Semi-ambulatory companion seating system and method

Abstract

A semi-ambulatory companion seating system including a base unit assembly, a carriage assembly, and a pivotable seat support assembly. The base unit assembly includes spaced apart side rails, each having an external and an internal track. Each of the internal tracks are generally horizontal throughout, and each of the external tracks has a generally horizontal section terminating in an inclined section. The carriage subassembly includes a generally rectangular framework having six rollers to move the carriage on the internal and external tracks. Four rollers are guided in the internal tracks. Two rollers, mounted on an outrigger disposed along the inboard end of the carriage assembly, are guided in the external tracks. The outboard end of the carriage assembly includes an axle bushing for receiving an axle of the pivotable seat support assembly mounted thereon. The seat assembly includes a seat base box-plate assembly having holes aligned to receive the bolts of a standard vehicle seat. A latch assembly is attached to the underside of the seat base box-plate to engage the seat support assembly in either a forward facing position or an outboard facing position. In use, the seat assembly is rotated in either a powered or manual manner. The latch assembly also includes a means for engaging an interlock switch so that the seat may not be moved laterally outboard until the seat is positively engaged in the outboard facing position. The carriage is then powered in a lateral outboard motion by following the horizontal track sections. As the rollers engage the inclined section of the external tracks, the carriage inboard end rises while the carriage simultaneously pivots on the midpoint rollers so that the carriage outboard end dips downwardly. The carriage continues in a laterally outboard and downwardly tilted motion to place the passenger in a feet-on-the-ground position. On entry of the vehicle, these motions are reversed.