High-position passenger seat for vehicle

Abstract

An elevated seating structure for a rear passenger row in a vehicle, the elevated seating structure including a rigid support structure designed to be secured to a floor of the vehicle and a passenger seat assembly mounted on top of the rigid support structure, the height of the rigid support structure being predetermined to provide elevated rear passenger seats that are higher than passenger seats located in front of the rear passenger row, thereby providing the rear passengers with a higher forward view through the vehicle windshield than passengers seated in front of the rear passengers.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 436,121, entitled "ELEVATED PASSENGER SEATS FOR VEHICLES," filed December 30, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates generally to passenger vehicle seats, and more particularly to an elevated seating structure that enhances forward visibility for passengers seated in the rear of a vehicle and provides additional storage capacity. [Background technology]

[0003] In conventional passenger vehicles, passengers seated in the rear seats typically have limited visibility of the road ahead. This limited visibility is primarily due to the linear seating arrangement, with the rear seats directly behind the front seats. As a result, rear passengers often must awkwardly move their heads to look around the front seat passenger or driver in order to get a better view of the road ahead.

[0004] This inconvenience can negatively impact the travel experience of passengers who wish to observe their surroundings or monitor the progress of the vehicle. Moreover, the problem goes beyond mere inconvenience in certain applications. For example, in military or security vehicles, the lack of forward visibility for rear passengers can potentially pose a significant risk.

[0005] If the view of what is ahead is obstructed, rear passengers may not be able to quickly identify and respond to dangerous scenarios developing in front of the vehicle. In some situations, passengers may become motion sick from the movement of the vehicle without a clear view of the front. Currently, the riding experience for rear seat passengers is very poor. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides an innovative solution to the problem of limited forward visibility for rear seated passengers by introducing a raised seating structure for rear passengers, allowing them to see forward over the heads of the front row passengers.

[0007] In particular, the present invention includes a rigid support structure secured to the vehicle floor and a passenger seat assembly mounted on top of the support structure, the height of the support structure being predetermined so that the resulting elevated rear passenger seat provides significantly enhanced forward visibility.

[0008] In certain embodiments, the elevated rear passenger seat structure provides usable storage space beneath the seat, thereby adding additional functionality while maintaining the benefit of improved visibility. Depending on the vehicle's configuration details, the storage space may be accessed from the front, side, and / or rear of the storage space, and the amount of additional storage space depends on the height of the rigid support structure that provides the elevation of the passenger seat assembly.

[0009] Further enhancements include adjustable footrests that help rear passengers position themselves comfortably on elevated seats and can be adjusted for optimal comfort at elevated seat heights.

[0010] The present invention is versatile and can be adapted for use in vehicles with multiple rows of rear passenger seats, such as those found in minivans or large SUVs, making it applicable to a wide range of vehicle models, including, but not limited to, passenger cars and pickups.

[0011] In addition to newly manufactured vehicles designed using the concepts of the present invention, the present invention also includes retrofit kits with seating components that can be utilized to replace existing seats in conventional vehicles with one or more rows of rear passenger seats, thereby providing enhanced forward visibility to a wide range of vehicle types and models.

[0012] In summary, the present invention improves seating arrangements within a vehicle by raising rear passenger seats, significantly enhancing forward visibility, and adding additional features for added convenience and comfort.

[0013] The accompanying drawings illustrate several embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain, by way of example, the principles of the invention. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the specific arrangements shown in the drawings are merely examples and should not be construed as limiting in any way the scope of the invention or the claims herein. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1A] 1 is a side view of an exemplary concept of an elevated passenger seat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 1B] 1 is a side view of an exemplary concept of an elevated passenger seat in accordance with the present invention, also in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1C] 1 is a side view of an exemplary vehicle having multiple rows of elevated passenger seats in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 1D] 1 is a side view of another exemplary vehicle having an elevated seat of the present invention; [Figure 2A] 1 illustrates an exemplary storage compartment in a closed configuration, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2B] 1 illustrates an exemplary storage compartment in an open configuration, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2C] 1A-1C illustrate exemplary storage compartments, according to embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 3A] 1 is a front perspective view illustrating an exemplary concept of an elevated passenger seat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 3B] 1 is a rear perspective view illustrating an exemplary concept of an elevated passenger seat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 4]1A-1C illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an adjustable footrest, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5A] 1 is a side view of an exemplary concept of an elevated passenger seat in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 5B] 1A-1C are side views illustrating exemplary concepts of elevated passenger seats in different vehicles, according to embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The present invention provides interior passenger accommodation components that allow rear seat passengers to be elevated for a better view forward. Footrests can be provided for each elevated passenger seat, allowing passengers to adjust the footrests as desired when seated in the elevated seat. In some preferred embodiments, the elevated seat structure provides additional space that can be used for storage.

[0016] The present invention is described herein by reference to various elements. However, although the various elements of the device of the present invention are described separately below, it should be noted that the elements need not be separate. The various embodiments may be interconnected or cut from a single block or mold. Various different methods of forming the device of the present invention according to the disclosure herein may be modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0017] Typically, one or more different embodiments may be described in the present application. Additionally, various alternative arrangements may be described for one or more of the embodiments described herein. It should be understood that these are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit in any way the embodiments contained herein or the scope of the claims presented herein. One or more of the present arrangements may be broadly applicable to numerous embodiments, as may be readily apparent from the present disclosure. Typically, the arrangements are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice one or more of the embodiments, and it should be understood that other arrangements may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. One or more particular features of the embodiments described herein may be described with reference to one or more specific embodiments or figures that form a part of this disclosure and that illustrate, by way of example, one or more particular arrangements of the embodiments. It should be understood, however, that such features are not limited for use in the one or more specific embodiments or figures referenced therein. The present disclosure is not a literal description of all configurations of one or more embodiments, nor is it a list of features of one or more embodiments that must be present in all configurations.

[0018] The section headings provided in this patent application and the title of this patent application are for convenience only and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure in any way.

[0019] Devices and parts that are connected to each other do not necessarily have to be continuously connected to each other unless explicitly specified otherwise. In addition, devices and parts that are connected to each other may be directly connected or indirectly connected through one or more connecting means or intermediaries.

[0020] A description of several components interconnected does not imply that all such components are required. In contrast, various optional components may be described to illustrate a wide variety of possible embodiments and to more fully illustrate one or more embodiments. Similarly, while process steps, method steps, and the like may be described in a sequence, such processes and methods may generally be configured to function in alternative orders unless specifically stated otherwise. In other words, any order or sequence of steps that may be described in this patent application does not, in itself, imply a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. Steps of a described process may be performed in any order practical. Furthermore, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as non-concurrent (e.g., because one step is described after the other). Furthermore, illustration of a process by a diagram does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modifications, that the illustrated process or any of its steps are required for one or more of the embodiments, or that the illustrated process is preferred. Also, although steps are generally described per aspect, this does not imply that they must occur only once or that they can occur only once each time a process or method is performed or carried out. Some steps may be omitted in some embodiments or in some cases, or some steps may be performed more than once in a given aspect or case.

[0021] Where a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that two or more devices or articles may be used in place of the single device or article. Similarly, where two or more devices or articles are described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single device or article may be used in place of the two or more devices or articles.

[0022] The functionality or features of a device may alternatively be embodied by one or more other devices not explicitly described as having such functionality or features, and therefore other embodiments need not include the device itself.

[0023] Techniques and mechanisms described or referenced herein are sometimes described in the singular for clarity. However, it should be understood that a particular embodiment may include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism unless otherwise noted. Alternative implementations are included within the scope of various embodiments, where functions may be performed in a different order than that shown or discussed, including, for example, substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0024] The apparatus and structure of the present invention provides passenger accommodation that provides a higher rear passenger seat than the front seat occupants.

[0025] 1A and 1B illustrate an exemplary concept of the present invention by showing how rear passenger seats 130 and / or 140 are elevated relative to the front row of seats 120. FIGS. 1A and 1B show a side view of a vehicle 100 in which the row of rear passenger seats 130, 140 is elevated relative to the front row of seats 120. Many modern passenger vehicles 100 have a windshield 150 (shown in FIG. 1A ) that extends to the roof of the vehicle, allowing rear passengers seated in the elevated seats 130 and / or 140 (if applicable) to have forward visibility through the windshield. In the exemplary embodiment, the first rear seat 130 is elevated approximately 22 cm relative to the front row of seats 120, and the second row of seats 140 is elevated approximately 22 cm relative to the first rear seat 130. This elevation distance is exemplary only, and the elevation difference between the rear seat rows is expected to be between 5 cm and 60 cm. It should also be clear that height is cumulative, so as more rear row seats are added, the storage compartment height gradually increases, which means that the amount of storage space beneath each additional rear row of seats similarly increases incrementally as more rows of rear seats are added to the vehicle.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1C , the exemplary vehicle 100 of the present invention includes side windows 160 and / or 170 that provide side views to occupants of the two rows of passenger seats, and the vehicle roof is elevated to accommodate high-mounted rear seats, so it should be clear that the exemplary vehicle 100 is designed with features that support high-mounted rear seats. The side windows 160 and / or 170 not only provide viewing capabilities for high-mounted passengers, but also provide aesthetic and safety features to the vehicle 100. In this exemplary vehicle, the space 110A below the first row of rear passenger seats 130 can be used as additional storage space if the rigid support structure is designed with access openings to allow items to be inserted and removed. Similarly, and not shown in FIG. 1C , the support structure for the second row of rear seats 140 can provide an even larger storage compartment, which can be accessible through an access opening in the front of the rigid support structure or an access opening in the rear of the support structure.

[0027] 1D shows a configuration of the vehicle 100 that includes a tailgate or trunk extension 190 that increases the depth of the cargo bed, thereby increasing overall volume. This improves the appearance with raised rear seats. In one embodiment, the cargo bed wall may include an access door (not shown) for accessing the under-seat storage area immediately forward of the cargo bed, allowing further access to the vehicle trunk area and potentially also providing access to the rear of the storage area under the second row of rear seats 140. In one embodiment of the invention, the rear window may also be raised 195 as shown.

[0028] 1A, there are two rows of rear passenger seats 130, 140, but it should be clear that the concepts apply to vehicles with only one row of rear seats, and even to vehicles with three or more rows of rear seats. Although the exemplary vehicle 100 has features that suggest the vehicle 100 was designed / manufactured with elevated rear seats in mind, it should be clear that some conventional vehicle designs support elevated seats after production with little or no modification other than removal of the production seat assembly and installation of the elevated seat assembly, thereby providing the ability to install elevated seats via a component retrofit kit.

[0029] Thus, in some vehicle configurations, the existing seat assembly may be removed from the vehicle frame to allow for the installation of a storage compartment and provide elevation, and then the removed seat assembly is reinstalled on top of the inserted storage compartment. In other configurations, the existing seat assembly may have to be replaced with an elevated seat assembly that includes a supporting storage compartment with the seat row already attached.

[0030] For example, some conventional van designs already incorporate higher roofs to accommodate the installation of elevated rear seats, and many sedan designs have sufficient roof height to accommodate a single elevated rear row of seats.

[0031] 2A and 2B illustrate an exemplary rigid support structure 110. Rigid support structure 110 is conceptually shown as 110A and 110B in FIGS. 1A-1C. Rigid support structure 110 creates or encloses at least one storage space 113. In one embodiment, the storage space can be accessed by access port 111. Access port 111 can be a door that opens from a hinge, slides like a shutter or garage, or can be opened and closed by any mechanism used or known by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, rigid support structure 110 is formed by support members 202A, 202B, 202C, and / or 202D, and closure members 204A and / or optionally 204B, which can extend between the various support members 202A, 202B, 202C, and / or 202D. As described herein and shown in the various figures, the rigid support structure 110 may be placed under the seats 130 and / or 140. Additionally, the rigid support structure may be placed on the floor of the vehicle to help raise the seat height 130 and / or 140.

[0032] 2A and 2B also show the sliding mechanism 112. The sliding mechanism 112 allows the rigid support structure 110 to move across the sliding mechanism structure. In one embodiment, the sliding mechanism 112 may be laid out in one orientation extending from one door to the center. In other embodiments, the sliding mechanism may extend the entire range from one door to another. The rigid support structure 110, to which the seats 130 and / or 140 rest or are attached, may be moved to allow passengers to move to the row of seats behind the seat being moved. While the sliding mechanism 112 is shown as a rail in FIGS. 2A and 2B, various mechanisms may be used to slide or move the seats 130 and / or 140 as would be understood by one skilled in the art. These other mechanisms may also be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. FIGS. 3A and 3B show the sliding mechanism 112 in a configuration in which the seats 130 and rigid support structure 110A are moved toward the center of the vehicle.

[0033] FIG. 2C illustrates a rigid support structure 110 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the rigid support structure extends the entire width of the vehicle. It includes rigid support members 202A, 202B, 202C, and / or 202D. Other support members may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. The rigid support structure 110 may also include closure elements 204A and / or optionally 204B and / or 204C, which may extend between the various support members 202A, 202B, 202C, and / or 202D. The rigid support structure 110 may also include an access port 111. The access port 111 may open from a hinge, slide like a shutter or garage door, or be a door that can be opened and closed by any mechanism used or known by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. In one embodiment, the rigid support structure 110 may also include a receptacle 118 for accommodating transmission components that may pass vertically through the vehicle interior. Receptacle 118 may not be required for electric vehicles that do not have a transmission hump that passes through the floorboard.

[0034] In one embodiment, the rigid support structure 110 may be bolted to the frame of a vehicle chassis, which may allow for a floating structure within the scope of the present invention.

[0035] In one embodiment, rigid support structure 110 is designed to be securely fastened at its bottom to the frame of the vehicle, for example, using bolts or by being welded to the vehicle frame. In one embodiment, rails 112 supporting rigid support structure 110 may be bolted to the floor by coupling systems 250A, 250B, 250C, and / or 250D as shown in Figures 2A and 2B. Other mechanisms for fastening rigid support structure 110 to the vehicle known to those skilled in the art may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0036] In one embodiment, the rigid frame structure 110 supports passenger seat assemblies that are secured to the top of the rigid frame structure 110, for example, using bolts or by welding. The rigid frame structure 110 and associated seat assemblies are designed to pass crash safety tests when properly attached to the vehicle frame and when passengers are securely fastened using approved seat belts. The height of the rigid frame structure 110 is predetermined to provide appropriately high seating based on different parameters, such as the vehicle model-specific dimensions, number of rear seat rows, and vehicle roof height.

[0037] 3A shows how the first rear row of seats 130 may be constructed with a support structure 110A such that a side door 111, for example, can be opened to access the storage space enclosed within the support structure below this row of high rear seats 130. This access door 111 may be configured as a hinged door with a latch or may be configured with a mechanism that allows the door to be selectively attached and detached from the access opening. In other exemplary embodiments, the storage compartment remains open without a side door 111. Depending on the vehicle's configuration details, the storage compartment may be accessible from the front, side, and / or rear of the storage compartment.

[0038] Figure 3B shows additional storage space 305 created by support structure 110B (not shown) below seat 140. Additional storage space 305 may be accessible from the rear of the vehicle, such as by trunk or hatch door access, as shown in Figure 3B.

[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates another component of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which passengers are provided with one or more adjustable footrests 115A and / or 115B to enhance comfort and improve ergonomics while seated in the elevated seats 130 and / or 140. In some embodiments, each passenger position is provided with an adjustable footrest 115A and / or 115B, thereby providing each passenger with an adjustable footrest. While only one adjustable footrest 115A and / or 115B is illustratively shown in FIG. 4, each rear passenger in each rear row of seats may be provided with their own footrest. These adjustable footrests 115, when in their lowest position, allow each rear row passenger to enter their respective elevated seat 130 and / or 140. After being seated in their seat, passengers can then adjust the height of the footrests 115 to their personal preferences.

[0040] FIG. 4 illustrates features of an exemplary adjustable footrest platform 115. The adjustable footrest platform 115 is illustratively represented as 115A and / or 115B in FIGS. 1A and 1B and is also referred to herein as an adjustable footrest. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, a footrest 115 may be provided in front of each rear passenger seat of a vehicle. The adjustable footrest 115 is used to create a more comfortable and ergonomic seating position for the occupant of the rear passenger seat. As shown in FIG. 4, the adjustable footrest 115A and / or 115B comprises an adjustable platform 410 supported by two scissor support members 420, 422, each pivotally attached at its rear end 424 to a floor support 424. A front end 428 of the actuator 426 is attached to a front end 430 of the scissor support members 420, 422, and a rear end 432 of the actuator is configured to firmly support a bottom structure of the elevated seat (not shown in FIG. 4A ). As shown in FIG. 4B and / or 4C , when the actuator 426 is extended and retracted, the front edges of the scissor support members 420, 422 slide along the bottom support brackets 432, 434 to raise and lower the platform 410, as illustratively shown in the actuation steps shown in FIG.

[0041] In some exemplary embodiments, actuator 426 is spring loaded to lower platform 410 when a passenger steps onto it and then raise it as the passenger's weight is removed when the passenger sits down in the seat. Other mechanisms for raising the platform known to those skilled in the art are incorporated herein and considered within the scope of the present invention.

[0042] In another exemplary embodiment, each passenger has their respective footrest 115A and / or 115B and others, the actuators are controlled by electric motor drives, and each passenger has access to a passenger-specific footrest actuator control switch that can be mounted in any of a variety of possible positions relative to the passenger seat location. A preferred location for the actuator control switch may be directly below the individual passenger seat or at the rear of the seat back directly in front of the user, in a location easily accessible by the passenger when seated.

[0043] While the exemplary embodiment includes an adjustable footrest 115, it should be apparent that other platform configurations are possible. For example, the adjustable footrest platform may be rigidly attached to the front of a storage compartment that serves to support the elevated seats, or to the rear of the seat in front of the row of elevated seats. In another example, the adjustable footrest platform 115 may be rigidly attached to the rear of the chair / seat immediately in front of the elevated seats 130 and / or 140.

[0044] 5A and 5B show exemplary dimensions relating to two different vehicles, which may vary depending on the number of rear passenger seat rows and the specifics of different vehicle models. Thus, the elevation difference for a single row of rear passenger seats, as illustratively shown in FIG. 5A, may be slightly greater than the elevation difference for a rear passenger seat when two rows of rear passenger seats are installed, as illustratively shown in FIG. 5B. However, such dimensions are not intended to limit the present invention, as it should be clear that different vehicles will have potentially different desired elevation differences for rear passenger seats. Illustratively, as shown in FIG. 5A, the rear seat 130 is elevated 22 cm (8.66 inches) above the height of the front seat 12. In FIG. 5B, the rear seat 130 is elevated 20 cm (7.874 inches) above the height of the front seat 120, and the second rear seat 140 is elevated 40 cm (15.748 inches) above the height of the front seat 120. These distances are relative. As discussed above, the rear seats 130 and 140 may be elevated between 5 and 60 centimeters above the vehicle floor without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0045] It should be clear from the examples shown in the various figures that an entire vehicle can be designed to support the concepts of the present invention. However, it should also be clear that the present invention is not limited to entire vehicles designed and manufactured with high rear seat features. In this aspect of the present invention, retrofit kits are available that allow existing conventional vehicles to replace their rear passenger seat row with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[0046] For example, in some retrofit scenarios, the retrofit kit may include only the high rear seat structure that is bolted to the vehicle frame when the existing seat structure is removed for replacement. Some retrofit kits may also include components for the side windows and storage compartment doors.

[0047] It should also be clear that any number of variations may be used to implement the concepts of the present invention. For example, rather than having a high level seat provided as a unitary structure with multiple seat positions (e.g., three seats), the high level seat may be implemented using separate seat structures for each seat in the row of rear seats, and each of these individual seat structures may have a different design, including, for example, different elevation heights or the ability to rotate the seat, recline the seat, or slide the seat forward / backward, etc.

[0048] As used herein, any reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "one embodiment" in various places in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.

[0049] Some embodiments may be described using the terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives. For example, some embodiments may be described using the term "coupled" to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However, the term "coupled" may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

[0050] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having," or any other variation thereof, are intended to include a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus having a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements and may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, unless expressly stated otherwise, "or" refers to an inclusive or, not an exclusive or. For example, condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or exists) and B is false (or does not exist), A is false (or does not exist) and B is true (or exists), and both A and B are true (or exist).

[0051] Additionally, the use of "a" or "an" is used herein to describe elements and components of the examples. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one, and the singular also includes the plural unless it is clear that this is meant otherwise.

[0052] Upon reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will still recognize additional alternative structural and functional designs of systems and processes for creating interactive messages according to the principles disclosed herein. Accordingly, while specific examples and applications have been shown and described, it should be understood that the disclosed examples are not limited to the precise structure and components disclosed herein. Various obvious modifications, changes, and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. 1. An elevated seating structure for a rear passenger row in a vehicle, comprising: a rigid support structure designed to be fixed to the floor of the vehicle; a passenger seat assembly mounted on top of the rigid support structure, the height of the rigid support structure being predetermined to provide elevated rear passenger seats that are higher than passenger seats located in front of a row of rear passengers, the elevated rear passenger seats thereby providing the rear passengers with a higher forward view through the vehicle windshield than passengers seated in front of the rear passengers; and A high-level seating structure having:

2. 2. The elevated seating structure of claim 1, wherein the height of the rigid support structure is between 5 and 60 centimeters (cm) for a first row elevated seating structure installed in a vehicle.

3. The elevated seating structure of claim 1 , wherein the rigid support structure is configured to function as a storage compartment beneath the passenger seat assembly.

4. The elevated seating structure of claim 3 , wherein the storage compartment is configured with an access opening on at least one of a front side, a rear side, and left and right sides of the storage compartment.

5. The elevated seating structure of claim 3 , wherein the storage compartment is configured with an access opening on each of a left side and a right side of the storage compartment.

6. 6. The elevated seating structure of claim 5, wherein each of said access openings is configured with an associated access door that can selectively cover said access opening.

7. 10. The elevated seating structure of claim 1 further comprising a footrest platform for each passenger position of said passenger seat assembly.

8. 8. The elevated seating structure of claim 7, wherein the footrest platform comprises a movable footrest platform.

9. 10. The elevated seating structure of claim 1, comprising a kit of parts for retrofit installation of an elevated rear seat row.

10. a front row of seats including a position for a driver and a position for a front row passenger; at least one row of high rear seats that are higher than the front row of seats, each of the at least one row of high rear seats configured to provide rear passengers with a higher forward view through the vehicle windshield than the driver or passengers seated in the front row of seats; A vehicle having:

11. 11. The vehicle of claim 10, configured with two or more rows of high rear seats, each successive row of high rear seats being progressively higher to provide rear passengers of the successive rows of high rear seats with a higher forward view through the windshield than passengers seated in the row of seats in front of the successive rows of high rear seats.

12. 11. The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising side windows configured to provide a side view outside the vehicle to passengers seated in each of the at least one row of high rear seats.

13. 11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the support structure supporting the row of high rear seats is configured to function as a storage compartment.

14. 14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein each storage compartment has an access opening on a left side and a right side of the storage compartment.

15. 15. The vehicle of claim 14, further comprising a tailgate assembly that can be opened to provide access to an access opening in the rear of the storage compartment of the last row of high rear seats.

16. 11. The vehicle of claim 10, further comprising an adjustable footrest at each passenger position in each high rear seat row.

17. 1. A support structure for a high seat row for a vehicle, comprising: the support structure has a rigid frame configured with bottom provisions for mounting the support structure to a floor frame of a vehicle and top provisions for mounting a row of passenger seats; A support structure wherein the height of the rigid frame is predetermined to provide elevated rear passenger seats that are higher than passenger seats located in front of a row of rear passengers, the elevated rear passenger seats thereby providing the rear passengers with a higher forward view through the vehicle windshield than passengers seated in front of the rear passengers.

18. 20. The support structure of claim 17, configured to function as a storage compartment beneath the upper row of seats.

19. 20. A support structure as claimed in claim 17, comprising a kit of parts for retrofit installation of a high rear seat row.

20. 20. A support structure as claimed in claim 19, wherein said kit of parts further comprises a row of passenger seats for mounting on top of said support structure.

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