Rotating Marine Seat Assembly With Curved Tracks and Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing boat seat designs fail to provide a moveable and rotating seating system that maximizes limited space on marine vessels, often leaving users without adequate leg support and uncomfortable ergonomics, especially in high-end luxury boats where space is a premium.
Innovation Solution
A rotating boat seat assembly that moves along curved or circular tracks, utilizing extruded metal or composite plastic components with integrated bearings for smooth operation, and a locking mechanism allowing incremental positioning and 360-degree rotation, comprising individual seat segments and track cars with locking and non-locking mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rigid fixed seats are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but user comfort and leg support are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is divided into multiple independent segments including a base section, a backrest section, and a leg support section. Each segment can move independently along curved tracks, allowing the seat to adapt to different user positions and comfort requirements while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat transitions from a rigid fixed structure to a dynamic system where components can rotate and adjust along curved paths. The leg support section can rotate independently to provide ergonomic support, and the entire seat assembly can revolve along circular tracks to maximize space utilization in limited boat interiors.
2Adaptability or versatility
If seats are allowed to rotate 360 degrees, then space utilization is maximized, but control and positioning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat incorporates self-locking mechanisms that automatically engage at predetermined positions along the curved tracks. As the seat rotates to different positions, the locking mechanism detects alignment with track features and secures the seat automatically, eliminating the need for manual positioning control while maintaining full 360-degree rotational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A cable-operated locking mechanism serves as an intermediary between the user's simple pulling action and the complex rotational positioning. When the user pulls the cable, it activates the locking mechanism which then secures the seat at the desired position, providing easy control over the 360-degree rotation system.
3Ease of operation
If expandable seat designs are used, then seating comfort is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The leg support section nests within the base section when not in use, and the backrest section folds into the overall seat structure. This nesting arrangement allows the expandable seat to provide comfortable extended positioning when needed while maintaining a compact form factor that does not excessive space when in storage or transport mode.
Data Source
AI summary
A rotating seating assembly for use in marine vessels. The seat assembly includes a car and track assembly with moveable sections. The sections can move about curvilinear paths which are defined by the curved track segments. A unique bearing/track linkage mechanism, interlocking the component parts, is incorporated into the novel design. In one configuration, the seating sections rotate about a circle track, a full 360 degrees. Bearing assemblies and rolling mechanisms provide smooth, quiet and efficient operation of the system.