Seat tilting mechanism

Abstract

The present invention provides mechanisms for tilting the seat of a tractor or similar vehicle. In some embodiments, a cam shaft provides dual opposing cams positioned under the seat, so that when the cam shaft is rotated, the cams tilt the seat to one side or another. A switch connects an electric motor to a power supply, such as the battery of the vehicle, so the vehicle's operator can activate the motor to rotate the cam shaft and thereby tilt the seat to a desired angle. When the vehicle traverses a slope and tilts to one side, the inventive mechanisms are useful to return the seat to a level position relative to the horizon, thereby allowing the operator to better maintain control of the vehicle and keep his or her back straight. This provides potentially greater safety and comfort for the operator.

1 . A system for tilting a seat of a vehicle, comprising:
 a left cam and a right cam positioned so that when the cams are rotated, they cause the seat to selectively tilt toward the left side of the vehicle or the right side of the vehicle.   
   
   
       2 . A system for tilting a seat of a vehicle, comprising:
 a motor;   a switch;   a power source;   a cam shaft comprising a left cam and a right cam;   a seat mounting; and   the seat;   wherein the motor rotates the cam shaft;   wherein the switch selectively provides electrical communication between the power source and the motor;   wherein the switch has at least three positions, a first position that causes the motor to turn the cam shaft in one direction, a second position that turns the motor off, and a third position that causes the motor to turn the cam shaft in the opposite direction;   wherein the seat mounting connects the seat to the vehicle while allowing the seat to tilt relative to the vehicle in a plane substantially normal to the forward motion of the vehicle;   wherein the left cam and right cam mechanically communicate with the seat so that when the cam shaft is rotated in one direction, the seat tilts toward the left, and when the cam shaft is rotated in the opposite direction, the seat tilts toward the right.   
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , in which the motor is a 12V DC motor. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 2 , in which the seat comprises the original seat of the vehicle. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 2 , in which the power source comprises the original power source of the vehicle. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a worm gear connecting the motor to the cam shaft. 
   
   
       7 . A tiltable seat mounting kit, adaptable for installation on a vehicle comprising a seat and a power source, comprising:
 a motor;   a switch;   a cam shaft comprising a left cam and a right cam;   a seat mount adaptable to attach the seat to the vehicle while allowing the seat to tilt in a plane substantially normal to the forward motion of the vehicle;   wherein the switch is adaptable to selectively provide electrical communication between the power source and the motor;   wherein the motor is adaptable to rotate the cam shaft;   wherein the left cam and the right cam are adaptable to be placed in tiltable communication with the seat.   
   
   
       8 . The tiltable seat mounting kit of  claim 7 , in which the motor is a 12V DC motor. 
   
   
       9 . The tiltable seat mounting kit of  claim 7 , in which the seat is the original seat of the vehicle. 
   
   
       10 . The tiltable seat mounting kit of  claim 7 , in which the power source comprises the original power source of the vehicle. 
   
   
       11 . The tiltable seat mounting kit of  claim 7 , further comprising a worm gear connecting the motor to the cam shaft. 
   
   
       12 . The tiltable seat mounting kit of  claim 7 , in which the switch is a three-position switch. 
   
   
       13 . The tiltable seat mounting kit of  claim 7 , in which the seat mount comprises:
 at least one baseplate adapted to be attached to the vehicle,   at least one supporting member attached to the at least one baseplate,   at least one longitudinal axle adapted to be rotatably supported by the at least one supporting member, and   at least one seat supporting member attached to the at least one longitudinal axle and adapted to support and tilt the seat.   
   
   
       14 . The tiltable seat mounting kit of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one baseplate further comprises at least one lateral support member adaptable to rotatably support the cam shaft. 
   
   
       15 . The tiltable seat mounting kit of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one rub plate adaptable to provide tiltable communication between the left cam and the right cam and the seat. 
   
   
       16 . The tiltable seat mounting kit of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one limit switch adaptable to be placed in electrical communication with the motor, and to prevent overtilting of the seat. 
   
   
       17 . The tiltable seat mounting kit of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a drive shaft rotatably connected to the motor, the drive shaft further comprising a worm gear;   a gear attached to the cam shaft;   wherein the worm gear and the gear attached to the cam shaft are adaptable to allow the motor to rotate the cam shaft.   
   
   
       18 . The tiltable seat mounting kit of  claim 7 , wherein
 the motor is a 12 V DC motor;   the switch is a three-position switch;   the power source comprises the original power source of the vehicle; and   wherein the seat mount comprises:
 at least one baseplate adaptable to be attached to the vehicle, 
 at least one supporting member attached to the baseplate, 
 at least one longitudinal axle adaptable to be rotatably supported by the at least one supporting member, and 
 at least one seat supporting member attached to the at least one longitudinal axle and adaptable to support and tilt the seat. 
   
   
   
       19 . The tiltable seat mounting kit of  claim 18 , further comprising at least one rub plate attached to the at least one longitudinal axle and adaptable to provide tiltable communication between the left cam and the right cam and the seat. 
   
   
       20 . The tiltable seat mounting kit of  claim 18 , further comprising at least one limit switch adaptable to be placed in electrical communication with the motor, and to prevent overtilting of the seat.