Laterally Slidable Seat

Abstract

A passenger seat having a fixed bottom section and a fixed central backrest section with telescoping end sections. Each of the two ends of the back section are slidably mounted on a pair of rails that are secured to the central back section for lateral motion into an opening formed on the end of the central backrest section, allowing a passenger entrance into the back seat of the automobile. An armrest telescoping from the bottom section may also be provided.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field Of The Invention

This invention relates to automobile and similar vehicle seats and more particularly to that type of safety seat allowing entrance into the back seat of a two-door automobile.

II. Description Of The Prior Art

In the prior art, various types of seats have been used in two-door automobiles to permit access into the rear seat of the automobile. Conventionally, the back section of the front seat is formed in halves, wherein each top half tilts forward allowing entrance into the rear seat of the automobile. Recently these types of seats have been provided with a latching mechanism for maintaining the top half in its upright position when the vehicle is in motion. When a passenger wishes to enter the back seat of the automobile, it is necessary for him to unlock the latching mechanism, thereby allowing the top half of the back section of the seat to be tilted forward, so the passenger may enter the rear seat of the automobile.

The latching mechanism is provided on the conventional automobile seat to maintain the top half of the seat in its upright position during a crash condition or other rapid deceleration of the motor vehicle. During such a rapid deceleration of the vehicle, a passenger in the back seat may be thrown forward against the top rear surface of the front seat back section, resulting in a force tending to fold the top half of the back section forward. This force is transmitted to the latching mechanism, and if the latching mechanism fails, the top half of the back section will fold forward, and the passenger in the back seat may be thrown into the front seat, resulting in further injury to both the back seat and front seat occupants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The passenger seat of the present invention eliminates problems of the prior art devices by providing a motor vehicle passenger seat having a bottom section which is fixedly secured to the chassis of the motor vehicle. A central backrest section is provided which is also fixedly secured to the vehicle chassis, or which may be an integral part of the bottom section. An opening is formed in each of the lateral ends of the central backrest section for telescopically receiving an end section, which is slidably mounted for lateral movement with respect to the central backrest section. Each end section forms a portion of the backrest section adjacent a motor vehicle door. When entrance into the rear seat of the motor vehicle is desired, the end section is pushed or actuated away from the door into the opening on the end of the central backrest section, permitting easy entrance into the back seat. When the passenger has entered the back seat, the end section is returned to its original position adjacent the motor vehicle door.

A center armrest may be provided, if desired, which is telescopically mounted in the bottom section of the passenger seat, since the space conventionally used in the backrest section for a drop-down armrest is no longer available. In its raised position the armrest is positioned between two passengers in the front seat. If the armrest is not needed, it may be pushed down into an opening formed in the bottom section of the passenger seat and locked in place, with the top surface of the armrest being flush with the top surface of the bottom section to form a conventional bench seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a front seat of the present invention positioned in a motor vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat showing a preferred operating mechanism for the end sections;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 2 showing the telescoping arrangement of the end section;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an alternative to the supporting structure shown in FIGS. 2 and 4; FIG. 6 is the supporting structure shown in FIG. 5 in an assembled form;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a preferred seat for a single passenger according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a rear view of the seat shown in FIG. 7 with a preferred motor drive incorporated therein for electrically operating the seat;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the motor drive arrangement shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary exploded view showing a preferred connection between the slidably mounted end section and the bottom seat section;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a passenger seat according to the present invention having an armrest telescoping from the bottom seat section;

FIG. 12 is a side fragmentary cross-sectional view of the armrest shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front fragmentary cross-sectional view of the armrest shown in FIG. 11; and

FIG. 14 is an exploded view of preferred actuating and support mechanism for the armrest.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, the passenger seat of the present invention, generally indicated at 10, is for use as a front seat in a two-door motor vehicle. As in conventional passenger seats, the seat of the present invention includes a bottom seat section 12 of conventional design secured to the chassis or floor of the motor vehicle, as with bolts or other conventional means.

Referring to FIG. 2, the backrest section indicated at 14 of the passenger seat 10 includes a central backrest section 16 separating two opposed backrest end sections 18 and 20 each telescopically receivable into one of the lateral ends of the central backrest section 16.

The bottom section 12 is formed with a metal frame 22, which preferably extends the length of the bottom section 12 and supports the seat cushion 24. The central back section 16 includes a metal frame 26 that is fixedly secured at 28 to the frame 22 of the bottom section 12, thereby rigidly securing the central back section 16 to the chassis of the motor vehicle. The frame 26 supports the cushion and springs provided for a resilient outer layer for the seated passenger.

The frame 26 is preferably formed with a generally flat vertically extending support 30 having four horizontally extending arms secured thereto for supporting the two end sections 18 and 20. Two of the arms 32 and 34 extend outwardly from the top of the support 30 toward opposite lateral sides of the motor vehicle. The other two arms 36 and 38 extend outwardly from an intermediate point on the support 30 toward opposite lateral sides of the motor vehicle.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, end section 18 is slidably mounted on arms 32 and 36, which have longitudinally extending slots 40 and 42 formed therein. End section 18, which is substantially a mirror image of end section 20, includes a frame 44 which provides the support thereto. A pair of bolts 46 and 48 having balls 50 and 52, respectively, formed at one end and washers 54 and 56 secured along their length by any convenient means are secured to the frame 44 by nuts 58 and 60, respectively. The bolts 46 and 48 are slidably mounted in the slots 40 and 42, respectively, with coil springs 62 and 64 being disposed around the bolts between the arms 32 and 36 and the washers 54 and 56, respectively, maintaining the balls 50 and 52 slidably engaging the arms 32 and 36.

Referring in detail to FIG. 4, the central backrest section 16 is formed with an opening 66 on the end adjacent the end section 18 for receiving the section 18 therein. The section 18 may be laterally displaced away from the door of the vehicle and telescopically received in the opening 66 of the central backrest section 16. FIG. 4 illustrates the inner end 68 of the end section 18 in its extended position. The end section 18 has a back panel 70 with an inwardly slanting ramp 72 formed thereon adjacent the inner end 68 to aid in inserting section 18 into the opening 66. The end section 18 is formed with a front panel 74 of conventional foam or rubber for providing a soft layer for the seated passenger. The front panel 74 is provided with an inwardly slanting ramp 76 adjacent the inner end 68 to aid in the insertion of the section 18 into the opening 66. The front foam panel 74 is supported on the frame 44 by springs 78, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The rear panel 70, which may be formed from any convenient material such as hard plastic, is supported on the frame 44 by foam or rubber 80.

In operation the spring 64 maintains the ball 52 adjacent the arm 36 with the bolt 48 extending through the slot 42. When the end section 18 is pushed towards the center backrest section 16, the ball 52 follows the contour of the arm 36. With inward movement of the end section 18, the ball 52 slides down a ramp 82 formed on the end of the arm 36. As the ball 52 follows the ramp 82, the frame 44 is pushed rearward by the bolt 48 thus pulling the springs 78 and the front panel 74 rearward, allowing the front panel 74 of the end section 18 to slide into opening 66. The ramp 76 aids in compressing the foam of the front panel 74 to allow insertion into the opening 66. As the frame 44 is pushed rearward by the bolt 48, the ramp 72 engages the back panel 83 of the center section 16, compressing the foam 80 as the section 18 is inserted into the opening 66. The bolts 46 with the ball 50 and the spring 62 being slidably mounted in the slot 40 of the arm 32, which has a ramp 84 formed on its free end, functions as described above to aid in guiding the end section 18 into the opening 66.

The end section 18 may be provided with a headrest 85 which is mounted on a support 86 fixedly secured to the frame 44 by any convenient means. A slot 88 formed in the top surface of the central back section 16 receives the support 86 therein as the end section 18 is slid into the opening 66.

In order to further aid in the support of the end section 18, the frame 22 of the seat section 12 may be formed with an elongated, substantially vertical support member 90 extending the length of the section 12, as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 10. A substantially horizontal support member 92 extending rearward from the bottom edge of the member 90 and secured thereto, extends the length of the seat section 12 and is secured to the chassis of the automotive vehicle. Thus, the members 90 and 92 form a rearward facing right angle channel. A lower portion 94 of the frame 44 of the end section 18 is formed with a right angle projection 96, which is slidably mounted in the right angle channel formed by the members 90 and 92. The member 92 has a T-shaped guide rail 98 secured to its top surface by any convenient means. The rail 98 is received in a T-shaped slot 100 formed in the lower surface of the projection 96 for maintaining the projection 96, slidably mounted adjacent the members 90 and 92. The rail 98 is preferably made of or coated with any conventional self-lubricating or low frictional coefficient material to aid in the sliding action of the end section 18 thereon. The rail 98 and the slot 100 are preferably loosely fitting such that as the frame 44 is tilted rearward to allow the inner end 68 to be inserted into the opening 66, the connection between the rail and the slot will not inhibit the motion thereof.

The edge of the member 92 is formed with a pair of upwardly extending flanges 102 and 104. The flanges 102 and 104 are provided to engage the outer vertical surface 106 of the projection 96, providing a stop mechanism for the end section 18 as it is withdrawn from the opening 66.

The bottom section 12 is formed with a triangular-shaped panel 108 covering the ends of the member 90 and 92 and the right angle channel formed thereby. The panel 108 registers with a triangular-shaped slot 110 formed in the lower portion 94 of the end section 18 adjacent its outer edge. The panel 108 is preferably formed from a soft, resilient material, such as rubber, for providing a soft layer to the end of the bottom section 12. The panel 108 eliminates any sharp edges and corners that may have otherwise existed thereby eliminating any injury that would otherwise be inflicted upon a passenger entering the back seat of the motor vehicle when the end section 18 is pushed into the opening 66.

Referring to FIG. 2, a handle 112 pivotally mounted on a forward extending flange 114 forming a part of the frame 44 aids in the operation of the end section 18. A lever 116 pivotally mounted on a lever 118 secured to the inner end of a shaft 120 forming part of the handle 112 extends downward and engages an S-shaped latch 122 that is pivotally mounted on a pin 124 secured to the frame 44. The hooking end 126 of the latch 122 engages an aperture 128 formed in the frame 22 of the bottom section 12, maintaining the end section 18 in its extended condition. When it is desired to laterally slide the end section 18 away from the door of the motor vehicle to allow entrance into the back seat, the handle 112 is rotated clockwise rotating the shaft 120 and the lever 118 clockwise, pushing the lever 116 downward. The downward movement of the lever 116 rotates the latch 122 counterclockwise on the pin 124 moving the end 126 upward thus disengaging the latch 122 from the aperture 128. With the latch disengaged from the frame 22, the end section 18 may be pushed into the opening 66.

As the end section 18 is pushed into the opening 66, the balls 50 and 52 follow the arms 32 and 36, with the frame 44 and the front panel 74 being pulled rearward with the aid of the springs 62 and 64, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. As the section 18 is pushed inward the lower portion 94 of the section 18 is maintained adjacent the bottom section by the rail 98 and the slot 100.

When the section 18 has been pushed into the opening 66, a passenger may enter the back seat of the motor vehicle. The section 18 is then withdrawn from the opening 66 with the flanges 102 and 104 engaging the surface 106 to stop the section 18 when it has been withdrawn. Simultaneously with the engagement of the flanges 102 and 104 and the surface 106, the hooking end 126 snaps into the aperture 128 with the aid of a spring 130 disposed around the shaft 120 and biasing the shaft 120 in a counterclockwise direction. With the engagement of the end 126 and the aperture 128, the end section 18 is securely latched in its extended position.

A coil spring 132 may be disposed between the support 30 and the frame 44 to aid in withdrawing the end section 18 from the opening 66. A cup-shaped flange 134 is formed on the support 30 for receiving one end of the spring 132, where it is secured therein by any convenient means. The other end of the spring 132 is secured to a flange 136 formed on the frame 44. As the end section 18 is pushed into the opening 66, the spring 132 is compressed. When the passenger has entered the back seat, he merely releases the section 18 and the compressed spring 132 pushes the section 18 back to its extended position.

It is to be noted that the passenger seat illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is formed with two end sections 18 and 20. The construction and operation of the end section 20 is substantially the same as that described for the section 18.

An alternative to the design of the ball, bolt and slots arrangement shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The arms 32 and 36 may each be replaced by an arm 138 with a slot 140 formed in its top surface. A bracket 142 secured to the frame 44 has two outwardly extending struts 144 and 146, which are substantially flat and lie in parallel horizontal planes. The top strut 144 is formed with an opening therein to receive a bolt 148 screwed into a threaded opening 150 formed in a block 152, which is substantially a cube having a hemispherical opening 154 formed in its bottom surface. The hemispherical opening 154 is formed to receive a ball bearing 156 which may be wedged between the hemispherical opening 154 and the slot 140 formed in the arm 138. In order to assemble the unit, the ball 156 is placed in the slot 140 and the block 152 is placed over the ball 156 with the ball being inserted into the hemispherical opening 154. The strut 144 may then be slid over the block 152 and the bolt 148 screwed into the threaded opening 150 of the block 152. The strut 146 slidably engages with the bottom surface of the arm 138, maintaining the block 152 adjacent the arm 138 to prevent separation thereof. Thus, a ball bearing arrangement is provided between the end section 18 and the central backrest section 16 to aid in the movement of the section 18.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, an electric motor 158 may be provided to pull the section 18 into and out of the opening 66. The motor 158 is secured to the lower section of the frame 44 as by bolts 160 or other conventional means and includes a rotatable threaded shaft 162 extending inwardly toward the central backrest section 16. The shaft 162 is received in a threaded member 164 held on a flange 166 extending from the support 30 by means of fingers 168. Electrical power is supplied to the motor 158 through leads 170, which are long enough, and may be spring coiled to allow movement of the section 18 and the motor 158. The motor 158 is connected to a spring loaded normally "off" position toggle switch 172 for control thereof which is preferably mounted on the outer surface of the end section 18 adjacent the motor vehicle door. When the switch 172 is pushed upwards, the motor 158 is turned "on" rotating the shaft 162 so as to pull the section 18 into the opening 66 with the aid of the threaded member 164. When the passenger has entered the back seat, the switch 172 is pushed downward, resulting in the motor 158 rotating in the opposite direction to withdrawn the section 18 from the opening 66.

Referring to FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14, a central armrest 174 telescopically received in the bottom seat section 12 may be provided if desired. The armrest 172 may be positioned in its extended condition, as illustrated in FIG. 11, for use by the vehicle passengers. When not in use the armrest 174 may be pushed down into the bottom section 12 with the top surface 176 flush with the top surface of the section 12.

The armrest 174 is formed with a frame 178 preferably formed from metal comprising a generally rectangular top member 180, two side members 182 and 184 and front and rear members 186 and 188 extending downward from the top member 180. The outer surface of the frame is covered with a resilient material 190, preferably foam or rubber, having an outer covering 192 such as vinyl.

The armrest 174 is mounted on a cylindrical member 194 having an outwardly extending flange 196 at one end secured to the inner surface of the member 180, as by bonding, welding or other conventional means. The member 194 is slidably mounted in a cylindrical member 198 of larger diameter than the member 194 and having one end secured to the frame 22 of the bottom seat section 12 by means of an outwardly extending flange 200 secured thereto.

The cylindrical member 194 includes a pair of opposed punched-out tabs 202 and 204 formed adjacent the free end 206 of the member 194 and extending outwardly perpendicular to the axis of elongation of the member. The tabs 202 and 204 are slidably mounted in a pair of opposed slots 208 and 210 formed in the member 198 parallel to the axis of elongation of the member. A coil spring 212 disposed within the member 198 is compressed between the frame 22 and the free end 206 of the member 194 urging the member 194 upward.

A third cylindrical member 214 is rotatably mounted around the member 198 for maintaining the armrest 174 in its extended or retracted position as desired by the vehicle passenger. The member 214 includes an outwardly extending flange 216 formed on its lower edge, which is received in an inwardly extending flange 218 secured to the flange 200 as by bonding, welding or other conventional means, thereby rotatably mounting the member 214 on the member 198. The member 214 is formed with a pair of opposed slots 220 and 222 extending parallel to the axis of elongation of the member 214. A pair of short slots 224 and 226 intersect the slots 220 and 222, respectively, at their upper ends and perpendicular to their axis of elongation. A second pair of short slots 228 and 230 intersect the lower ends of the slots 220 and 232, respectively, perpendicular to their axes of elongation. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the tabs 202 and 204 project through the slots 208 and 210 and into the slots 220 and 222.

When the armrest 174 is in its retracted position, the spring 212 compressed between the frame 22 and the free end 206 is urging the armrest upward. The armrest 174 is maintained in its retracted position by rotating the member 214 clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 14, thereby inserting the tabs 202 and 204 into the slots 228 and 230, respectively. The upward force of the spring 212 is thus transferred to the member 214 through the tabs 202 and 204 engaging the upper edges of the slots 228 and 230. The upward force from the member 214 is transferred to the frame 22 through flanges 216, 218 and 200 to maintain the armrest in its retracted position. When it is desired to extend the armrest 174 to its upper position, the member 214 is rotated clockwise releasing the tabs 202 and 204 from the slots 228 and 230 and into the slots 220 and 222, thus allowing the member 194 to be pushed upward by the spring 212 with the tabs 202 and 204 sliding upward in the slots 208, 210, 220 and 222. With the armrest 174 in its extended position, the member 214 is rotated clockwise inserting the tabs 202 and 204 into the slots 224 and 226, respectively, maintaining the armrest 174 in its extended position against any downward force exerted thereon by the vehicle passenger. The engagement of the tabs 202 and 204 and the upper edges of the slots 224 and 226 prevent the spring 212 from pushing the armrest 174 further upward. When it is desired to retract the armrest 174, the member is rotated counterclockwise and the armrest pushed downward into the bottom section 12.

The cylindrical member 214 is actuated by the vehicle passenger through a button 232 mounted in the front panel of the bottom section 12. The button 232 has its inner end secured to one end of a lever 234, which has its other end mounted to the rotatably mounted member 214. The inner end of the lever 234 is inserted through an opening 236 formed in a flange 238 secured to the member 214. The lever 234 is secured therein by means of a flange 240 formed on the lever and a nut 242. The lever 234 is biased toward the button 232 by a coil spring 244 disposed around the lever 234 and compressed between an annular flange 246 formed on the lever and an inturned annular flange 248 secured to the frame 22. The spring 244 through the lever 234 biases the member 214 in a clockwise direction of rotation.

When the passenger desires to move the armrest to its extended position, he pushes the button 232 inward, which pushes the lever 234 against the force of the spring 244 inward rotating the member 214 counterclockwise to release the tabs 202 and 204 from the slots 228 and 230. The force of the spring 212 then pushes the armrest upward to its upper position. With the armrest in its extended position and the button 232 released, the spring 244 pushes the lever 234 forward, rotating the member 214 clockwise to insert the tabs 202 and 204 in the slots 224 and 226, locking the armrest in its upper position. When it is desired to retract the armrest 174, the passenger pushes the button 232, which moves the lever 234 rearward, rotating the member 214 counterclockwise to release the tabs 202 and 204 from the slots 224 and 226. The passenger then may push the armrest down. When the armrest is pushed to its retracted position and the button 232 is released, the spring 244 pulls the lever 234 forward, rotating the member 214 clockwise to engage the tabs 202 and 204 in the slots 228 and 230.

An outwardly extending flange 250 may be formed along the lower edges of the side member 182 and 184 and the front and back member 186 and 188 for engaging an inwardly turned flange 252 secured to the frame 22. The engagement of the two flanges aid in maintaining the armrest in its proper position when it is extended.

It is to be noted that the telescoping end sections 18 and 20 and the telescoping armrest 174 may be used either in combination or separately, and the telescoping armrest 174 could be used with other than the front seat of a vehicle.

Claims

We claim:

1. A passenger seat for use in a motor vehicle, said motor vehicle having at least one door, said seat comprising;

a substantially horizontal bottom secured to said vehicle,

a first backrest section including a frame and a cushion mounted thereon, said first backrest section being mounted to said vehicle,

a second backrest section including a frame and a cushion mounted thereon, said second backrest section being movably mounted on said vehicle adjacent the vehicle door for lateral movement away from said door, and

one of said backrest sections having a compartment and a vertical opening registering with said compartment, said opening being adjacent one end of the other of said backrest sections for telescopically receiving said other backrest section, including the cushion and frame thereof, into said compartment upon lateral movement of said second backrest section away from said door.

2. A passenger seat as defined in claim 1 wherein said opening and said compartment are formed in said first backrest section and said second backrest section having a portion disposed at all times in said opening and said compartment.

3. A passenger seat as defined in claim 1, wherein said first and second backrest sections form a substantially continuous backrest.

4. A passenger seat as defined in claim 1, and including means for biasing said second backrest section toward said vehicle door.

5. A passenger seat as defined in claim 1, wherein said second backrest section is slidably mounted on its lower edge to said bottom section.

6. A passenger seat as defined in claim 1, wherein said second backrest section is slidably mounted on a pair of arms extending from said first backrest section.

7. A passenger seat as defined in claim 1, and including an electric motor and actuating means associated with said motor operatively connected between said second backrest section and said motor vehicle for moving said second backrest section away from said door.

8. A passenger seat as defined in claim 7, wherein said electric motor is secured to said second backrest section, and said actuating means includes a rotatably mounted threaded shaft extending from said electric motor for rotation thereby and a threaded member secured to said first backrest section threaded onto said shaft.

9. A passenger seat as defined in claim 1, and including an armrest movably mounted on said bottom section for movement between a first position wherein said arm rest projects above the seating surface of said bottom section and a second position wherein the top surface of said armrest is substantially flush with the seating surface of said bottom section.

10. A passenger seat as defined in claim 9, and including a resilient means operatively connected between said armrest and said bottom section for urging said armrest toward its first position.

11. A passenger seat as defined in claim 9, and in which said armrest is located adjacent said first backrest section.

12. A passenger seat as defined in claim 9, including means for moving said armrest between said positions and comprising an actuating mechanism operatively connected between said armrest section and said motor vehicle for moving said armrest between said positions.

13. A passenger seat as defined in claim 12, wherein said actuating mechanism includes a resilient means urging said armrest toward its first position.

14. A passenger seat as defined in claim 9 and including a first latching means for securing said armrest in its first position and a second latching means for securing said armrest in its second position.

15. A passenger seat as defined in claim 14 and including a manually operated lever mechanism for operating said first and second latching means.

16. A passenger seat as defined in claim 15, wherein said actuating mechanism includes a first cylindrical member having one end secured to said motor vehicle; a second cylindrical member having one end secured to said armrest section slidably mounted in said first cylindrical member; and resilient means disposed within said second cylindrical member for urging said armrest section toward its first position.

17. A passenger seat as defined in claim 16, and including:

a third cylindrical member rotatably mounted around said first cylindrical member and having a first slot formed therein substantially parallel to the axis of elongation of said third member, said third member including second and third slots intersecting said first slot at opposite ends thereof and at substantially right angles thereto,

said first cylindrical member including a slot formed therein registering with said first slot of said third member, and

said second cylindrical member including a tab formed adjacent its free end extending through said slot formed in said first member and into the slots formed in said third member, said armrest being secured in its first position by the engagement of said tab in said second slot and secured in its second position by the engagement of said tab in said third slot.

18. A passenger seat for use in a motor vehicle, said motor vehicle having a door on each side thereof, said seat comprising

a substantially horizontal bottom section secured to said vehicle,

a substantially vertical center backrest section secured to said vehicle,

an end backrest section, including a frame and a cushion mounted thereon, at each end of said center backrest section and adjacent said doors,

said center backrest section having a vertical compartment and an opening registering with said compartment at each end adjacent each of said end backrest sections,

said end backrest sections being movably mounted for lateral movement toward and away from said doors and each of said end backrest sections, including the frames and cushions thereof, being telescopically received through said opening and into said compartment upon lateral movement of said end backrest sections away from said doors.