Problems of existing school bus seats
Problems of existing school bus seats
This invention relates to a modular bus seat construction. In particular this invention is directed to school bus seats. Specifically, this invention relates to new bus seats construction or to a retrofit of an existing bus seat. This new inventive bus seat is comprised of a front modular portion, a rear modular portion, a collar portion and a seat portion. The front, rear and seat portions are comprised of wood and a elastomer skinned urethane foam. The elastomer skinned urethane foam is adhered to the plywood. The collar portion is comprised of an elastomer skinned urethane foam. The front modular portion, the rear modular portion, and the collar portion comprise the bus seat back.
Existing school bus seats are comprised of a metal frame and a plywood superstructure. In particular, for the bus seat back the plywood is inserted into the metal frame and it is maintained in place by means of the plywood being crimped into position within a channel. In regard to the bus seat, plywood is affixed to the metal frame by hinge and locking means. A rebonded foam is used on the existing school bus seats. A vinyl is stretched over the rebonded foam and is sewn together. One deficiency of the existing school bus seat is that the vinyl which is stretched over the rebonded foam is easily torn. Vandalism on school buses is quite common. The usual site of the vandalism is on the rear of the bus seat.
In particular, the present invention is designed primarily, although not exclusively, to meet the needs of retrofitting existing school bus seats. The existing school bus seats are inadequate such that the materials they are manufactured from, to wit, a vinyl which is sewn and stretched over a rebonded foam, is easily torn by vandals. Additionally, in the case of the existing school bus seats, the entire seat back or seat needs to be repaired when a section thereof has been vandalized. For instance, if a vandal rips the back of a bus seat back, the entire vinyl covering must be removed and repaired or replaced. The present invention provides an integrally bonded elastomer skinned urethane foam plywood structure. The elastomer skin of the present invention can be made in different thicknesses; therefore, if a thicker surface is desired on the back side of the bus seat back which is typically the case, such a thickness can be easily provided.
This invention relates to a modular bus seat construction. In particular this invention is directed to school bus seats. Specifically, this invention relates to new bus seats construction or to a retrofit of an existing bus seat. This new inventive bus seat is comprised of a front modular portion, a rear modular portion, a collar portion and a seat portion. The front, rear and seat portions are comprised of wood and a elastomer skinned urethane foam.


