Patent · US Active

Collapsible seat and system

US8152231B2 · kind B2 · utility

9Cited by

8References

16Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Johnson Controls Technology Company · US

Inventors

Lance Larsen · Southfield, US
David John McCarthy · Holland, US
Sheldon J. Watjer · Holland, US

Key dates

Filing date	Feb 27, 2009
Grant date	Apr 10, 2012
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Feb 8, 2030

Classification

Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
CPC primaryB60N2205/30
WIPO fieldTransport
WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Collapsible seats may be installed on a track or rail system to allow the collapsible seats to move laterally within a vehicle's interior. The track system also may permit removal of the collapsible seats from the vehicle. The collapsible seats may include a seat back with multiple sections joined by flexible hinges that permit folding of the seat pan and seat back in a lateral direction. In certain embodiments, the seat pan or the headrest also may include multiple sections joined by flexible hinges. The flexible hinges may allow the seats to collapse laterally to reduce the width of the seats. The available space for seating or cargo storage may be adjusted by selectively collapsing, expanding, and removing the collapsible seats.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.