US3822911A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Convertible seat, support platform and storage compartment for motor vehicle
Assignee: Transamerica Business Credit Corp
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Filing: 1972-11-24
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Granted: 1974-07-09
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Expires: 1992-11-24
Abstract
Abstract Convertible seats for a van-type motor vehicle is attached to the vehicle in such a way that it may be easily removed when desired. The unit includes a base portion for supporting a seat cushion and rearwardly extending upright side portions. The side portions are connected at their upper edges by top and front wall portions which cooperate with a rear seat cushion attached to the front of the uprights below the front wall portion to define a storage compartment behind the seat. The front seat cushion is pivotally mounted to the base so that it may be flipped forwardly to define a flat support platform. A two sectioned rear flat support platform is also pivotally mounted behind the rear seat cushion in such a way that the rear support sections can be held in a generally vertical position when not being used, thus permitting the storage compartment to accommodate tall articles. Alternatively, the rear sections can be placed in a horizontal position with the rear section either being folded under the front section or extended outwardly therefrom to provide a shallow or deep lower shelf in the storage compartment. All of the support surfaces are on the same level so that when the seat back is removed the front and rear support platforms can be used together to support long items or to form a flat base suitable for supporting a mattress and bedding. The various front and rear support surfaces are usable independently, irrespective of whether or not the rear seat cushion is in position separating the front and rear portions of the unit.
Inventors
- 👤 A Radke
- 👤 S Eimen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:24
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D43/00; B62D43/06; B62D43/10; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/24; B60N2/30; B60N2/3038; B60N2/304; B60N2/3045; B60N2/305; B60N2/3097; B60N2/32; B60N2/34; B60N2/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
206 words
A convertible seat for a motor vehicle comprising a flat topped base portion; means for anchoring the base portion to the vehicle; a seating portion pivoted at its lower forward edge to the upper forward edge fo said base portion, said seating portion having an upper cushioned portion and an underneath flat bottom support surface adapted to be aligned with the flat top of said base portion when said upper cushioned portion is pivoted forwardly 180*, a seat back cushion adapted to be removably positioned in operative relation with said cushioned portion of said seating portion; a two section flat surfaced rear support means comprising a forward section and a rearward section hinged to each other, said rear support means being pivotally mounted along the forward edge of its forward section for movement between a generally vertical storage position behind said seat back cushion wherein said two sections are folded together and a horizontal position, means for selectively supporting said rear support means in a horizontal position with its rearward section folded against its forward section and means for selectively supporting said rear support means with its rearward section extended outwardly in a common plane with its forward portion and with said flat topped base portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
206 words
A convertible seat for a motor vehicle comprising a flat topped base portion; means for anchoring the base portion to the vehicle; a seating portion pivoted at its lower forward edge to the upper forward edge fo said base portion, said seating portion having an upper cushioned portion and an underneath flat bottom support surface adapted to be aligned with the flat top of said base portion when said upper cushioned portion is pivoted forwardly 180*, a seat back cushion adapted to be removably positioned in operative relation with said cushioned portion of said seating portion; a two section flat surfaced rear support means comprising a forward section and a rearward section hinged to each other, said rear support means being pivotally mounted along the forward edge of its forward section for movement between a generally vertical storage position behind said seat back cushion wherein said two sections are folded together and a horizontal position, means for selectively supporting said rear support means in a horizontal position with its rearward section folded against its forward section and means for selectively supporting said rear support means with its rearward section extended outwardly in a common plane with its forward portion and with said flat topped base portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
A convertible seat in accordance with claim 1 wherein said seat back cushion has a shape complementary to said cushioned portion of said seating surface so that it is adapted to be stored under said cushioned portion when said cushioned portion is pivoted forwardly 180*.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A convertible seat in accordance with claim 1 wherein said seating portion and said rearward portion of said rear support means have folding leg members attached thereto for supporting said seating portion and said rearward portion in their extended positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
109 words
A convertible seat in accordance with claim 1 wherein said base portion is supported at the ends of said seat by a pair of vertical support members, said vertical support members extending rearwardly and upwardly of said base portion and being connected at their upper top and forward edges to define a storage compartment behind said seat, the removal of said seat back cushion providing access to said compartment from the front of said seat and the selective vertical and horizontal positioning of said rear support means providing alternative storage configurations within said storage compartment independently of the position of the seating portion or of the seat back cushion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
240 words
A convertible seat and storage unit for a van type vehicle having rear doors and side mounted rear storage units fixedly mounted therein and spaced from each other by a distance no greater than the rear door opening clearance, said convertible seat and storage unit comprising a flat topped seat base portion and a flat bottomed seat cushion adapted to be alternately located between a seating use position on top of said seat base portion and a forward support platform position wherein the cushion is positioned upside down with its flat bottom in horizontal alignment with said seat base portion; a pivotable rear support platform selectively movable between a generally vertical storage position and a horizontal use position in alignment with said seat base portion; a pair of vertical side portions extending upwardly from said seat base portion; an upper support member connecting said vertical side portions; a seat back cushion removably connected to said upper support member, said seat back cushion being adapted to be selectively removed from its use position separating said rear support platform from said seat base portion to permit said front and rear support platforms to be used together or to be kept separate; and means for selectively mounting said convertible seat and storage unit to said fixed side storage units, said convertible seat and storage unit being removable thrOugh the rear doors of said vehicle when its presence is not required in the vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
240 words
A convertible seat and storage unit for a van type vehicle having rear doors and side mounted rear storage units fixedly mounted therein and spaced from each other by a distance no greater than the rear door opening clearance, said convertible seat and storage unit comprising a flat topped seat base portion and a flat bottomed seat cushion adapted to be alternately located between a seating use position on top of said seat base portion and a forward support platform position wherein the cushion is positioned upside down with its flat bottom in horizontal alignment with said seat base portion; a pivotable rear support platform selectively movable between a generally vertical storage position and a horizontal use position in alignment with said seat base portion; a pair of vertical side portions extending upwardly from said seat base portion; an upper support member connecting said vertical side portions; a seat back cushion removably connected to said upper support member, said seat back cushion being adapted to be selectively removed from its use position separating said rear support platform from said seat base portion to permit said front and rear support platforms to be used together or to be kept separate; and means for selectively mounting said convertible seat and storage unit to said fixed side storage units, said convertible seat and storage unit being removable thrOugh the rear doors of said vehicle when its presence is not required in the vehicle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-08 | 1978-01-07 | 1978-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-08 | 1982-01-07 | 1982-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-08 | 1986-01-07 | 1986-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |