Transportation seating system

US7472951B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• American Seating Company · US

Inventors

• Bernard A. Herold, III · Grandville, US
• David I. Wolf · Cedar Springs, US
• Douglas L. Fassett · Kentwood, US
• Trevor R. Haney · Wyoming, US
• Douglas G. Oswald · Grand Rapids, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 31, 2008
• Grant date: Jan 6, 2009
• Expiry date: Jan 31, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60N2/015
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The specification discloses a modular transportation seating assembly that includes a support frame and seats mounted on the frame. The frame includes a seat beam and a cantilever beam. The cantilever beam includes a body and a connector inserted into the body and held together by compressive force. The body has an end defining a plurality of receivers, and the connector includes a plurality of lugs each received within one of said receivers. The seat beam includes a body, a tee nut slidably received within the body, a second connector outside the body, and a fastener intersecuring the two connectors to retain them in position along the length of the body. A single fastener intersecures the connectors on the seat beam and the cantilever beam. The seat includes a flange hooked about the back edge of the seat beam and one or more fasteners connecting the seat to the forward edge of the seat beam. The backs of adjacent seats define a vee, and a seat tie fills the lower portion of the vee to prevent objects from accidentally catching in the vee. The seats are molded and can include an integrally molded grab rail.