Reversible seat
United States Patent Christine et al.  
 [ 51 Apr. 15, 1975 REVERSIBLE SEAT [75] Inventors: William C. Christine, Catasaque;  
 William E. R. Watt, Barto, both of Pa.  
 [73] Assignee: General Seating and Sash Company,  
 Inc., Topton, Pa.  
 [22] Filed: Dec. 4, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 420,906  
 [52] US. Cl. 297/95 [51] Int. Cl B60n 1/02 [58] Field of Search 297/95, 97, 101, 103  
 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,150,897 9/1964 Higley 297/103 Primary Examiner-James C. Mitchell Attorney, Agent, or FirmSherman Levy [57] ABSTRACT A reversible seat is provided for trains, buses, vehicles and the like wherein there is provided a rockably base unit and can be rocked or manually moved to cause a back rest to shift to different positions. In addition, as the base unit is rocked or moved, the seat will be shifted to assume different inclined positions corresponding to the locations of the back rest.  
 2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures Pf&#39;JENTEBAPRlSIQYS 3,877, 746  
 I saw a 95 4 FIG. 6  
 REVERSIBLE SEAT The present invention relates to seat constructions, and more particularly to a reversible seat for railway cars, buses, vehicles and the like.  
  An object of the present invention is to provide a reversible seat or walkover seat that can be manually operated to shift the position of a back rest and seat cushion, so that occupants of the seat can face in different directions depending upon the direction of travel of the vehicle or other structure in which the seat is being used.  
  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a reversible seat that includes a parallelogram linkage that is operatively connected to a rockably mounted base unit so that when the mechanism is actuated the seat portion of the device will be moved to a desired or proper inclined location, and wherein the back rest will be simultaneously shifted to permit the user of the seat to face in the direction of travel of the vehicle.  
  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a reversible seat that is ruggedly constructed and fool-proof in use, as well as being efficient in operation and wherein the reversible seat is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.  
  Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the course of the following description.  
 IN THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating one application of the reversible seat of the present invention.  
  FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the mechanism, per se.  
  FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.  
  FIG. 4 is a sectional view, taken on the line 44 of FIG. 2.  
  FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.  
  FIG. 6 is a side elevational view generally similar to FIG. 2, but showing the mechanism in an intermediate position.  
  FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the mechanism in a reversed position.  
  Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral indicates the reversible seat or walkover seat of the present invention, which may be supported on a floor surface 21 by means of support elements 19 and 22. The numerals 23 and 28 indicate each of a pair of horizontally disposed spaced parallel rods that are arranged as shown in the drawings. The numeral 24 indicates a body member that includes projecting end portions 25 as well as an intermediate triangular shaped upstanding portion 26. The numeral 27 indicates a horizontally disposed bar that is connected to the opposite ends of the rods 23 and 28 from the body member 24. Guide elements 29 are secured to or formed integral with the upper surfaces of the rods 23 and 28, and the curved guide elements 29 are adapted to have upstanding flanges 30 associated therewith. The numeral 31 indicates horizontally disposed stop elements that are mounted on end portions of the rods 23 and 28, FIG. I.  
  As shown in the drawings, the body member 24 and bar 27 have aligned openings therein intermediate the ends thereof. The numerals 32 and 33 indicate horizontally disposed spaced parallel first and second shafts that extend through these openings in the body member 24 and bar 27. A pair of generally parallel links 34 and 35 have their lower ends secured to the adjacent end portions of the shafts 32 and 33. The numeral 36 indicates a bracket that is pivotally connected to the upper end of the links 34 and 35 as at 37 and 38, FIG. 6. The back rest or back element 39 is secured to the upstanding portion of the bracket 36 as at 40&#39;. The bracket 36 has on its lower end a shoulder 40 for selectively engaging and coacting with the stop elements 30 and 31 to limit movement of the parts.  
  The numeral 41 indicates a stub shaft that is connected to the upper portion of the triangular section 26 and the stub shaft 41 has a first arm or crank 42 movably connected thereto. The arm 42 includes portions 43 and 44 that are arranged angularly with respect to each other. The numeral 45 indicates a pin or shaft that is connected to the arm 42, and the pin 45 extends through a vertically disposed slot 46 in a frame piece 47 ofa rockable base 48. The base 48 further includes a frame piece 49 that is arranged in spaced parallel relation with respect to the frame piece 47. The ends of the frame pieces 47 are interconnected together by end members 50, and in FIG. 2 the numeral 51 indicates a cushion that is adapted to be suitably mounted on and secured to the base 48. The cushion 51 is adapted to have a top surface 52 that assumes the proper inclined position relative to direction of travel of the train, subway car, vehicle or the like.  
  The frame pieces of the base 48 have intermediate lower straight sections or edges 52&#39; as well as inclined end edge portions 57, FIG. 2.  
  As shown in the drawings, the numeral 53 indicates an arm that is pivotally connected to the crank 42 as at 54. The numeral 55 indicates a link or arm that has one end pivotally connected to the lower end of the arm 53, and the other end of the arm 55 is connected to the shaft 32, FIG. 6.  
  From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided a reversible seat for any desired purposes such as for use in subway cars, trains, vehicles and the like. In use, with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, the device can be arranged as shown in the solid line position of FIG. I, wherein one or more persons may sit on the cushion 51 and it will be noted that when the parts are in the solid line position of FIG. 1, the upper surface 52 of the seat 51 is inclined slightly so that the right end or front end is slightly higher than the other end in order to properly support the occupants. In this position, the back rest 39 is arranged to properly support the users.  
  When it is desired to reverse the seat, as for example, when the vehicle or train or other member is traveling in the opposite direction, the parts can be moved from the solid line position of FIG. I to the broken line position of FIG. 1. Or, the parts can move from the position shown in FIG. I to the position shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 6 illustrates an intermediate position for the parts.  
  In order to move the mechanism from the position of FIG. 1 to the position of FIG. 7, it is only necessary to manually grip the back rest 39 and push or pull the back rest 39 from left to right, whereby the pair of links 34 and 35 will be swung from the position of FIG. 1, the arm 55 will be moved to thereby move the arm 53, and this movement of the arm 53 will cause corresponding movement of the crank 42 due to the pivotal connection between these parts. As the crank 42 moves, it  
 carries its pin 45 therewith, and because the pin 45 extends through the slot 46 in the base 48, it will be seen that this will result in rocking or swinging movement of the base 48. The seat 51 is suitably affixed to the base 48 so that as the base 48 is moved, the seat 51 will be moved therewith. It is to be understood that if the device is to be shifted from a position such as that shown in FIG. 7 to a position such as that shown in FIG. 1, the  
 reverse procedure is followed.  
  The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes as desired or required.  
  It will be seen that with the present invention there is provided a walkover seat that moves a seat cushion rocker base horizontally in the desired or proper direction. The inclined surfaces 57 provide camming surfaces that change the angle of the seat cushion. Thus, the inclined surfaces 57 engage the guide elements 29 to maintain the rocker base and cushion at the proper angle or inclination. The parallel linkage, and associated parts act as a crank to move the seat cushion rocker frame. The shoulder 40 engages the stop pieces 31 to help limit travel or movement of the parts. Suitable hooks can be provided to lock the rocker frame into position on the seat frame. The parts are constructed so that the device operates easily and efficiently. Also, the seat cushion can be easily removed when needed or desired.  
  The reversible seat of the present invention can be used with modern light weight high speed public transportation vehicles for passenger seats to assure maximum passenger comfort and minimum weight requirements. The device includes a parallel linkage that operates a mechanism to move the seat cushion in the opposite direction for the required horizontal position and angle in relation to given vehicle fixed dimension.  
  There is provided an improved crank mechanism that operates by parallel links from the back seat frame. In addition, the present invention includes an improved crank mechanism that will operate within a limited vertical space to meet specified cushion thicknesses, cushion height, and seat frame for floor clearance dimensions. Certain of the parts can be changed to accommodate any seat cushioning positioning that is presently used or likely to be used in the near future. In addition, the parts are properly guided during movement. The parts can use or be made of a self-lubricating plastic material that will reduce rattle, as sliding resistance of the seat base frame camming surfaces. The device can also be made so that it can be easily moved with simple tools for maintenance, and yet can be constructed so as to prevent removal of the seats by vandals and the like.  
  It will be noted that, the present invention uses a parallelogram linkage configuration.  
  While a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention has been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that various modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.  
 I claim:  
  1. In a reversible walkover seat, support members, a body member having projecting end portions and an intermediate triangular shaped upstanding portion, a.  
 bar spaced from said body member, a pair&#39;ofspaced parallel horizontally disposed rods extending between said body member and bar and secured thereto, apair of spaced horizontally disposed shafts extending through said bar and body member, a pair of generally parallel movable links having their lower ends connected to the ends of said shaft, a bracket pivotally connected to&#39;the upper ends of said links, a back rest affixed to the upper portion of said bracket, a stub shaft connected to the upper portion of the triangular section of the body member, a crank movably connected to said stub shaft, said crank including portions that are arranged angularly with respect to each other, a pin connected to said crank, a rocker base having frame pieces at least one of which is provided with a vertically disposed slot for receiving said pin, said rocker base having camming surfaces thereon. curved guide elements affixed to the upper surfaces of said rods, and  
 said guide elements having upstanding flanges associated therewith, horizontally disposed stop elements mounted on end portions of said rods, said bracket having a shoulder on its lower end for selectively engaging