U.S. patent application number 13/117287 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-29 for vehicle modular storage system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Caterpillar Inc.. Invention is credited to Eric J. Hanson.
Application Number | 20120298678 13/117287 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47218540 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120298678 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hanson; Eric J. |
November 29, 2012 |
VEHICLE MODULAR STORAGE SYSTEM
Abstract
A modular storage system for a vehicle comprising a base unit,
an upper unit and an accessory receiving system. The upper unit is
removably coupled to the base unit and the sides of both the upper
unit and base unit include the accessory receiving system.
Inventors: |
Hanson; Eric J.;
(Valparaiso, IN) |
Assignee: |
Caterpillar Inc.
Peoria
IL
|
Family ID: |
47218540 |
Appl. No.: |
13/117287 |
Filed: |
May 27, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/694 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/3047 20130101;
B60R 7/043 20130101; B60N 2/3013 20130101; B60N 2/005 20130101;
B60N 3/103 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/694 |
International
Class: |
B65D 90/00 20060101
B65D090/00 |
Claims
1. A modular storage system for a vehicle interior comprising: a
base unit; an upper unit configured to be removably coupled on the
base unit; and an accessory receiving system configured to
removably receive accessories in a plurality of locations, wherein
the accessory receiving system is on the sides of both the base
unit and the upper unit.
2. The modular storage system of claim 1, wherein the upper unit is
coupled above the base unit to increase the vertical size of the
accessory receiving system.
3. The modular storage system of claim 2, wherein the upper unit is
smaller than the base unit to allow access to a portion of the base
unit while the upper unit is coupled to the base unit.
4. The modular storage system of claim 1, wherein the accessory
receiving system includes tracks to allow the accessories to be
located along a length of the tracks.
5. The modular storage system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is
mounted on a box located on a floor of the vehicle and adjacent a
door of the vehicle.
6. The modular storage system of claim 5, wherein the base unit
overhangs the box thereby creating an open space between the base
unit and the floor that is open from a front and a side opposite
the door of the vehicle the box is located adjacent to.
7. The modular storage system of claim 1, further including clips
that interact with features of the accessory receiving system to
removably couple the upper unit to the base unit.
8. The modular storage system of claim 1, wherein a back wall of
the vehicle interior further includes the accessory receiving
system.
9. The modular storage system of claim 1, wherein the upper unit
includes a lid with a recessed top area.
10. The modular storage system of claim 9, further including an
article retention system configured to be removably coupled over
the top of the recessed top area.
11. A vehicle interior comprising: a box located on a floor of the
vehicle and adjacent a door of the vehicle; and a modular storage
system including: a base unit mounted on the box, wherein the base
unit overhangs the box thereby creating a open space between the
base unit and the floor that is open from a front and a side
opposite the door of the vehicle the box is located adjacent
to.
12. The vehicle interior of claim 11, wherein the box is located
adjacent a back wall of the vehicle interior.
13. The vehicle interior of claim 11, wherein the modular vehicle
storage system is located in a side position opposite from an
operator position in the vehicle interior.
14. The vehicle interior of claim 11, wherein the modular vehicle
storage system further includes an upper unit configured to be
removably coupled on top of the base unit.
15. The vehicle interior of claim 14, wherein the modular vehicle
storage system further includes an accessory receiving system
configured to removably receive accessories in a plurality of
locations, and the accessory receiving system is on the sides of
both the base unit and upper unit and a back wall of the vehicle
interior.
16. The vehicle interior of claim 15, wherein: the upper unit is
coupled above the base unit to increase the vertical size of the
accessory receiving system; and the upper unit is smaller than the
base unit to allow access to a portion of the base unit while the
upper unit is coupled to the base unit.
17. The vehicle interior of claim 16, wherein the accessory
receiving system includes tracks to allow the accessories to be
located along the length of the tracks.
18. The vehicle interior of claim 15, further including clips that
interact with features of the accessory receiving system to
removably couple the upper unit to the base unit.
19. The vehicle interior of claim 15, wherein a back wall of the
vehicle interior further includes the accessory receiving
system.
20. The vehicle interior of claim 11, further including a safety
box for holding reflective triangles wherein the safety box is
located in the open space under the base unit.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a storage system in a
vehicle. More particularly the present disclosure relates to a
modular storage system.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many vehicles include configurable storage units. U.S. Pat.
No. 5,915,777 discloses one such storage system connected to the
back of a passenger compartment.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one aspect, a modular storage system for a vehicle is
provided comprising a base unit, upper unit, and accessory
receiving system. The upper unit is removably coupled to the base
unit. The accessory receiving system is on the sides of both the
base unit and the upper unit and is configured to removably receive
accessories in a plurality of locations.
[0004] In another aspect, a vehicle interior is provided comprising
a box and a modular storage system. The box is located on a floor
of the vehicle and adjacent a door of the vehicle. The modular
storage system includes a base unit mounted on the box. The base
unit overhangs the box thereby creating a open space between the
base unit and the floor that is open from a front and a side
opposite the door of the vehicle the box is located adjacent
to.
[0005] Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be
apparent from the following description and the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the front left of a
vehicle showing an interior with a modular storage system.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from the front left of a
vehicle showing an interior with a jump seat and storage
system.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the modular storage system
from FIG. 1 with an upper storage unit moving down onto a base
storage unit.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the modular storage system
from FIG. 1 with an upper storage unit coupled to a base storage
unit top to form an attachment wall.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the modular storage system
from FIG. 1 but from the front right of the vehicle to show another
side of the storage system.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vehicle interior from
FIG. 1 with an operator using the modular storage system.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a front view of a portion of an accessory
receiving system.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a side view of an accessory to be coupled to an
accessory receiving system.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of the attachment wall from
FIG. 7 to receive the accessory from FIG. 8.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a cross-section view showing a clip connecting
the upper storage unit to the base storage unit of the storage
system from FIG. 4.
[0016] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bungee.
[0017] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the bungee from FIG. 11
with an end fitted over a lid of the upper storage system from FIG.
4.
[0018] FIG. 13 is a cross-section view of the end fitted over the
lid from FIG. 12.
[0019] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a spider connecting a
plurality of elastic retaining members from FIG. 4.
[0020] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the jump seat and storage
system from FIG. 2.
[0021] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the jump seat and storage
system from FIG. 2 with an operator using the jump seat.
[0022] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the jump seat and storage
system from FIG. 2 with the jump seat rotated up.
[0023] FIG. 18 is a front view of the jump seat and storage system
from FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a vehicle 1 including a cab 10. The
vehicle 1 is shown as a vocational or work truck and specifically a
dump truck. However, the vehicle 1 may be any type of machine with
a cab to provide for an operator. For example, the vehicle 1 may
also be a passenger car, pick-up truck, garbage truck, delivery
truck, cement mixer, tow truck, off-highway truck, articulated
truck, long haul on-highway truck, mining equipment, construction
equipment, earth moving equipment, aerospace application, marine
application, locomotive, or anything of the like.
[0025] The cab 10 as shown includes an interior 12, operator door
14, and a side door 16. The operator door 14 is adjacent to an
operator position 18 where the operator sits to operate the vehicle
1. The side door 16 is adjacent to a side position 20 across the
cab 10, opposite from the operator position 18. Some vehicles 1 may
not include one or both doors 14 and 16 and may include more
doors.
[0026] The interior 12 includes a floor 22, back wall 24, accessory
wall 26, and a mount box 28. The mount box 28 (seen in FIGS. 5 and
18) may house the interior HVAC fan and electronics or may be used
for other systems of the vehicle 1. However, the mount box 28 could
be any box or structure that could be located and used for mounting
as described herein. The box 28 is mounted to the floor 22 in the
side position 20 adjacent to the side door 16 and against the back
wall 24.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows the interior 12 may include a modular storage
system 100. FIG. 2 shows the interior 12 may include a jump seat
and storage system 200 that may be added to the modular storage
system 100 or substituted or interchanged for all or a portion of
the modular storage system 100.
[0028] The modular storage system 100 includes a base unit 110,
upper unit 120, attachment system 140, accessory receiving system
160, and article retention system 180. The base unit 110 and upper
unit 120 are box structures for holding items inside.
[0029] The base unit 110 is mounted onto the mount box 28. The base
unit 110 may also be mounted to the back wall 24 or other
structures. Because the base unit 110 is wider than the mount box
28 or the base unit 110 otherwise overhangs the mount box 28, an
open space 30 is created underneath the base unit 110. The open
space 30 may be bounded by the floor 22, back wall 24, base unit
110, and mount box 28 but open from the front and operator position
18.
[0030] In one embodiment, the open space 30 represents
approximately 28% (+ or -10%) of the area under the base unit 110.
In yet another embodiment, the open space 30 may represent greater
than 15% of the area under the base unit 110. In yet another
embodiment, the open space 30 may represent between 15% and 40% of
the area under the base unit 110. In other embodiments the open
space 30 may be larger or smaller. The open space 30 is large
enough to be useful but small enough for the base unit 110 to be
sufficiently supported.
[0031] The base unit 110 includes a bottom 112, sides 114, top 116,
and compartments 118. The bottom 112 and sides 114 form a box
structure. The compartments 118 are located inside this box
structure. The compartments 118 hold any of a variety of objects.
Any number and type of compartments 118 may be included. The
compartments 118 may also be re-configurable or removed. The
compartments 118 may also slide or move with the base unit 110.
[0032] The upper unit 120 includes a bottom 122, sides 124, top
128, and a lid 130. The bottom 122 and sides 124 form a box
structure. Like the base unit 110, the upper unit 120 may also
include compartments inside the box structure.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows that the upper unit 120 may be located on top
of or coupled to the base unit 110. In one embodiment, the bottom
122 of the upper unit 120 is coupled to the top 116 of the base
unit 110.
[0034] The upper unit 120 is configured to be removably coupled to
the base unit 110. As used herein, the term removably refers to
being able to remove something without the use of destructive means
like cutting, melting, tearing, breaking, performing involved
disassembly, or requiring the use of tools.
[0035] As seen in FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 10, the upper unit 120 is
coupled to the base unit 110 using the attachment system 140. The
attachment system 140 may include clips 141 that secure the base
unit 110 to the upper unit 120. Shown best in FIG. 10, the clips
141 may include a release surface 142 and tabs 143. The release
surface 142 may be pressed to remove the clip 141. The tabs 143
interact with the base and upper units 110 and 120, coupling them
together. As seen in FIG. 7, the clips 141 may work with the
accessory receiving system 160 to accomplish their function.
[0036] In one embodiment and as seen in FIG. 5, the clip 141 may
also include a hinge 144 to allow the lid 130 to be rotated upward
to access the contents of the upper unit 120. The clip 141 may also
include an overhang 146 used to firmly hold the lid 130 when the
hinge 144 is used. As seen in FIG. 3, conventional hinges on the
lid 130 may be used if the clips 141 are not used to hold the lid
130.
[0037] The accessory wall 26 and sides 114 of the base unit 110 and
sides 124 of the upper unit 120 may include the accessory receiving
system 160. This accessory receiving system 160 allows for an
accessory 36 to be attached. The accessory receiving system 160 may
allow for these accessories 36 to removably coupled and removed to
allow the accessories 36 to be selected, moved, and arranged as
desired by the operator. Examples of accessories 36 may include cup
holders, tool holders, nets or bags to hold miscellaneous items,
slot holders to hold files or clip boards, map holders, clips to
hold papers, phone holders, hooks, and the like.
[0038] In one embodiment, the accessory receiving system 160 may
include tracks 161, an example of which is shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and
10. Such tracks 161 allow the accessories 36 to be located in a
plurality of locations along the length of the tracks 161 and at
predetermined heights where the tracks 161 run. The tracks 161 may
be extruded or machined and may have a constant cross-section.
[0039] Seen best in FIG. 9, the tracks 161 may include upper tangs
162 and lower tangs 163 that extend to form slots 164 between the
upper and lower tangs 162 and 163. The upper and lower tangs 162
and 163 and slots 164 run the length of the accessory receiving
system 160. The tangs 162 may also have upper overhangs 165
projecting downward from the upper tang 162 and lower overhangs 166
projecting upward from the lower tang 163 to form recessed slots
167. Many varieties of alternative track systems are available in
the art for use.
[0040] As seen in FIG. 8, the accessories 36 may include an
engagement system 38 to couple the accessory 36 to the accessory
receiving system 160. The engagement system 38 may include an upper
protrusion 40 and a lower protrusion 42 that interact with slots
164 and upper and lower tangs 162 and 163. The engagement system 38
may include an overhang 44 extending from the upper protrusion 40
or lower protrusion 42 to interact in one of the recessed slots 167
of the tracks 161. The engagement system 38 may also include an
active retention device 46 to secure the accessory 36 to the
accessory receiving system 160. This active retention device 46 may
be a screw, turning tab, spring loaded tab, or other such device to
positively apply force on a feature of the accessory receiving
system 160. As seen in FIG. 10, the clip 141 of the attachment
system 140 may interact with a track 161 on the base unit 110 and a
track on the upper unit to secure the base unit 110 to the upper
unit 120.
[0041] The lid 130 fits over the top 128 of the upper unit 120 to
close and open and to provide access to the inside of the box
structure. The lid 130 may latch onto the top 128, may be lockable,
and may rotate. As shown in FIG. 3, the lid may also include
netting over the top that allows the contents to be seen.
[0042] FIGS. 4, 5, 6, and 13 show that in another embodiment the
lid 130 may include a recessed area 131 and a lip 132. The recessed
area 131 is formed by a sunken floor 133 and walls 134. In one
embodiment the lip 132 includes a ramp 135. On the ramp 135 are
slots 136 formed by projections 137. The ramp 135 may extend from a
flat 138 and terminate at an end 139 at the bottom of the ramp
135.
[0043] The article retention system 180 goes over the top of the
lid 130 to secure objects put in the recessed area 131. The article
retention system 180 includes a bungee 181. The bungee 181 includes
an elastic member 182 and end 183. The elastic member 182 may be
any elastic cord, tube, strap, or the like that can stretch across
the recessed area 131. The elastic member 182 may be polyurethane,
rubber, or another elastic member or may consist of a collection of
such elastic members like a bungee cord.
[0044] The end 183 is coupled to either side of the elongated
elastic member 182. The end 183 includes a coupling portion 184, an
elongated portion 185, and hook portion 186. The coupling portion
184 includes openings 187 that receive and couple the elastic
member 182 to the end 183. The elastic member 182 may pass through
the openings 187 and wrap around to couple the elastic member 182
to the end 183 by interference. In another embodiment the elastic
member 182 may be crimped inside an opening 187 or may be otherwise
adhered to the end 183.
[0045] Seen best in FIG. 12, the elongated portion 185 may be of a
width and length to match the slots 136 of the lip 132. In some
embodiments, the elongated portion 185 may not be as wide the slots
136 between projections 137. As seen best in FIG. 13, the elongated
portion 185 may also extend at an angle 80 from the coupling
portion 184 that matches the angle 80 from the flat 138 to the ramp
135 of the lip 132. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the hook portion
186 curls around or fits over the end 139 of the lip 132. With both
ends 183 installed, the bungee 181 is thereby secured over the top
of the lid 130.
[0046] The end 183 may also include a web 188 or other similar
feature. The web 188 may extend up from the and coupling portion
184 and elongated portion 185. The web 188 may provide a location
for at least some of the openings 187 in the coupling portion 184.
The web 188 may also provide strength to the elongated portion 185,
allowing it to be thin.
[0047] Seen best in FIG. 11, the effective length of the bungee 181
may be adjustable. In one embodiment, the elastic member 182 may be
pulled through or be backed out of the coupling portion 184 to
adjust the effective length. Clips 189 may then be used to secure
free ends of the elastic member 182.
[0048] FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 show different ways that a plurality of
bungees 181 can be used in the article retention systems 180. FIG.
5 shows two bungees 181 going across the lid 130 in one direction
and FIG. 6 shows the two bungees 181 going across the lid in an
opposite direction.
[0049] FIG. 4 shows the article retention systems 180 may also
employ a spider 190. The spider 190 is shown in more detail in FIG.
14. The spider 190 is a device to redirect the elastic member 182
of the bungee 181 so that it does not go straight across the lid
130. The spider 190 may also interconnect multiple bungees 181.
FIG. 4 shows the spider 190 redirecting four bungees 181 so that
each returns to the same side of the lid 130 the bungee 181 started
from.
[0050] Seen best in FIG. 14, the spider 190 includes a disk 191 and
tabs 192. The tabs 192 extend upward from an outer periphery of the
disk 191. The tabs 192 then curve over towards the center of the
disk 191. The elastic member 182 fits under the tabs 192 and is
redirected. The common disk 191 also serves to link the bungees 181
it shares. In other embodiments the spider 190 could be replaced by
a loop, which may be elastic, or any other device that redirects
and/or interconnects multiple bungees 181.
[0051] As seen in FIGS. 15, 16, 17, and 18, the jump seat and
storage system 200 includes a base unit 210, jump seat 220, and
accessory receiving system 260. The base unit 210 and accessory
receiving system 260 of the jump seat and storage system 200 may be
the same as the base unit 110 and accessory receiving system 160 of
the modular base storage unit 110 described above and therefore
will not be described again here.
[0052] The jump seat 220 includes a mount 222, pivot 224, seat back
226, and seat bottom 228. Seen best in FIG. 17, the seat mount 222
is used to mount the jump seat 220 to the interior 12 of the
vehicle 1. The mount 222 may be secured to the base unit 210, floor
22, back wall 24, or another component of the vehicle 1 or a
combination of components. As shown, the mount 222 may extend up
through the inside of the base unit 210.
[0053] The pivot 224 allows the seat bottom 228 to rotate relative
to the seat back 226. In one embodiment, the seat bottom 228
rotates down relative to the seat back 226 to an in-use position as
seen in FIG. 15. The seat bottom 228 also rotates up relative to
the seat back 226 to an out-of-use position as seen in FIG. 17. The
seat bottom 228 may be put into the in-use position to sit on and
the out-of-use position to gain access inside the base unit 210. A
latch or lock may also be included to keep the seat bottom 228 in
the in-use or out-of-use positions.
[0054] The pivot 224 may include a rod or other hinge known in the
art to pass through a rear portion of the seat bottom 228 to allow
it to rotate. The rod may also pass through a bottom of the seat
back 226 and mount 222 thereby securing the seat bottom 228, seat
back 226, and mount 222 together. In another embodiment the seat
back 228 may be mounted separately, possibly on the back wall
24.
[0055] The seat bottom 228 includes a center section 230, side
sections 232, front 234, top 236, underneath 238, handle 240, and
front center pocket 242. The side sections 232 extend outward on
either side of the center section 230 and may slant backwards from
the front away from the center section 230. The top 236 is the
surface of the seat bottom 228 a user sits on. The underneath 238
is the surface of the seat bottom 228 facing the base unit 210. As
shown in FIG. 17, the underneath 238 may include a pocket or
netting 244 that can be used to hold miscellaneous objects that can
be accessed when the seat bottom 228 is in the out-of-use
position.
[0056] The front center pocket 242 is a recess cut into the center
section 230 at the front 234 of the seat bottom 228. The front
center pocket 242 may be open from the top, underneath and front of
the seat bottom 228.
[0057] The handle 240 is located to be held by the user while
sitting in the jump seat 220. In one embodiment, the handle 240 may
also be located so the user can hold it without raising her arms.
The handle 240 may also be located to be accessible to rotate the
seat bottom 228 relative to the seat back 226. The handle 240 may
also be located to have a low profile and not extend beyond the
outer perimeter of the seat bottom 228.
[0058] The handle 240 may be a straight bar with a circular
cross-section. In other embodiments the handle 240 may bend, curve,
or have another shape. The handle 240 may also have a cross-section
of a different shape. The handle 240 is long enough to be grabbed
by a user and therefore the portion of the handle 240 exposed in
the front center pocket 242 is at least as long as the width of
most hands. In one embodiment, the portion of the handle 240
exposed in the front center pocket 242 is at least 4 inches long.
In another embodiment, the portion of the handle 240 exposed in the
front center pocket 242 is between 4 and 7 inches long.
[0059] The handle 240 is also close enough to the front 234 of the
seat bottom 228 in the front center pocket 242 to be used by a user
sitting in the jump seat 220 as seen in FIG. 6. In one embodiment,
the handle 240 is located within 4 inches from the front 234 of the
seat bottom 228. In another embodiment, the handle 240 is located
between 1 and 3.5 inches from the front 234 of the seat bottom
228.
[0060] In one embodiment, the handle 240 extends from the side
sections 232 and across the center section 230 through the front
center pocket 242. The handle 240 may be between the top 236 and
underneath 238 surfaces and not extend beyond the front 234. The
handle 240 may be accessible from the top, underneath, and front of
the seat bottom 228 but not accessible from the sides.
[0061] Seen best in FIG. 18, the seat mount 222 and pivot 224 may
create a spacing 246 between the underneath 238 of the seat bottom
228. The spacing 246 may be created by cantilevering the seat
bottom 228 from the pivot 224 and suspending the seat bottom 228
over the base unit 210.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0062] The modular storage system 100 and jump seat and storage
system 200 described above provides many features for use in a
vehicle 1. Because the modular storage system 100 and jump seat and
storage system 200 share the same basic base unit 110 and 210 and
accessory receiving system 160 and 260, a level of commonality is
achieved between the interchangeable modular storage system 100 and
jump seat and storage system 200. This commonality may help reduce
costs while improving functionality and optimization. The
commonality may also help create a common look for different
interior configurations that may help with consumer brand
identification.
[0063] The open space 30 provides a location for the placement of a
variety of objects that may need to be stored in the interior 12.
One such object might be a safety box 32 used to house the required
reflective safety triangles and other devices that operators of
some vehicles 1 are required to carry. This safety box 32 or other
objects may fit entirely within the open space 30 or may extend
outside of it. In one embodiment, the open space 30 may define a
dedicated location for the safety box 32. This dedicated location
may have brackets, straps, or other retaining devices specifically
sized to hold a safety box 32 of a certain size. The safety box 32
may also be specifically designed to fit in the open space 30.
[0064] Seen best in FIG. 18, the safety box 32 may include a base
33 where the reflectors and other contents are stored. The safety
box 32 may also include a lid 34 closing the base 33. The lid 34
may be pivotally connected to the base 33 using a hinge 35. In one
embodiment, the safety box 32 may be configured to fit in the open
space 30 with the lid 34 opening to the side so the operator can
access the contents without removing the safety box 32, as seen in
FIG. 3. The hinge 35 may be located on the bottom so the lid 34
opens by rotating downward.
[0065] The open space 30 may also be used to allow long items, such
as a shovel, sledge hammer, flag, umbrella, or the like, to be
stored in the interior 12. Providing locations for an elongated
object to lay flat in an interior 12 can be a challenge, but the
mounting design of the base unit 110 and resulting open space 30
have created such a space between the mount box 28 and operator
position 18 on the floor 22. The open space 30 may also be used to
store items that are too heavy for the storage units 110 and
120.
[0066] The accessory receiving system 160 provides for the
customizable arrangement of accessories 36 as needed by a user
depending on the situation. Employing the same accessory receiving
system 160 on the accessory wall 26 and sides 114 of the base unit
110 and sides 124 of the upper unit 120 allows additional
flexibility by allowing the same accessories 36 to be used.
Building the size of the accessory receiving system 160 when the
upper unit 120 is installed also adds functionality by increasing
the vertical storage area possible with the accessory receiving
system 160.
[0067] Because the handle 240 is open from the top and front of the
seat bottom 228, the handle 240 can be used for stability by the
user during travel without the need to raise her arm to reach a
handle above the side door 16. The location also allows the handle
240 to be used by the person sitting in the jump seat 220 as seen
in FIG. 16. Because she does not need to raise her arm, this
position may be more comfortable for the user. Also because she
does not need to raise her arm, visibility for the driver may be
improved since the arm is no longer blocking the side window.
[0068] Because of the accessibility and location of the handle 240,
it can also be used by a user during ingress and egress into the
vehicle 1. Meanwhile, because the handle 240 is in the recessed
front center pocket 242 and does not extend beyond the perimeter of
seat bottom 228, the handle 240 may not be snagged or otherwise in
the way of an operator.
[0069] Because the handle 240 is open from the top of the seat
bottom 228, the handle 240 is accessible to be used to rotate the
seat bottom 228 upward to the out-of use position. Because the
handle 240 is open from the underneath of the seat bottom 228, the
handle 240 is also accessible to be used to rotate the seat bottom
228 downward to the in-use position.
[0070] The cantilevered seat bottom 228 with the resulting spacing
246 may reduce the stress on the base unit 210, which allows the
base unit 210 to be mounted in such a way as to create the open
space 30 underneath. The cantilevered seat bottom 228 with the
resulting spacing 246 also allows the base unit 210 to be at least
partially accessed while the seat bottom 228 is in the in-use
position.
[0071] Although the embodiments of this disclosure as described
herein may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the
following claims, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that various modifications and variations can be made. Other
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from
consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure.
It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as
exemplary only, with a true scope being indicated by the following
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *