Bus module and method

Abstract

The invention provides a bus module for including seats with seatbelts into existing monocoque buses; a method for fitting the module, and a kit for use in the method of fitting the module.

1 . A module comprising:
 a longitudinal member of the wall of a monocoque bus spanning at least two vertical members and at least two lateral floor members, an end of a lateral member being joined to a vertical member;   a metal strip spanning the lateral members and secured thereto;   an angle-iron spanning the vertical members and secured thereto; and   a seatbelt-incorporating seat, wherein the seat is secured at one end to the angle-iron, and at the other end to the metal strip via a leg.   
   
   
       2 . The module of  claim 1  wherein the seat is configured for a single occupant. 
   
   
       3 . The module of  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein the leg is adapted for bolting to the base of the bus. 
   
   
       4 . A method of fitting a seatbelt-incorporating seat comprising a leg and a side portion into a monocoque bus, the method comprising:
 removing an existing seat from the bus if present;   securing a metal strip to lateral members under the floor of the bus;   securing an angle-iron to vertical members within a wall of the bus;   attaching the seatbelt-incorporating seat to the metal strip via a leg included in the seat and to the angle-iron via an end of the seat.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the leg is attached to the metal strip by placing the metal strip above the flooring of the bus and in a suitable position for having a leg of a seat fixed thereto; placing a metal strip portion under a lateral member of the bus below the metal strip and attaching the strip portion to the metal strip. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the strip portion is bolted to the metal strip. 
   
   
       7 . The module of  claim 1  or method of  claim 4 , wherein the seat is attached, via the leg of the seat, to the metal strip by bolting the leg of the seat to the metal strip. 
   
   
       8 . A kit when used in the method of  claim 4 , the kit comprising:
 a seatbelt-incorporating seat;   a metal strip and an angle-iron;   means for attaching the metal strip and the angle-iron to members of a monocoque bus;   means for attaching the seat to the metal strip and to the angle iron; and   instructions for installing the seatbelt-incorporating seat in the bus.   
   
   
       9 . The module of  claim 1 , wherein the metal strip is steel of about 40 mm width by about 10 mm thickness. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the metal strip and strip portion is steel of about 40 mm width by about 10 mm thickness. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the strip portion has a length of about 110 mm. 
   
   
       12 . The module of  claim 1 , method of  claim 4  or kit of  claim 8 , wherein the metal strip is substantially the length of the bus. 
   
   
       13 . The module of  claim 1 , method of  claim 4  or kit of  claim 8 , wherein the angle-iron is steel and has a width of about 50 mm.