt.

[0010] The seatback may further include a seatbelt guide configured to guide the seatbelt over the one or more features. The seatbelt guide may be provided on or toward the top of the seatback. The seatbelt guide may include a seatbelt retractor.

[0011] The safety belt may extend along a front side of the seatback from the top of the seatback to the bottom of the seatback in the stowed position.

[0012] A seat assembly may include the above-mentioned seatback and seatbelt. The seatbelt may be configured to extend over the one or more features in the stowed position.

[0013] A vehicle may include the seating arrangement mentioned above. Short description of the drawings

[0014] For a better understanding of the present disclosure and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 a backrest according to a first example of the present disclosure, wherein Fig. 1a a perspective view of the first example applied to a front seat, Fig. 1b is a perspective view of the first example applied to a rear seat, and Fig. 1c is a cross-sectional side view of the first example in both cases; Fig. 2 a backrest according to a second example of the present disclosure, wherein Fig. 2a a perspective view of the second example applied to a front seat, Fig. 2b is a perspective view of the second example applied to a rear seat, and Fig. 2c is a cross-sectional side view of the second example in both cases; and Fig. 3 a backrest according to a third example of the present disclosure, wherein Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b perspective and cross-sectional end views of the third example applied to a front seat, and Fig. 3c and Fig. 3d perspective and cross-sectional end views, from top to bottom, of the third example applied to a backrest. Detailed description

[0015] With reference to Fig. 1, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, a seat assembly 2 for a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle, may include a backrest 10. The seat assembly 2 may further include a seat bottom 20. The seat assembly 2 may also include a headrest 30, which may be connected to an upper side 10a of the backrest.

[0016] The backrest 10 can be part of a vehicle front seat, or the backrest 10 can be part of a vehicle rear seat. The backrest 10 and the seat base 20 can be separate components, held together, for example, by a seat frame. Alternatively, the backrest 10 and the seat base 20 can be integrated. The backrest 10 and the seat base 20 can be pivotable or fixed relative to each other.

[0017] As in Fig. 1a, Fig. 2a and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3a, the backrest 10 may comprise side supports 12a, 12b provided along the edges 10c, 10d of the backrest. An outer surface of the side supports 12a, 12b may, for example, be in the transverse plane and horizontal plane, as in Fig. 3b and Fig. 3d. The side supports 12a, 12b can otherwise follow the contours of the rest of the backrest 10.

[0018] As in Fig. 1b, Fig. 2b, Fig. However, as can be seen in Figure 3c, it is also possible for the backrest 10 not to include any side supports. An individual seat, such as a vehicle front seat, may include the side supports 12a, 12b. In contrast, a seat forming part of a bench seat, such as a vehicle rear seat, may not include the side supports.

[0019] It is understood that the backrest 10 may be padded, and the backrest may therefore include one or more foam elements. The seat base 20 may be similarly padded. The foam elements may be covered with a membrane, such as a textile material, leather, or another material.

[0020] The seat assembly 2 may further include one or more safety belts 40. In a stowed position (e.g., before a vehicle occupant deploys the safety belt), the safety belt 40 may extend along a front side 14 of the backrest from the top side 10a of the backrest to a bottom side 10b of the backrest.

[0021] The safety belt 40 may be arranged to rest on the backrest 10 in a stowed position, with the safety belt lying flat, e.g., substantially flat, against the front side 14 of the backrest. As can be seen, the safety belt 40 may extend along or parallel to the edges 10c, 10d of the backrest in the stowed position. The safety belt 40 may be provided along or parallel to the edge 10c, 10d on either side of the backrest 10, e.g., on an inboard or outboard edge of the backrest.

[0022] If side supports 12a, 12b are provided, the safety belt 40 may rest on the side supports. Although the side supports 12a, 12b may be curved, the flexible nature of the safety belt webbing may allow the safety belt to lie flat against the side supports in the stowed position. The side supports 12a, 12b may also include a substantially flat top surface 12c to allow the safety belt to lie flat (e.g., as shown in Fig. 3b). A flat stowed position for the seat belt may be desirable for aesthetic reasons.

[0023] The safety belt 40 may be a 3-point safety belt that, after deployment, can be positioned diagonally across the body of a vehicle occupant. Alternatively or additionally, the seat assembly 2 may include a 2-point safety belt 40 that, after deployment, does not extend across the torso of a vehicle occupant. Such a 2-point safety belt may extend over the shoulder of a vehicle occupant after deployment.

[0024] In one particular example, the seat assembly 2 may include both the 3-point and 2-point safety belts 40 described above. Such an arrangement may advantageously limit forward and rotational movement of the vehicle occupant in the event of an accident.

[0025] The seat assembly 2 may further include a seat belt guide (not shown). The seat belt guide may guide the seat belt 40 over the seat back 10. The seat belt guide may be provided on or toward the top of the seat back 10a, e.g., to one side of the head restraint 30. The seat belt guide may include a seat belt retractor (not shown). The seat belt retractor may tighten the seat belt when the seat back is in the stowed position so that the seat belt lies flat against the seat back. The seat belt 40 may be anchored on or adjacent to the bottom 10b of the seat back. Alternatively, the seat belt 40 may be anchored on or adjacent to the top 10a of the seat back, and the seat belt retractor may be provided on or adjacent to the bottom 10b of the seat back.

[0026] According to examples of the present disclosure, the seatback 10 includes one or more features 50 disposed between the top and bottom surfaces 10a, 10b of the seatback. The features 50 are provided at one or more locations on the seatback 10 that are at least partially obscured by the safety belt 40 in the stowed position. The one or more features 50 are configured to expose one or both edges of the safety belt 40 and allow the safety belt to be more easily grasped and deployed by a user. Deployment of seatbelts that lie flat against the seatback can be difficult, and by exposing one edge of the seatbelt so that the edge is maintained at a distance from the seatback at that location, the user can insert their fingers between the belt 40 and the seatback 10 and thus more easily deploy the seatbelt.

[0027] In a first example of the present disclosure, which is shown in Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. 1c, one or more features 50 comprise a local depression 150 in the backrest. In the case of the specific Fig. In the example shown in Figure 1a, the recess 150 may be provided in one or more side supports 12a, 12b. As can be seen, the recess may extend across the width of the side support so that the safety belt 40 can be easily grasped from both sides. However, it is also envisaged that the recess 150 may extend only partially across the width of the side support so that the recess is only accessible from one edge of the safety belt, for example, from the side remote from the occupant in the seat. Such an arrangement may be advantageous because it can maintain the function of the side support while allowing easy access to the safety belt.

[0028] Alternatively, as in Fig. 1b, where there are no side supports, the recess 150 can be provided at an edge 10c, 10d of the backrest 10. The recess can extend across the width of the safety belt 40, so that the safety belt 40 can be easily grasped from both sides. However, it is also envisaged that the recess 150 can extend only partially across the width of the side support, so that the recess is only accessible from one edge of the safety belt, for example, from the side remote from the occupant in the seat.

[0029] As best seen in the lateral sectional view of Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1c, side walls 151a, 151b of the recess 150 can be inclined, e.g., relative to a bottom surface 151c of the recess. Alternatively, the side walls 151a, 151b can be arranged substantially perpendicular to a bottom surface 151c of the recess. Furthermore, the recess 150 can be curved, with, for example, the side walls and the bottom surface of the recess being formed from a single curve. Such arrangements can assist in the clean upholstery of the backrest 10 without distortion of the membrane.

[0030] The recess 150 may be sized to accommodate a typical hand. For example, the height of the recess 150, e.g., the distance between the side walls 151a, 151b, may be approximately the width of a typical hand. However, the height of the recess 150 may be greater than the width of a hand so that the seat belt 40 can be grasped at various locations. The depth of the recess, e.g., the distance between the bottom 151c and the seat belt 40, may be approximately the thickness of a typical hand or finger. In this way, a user's hand or fingers can easily fit into the recess 150.

[0031] Furthermore, the recess 150 can be provided at a location spaced from a shoulder of a typical vehicle occupant. Avoiding such a location can help maintain the support function of the side supports 12a, 12b and reduce the risk of the presence of the recess 150 being felt by the occupant. Furthermore, the recess 150 can be provided at a location that a typical vehicle occupant can conveniently reach when using the seat belt. For example, the recess 150 can be provided approximately mid-height of the seatback 10. Such a location can represent an optimal compromise, avoiding the shoulder region and encouraging the occupant to grasp the seat belt at a location that facilitates withdrawal of the seat belt from the retractor.

[0032] In a second example of the present invention, which is shown in Fig. 2a, Fig. 2b and Fig. 2c, one or more features 50 may include a raised protrusion 250. The raised protrusion 250 may protrude beyond the surrounding area of ​​the backrest 10. For example, the protrusion 250 may comprise a local peak in the surface of the backrest. The protrusions 250 may or may not protrude from the side supports 12a, 12b, as shown in Fig. 2a and 2b respectively.

[0033] In the particular example shown, two protrusions 250 are provided, but it should be understood that any number of such protrusions 250 may be provided. In the event that more than one protrusion is present, the protrusions may be spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the seat belt 40. The protrusions 250 may be spaced apart to accommodate a typical hand; for example, the spacing between adjacent protrusions 250 may be approximately the width of a typical hand.

[0034] The height of the protrusion 250, e.g., the distance between a bottom surface 251 of the protrusion and the seat belt 40, may be approximately the thickness of a typical hand or finger. This allows a user's hand or fingers to easily fit between the seat belt 40 and the seatback 10.

[0035] In one example, the protrusion 250 may include a logo. The logo itself may form the protrusion, or the logo may be provided on top of the protrusion. The logo may be embossed or woven into the backrest 10.

[0036] In an alternative example, the protrusion may comprise a rib. The rib may extend in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the seat belt 40 in the stowed position. Alternatively, the rib may extend in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the seat belt 40 in the stowed position. A top surface of the rib may have a width less than the width of the seat belt so that the edge of the seat belt may be exposed. For example, the rib may comprise piping provided at a hem.

[0037] In a third example of the present disclosure, which is shown in Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b, Fig. 3c and Fig. 3d, one or more of the features 50 may include a rounded edge 350 provided at or adjacent to the edge of the backrest. As shown in Fig. 3b and Fig. 3d, the rounded edge 350 can be bent (e.g. in the transverse plane shown in Fig. 3b and Fig. 3d), wherein a first radius 351 is narrower (e.g., smaller) than a second radius 352 at another location along the edge of the backrest.

[0038] The rounded edge 350 may be provided on a backrest 10, which may or may not include the side supports 12a, 12b, as shown in Fig. 3a-b and 3c-d, respectively. If the rounded edge 350 is provided on a side support, each side or both sides of the side support may include a rounded edge. In the Fig. In the example shown in Figure 3b, both sides of the side supports are provided with a rounded edge 350.

[0039] When the rounded edge 350 is provided on a backrest without a side support, the rounded edge 350 may be set back from the rest of the edge 10c or 10d (e.g., in a lateral direction). The rounded edge may join the rest of the front side 14 of the backrest at a point below the safety belt (as in Fig. 3d) or at a point set back from the side of the seat belt (as in Fig. 3c). In the latter case, the seat belt 40 can then be easily grasped from both sides. As mentioned above, the first radius 351 may be narrower (e.g., smaller) than the second radius 352 at another location along the edge of the backrest. However, in an alternative arrangement, the first radius 351 may be larger than the second radius 352.

[0040] The rounded edge 350 may extend along a portion of the length of the backrest edge 10c, 10d. For example, as shown in Fig. 3a and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3c, the rounded edge 350 may extend over a significant portion of the length of the backrest edge 10c, 10d, e.g., from near the top 10a of the backrest to near the bottom 10b of the backrest. In this way, the safety belt 40 can be easily grasped at a number of locations. Alternatively, the rounded edge 350 may be provided over a smaller length of the backrest edge 10c, 10d, e.g., with a length approximately corresponding to the width of a typical hand.

Claims

[1] Seat arrangement (2) for a vehicle, the seat arrangement (2) comprising: a safety belt (40); and a backrest (10) comprising one or more features (50) arranged between a top side (10a) and a bottom side (10b) of the backrest (10), wherein the features (50) are provided at one or more points on the backrest (10) which are covered by a safety belt (40) in a stowed position, wherein the one or more features (50) are formed, exposing an edge (10c, 10d) of a safety belt (40) so that the safety belt (40) can be more easily grasped and used by a user, wherein the safety belt (40) is arranged to rest on the backrest (10) in the stowed position, the safety belt (40) lying flat against a front side (14) of the backrest (10) and the safety belt (40) being configured to extend over the one or more features (50) in the stowed position, characterized by in that at least one of the features (50) comprises a raised projection (250) projecting beyond the surrounding area of ​​the backrest (10), wherein the projection (250) comprises a rib, wherein the rib extends in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the safety belt (40) in the stowed position. [2] Seat assembly (2) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the features (50) comprises a local recess (150) in the backrest (10). [3] Seat arrangement (2) according to claim 2, wherein the recess (150) is provided on an edge (10c, 10d) of the backrest (10) or in a side support (12a, 12b) of the backrest (10). [4] Seat assembly (2) according to claim 1, wherein the projection (250) comprises a local peak in the surface of the backrest (10). [5] Seat assembly (2) according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the rib has a width smaller than the width of the safety belt (40) so that the edge (10c, 10d) of the safety belt (40) is exposed. [6] Seat assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the features (50) comprises a rounded edge portion having a radius different from a rounded edge (10c, 10d) at another location. [7] Seat arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the features (50) is designed to expose both edges of the safety belt (40). [8] Seat assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the backrest (10) further comprises a seat belt guide configured to guide the seat belt (40) over the one or more features (50). [9] Seat arrangement (2) according to claim 8, wherein the safety belt guide is provided on or towards the upper side (10a) of the backrest (10). [10] Seat assembly (2) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the seat belt guide comprises a seat belt retractor. [11] Seat assembly (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the safety belt (40) extends along a front side of the backrest (10) from the top side (10a) of the backrest (10) to the bottom side (10b) of the backrest (10) in the stowed position. [12] Vehicle comprising the seat arrangement (2) according to one of claims 1 to 11.

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