Patent US5857535A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5857535A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Seat for self-propelled narrow-track vehicle
Assignee: Verward Pty Ltd
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Filing: 1997-01-29
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Granted: 1999-01-12
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Expires: 2017-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A low aspect self-propelled vehicle (1) operated by a driver (4) sitting on top of it, has its seat (7) supported from beneath by a flange (12) which is pivoted to tilt about a horizontal axis (15) in the mid-vertical plane of the vehicle. The spacing between the axis (15) and the seat (7) is sufficient to ensure that when the seat is tilted about the axis by operation of a tilt control mechanism (21), the center of seat also displaces a significant extent in the uphill direction of the slope. This reduces the downhill movement of the center-of-gravity (10) of the combination of vehicle plus driver, so that the risk of the vehicle toppling is reduced.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Alden Brooks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 08:10
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60N; B60N2/00; B60N2/24; B60N2/38; B60N2/39
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
253 words
An assembly for installation in a self-propelled vehicle having a seat anchorage and a seat pan removably attached to the seat anchorage, said assembly comprising: a base plate structure for attachment to the seat anchorage of the vehicle after removal of the seat pan from the seat anchorage, a seat support means for receiving the seat pan at an upper side of the seat support means after removal of the seat pan from the seat anchorage, the seat support means having a lower side opposite its upper side, an interconnect member fixed to the lower side of the seat support means and extending therefrom, a pivot connecting a lower end of said interconnect member to the base plate structure and allowing angular movement of the seat support means relative to the base plate structure, a mechanism effective between the base plate structure and the seat support means to change the angular position of the seat support means relative to the base plate structure about the pivot, a tilt sensor which automatically provides an output signal in response to tilting of the seat support means from a horizontal position, and processing circuitry responsive to said signal to operate said mechanism and restore the seat support means to a horizontal position, whereby the assembly can be installed in the vehicle as a self-contained unit, independent of other mechanisms of the vehicle, by removing the seat pan, attaching the base plate structure to the seat anchorage and attaching the seat pan to the seat support means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
253 words
An assembly for installation in a self-propelled vehicle having a seat anchorage and a seat pan removably attached to the seat anchorage, said assembly comprising: a base plate structure for attachment to the seat anchorage of the vehicle after removal of the seat pan from the seat anchorage, a seat support means for receiving the seat pan at an upper side of the seat support means after removal of the seat pan from the seat anchorage, the seat support means having a lower side opposite its upper side, an interconnect member fixed to the lower side of the seat support means and extending therefrom, a pivot connecting a lower end of said interconnect member to the base plate structure and allowing angular movement of the seat support means relative to the base plate structure, a mechanism effective between the base plate structure and the seat support means to change the angular position of the seat support means relative to the base plate structure about the pivot, a tilt sensor which automatically provides an output signal in response to tilting of the seat support means from a horizontal position, and processing circuitry responsive to said signal to operate said mechanism and restore the seat support means to a horizontal position, whereby the assembly can be installed in the vehicle as a self-contained unit, independent of other mechanisms of the vehicle, by removing the seat pan, attaching the base plate structure to the seat anchorage and attaching the seat pan to the seat support means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes a rack member attached at one end to the seat support means, a pinion engaged with the rack member and mounted to the base plate structure, and an electric motor for driving the pinion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry includes an electrical circuit having first and second parallel branches, the tilt sensor includes a switch means having first and second contacts associated with the first and second parallel branches respectively of the electrical processing circuit, for providing an output signal having a first component in response to tilting of the seat support means from a horizontal position in a first direction and a second component in response to tilting of the seat support means from a horizontal position in a second direction, opposite the first direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly according to claim 3, wherein the switch means comprises first and second mercury tilt switches on said seat means and associated with said first and second parallel branches respectively of the electrical processing circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An assembly according to claim 3, wherein the switch means includes a pendulum operated switch having first and second contacts associated with said first and second parallel branches respectively of the electrical processing circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An assembly according to claim 3, wherein each branch includes an adjustable time delay unit allowing the respective signal component to pass through it if the signal component is sustained for longer than one second.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
An assembly according to claim 3, including a first relay having a contact which operates to prevent the first branch from processing a signal component if the second branch is operating and a second relay having a contact which operates to prevent the second branch from processing a signal component if the first branch is operating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
An assembly according to claim 1, including limit switches between the base plate structure and the seat support means for preventing the processing circuitry from responding to said signal in the event that tilting of the seat support means relative to the base plate structure exceeds a predetermined angle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry includes a vibration suppression circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes an electric motor and the processing circuitry is an electrical circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
229 words
A self-propelled vehicle having a seat anchorage, a seat pan and a seat mounting assembly comprising: a base plate structure removably attached to the seat anchorage of the vehicle, a seat support means which detachably receives the seat pan at an upper side of the seat support means, the seat support means having a lower side opposite its upper side, an interconnect member fixed to the lower side of the seat support means and extending therefrom, a pivot connecting a lower end of said interconnect member to the base plate structure and allowing angular movement of the seat support means relative to the base plate structure, a mechanism effective between the base plate structure and the seat support means to change the angular position of the seat support means relative to the base plate structure about the pivot, a tilt sensor which automatically provides an output signal in response to tilting of the seat support means from a horizontal position, and processing circuitry responsive to said signal to operate said mechanism and restore the seat support means to a horizontal position, and wherein the seat mounting assembly can be removed from the vehicle as a self-contained unit, independent of other mechanisms of the vehicle, and the seat pan can be detached from the seat support means and attached to the seat anchorage in place of the base plate structure.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
229 words
A self-propelled vehicle having a seat anchorage, a seat pan and a seat mounting assembly comprising: a base plate structure removably attached to the seat anchorage of the vehicle, a seat support means which detachably receives the seat pan at an upper side of the seat support means, the seat support means having a lower side opposite its upper side, an interconnect member fixed to the lower side of the seat support means and extending therefrom, a pivot connecting a lower end of said interconnect member to the base plate structure and allowing angular movement of the seat support means relative to the base plate structure, a mechanism effective between the base plate structure and the seat support means to change the angular position of the seat support means relative to the base plate structure about the pivot, a tilt sensor which automatically provides an output signal in response to tilting of the seat support means from a horizontal position, and processing circuitry responsive to said signal to operate said mechanism and restore the seat support means to a horizontal position, and wherein the seat mounting assembly can be removed from the vehicle as a self-contained unit, independent of other mechanisms of the vehicle, and the seat pan can be detached from the seat support means and attached to the seat anchorage in place of the base plate structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
A vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the mechanism includes a rack member attached at one end to the seat support means, a pinion engaged with the rack member and mounted to the base plate structure, and an electric motor for driving the pinion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
97 words
A vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the processing circuitry includes an electrical circuit having first and second parallel branches, the tilt sensor includes a switch means having first and second contacts associated with the first and second parallel branches respectively of the electrical processing circuit, for providing an output signal having a first component in response to tilting of the seat support means from a horizontal position in a first direction and a second component in response to tilting of the seat support means from a horizontal position in a second direction, opposite the first direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
A vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the switch means comprises first and second mercury tilt switches on said seat means and associated with said first and second parallel branches respectively of the electrical processing circuit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
A vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the switch means includes a pendulum operated switch having first and second contacts associated with said first and second parallel branches respectively of the electrical processing circuit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
A vehicle according to claim 13, wherein each branch includes an adjustable time delay unit allowing the respective signal component to pass through it if the signal component is sustained for longer than one second.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
56 words
A vehicle according to claim 13, including a first relay having a contact which operates to prevent the first branch from processing a signal component if the second branch is operating and a second relay having a contact which operates to prevent the second branch from processing a signal component if the first branch is operating.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
A vehicle according to claim 11, including limit switches between the base plate structure and the seat support means for preventing the processing circuitry from responding to said signal in the event that tilting of the seat support means relative to the base plate structure exceeds a predetermined angle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
A vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the processing circuitry includes a vibration suppression circuit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the mechanism includes an electric motor and the processing circuitry is an electrical circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3670834A
Cited
US3792748A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-11 | 2002-07-13 | 2003-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-11 | 2006-07-13 | 2007-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-11 | 2010-07-13 | 2011-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |