Self-locking hinge assembly for a vibrating table surface of a vehicle

Abstract

Hinge assembly (72), comprising: a finger grip rotary knob assembly (164); a mounting plate (172) having a first side (176) operatively connected to a mounting surface (168) and a second side (180) operatively connected to the finger grip rotary knob assembly (164); and a movable element (220) that is arranged between the finger grip rotary knob assembly (164) and the mounting plate (172), wherein the movable element (220) is operatively connected to the finger grip rotary knob assembly (164) and is thus rotatable.

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a hinge assembly. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a self-locking hinge assembly. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In many industries, delivery vehicles are used as mobile offices. For example, delivery drivers, suppliers, and various other tradespeople are constantly traveling from one appointment or delivery location to the next. Various paperwork tasks are often completed between appointments or delivery locations. Completing this paperwork can be difficult and inconvenient when one has to improvise a workspace in the vehicle.

[0003] Prior art patent US 7,793,597 B2 describes a portable desk for use in temporary workspaces, such as a seat in a vehicle. The portable desk rests on the seat cushion and is not attached to the seat itself. Therefore, the portable desk must be stowed separately whenever the seat cushion is needed.

[0004] US Patent 8,167,366 B2 further describes a motor vehicle seat with a seat surface, a backrest that can be folded over the seat surface, and a rear section that includes a storage tray pivotable about an axis. The tray cannot be fixed in the pivoted position, so that it can be moved, for example, by the vehicle rocking or being bumped, causing objects on the tray to be displaced or knocked off. The object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat assembly that includes a storage tray which can be moved into a stowed position and which can be fixed in a pivoted position, wherein the fixing is reversible.

[0005] According to the invention, this is achieved with a hinge assembly having the features of claim 1, a seat assembly having the features of claim 2, and a vehicle seat assembly having the features of claim 4. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seat assembly comprises a backrest and a hinge assembly. The hinge assembly includes a finger grip / rotary knob assembly that is movable between at least one stowed position and one operating position. The vehicle seat assembly further comprises a mounting plate. The mounting plate has a first side operatively connected to the backrest and a second side operatively connected to the hinge assembly. A table is operatively connected to the hinge assembly and is arranged between the second side of the mounting plate and the hinge assembly.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a seat assembly comprises a backrest with a mounting plate having a first side operatively connected to the backrest and a second side operatively connected to a hinge assembly, the hinge assembly comprising a finger-grip knob assembly and a table. The table is arranged between the second side of the mounting plate and the hinge assembly. The table is operatively connected to the hinge assembly. According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a hinge assembly comprises a finger-grip knob assembly and a mounting plate. The mounting plate has a first side operatively connected to a mounting surface and a second side operatively connected to the finger-grip knob assembly. A movable element is arranged between the finger-grip knob assembly and the mounting plate.The movable element is operatively connected to the finger grip rotary knob assembly and is therefore rotatable.

[0008] These and other aspects, tasks and features of the present invention are understandable and comprehensible to the person skilled in the art after reading the following description, the patent claims and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In the drawings: Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective side view of the interior of a vehicle equipped with a seating arrangement; Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective rear view of the vehicle's interior; Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective side view of a rear seat in an upright, open position; Fig. Figure 4 is a perspective side view of the vehicle seat. Fig. 3 in a forward-tilting position; Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective side view of the vehicle seat. Fig. 3 in a folded closed position; Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective rear view of a vehicle seat in the open position, which is equipped with an embodiment of a table attached to a passenger seat, which is in a stowed position; Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective rear view of the vehicle seat in the forward-tilted position, which is equipped with an embodiment of the table attached to the passenger seat, which is in the stowed position; Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective side view of the vehicle seat in the forward-tilted position, which is equipped with an embodiment of the table attached to the passenger seat, which is in the stowed position; Fig. Figure 9 is a perspective rear view of the vehicle seat in the forward-tilted position, which is equipped with an embodiment of the table attached to the passenger seat, similar to Fig. 7, wherein the table attached to the passenger seat is in an upright position, or user position; Fig. Figure 10 is an enlarged perspective rear view of an embodiment of the vehicle seat and table inserted in Fig. 9 with a user sitting in the driver's seat; Fig. 11 is a driver's perspective view of an embodiment of the table attached to the passenger seat in the installed or operating position; Fig. Figure 12 is a perspective side view of an embodiment of the table attached to the passenger seat made of Fig. 11, which shows the accessibility to the various functionalities of the vehicle; Fig. Figure 13 is a partial cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the hinge assembly in a snap-in configuration; Fig. Figure 14 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the hinge assembly, similar to Fig. 13, wherein the hinge assembly is in an unlocked configuration; Fig. Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the finger grip rotary knob along line XV-XV. Fig. 14; and Fig. Figure 16 is a top view of an embodiment of the vehicle table, which is rotated from a stowed position into a use position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS

[0010] For the purposes of this description, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and derivatives thereof refer to the concepts in their orientation in Fig. 1. It is understood that the concepts can assume different alternative orientations, unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, it is understood that the specific devices and methods illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following description are merely exemplary embodiments of the concepts according to the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. Accordingly, specific dimensions and other physical properties in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0011] The embodiments presented here mainly consist of combinations of process steps and device components relating to a vehicle table. Accordingly, the device components and process steps have been represented in the drawings, where appropriate, by conventional symbols that show only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of this disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that are readily apparent to the person skilled in the art who benefits from this description. Furthermore, identical reference numerals in the description and the drawings represent similar elements.

[0012] In the sense used here, the expression "and / or" when used in an enumeration of two or more parts means that each of the enumerated parts can be used individually, or any combination of two or more of the enumerated parts can be used. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, then the composition can contain: only A; only B; only C; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[0013] In this document, reference terms such as first and second, upper and lower, and the like are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual relationship or sequence between such entities or actions. It is intended that the expressions "includes," "comprising," or any other variation thereof cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, procedure, article, or apparatus comprising a list of elements may include not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed or unique to such process, procedure, article, or apparatus. An element to which "includes..."The presence of “a” does not, without further limitations, preclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or apparatus comprising the element.

[0014] In relation to Fig. In reference numeral 1-12, reference numeral 40 generally denotes a passenger vehicle, such as a motor vehicle equipped with wheels. Additionally, a pair of vehicle seat assemblies 44 is shown, each comprising a base 48 and a backrest 52. The backrest 52 is operatively connected to the base 48 by means of a tilting joint 56, which is capable of rotating the backrest 52 relative to the base 48 about an axis of tilt 60 to a tilt angle Φ selected by the user. A movable element, such as a vehicle table 64, is operatively connected to a rear section 68 of one of the backrests 52 and is capable of rotating about a hinge assembly 72 to move between a Fig. 8 shown stowed position 136 and one in Fig. The vehicle table 64 can be rotated to the operating position 76 shown in Figure 9. In one embodiment, the vehicle table 64 can remain locked in the operating position 76 after initial setup without any intervention by the user (e.g., driver) 80. That is, the hinge assembly 72 can be self-locking and thus prevented from rotating when the user 80 does not intend to rotate the vehicle table 64 (i.e., when the vehicle 40 is moving). According to one embodiment, the vehicle 40 can be configured as a van; however, it is also intended that other vehicle types can be used without deviating from the concepts disclosed herein. For example, the disclosed concepts can be used in coupes, sedans, station wagons, freight wagons, light commercial vehicles, large vans, off-road vehicles, trucks, and the like.

[0015] In relation to Fig. 1 and Fig. Reference numeral 84 generally denotes an interior of the vehicle 40. The interior 84 of the vehicle 40 includes, as shown, a driver's seat 88 and a passenger seat 92 arranged in a side-by-side configuration. The driver's seat 88 and the passenger seat 92 are located in a front section 96 of the vehicle 40. The driver's seat 88 and the passenger seat 92 each comprise the base 48 and the backrest 52. A steering wheel 100 is located in front of the driver's seat 88. The steering wheel 100 is operatively connected to an instrument panel assembly 104.

[0016] With reference to Fig. Figure 2 shows the interior 84 of vehicle 40 from the perspective of a rear-seat passenger facing forward. The dashboard assembly 104 includes a gearshift lever 108, radio controls 112, climate controls 116, and a cupholder 120, which is generally located in front of seats 88 and 92.

[0017] With reference to Fig. Figures 3-5 generally show a vehicle seat 124 without the vehicle table 64. The vehicle seat 124 comprises the base 48 and the backrest 52. The base 48 is connected to a floor 128 of the interior 84 ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) of the vehicle 40. The backrest 52 is operatively connected to the base 48 by means of a tilting joint 56. The tilting joint 56 can adjust the backrest 52 rotatably about the tilting axis 60 to the tilting angle Φ selected by the user relative to the base 48. The tilting angle Φ selected by the user can be any angular displacement that the user 80 ( Fig. 10) selects. The tilt angle Φ selected by the user can be approximately twenty degrees (20°) for optimal setup and use of the vehicle table 64.

[0018] In the representation of Fig. Figures 6-9 show an embodiment of the vehicle table 64, which is operatively connected to the passenger seat 92. The vehicle table 64 is operatively connected to the rear section 68 of the backrest 52 of the seat 92 by means of the hinge assembly 72, the hinge assembly being able to be arranged at any desired location on the vehicle table 64 and the backrest 52. Preferably, the hinge assembly 72 is located at an upper corner of the vehicle table 64 that is near the user 80, such as the upper left corner ( Fig. 10) a functional connection between the vehicle table 64 and the rear section 68 of the backrest 52. The hinge assembly 72 allows a rotational movement of the vehicle table 64 about a pivot axis 132 from at least one stowed position 136 ( Fig. 8) into usage position 76 ( Fig. 9) The hinge assembly 72 can be motorized or operated manually by the user 80. Additionally, the hinge assembly 72 can be self-locking, meaning that the hinge assembly 72 automatically locks into a latched position that prevents rotation of the vehicle table 64 after the vehicle table 64 has been moved into the position selected by the user 80. The latched position of the hinge assembly 72 can be achieved, for example, by a self-locking hinge assembly 144 ( Fig. 13 and Fig. 14) can be achieved. Other suitable locking mechanisms for the hinge assembly 72 will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0019] In relation to Fig. 6-12 the vehicle table 64 in an embodiment from the in Fig. 6 shown stowed position 136 in the in Fig. The vehicle table 64 can be rotated into the usage position 76 shown in Figure 10. In the stowed position 136, the vehicle table 64 essentially covers the backrest 52. If the user 80 of the vehicle 40 wishes to use the vehicle table 64, the user 80 can rotate the backrest 52 about the tilting joint 56 to the user-selected tilt angle Φ and rotate the vehicle table 64 about the hinge assembly 72 into the usage position 76. When rotating the vehicle table 64 into the usage position 76, the vehicle table 64 preferably does not contact other interior components of the vehicle 40, such as the B-pillar 148, the door assembly 152, the window 156, the dashboard assembly 104, etc. Fig. The usage position 76 shown in Figure 10 is a position in which the vehicle table 64 is presented to an occupant of the vehicle, such as the driver, so that they can use it. Once in usage position 76, the vehicle table 64 is presented to the user 80 in an ergonomic manner. Additionally, the vehicle table 64 does not interfere with the normal operation of the vehicle 40 while in usage position 76. That is, the vehicle table 64 can remain in usage position 76 while the vehicle is moving, and the user 80 retains access to the steering wheel 100, the gearshift lever 108, the radio controls 112, the climate controls 116, the cup holder 120, and the like. Furthermore, the vehicle table 64 does not obstruct the user 80's line of sight, as shown in Figure 10. Fig. 11 is best shown, and therefore does not create any blind spots during vehicle operation.

[0020] It is provided that, while the vehicle table 64, as in one embodiment in Fig. As shown in Figures 6-12, the vehicle table 64 is attached to the passenger seat 92 in the front section 96 of the vehicle 40. However, according to other embodiments, the vehicle table 64 can also be used elsewhere in the vehicle 40 to provide a work surface 160 for the passenger. Although the vehicle table 64 is shown as a flat work surface, the person skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications that can be made to the vehicle table 64 as shown. For example, the vehicle table 64 can include a drawer, a recessed area for holding a beverage container and / or writing utensils, a storage element that secures documents or other objects to the work surface 160 of the vehicle table 64, and / or any other modification that allows access to items that the user 80 wishes to keep within easy reach.

[0021] With reference to Fig. Figures 13-16 show an embodiment of the hinge assembly 72 with more details. The vehicle seat assembly 44 ( Fig. 1) includes, among other things, the backrest 52 and the hinge assembly 72, which allows the table 64 to move relative to the backrest 52 and to lock into a selectable position. The hinge assembly 72 includes a finger grip rotary knob assembly 164, which can be operated between at least the stowed position 136 ( Fig. 7) and the usage position 76 ( Fig. 9) is movable. The hinge assembly 72 is operatively connected, for example, to a mounting surface 168 of the backrest 52 by means of a mounting plate 172. The connection between the hinge assembly 72 and the mounting plate 172 is achieved by at least one fastening element, such as screws, bolts, nails, welds, rivets, adhesives, magnets, and the like, although this list is not exhaustive. The mounting plate 172 has a first side 176 operatively connected to the backrest 52 and a second side 180 operatively connected to the hinge assembly 72. The vehicle table 64 is operatively connected to the hinge assembly 72 and is arranged between the second side 180 of the mounting plate 172 and the hinge assembly 72.

[0022] With specific reference to Fig. 13 and Fig. Figure 14 shows an embodiment of the hinge assembly 72 as a self-locking hinge assembly 144 in a partial cross-sectional view. The hinge assembly 72 is spring-loaded and operatively connected to the mounting surface 168 of the backrest 52 by means of the mounting plate 172. According to one embodiment, the first side 176 of the mounting plate 172 is operatively connected to the mounting surface 168 of the backrest 52 by means of at least one fastening element (not shown). Suitable fastening elements will be recognizable to those skilled in the art, and these include screws, bolts, nails, welds, rivets, adhesives, magnets, and the like, this list being non-exhaustive. Alternatively, the mounting plate 172 can be formed integrally with the backrest 52. The second side 180 of the mounting plate 172 is operatively connected to the hinge assembly 72 by means of at least one fastening element (not shown).A person skilled in the art will recognize suitable fasteners, including screws, bolts, nails, welds, rivets, adhesives, magnets, and the like, though this list is not exhaustive. Preferably, the hinge assembly 72 is connected to the second side 180 of the mounting plate 172 at a point that allows the hinge assembly 72 to rotate. For example, the connection of the hinge assembly 72 to the second side 180 of the mounting plate 172 can be achieved at a geometric center of the hinge assembly 72.

[0023] The second side 180 of the mounting plate 172 comprises a plurality of recesses 184, each of which accommodates a corresponding detent pin 188 and a clamping element such as a detent pin spring 192. The detent pin spring 192 clamps the detent pin 188 to a raised position or a raised state with a spring tension force ( Fig. 13) Although the detent bolt spring 192 is shown to be a compression or coil spring, the person skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure is not limited to this and that other springs or tensioning elements can be used in other embodiments without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. For example, a wave spring can be used as the detent bolt spring 192 and arranged either above or below the detent bolt 188. The detent bolts 188 have a first end 196, which is substantially concave, and a second end 200, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of a body 204 of the detent bolt 188. The second end 200 of the detent bolt 188 can be inserted into the detent bolt spring 192, while the body 204 of the detent bolt 188 rests against an upper end 208 of the detent bolt spring 192.

[0024] In one embodiment, the finger grip rotary knob assembly 164 comprises a finger grip rotary knob 212 and a pressure-actuated release 216, such as a hand-operated release. The finger grip rotary knob 212 includes a plurality of openings 220 designed to allow actuation of the detent pins 188. The finger grip rotary knob 212 further comprises at least one fastening element that receives an element 224 located near an edge 228 of the finger grip rotary knob 212. The finger grip rotary knob 212 receives the pressure-actuated release 216. The pressure-operated release 216 comprises a plurality of release recesses 232, each of which is enclosed by a clamping element such as a release spring 236, which thereby moves the pressure-operated release 216 into a raised position or a raised state ( Fig. 13) tensions. Although the release spring 236 is shown to be a compression or coil spring, the person skilled in the art will recognize that the present disclosure is not limited to this and that other springs or tensioning elements can be used in other embodiments without deviating from the concepts disclosed herein. For example, a wave spring can be used as the release spring 236 and arranged between the finger-grip rotary knob 212 and the pressure-actuated release 216. In such an alternative embodiment, the wave spring can be arranged radially outward relative to the release recesses 232. Alternatively, the wave spring can be arranged radially inward relative to the release recesses 232.The multitude of release recesses 232 is designed to correspond to and pass through the multitude of openings 220 in the finger-grip rotary knob 212, thus enabling actuation of the detent bolts 188. The detent bolt springs 192 tension the detent bolts 188 in a raised position ( Fig. 13), which provides the hinge assembly 72 in a snap-in configuration.

[0025] The finger grip rotary knob assembly 164, still with reference to Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 is operatively connected to the second side 180 of the mounting plate 172 by means of an axially retaining shoulder fastening element 240. The axially retaining shoulder fastening element 240 comprises at least one shoulder 244, which holds elements of the hinge assembly 72 that are separate from one another, such as the finger grip rotary knob 212 and the pressure-actuated release 216. The axially retaining shoulder fastening element 240 establishes an operative connection between the finger grip rotary knob assembly 164 and the mounting plate 172 of the backrest 52 by passing through a series of openings 248 in the finger grip rotary knob assembly 164 and being engaged by the mounting plate 172. A bearing disc 252 is arranged between the mounting plate 172 and the finger grip rotary knob assembly 164, which is located near the shoulder fastening element 240.The bearing washer 252 contributes to friction reduction during operation of the hinge assembly 72 and allows for tolerance deviations during the manufacturing process. It is considered that an alternative embodiment of the assembly could function without the use of the bearing washer 252; in this case, the finger-grip rotary knob assembly 164 would run on the second side 180 of the mounting plate 172, without deviating from the concepts disclosed herein. A retaining washer 256 is arranged between the finger-grip rotary knob 212 and one of the shoulders 244 of the axially retaining shoulder fastening element 240, securing the finger-grip rotary knob 212 in a fixed vertical position. The pressure-actuated release 216 is secured to the hinge assembly by being arranged under another of the shoulders 244 of the axially retaining shoulder fastening element 240.Sufficient space is provided between the shoulder 244 of the axially holding shoulder fastening element 240 and the retaining disc 256 so that the pressure-actuated release 216 engages the locking bolts 188 in a raised position ( Fig. 13) and a lowered state ( Fig. 14) can actuate. The substantially concave shape of the first end 196 of the detent pin 188 supports the rotatable property of the hinge assembly 72. That is, because the first end 196 of the detent pins 188 is substantially concave, the detent pins 188 do not hold the hinge assembly 72 in place when the user 80 attempts to rotate the hinge assembly 72. This provides less stringent tolerances in the manufacturing process by ensuring that, if the plurality of release protrusions 232 does not fully actuate the detent pins 188, the rotation of the finger-grip rotary knob 212 will retract the detent pins 188 over the remaining distance into the lowered position ( Fig. 14) can be operated.

[0026] With reference to Fig. 15. Second, a cross-sectional view of the finger-grip rotary knob 212, the design of the plurality of openings 220 according to one embodiment. The plurality of openings 220 ( Fig. 13 and Fig. 14) provides engagement points for the hinge assembly 72 ( Fig. 13 and Fig. 14) ready, which enable a latched configuration of the hinge assembly 72. According to the illustration, the finger-grip rotary knob 212 has eight openings 220, although the present disclosure is not limited to this and the person skilled in the art will recognize that other configurations, shapes and a different number of openings are possible without deviating from the concepts disclosed here. In the embodiment shown, four of the eight openings 220 are openings for the stowed position 260, which correspond to a position of the hinge assembly 72 that secures the vehicle table 64 in the stowed position 136 ( Fig. 7) provides. The remaining four openings 220 are openings for the application position 264, which correspond to a position of the hinge assembly 72, which secures the vehicle table 64 in application position 76 ( Fig. 9) provides. Although the illustration shows a change between the openings for the stowed position 260 and the openings for the use position 264 when a rotational movement around the hinge assembly 72 takes place, it is provided that other designs and orientations can be used without deviating from the disclosed concepts.

[0027] The representation of Fig. 16 after, the vehicle table 64 rotates by a rotation angle α about the hinge assembly 72 from the stowed position 136 to the operating position 76. The in Fig.In the embodiment shown in Figure 16, the rotation angle α is approximately one hundred and thirty-five degrees (135°) counterclockwise; however, the vehicle table 64 can also assume other rotation angles, and in one embodiment, the vehicle table 64 can move at least forty-five degrees (45°) between the operating position 76 and the stowed position 136. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the rotation angle α can have any value that places the vehicle table 64 in the operating position 76, allowing the user 80 of the vehicle 40 to utilize the functionality of the vehicle table 64. Additionally, the hinge assembly 72 can be designed to provide engagement points that allow for snap-in configurations at defined angular increments, such as five-degree (5°) intervals.Although the vehicle table 64 rotates counterclockwise in the illustration to provide the vehicle table 64 in the operating position 76, it is further provided that the vehicle table 64 can rotate clockwise to provide the vehicle table 64 in the operating position 76 without deviating from the concepts disclosed herein.

Claims

[1] Hinge assembly (72), comprising: a finger grip rotary knob assembly (164); a mounting plate (172) having a first side (176) operatively connected to a mounting surface (168) and a second side (180) operatively connected to the finger grip rotary knob assembly (164); and a movable element (220) that is arranged between the finger grip rotary knob assembly (164) and the mounting plate (172), wherein the movable element (220) is operatively connected to the finger grip rotary knob assembly (164) and is thus rotatable. [2] Seat assembly (44), comprising: a backrest (52); a mounting plate (172) having a first side (176) operatively connected to the backrest (52) and a second side (180) operatively connected to a hinge assembly (72), the hinge assembly (72) comprising a finger grip rotary knob assembly (164); and a table (64) which is arranged between the second side (180) of the mounting plate (172) and the hinge assembly (72), wherein the table (64) is operatively connected to the hinge assembly (72). [3] Seat assembly (44) according to claim 2, wherein the hinge assembly (72) is movable between at least one stowed position (136) and one operating position (76). [4] Vehicle seat assembly (44), comprising: a backrest (52); a hinge assembly (72) comprising a finger grip rotary knob assembly (164) that is movable between at least one stowed position (136) and one operating position (76); a mounting plate (172) having a first side (176) operatively connected to the backrest (52) and a second side (180) operatively connected to the hinge assembly (72); and a table (64) which is operatively connected to the hinge assembly (72) and is arranged between the second side (180) of the mounting plate and the hinge assembly (72).

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