GB2175499A - Seat arrangement in a salvage or service vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

In a seat arrangement (1) in a salvage or service vehicle (2), especially a fire service vehicle, with raisable ladder (3), a seat unit (5) pivotable about a transverse axis (a) fast with the ladder mounting is provided which on raising of the ladder (3) about its axis (b) fast with the turntable can accompany the pivoting in the same direction (A) of movement, so that easier and secure control of the ladder functions is rendered possible at every angle of elevation of the ladder (3). In the case of a negative, downward pivoting of the ladder (3) out of the horizontal into a downward range the seat unit (5) can be kept almost stationary. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Seat arrangement in a salvage or service vehicle The invention relatestoaseatarrangementina salvageorservicevehicleaccordingtothe opening statement of Claim 1.

A seat arrangement of this classification is known from Fed. German Publ. Spec. No. 2,036,559 which consists of seat and control desk and is fitted laterally on a part, containing the axis of raising the ladder, of theturn-table of a fire service ladder. It is disadvantageous here that on raising ofthe ladder the constantly necessary observation of events at the top ofthe ladder is made difficultforthe operator.

Especially when the ladder is raised to large angles the operator is compelled to tip the head correspondingly greatlytothe rear, which over a lengthy time leads to cramp in the nape ofthe neck and finally as a result can lead to a reduction ofthe quality of service and even to operating errors.

On the basis ofthe above-stated prior art it is the problem ofthe invention to produce a seat arrangement ofthe kind as stated at the outset which is simple in construction and renders possible an easier and sure controlling ofthe ladderfunctions.

The problem upon which the invention is based is solved in that a seat unit is provided which is pivotable about a transverse axis fast with the ladder mounting, which unit, on pivoting (upwards) ofthe ladder about its transverse axis fast with the ladder mounting, can be pivoted therewith in the same direction of movement.

In fact it isfundamentally known from Fed. German Publ. Spec. No. 2,433,699 to make a seat arrangement in vehicles adjustable. However the known adjustability consists in setting the seat as a whole, including the operating elements, into two different vertical height positions, for example in a militarytrack-laying vehicle, in orderto provide for optimum operation of the vehicle including accessories for an operator both in the driving position and in the position for military use.

On the other hand the invention provides a pivotable seat unit of a salvage or service vehicle, especially a fire service vehicle, in orderto cause the seat arrangement to follow a raisable and possibly extensible ladder, where the operator can keep the ladder top optimally in view at every angle of raising of the ladder. Thus with especially simple means the invention facilitates operation by the operator, which is accompanied at the same time by an increase ofthe security of operation ofthe ladder, as regards the observation too ofthe use field indicated fitted on the ladder carrier.

An advantageous further development ofthe invention provides that the pivoting movementofthe seat unit takes place in dependence upon the (upward) pivoting movement ofthe ladder. The pivoting movement can be initiated hydraulically, electrically, pneumatically or mechanically.

Fora maximum (upward) pivoting movementofthe ladder th roug h an angle of about 75" the seat unit is expediently pivoted at the same time through an angle of about 20 , and in a vehicle-driven position with ladder unraised the ladder and seat are especially horizontal.

Mechanical actuation ofthe setting ofthe seat arrangement expedientlytakes place in that to the transverse axis ofthe ladder orto its pivot linkage there is articulated the one end of a coupling rod, the other end of which is pivotablysecured eccentrically to the rotatable transverse axis ofthe seat unit or to the seat itself.

The transverse or pivot axis of the seat, fast with the ladder mounting, advantageously lies attheforward transverse edge; however it can also be arranged in a middle transverse position of the seat, especially at an articulation point ofthe seat or the pertinent seat frame which is situated approximately beneath the centre of gravity of a seated operator. Thus only slight forces are necessary for a displacement, since after all the weight of the operator practically does not need to be moved in the vertical direction.

Further advantages and expedient developments of the invention are stated in the Sub-Claims.

Thusduetothe invention the operating seat unit is caused automatically to follow the raising ofthe ladder and is pivoted in the direction of the angle of raising ofthe ladder about a pivot axis lying preferably in the front edge ofthe seat. For this purpose a corresponding seat adjusting device coupled with the ladder raising movement is provided which can be operated for example mechanically, hydraulically, pneumatically or electro-magnetically. Especially in the case of a mechanically acting embodiment a coupling rod is provided which is fitted on the one hand articulatedly on the side edge adjacent to the ladderandontheotherhand articulatedlyto a lever arm pivotable about the axis of rotation of the ladder and positively accompanying the ladder movement.

Thus the ladder movement istransmitted through the coupling rodtotheoperatingseåtunittoo.The transmission ratio is variable, fora given length ofthe coupling rod, according to the length ofthe mentioned lever arum andlorthe distance between the seat pivot axis and the point of articulation to the seat side edge, and is preferably so selected that a ladder raising angle of Oto 75" results in a seatadjustmentangleofO to 20'. In further development of the invention at the top ofthe seat rest a head support is provided, and the seat rest itself is pivotable afterthe style ofthe actual sitting surface in dependence upon the angle of raising ofthe ladder.Especiallythe head support fitted on the seat rest renders possible simple supporting of the operator's head, as a rule additionally burdened with a relatively heavy fire helmet, which is advantageous above all at great pivot angles ofthe seat, and especially also prevents slipping or even loss ofthe helmet.

In especially advantageous further development of the invention according to Claims 13to 16, in the case of a negative pivoting ofthe ladder out ofthe horizontal downwards, the seat unit is practically locked in its neutral, horizontal, basic position, that is held (almost) stationary despite pivoting ofthe ladder.

The actuation of the seat unit including integrated operating levers takes place especially mechanically through an especially multi-part lever gearing. Electric or hydraulic actuation can also be provided. Thus the possibility ofthe seat tipping forwards and "tipping out" the operator in the case of a negative angle of raising ofthe ladder is prevented in a simple and reliable manner. However the transmission ratio can also be adjustable and selected so that the seat does not incline more than 15 to 20 downward out ofthe horizontal, in orderto make it possible fortheoperator to climb out ofthe seat without difficulty.

The invention will be explained in greater detail below by means oftwo examples ofembodimentwith reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein :- Figure 1 shows the seat arrangement of a fire service Iadderturntable, in diagrammatic perspective side view, Figure 2 shows the seat arrangement with vehicle, ladderand turntable in the region ofthe articulation pointofthe ladder, in a diagrammatic vertical section, and Figure 3 shows a seat arrangement corresponding to Figure2with a mechanical levergearingforthe purpose of keeping the seat almost stationary in the case of a negative angle of raising ofthe ladder.

The seat arrangement 1 in the drawing is situated on aturntable 10 of a fire service vehicle 2 on the region of the articulation point ofthe raisable ladder3. The ladder3 can firstly be pivoted about a vertical axis c of the turntable 10 and can be raised about a transverse axis b fast with the turntable out of a substantially horizontal vehicle-driven zero position B into a maximum service position C according to Figure 2, in the clockwise direction in the direction of movementA, namelyupto an angleofelevation ofabout75'.The ladder3 itself is for its partalso extensible in the direction of its longitudinal axis d.

Directly laterally beside the ladder 3 the seat arrangement 1 is situated firmlysupported on the turntable 10. The seat arrangement 1 itself comprises a seat unit 5 with seat 6 and back rest 7, which may be provided with an upper head support4.The seat arrangement 1 further includes an integrated foot support part 11 and operating elements, switches, indicators, etc. (not illustrated in the drawing), forthe ladder.

The seat 6 of the seat unit 5 is pivotable about a transverse axis a fast with the ladder mounting and extending parallel with the raising axis b ofthe ladder, out of a vehide-driven, substantially horizontal position B in the same direction A of movement as the ladder 3, namely in dependence upon the pivoting movement or elevating movement ofthe ladder. The dependency can occur in the form of a hydraulic, pneumatic orelectro-magnetic coupling or connection conduit or by a synchronous control system.In the example of embodiment according to Figure 1 and 2 however mechanical coupling is provided in the form of a coupling rod 9 which is articulated at its lower end 8' in Figure 2to a middle region ofthe length of the seat 6 and at its other, upper end 8 eccentricallyto the pivot or raising axis b ofthe ladder.

The points of articulation and the length ofthe coupling rod 9 are so selected that on raising ofthe ladder3 out of the horizontal zero position B through about75" into the raised position C at the same time the seat 6 is also displaced through about a = 20"to the rear and downwards, so that the back rest 7, formed at a fixed angle to the seat 6, is likewise displaced in inclination through about a = 20 . With an operator 13 seated comfortably in the seat unit 5 with rearward support on the back rest 7, this has the consequence that the head 12 ofthe operator 13 is likewise turned up, without movement by the oper- ator, thus the operator 13 can readily keep the ladder top in view without particular exertion, which after all is accompanied by a minimalisation of operating errors.

Two coupling rods 9 ofsubstantiallythe same formation can be provided in equal orientation to right and left ofthe seat 6. The upper articulation points of the coupling rod 9 can be provided either directly eccentrically ofthe raising axis boron the pivot linkage ofthe ladder 3, if other lever lengths and transmission ratios between the two pivoting movements ofthe ladder 3 and ofthe seat 6 are desired.

The example of embodiment of a seat unit 5 as illustrated in Figure 3 is characterised especially by a mechanical lever gearing 20 forthe purpose of holding a seat almost stationary in the horizontal zero position (or at another definite angle) in the case of downward pivoting D ofthe ladder in a range from the ladder horizontal B to about 16 downward. Thus forward tilting ofthe seat and "tipping out" ofthe operator in the case of a negative angle of elevation of the ladder is prevented in a simple and reliable manner.

The lever gearing 20 comprises essentiallya first, comparatively short, substantially vertically arranged coupling rod 21 with an upper articulation 24tothe seat unit 5, a second, comparatively long, substantiallyvertically extending coupling rod 22 with an upper articulation to the pivot linkage ofthe ladder 3 orwith an upper eccentric articulation to the transverse axis b and a two-part transverse lever 23 with terminal articulation 26,27 to both the lower end ofthe first coupling rod 21 and the lowerend ofthesecond coupling rod 22, the transverse lever 23 being mounted pivotably on a furthertransverse axis 25, fast with the ladder mounting, in thevicinityofthe lower articulationpoint26ofthefirstcoupling rod 21.lf in accordance with the example of embodiment according to Figure 3 the pivot linkage is moved in the counter-clockwise direction with a downward pivoting ofthe ladder 3, the selected lengths and articulation points ofthe various individual levers ofthe lever gearing 20 ensurethatthe articulation point 24 ofthe seatunit5 experiences practically no more upwarddownward movementthrough the first coupling rod 21. The lower articulation 26 ofthefirst coupling rod 21, placed in the close vicinity ofthe transverse axis 25 fastwith the ladder mounting, is here moved in the vicinity of its top dead point in relation to the transverse lever 23. The configuration of the lever gearing 20 is shown only roughly and diagrammatically in the example of embodiment according to Figure 3.

All newfeatures mentioned in the description and/or represented in the drawing, independently or in logical combination, are useful inventions, even in so far as they are not expresslyclaimed in the claims.

Claims (16)

1. Seat arrangement (1) in a salvage or service vehicle (2) with upwardly pivotable and possibly extensible ladder (3), characterised in that a seat unit (5) pivotable about a transverse axis (a) fast with the ladder mounting is provided which on (upward) pivoting ofthe ladder (3) about its transverse axis (a) fast with the ladder mounting can be pivoted therewith in the same direction (A) of movement.

2. Seat arrangement according to Claim 1,characterised in that the pivoting movement ofthe seat unit (5) takes place in dependence upon the (upward) pivoting movement ofthe ladder (3).

3. Seat arrangement according to Claim 2, characterised in that in the case of a maximum (upward) pivoting movement ofthe ladder (3) through an angle of about 75"the seat unit (5) is pivoted through an angle of about 20 , while ladder (3) and seat (6) are arranged especially horizontally in their vehicle- driven position (B).

4. Seat arrangement according to Claim 2 or 3, characterised in th at to the transverse axis (b) ofthe ladder (3) orto its pivot linkage (8) there is articulated the one end of a coupling rod (9) the other end of which is pivota bly secured eccentrically to the rotatable axis (a) of the seat unit (5) orto the seat (6) itself.

5. Seat arrangement according to Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that a spring suspension/damping system for a seated operator is integrated into the pivoting system ofthe seat unit (5).

6. Seat arrangement according to Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the seat unit (5) comprises a pivotable back rest (7).

7. Seat arrangement according to Claim 6, characterised in that the pivoting movement ofthe back rest (7) is coupled to the (upward) pivoting movement ofthe ladder (3) afterthe style ofthe seat pivoting.

8. Seat arrangement according to Claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the back rest (7) comprises a head support.

9. Seat arrangement according to Claims 1 to 8, characterised in that it is secured on a ladderturntable (10) of a fire service vehicle with laterally pivotable, upwardly pivotable and extensible ladder (3).

10. Seat arrangement according to Claims 1 to9, characterised in thatthetransverse axis (a) of the seat unit (5) lies approximately beneath the centre of gravity of an operator seated in the seat unit (5).

11. Seat arrangement according to Claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the foot support part (11) ofthe seat unit (5) can accompany the pivoting movement in the manner ofthe pivotable seat (6).

12. Seat arrangement according to Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the operating and control equipment ofthe ladder (3) can be pivoted in synchronism with the seat unit (5) in the manner ofthe pivoting of the latter.

13. Seat arrangement according to Claims 1 to 12, characterised in that in the case of a downward pivoting ofthe ladder (3) in a range from the ladder horizontal to about 16 downward, the seat unit (5) with foot support part (11) if present and operating and control equipment ofthe ladder (3) is not pivoted, that is to say is held substantially stationary.

14. Seatarrangementaccording to Claim 13, characterised in that the seat unit (5) is connected through a lever gearing (20) with the pivot linkage (8) of the ladder (3) or eccentrically with the transverse axis (b) ofthe ladder (3).

15. Seatarrangementaccording to Claim 14, characterised in that a three-part lever gearing (20) is provided a first, comparatively short, substantially vertically arranged coupling rod (21) with an upper articulation (24) to the seat unit (5), a second, comparatively long, substantially vertical- ly extending coupling rod (22) with an upper articula tion to the pivot linkage (8) or eccentrically to the transverse axis (b), and a two-part transverse lever (23) with terminal articulation (26,27) to both the lower end ofthe first coupling rod (21) and the lower end ofthesecond coupling rod (22),thetransverse lever (23) being pivotably mounted on a further transverse axis (25) fast with the ladder mounting, in the vicinity ofthe lowerarticulation point (26) ofthefirstcoupling rod (21).

16. Seat arrangement according to one of Claims 13 to 15, characterised in that at least one of the articulation points (24,26,27,8) ofthe lever gearing (20) is slot-guided after the style of a slide block, in order to provide forthe almost stationary position of the seat unit (5) in the case of a negative pivoting of the ladder (3).