subject: Modular Bus Seat Construction [print this page] This invention relates to a modular bus seat construction. In particular this invention is directed to school bus seats. Specifically, this invention relates to a new bus seat construction or to a retrofit of an existing bus seat. This new inventive bus seats are 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.
It is an object of the present invention to provide modular bus seats which may be used to replace existing bus seats. This is accomplished through the simple removal of the existing plywood used in the school bus seat. It is then replaced with the appropriate modular portion of the present invention. The rear modular portion of the bus seat back is affixed to the front modular portion. The seat modular portion is affixed to the bus seat frame. The collar portion generally surrounds the existing metal frame of the bus seat back and is affixed to the front modular portion of the bus seat.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a process for retrofitting existing school bus seats which comprise the steps of removing existing plywood from the existing bus seat frame, spraying a mold with an elastomer spray, inserting a piece of wood into the mold, and then injecting the mold with the urethane foam which bonds to the wood and integrally forms an elastomeric skin thereon, and then finally by inserting the wood with the elastomer skinned urethane foam adhered thereto into engagement with the bus seat frame.
