GB2336136A - A seat arrangement and a harness therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

A motor vehicle seat arrangement and a harness therefor comprises a cross web assembly (6) secured to a web adjustment assembly (7). Web sections (8-11) of the cross web assembly (6) are secured together by a buckle (12) about an occupant of a seat (1). Two of the web sections (8,9) are secured to the web adjustment assembly (7) which may be securely anchored by an anchor (16) and which allows normal occupant comfort adjustment within the seat (1) and retention of that occupant upon rapid deceleration. The web adjustment assembly (7) includes a substantially perpendicular vertical web section (15) to compress an occupant down into the seat (1).

Description

2336136 A SEAT ARRANGEMENT AND ELARNESS THEREFOR The present invention

relates to a seat arrangement, and a harness therefor, for use particularly with regard to motor vehicles.

The use of safety belts and harnesses within motor vehicles is well known and, in most countries is a mandatory feature incorporated in all vehicles sold. A traditional harness configuration involves a lap web section with a diagonal web extending from shoulder to hip secured at that junction point with a buckle to a resilient mounting. Furthermore, the top shoulder point traditionally includes an inertia reel device to allow an occupant of a vehicle seat incorporating the safety harness to freely move unless there is a violent deceleration upon which the inertia device grips, and possibly tensions, the harness to securely restrain the occupant.

Such lap strap diagonal harness arrangements are acceptable for most driving conditions, however, so-called multi-point harnesses have been used in motor racing vehicles to give a more resilient retention of a seat occupant necessary during these more extreme driving conditions. The occupant of a multi-point harness is resiliently gripped, normally in a cross configuration, with both shoulders secured with a web section extending as rearwardly in the vehicle as possible to provide the greatest retention of the occupant.

Thus, ty ically rear seats of a raci g car have been removed and the pi in webbing extends to, or through such rear seating positions, to be resiliently anchored to the motor vehicle's body. The multi-point harness is then specifically adjusted to the actual occupant through spacers and the buckle such that the harness is a close fit to that occupant and resilientlY retains that person within the seat without comfort adjustment.

Inherently, due to their association with motor racing, multi-point harness arrangements and seat arrangements have a certain panache which is attractive to those individuals interested in making so-called lifestyle statements. Unfortunately, as indicated above, provision of multipoint harness seat arrangements within a conventional motor vehicle creates problems with regard to mounting and adjustability, both for different user and normal driving comfort requirements.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a seat arrangement and seat harness arrangement which can substantially meet the lifestyle statement of having a multi-point harness within a motor vehicle without dimunition in acceptable mounting and use expectations of arrangement and harness arrangements within a road vehicle.

such seat In accordance with the present invention there is provided a seat arrangement for a motor vehicle, the seat comprising a seat harness and a seat including a back squab, the seat harness including cross web means comprising cross web sections secured together with buckle means and at least two of said web sections extending about said back squab to adjustable web means anchored adjacent a base portion of said back squab to present said adjustable web means substantially vertically and beside said back squab.

-Alternatively, the present invention includes a seat harness arrangement for a motor vehicle seat, the harness arrangement including cross web means comprising web sections secured together with buckle means and at least two of said web sections being secured to adjustable web means anchored with said adjustable web means presented to said web means, when configured within a seat, substantially vertical thereto.

The adjustable web means preferably comprises a web section operably wound about an anchor reel secured in a fixed relationship within the arrangement. The anchor reel may be inertia controlled such that upon rapid deceleration the adjustable web means is locked with consequent resilient retention of the cross web means in order to restrain an occupant.

The adjustable web means may be presented perpendicularly to the motor vehicle seat.

The cross web means may comprise three or four web sections radiating from said buckle means.

The adjustable web means may be manually locked to prohibit adjustment therein and so statically restrain an occupant.

The adjustable web means anchor may be slideable to vary perpendicularity of such web adjustment means. Such variation may be in the order of W-10' or that necessary to be consistent with seat lateral movement within a motor vehicle, le. 25 cm or so.

As embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which a schematic perspective view of a seat arrangement is depleted.

Referring to the drawing depicting a seat arrangement and a harness arrangement in accordance with the present invention, a seat 1 is mounted upon conventional slide rails 2,3 to allow lateral adjustment within a motor vehicle. The rails 2, 3 are secured to the motor vehicle floor 4 and a motor vehicle door panel 5 is located adjacent to the seat 1 to allow occupant access. In the embodiment depicted, a moulded integral seat 1 is shown, however., more conventional seat constructions comprising base and back squab 16 components are also included within the scope of the present invention.

Associated about the seat 1 is a cross web assembly 6 and a web adjustment assembly 7. The cross web assembly 6 and web adjustment assembly 7 essentially in combination constitutes a seat harness. The cross web assembly 6 comprises respective web sections 8, 9, 10, 11 secured together in use by a buckle 12. Thus, the web sections 8-11 form a cross radiating from the buckle 12. As an alternative, it will be appreciated that three or five web section cross assemblies could be constructed for greater or less occupant retention. The cross web assembly 6 is secured to the web adjustment assembly 7 through the two upper web sections 8, 9.

The web adjustment assembly 7 comprises a web]unction 14 and a vertical web section 15 along with an adjustable anchor 16. The upper web sections 8.. 9 are secured to the web junction 14 which in turn is secured to the vertical web section 7. The anchor 16 comprises a reel upon which the vertical web section is wound, thus, the vertical web section 15 can move upwards and downwards in the direction of arrow heads A.

It will be appreciated that the upper web sections 8, 9 extend over the shoulders of an occupant whilst the other sections 10, 11 of the cross web assembly 6 generally extend about the occupant's hips or waist as required. Thus, with the cross web assembly 6 assembled with buckle 12, an occupant is retained within the seat 1 by the cross web assembly 6 but normal or comfort movement of the occupant is accommodated by adjustment through the web adjustment assembly 7, ie. movement of the vertical web section 15 about the reel of anchor 16 and so in the direction of arrow heads A. The anchor 16 reel will generally be of the inertia-reel type such that upon rapid deceleration or other aggressive movement the vertical web section 15 is restrained to prevent movement in the direction of arrow heads A and so a passenger is firmly retained within the seat 1. Furthermore, the reel in the anchor 16 may be locked manually to prohibit comfort adjustment, etc.

In the embodiment illustrated it will be noted that the web sections 8 to 11 penetrate mounting orifices in the seat 1. Such apertures or orifices in the seat will provide convenient guide paths for the sections 8-11. However, it will be appreciated that alternatively the sections 8-11 could be located through epaulets,, guide channels or any alternative suitable guide slide arrangement.

In accordance with the present invention, the vertical web section 15 is generally vertical or perpendicular with regard to the cross web assembly 6. Thus, retention of an occupant in seat 1 is generally as a result of slight downward compression into the seat 1 base thus allowing that occupant to move forwards or bend about their waist. Location of the anchor 16 such that the section 7 is presented in a more lateral configuration typical of racing vehicles draws the occupant into a back squab 16 of the seat 1 preventing such occupant movement. It will be appreciated that the lower web sections 10, 11 are generally secured by robust mountings 17 in the motor vehicle floor and have little adjustment, thus, the occupants legs are resiliently retained.

It will be appreciated from above by locating the web adjustment assembly 7 such that there is a' substantial vertical component to the vectoral forces presented to the occupant of seat 1, more comfortable driving conditions are provided which will be acceptable for everyday road driving in comparison with those expected in a racing situation. Furthermore., by locating an anchor 16 adjacent a base portion of the seat 1, it will be appreciated that the inconvenience of removal of the rear seats within a motor vehicle to accommodate a multi-point harness comprising a cross web assembly 6 is removed.

As indicated above, the seat 1 is generally located upon slide rails 2, 3 to allow for lateral movement of the seat 1 as a result of different occupant requirements. In such circumstances, it will be appreciated that anchor 16 should also allow for slide movement in the direction of arrow heads B in order to retain the web section 15 presentation beside the back squab 16 of the seat 1. It will also be understood that the adjustability of the harness about the occupant is determined by the adjustability of the assembly 7 and the angle of the web section 15. Thus, the anchor 16 may also be slideable in order to present the section 15 at different angles to the seat back squab 16. Typically, such angles will be up to 10' either side of a perpendicular vertical from the point of contact with the seat 1. Alternatively, the anchor 16 including the reel will typically have a web section 15 presentation slot and this slot may be adjusted to present the section 15 for release at different points upon the circumference of the reel with consequent variation in the angle of the section 15 so presented. Normally, the anchor 16 will be able to slide up to 25 cm in lateral direction consistent with the slide rails 2, 3.

As an alternative to including a reel for adjustment in the anchor 16, it will be appreciated that adjustment could be provided by simple anchoring of the section 15 upon the floor 4 and having adjustment means mounted upon the seat back squab 16. Furthermore, the anchor 16 could include a free reel with appropriate inertia locking or manual locking about the web section 15 and/or web sections 8., 9 achieved by appropriate means secured to the seating 1.

The material used for web sections 8-11 and vertical section 15 is generally conventional motor vehicle safety belt webbing but it will be appreciated that alternative appropriately strong strapping or belting could be used.

The operation of inertia reel devices is well known and generally comprises a ball mechanism which senses rapid deceleration of the vehicle by forward movement in order that it locks up a toothed wheel attached to the belt such that further movement of the wheel and so the belt is resisted whilst normal movement for occupant adjustment and whilst the vehicle is stationary is not prevented. Inherently, the more violent collision and normal braking decelerations expected within a motor racing environment may not be sufficiently controlled by such inertia techniques and thus typically multi-point harnesses as constituted by the assembly 6.. 7 are fixed. The present invention allows a multi-point harness with an inertia reel to be used conveniently within a road vehicle.

It will be appreciated that the seat and seat harness could be an integral construction with the harness secured to a seat frame of the seat along with the anchor 16.

- IT-

Claims (15)

1. A seat arrangement for a motor vehicle, the seat comprising a seat harness and a seat including a back squab, the seat harness including cross web means comprising cross web sections secured together by buckle means and at least two of said web sections extending about said back squab to adjustable web means anchored adjacent a base portion of said back squab by anchor means to present said adjustable web means substantially vertical and beside said back squab.

A seat harness arrangement for a motor vehicle seat, the harness including cross web means comprising web sections secured together with buckle means and at least two of said web sections being secured to adjustable web means anchored with said adjustable web means presented to said cross web means, when configured within a seat, substantialIv verticalIv thereto.

3.

An arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said adjustable web means is a vertical web section operably wound about an anchor reel.

4. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said anchor reel operates upon an inertia lock of said vertical web section when rapid deceleration is presented to the arrangement.

5. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said adjustable web means is presented substantially perpendicularly.

6. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said cross web means comprises three web sections radiating in use from said buckle means.

7. An arrangement as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said cross web means comprises four web sections radiating from said buckle means.

8. An arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said adjustable web means may be manually locked to prevent further adjustment of said arrangement.

An arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 and any claim dependent thereon, wherein said cross web means extends through apertures in said seat arrangement.

10. A seat arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 and any claim dependent thereon, wherein said anchor means is slideable laterally relative to said back squab in order to vary the perpendicularity of said web adjustment means.

- 12,

11. A seat arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the seat harness and the seat are integrally constructed with said harness coupled to along with the anchor means to a seat frame of the seat.

12. A seat arrangement as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said anchor means is slideable to achieve up to a 10 variation either side of the perpendicular presentation of said adjustment means within said arrangement.

13. A seat arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A seat harness arrangement as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A motor vehicle including a seat arrangement as claimed in any preceding claim.