Vehicle interior-fitting assembly comprising seat, and associated vehicle and mounting method

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle interior-fitting assembly (10), comprising a lateral wall (12) and a seat assembly (20). The lateral wall (12) is provided with a longitudinal profile section, the seat assembly (20) comprising at least one hook in an upper portion of the seat assembly (20), the seat assembly (20) being fixed to the lateral wall (12) by the collaboration between the at least one hook and the longitudinal profile section. The invention also relates to an associated vehicle and an associated mounting method. Figure for the abstract: Fig 1

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Upholstery assembly with seat for vehicle, vehicle and associated mounting method

[0003] The present invention relates to a vehicle trim assembly, comprising a side wall and a seat assembly.

[0004] To install a seat assembly in a vehicle, for example a means of public transport, the seat assembly is generally fixed using a structure supported by one or more racks or cantilevers with brackets.

[0005] All these parts are fixed to each other and to the wall, usually by screwing, so assembling a seat assembly is particularly complex and time-consuming.

[0006] One aim of the invention is therefore to propose a solution allowing easy mounting of a seat assembly in a vehicle.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a trim assembly of the aforementioned type, in which the side wall is provided with a longitudinal profile, the seat assembly comprising at least one hook in an upper portion of the seat assembly, the seat assembly being fixed to the side wall by cooperation of the at least one hook and the longitudinal profile.

[0008] Hooking an upper portion of the seat assembly allows for quick and easy mounting of the seat assembly to the wall.

[0009] Furthermore, mounting directly on a profile arranged on the side wall avoids the use of additional intermediate part(s), and simplifies the upholstery assembly and allows a lightening of the fixing system and the seat assembly.

[0010] According to particular embodiments of the invention, the packing assembly also has one or more of the following characteristics, considered in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

[0011] - the seat assembly comprises a main body forming an exterior of the seat assembly and a seat structure, the seat structure comprising the at least one hook;

[0012] - the at least one hook comprises a hook-shaped profile extending over at least 50% of the longitudinal dimension of the seat assembly;

[0013] - the seat assembly is fixed to the side wall by screwing into a lower portion of the seat assembly; - the seat assembly is fixed to the side wall only by cooperation of the at least one hook and the longitudinal profile and by screwing into the lower portion of the seat assembly;

[0014] - all screw fixings are aligned in the longitudinal direction; and / or

[0015] - the seat set is a bench.

[0016] The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising a vehicle trim assembly as defined above.

[0017] The vehicle according to the invention is further capable of comprising the following characteristics: the vehicle further comprises a floor, the seat assembly having a lower end, the lower end and the floor being spaced apart by a distance greater than or equal to 350mm.

[0018] The invention further relates to a method of mounting a seat assembly on a side wall of a vehicle, the side wall being provided with a longitudinal profile, the mounting method comprising the following steps:

[0019] - providing a seat assembly, the seat assembly comprising at least one hook in an upper portion of the seat assembly, and

[0020] - attachment of the seat assembly to the side wall by cooperation of the at least one hook and the profile.

[0021] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0022] [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle portion comprising a trim assembly according to one embodiment of the invention, and

[0023] [Fig 2] Figure 2 is a sectional view of the attachment of an upper portion of the trim assembly of Figure 1 to the side wall.

[0024] In the remainder of the description, the term longitudinal direction means the normal direction of movement of the vehicle in which the trim assembly is intended to be arranged, and the term vertical direction means the direction perpendicular to the rolling plane of said vehicle.

[0025] A vehicle portion comprising a trim assembly according to one embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1.

[0026] Vehicle 10 is, for example, a public transport vehicle, for example a subway or a tram.

[0027] The vehicle 10 is here a vehicle in which at least a portion of the seats extends against a side wall 12 of the vehicle 10. The side wall 12 is, for example, a trim wall arranged on the bodywork.

[0028] The vehicle 10 further comprises a floor (not shown).

[0029] The side wall 12 is provided with a longitudinal profile 14.

[0030] The longitudinal profile 14 extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0031] The longitudinal profile 14 is fixed to the side wall 12, for example by screwing.

[0032] The longitudinal profile 14 here comprises, more particularly, a rail.

[0033] The rail includes a first surface 16 extending against the side wall 12 and a second surface 18.

[0034] The second surface 18 extends from a lower edge of the first surface 16.

[0035] The second surface 18 forms an angle of between 30° and 70° with the first surface 16.

[0036] The rail is, for example, a C-shaped rail, with the central leg of the C forming the first surface.

[0037] The rail is fixed to the side wall 12 by screwing at the first surface 16.

[0038] The rail is, for example, fixed at a height from the ground between 450 mm and 1000 mm.

[0039] The upholstery assembly further includes a seat assembly 20.

[0040] The seating assembly 20 is, for example, a bench, suitable for seating a plurality of users.

[0041] The seat assembly 20 includes an upper portion 22 including an upper end of the seat assembly 20 and a lower portion 24 including a lower end of the seat assembly 20.

[0042] The seat assembly 20 includes at least one hook 26 in an upper portion of the seat assembly 20.

[0043] The at least one hook 26 comprises, here consists of, a hook-shaped profile extending over at least 50% of the longitudinal dimension of the seat assembly.

[0044] The hook-shaped profile extends in the longitudinal direction.

[0045] Alternatively, the at least one hook 26 comprises a plurality of point hooks aligned in the longitudinal direction.

[0046] The at least one hook 26 is complementary to the profile 14, more particularly to the rail.

[0047] The at least one hook 26 comprises a hooking surface 28.

[0048] The hooking surface 28 here forms an angle of between 30° and 70° with a rear wall 30 of the seat assembly. The hooking surface 28 is oriented downwards, that is to say that the hooking surface 28 has a distal end 32, the distal end 32 also being the lower end of the hooking surface 28.

[0049] The seat assembly is fixed to the side wall 12, here in the upper portion 22, by cooperation of the at least one hook 26 and the profile 14.

[0050] The gripping surface 28 extends against the second surface 18.

[0051] More particularly, the lower face of the gripping surface 28 extends against the upper face of the second surface 18.

[0052] The seat assembly 20 is hooked in its upper portion 22 by “hooking” onto the profile 14.

[0053] The seat assembly 20 is further secured to the side wall 12 by screwing into the lower portion 24 of the seat assembly.

[0054] All screw fasteners are aligned in the longitudinal direction.

[0055] Thus, the set of screw fixings consists of a screw line extending in the longitudinal direction.

[0056] The screw line includes two screws per person of the seating capacity of the 20 seat assembly.

[0057] Thus, a seating assembly with a seating capacity of a given number of people is secured by twice the given number of screws.

[0058] More particularly, the seat assembly 20 is fixed to the side wall 12 solely by cooperation of the at least one hook 26 and the profile 14 and by said screwing into the lower portion 24 of the seat assembly.

[0059] In the example shown, the seat assembly 20 comprises, here consists of, a main body 34 and a seat structure 36.

[0060] The main body 34 forms an exterior of the seat assembly 20.

[0061] More particularly, the main body 34 here forms a seat and a backrest for any user seated on the seat assembly 20.

[0062] The seat structure 36 is arranged behind the main body 34 relative to the passenger compartment of the vehicle, i.e. between the side wall 12 and the main body 34.

[0063] The seat frame 36 is made of material.

[0064] The seat structure 36 comprises a support portion 38 and a seat support portion 40.

[0065] The support portion 38 extends substantially in the vertical direction.

[0066] The seat structure 36, more particularly the support portion 38, more particularly the upper end of the seat structure 36, here comprises the at least one hook 26. The seat structure 36, more particularly the support portion 38, here further comprises, in the lower portion 24 of the seat assembly 20, a plurality of legs 42.

[0067] The legs 42 are arranged at a lower end of the support portion 38.

[0068] The legs 42 are aligned in the longitudinal direction.

[0069] Each leg 42 extends against the side wall 12.

[0070] Each leg 42 is screwed to the side wall 12, forming the screw attachment in the lower portion 24 of the seat assembly.

[0071] More particularly, each leg 42 has a through hole 44, the side wall 12 having an orifice complementary to each through hole 44, the side wall 12 and each leg 42 being screwed at the through holes 44.

[0072] The seat structure 36 includes twice the given number, corresponding to the seating capacity of the seat assembly, of legs 42.

[0073] The support portion 38 comprises two substantially vertical side members per seat, designed to extend behind the back of the corresponding seat, more particularly the back being defined by the main body.

[0074] The lower end of each side member has a lug 42.

[0075] The seat support portion 40 extends substantially perpendicular to the support portion 38, so as to extend under the seat and support the seat.

[0076] The seat support portion 40 extends from the lower end of the side members of the support portion 38.

[0077] The seat support portion 40 comprises a substantially horizontal support 46 extending under each seat position, so as to directly support the weight of a user.

[0078] The set of supports 46 of each seat position is connected by a longitudinal beam 48 to a distal end of the seat support portion 40.

[0079] The distal end is the end of the seat support portion 40 furthest from the support portion 38.

[0080] The main body 34 covers the seat structure 36, forming the seat and the backrest.

[0081] The main body 34 is previously fixed to the seat structure 36 to form the seat assembly 20, for example by screwing or by gluing.

[0082] The seat structure 36 carries the entire weight of the seat assembly 20 and any seated passengers and transmits it to the side wall, more particularly at the level of the cooperation between the profile and the at least one hook and the screw line in the lower portion. The seat assembly 20 is devoid of any other support, in particular brackets arranged underneath.

[0083] The seat assembly 20 has a lower end, the lower end and the floor being spaced apart by a distance greater than or equal to 350 mm.

[0084] This makes it possible to provide space, for example for storage, under the seat assembly.

[0085] A method of mounting the seat assembly 20 to the side wall 12 to form the trim assembly will now be described.

[0086] The assembly method includes the following steps:

[0087] - provision of a seat assembly 20 as described previously,

[0088] - attachment of the seat assembly to the side wall by cooperation of the at least one hook and the profile.

[0089] The 20 seat assembly comes pre-assembled.

[0090] Then, the at least one hook is inserted into the profile, more particularly by bringing into contact

[0091] Once placed, the gripping surface 28 then extends against the second surface 18. More particularly, the lower face of the gripping surface 28 extends against the upper face of the second surface 18.

[0092] The seat assembly 20 is then suspended in the profile 14.

[0093] Advantageously, the mounting method further comprises a step of fixing by screwing the lower portion 24 of the seat assembly 20, after the attachment step, more particularly of each tab 42 to the side wall 12.

[0094] All the fixings made by screwing are aligned in the longitudinal direction.

[0095] The screw line includes two screws per person of the seating capacity of the 20 seat assembly.

[0096] The seat assembly 20 is then fixed to the side wall 12 by the cooperation between the at least one hook 26 and the profile 14 and by the screw line.

[0097] A cover, for example, is fixed reversibly to hide the seat structure under the seat. The cover is present solely for aesthetic purposes and is likely to be particularly thin, as it does not support any weight.

[0098] The space under the seat assembly 20 is clear, allowing, on the one hand, during assembly and for any maintenance operation, easy access for an operator (possibly by removing the cover if necessary), and on the other hand, during use, a storage space. A trim assembly comprising the seat assembly 20 and the side wall 12 is therefore particularly simple to construct.

[0099] Furthermore, the absence of cantilevers or brackets to support the seat assembly makes it possible to obtain a particularly light seat with limited space requirements.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A vehicle upholstery assembly (10), comprising a side wall (12) and a seat assembly (20), characterized in that the side wall (12) is provided with a longitudinal profile (14), the seat assembly (20) comprising at least one hook (26) in an upper portion (22) of the seat assembly (20), the seat assembly (20) being fixed to the side wall (12) by cooperation of the at least one hook (26) and the longitudinal profile (14).

2. The upholstery assembly of claim 1, wherein the seat assembly (20) comprises a main body (34) forming an exterior of the seat assembly (20) and a seat structure (36), the seat structure (36) comprising the at least one hook (26).

3. A trim assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one hook (26) comprises a hook-shaped profile extending over at least 50% of the longitudinal dimension of the seat assembly (20).

4. A trim assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the seat assembly (20) is secured to the side wall (12) by screwing into a lower portion (24) of the seat assembly (20).

5. A trim assembly according to claim 4, wherein the seat assembly (20) is fixed to the side wall (12) solely by cooperation of the at least one hook (26) and the longitudinal profile (14) and by screwing into the lower portion (24) of the seat assembly (20).

6. A trim assembly according to claim 5, wherein the set of screw fasteners is aligned in the longitudinal direction.

7. An upholstery assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the seat assembly (20) is a bench.

8. A vehicle (10) comprising a vehicle trim assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A vehicle according to claim 8, further comprising a floor, the seat assembly (20) having a lower end, the lower end and the floor being spaced apart by a distance greater than or equal to 350mm.

10. A method of mounting a seat assembly (20) on a side wall (12) of a vehicle (10), the side wall (12) being provided with a longitudinal profile (14), the mounting method comprising the following steps: - providing a seat assembly (20), the seat assembly (20) comprising at least one hook (26) in an upper portion (22) of the seat assembly (20), and - hooking the seat assembly (20) to the side wall (12) by cooperation of the at least one hook (26) and the profile (14).

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