Pivoting seat apparatus

Abstract

This invention relates to seat pivoting mechanisms of the type that would be used on industrial vehicles such as forklift trucks, for example. The pivoting seat mechanism permits locking the seat in a forward facing position, as well as allowing the seat to pivot or rotate through a fixed, controlled angle. The seat pivot system is compact and does not unnecessarily add height to the seat structure, thereby conserving headroom within a vehicle cab or protective cage.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A pivoting seat apparatus for a vehicle comprising: 
 a first member mounted to said vehicle;    a second member mounted to a vehicle seat; and    a third member, intermediate said first and second members, adapted for rotational sliding engagement with at least one of said first and second members.    
     
     
         2 . The pivoting seat apparatus described in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first and second members further comprises pivot range control means.  
     
     
         3 . The pivoting seat apparatus described in  claim 2 , wherein said pivot range control means comprises at least one arcuate slot.  
     
     
         4 . The pivoting seat apparatus described in  claim 2 , wherein said pivot range control means comprises at least one pivot pin.  
     
     
         5 . The pivoting seat apparatus described in  claim 1 , further comprising vibration dampening means.  
     
     
         6 . The pivoting seat apparatus described in  claim 5 , wherein said vibration dampening means comprises at least one leaf spring positioned between said first member and said vehicle.  
     
     
         7 . The pivoting seat apparatus described in  claim 1 , wherein said third member is manufactured from an ultra high molecular weight plastic.  
     
     
         8 . A pivoting seat apparatus for a vehicle comprising: 
 a first member mounted to said vehicle and incorporating a plurality of arcuate slots formed therein;    a second member mounted to a vehicle seat and incorporating a plurality of outwardly extending pins; and    a third member, intermediate said first and second members, incorporating a plurality of arcuate slots formed therein and adapted for rotational sliding engagement with at least one of said first and second members, such that said pins of said second member extend through said plurality of arcuate slots of said third member and engage said arcuate slots of said first member, wherein said pins control the rotational movement of said second member with respect to said first member.    
     
     
         9 . A method for pivoting a vehicle seat comprising the steps of: 
 mounting a first member to said vehicle;    mounting a second member to a vehicle seat; and    providing a third member, intermediate said first and second members, said third member being adapted for rotational sliding engagement with at least one of said first and second members.