Automatic locking SCBA mounting bracket assembly

[0001] The invention relates to a self-latching gripping apparatus, more specifically to a mounting bracket assembly for an automatic latch used in a vehicle to removably attach objects such as an apparatus of a self-contained breathing apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In rescue vehicles, fire brigades etc. it is generally accepted to provide holders for storing objects such as tanks (e.g. cylinders, containers, etc.) for a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). SCBA handles can be mounted in the hole or recess in the rear of the vehicle seat. Storing the SCBA on the back of the seat is intended to allow the occupant of this seat to quickly access the SCBA in the event of an accident. However, applicable regulations usually require SCBAs to be clipped in a manner that ensures SCBA safety during certain situations, such as collisions, sudden vehicle maneuvers, etc.

[0003] Known SCBA handles typically have a SCBA securing attachment until released by the user. For example, one type of handle secures the tank in the longitudinal recess in the seat with straps. Another example of a handle provides a mount having a rotatable shell to hold the tank top in place. However, known SCBA handles require manual intervention in securing the tank to the handle.

[0004] The invention aims to alleviate at least to some extent one or more of the problems known in the art. It is therefore desirable to provide a detachable handle or mounting bracket assembly with an automatic snap function for objects like SCBA or the like that would allow easy installation of SCBA for use in a vehicle and which would be fast, convenient and efficient. It is also desirable to provide a detachable mounting bracket assembly that can be freely adjusted to accommodate various sizes and types of SCBAs. It is also desirable to provide a mounting bracket assembly that is detachable at various locations depending on where the user sits. In addition, it is desirable to provide a spring loaded back liner that can be used both with and without the SCBA in the mounting bracket assembly.

[0005] US 6161706 A1 discloses a mounting bracket according to the preamble of claim 1.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The mounting bracket assembly includes a mounting plate and a latch system mounted on the upper portion of the mounting plate and movable between the non-latched position and the latched position relative to the self-contained breathing apparatus. The guide is connected to the middle of the mounting plate, and the supporting structure is mounted on the bottom of the mounting plate. The latch system includes a rotatable arm having an actuator plate positioned forward from the mounting plate in the non-latched position and a self contained breathing apparatus housing the latch moving up above the mounting plate in the non-latched position. The latch system further includes a latch mechanism engageable and disengaged with the pivot arm to provide a latched and non-latched position. The movement of the self-contained breathing apparatus relative to the actuator plate automatically moves and locks the latch down at the top end of the self-contained breathing apparatus and causes the latching mechanism to engage by the pivot arm in the latched position. The guide centers and maintains the central part of the self-contained breathing apparatus, and the support structure supports the lower part of the self-contained breathing system in the latched position.

[0007] The mounting plate has a pair of lateral channels and a base adapted to be attached to the supporting surface. The latch system, guide and support structure are slidably received and retained in the channels. The latch system is vertically adjustable at the top of the mounting plate. The guide is adjusted vertically in the central part of the mounting plate. The support structure is vertically adjustable at the bottom of the mounting plate. The latch system further includes a guide carriage on which the latch mechanism is mounted and on which the pivot arm is pivotally mounted. The guide carriage moves the spring to set the actuator plate forward in the non-latched position. The actuator plate forms the lower vertical running part of the pivot arm. The actuator plate is integrally connected to the part that is directed upward from the actuator plate and is connected to the horizontally elongating part to which the latch is attached in an adjustable manner. The guide is formed with a central section and a pair of support arms separated from each other. The support structure includes a foot, a foot support attached to the foot, and a cradle fixed to the foot in an adjustable manner. The bed is reversibly mounted on the foot.

[0008] Various steps have been taken to allow the self-contained breathing apparatus to be released from a latched position by a person sitting on the seat of the vehicle to which the mounting plate is attached.

[0009] The mounting plate is attached to the vehicle seat frame, and the spring loaded rear insert assembly is attached to the frame and movable between the folded position and the unfolded position. The rear insert assembly is movable between folded and unfolded positions regardless of the presence or absence of a self contained breathing apparatus.

[0010] The rear insert assembly includes a mounting bracket permanently attached to the vehicle seat frame, a lower swivel bracket attached to the mounting bracket, an upper swivel bracket assembly comprising a padded rear insert pivotally connected to the lower swivel bracket, and an above-ground spring system connected between the lower swivel bracket assembly and the upper swivel bracket.

[0011] An automatic snap fastening assembly is provided for releasably maintaining the self-contained breathing apparatus. The mounting bracket assembly includes a mounting plate having a base and a pair of side channels integrally formed with the base. The latch system is slidably installed in the fastening plate channels on its upper part and is movable between the non-latched position and the latched position relative to the self-contained breathing apparatus. The latching assembly includes a guide carriage carrying a latching mechanism, a spring, and a rotating pin. The latching assembly also includes a pivot arm pivotally mounted on the pivot pin of the guide carriage and having a vertically extending actuator plate, an angular portion, and a horizontally extending portion with a latch attached in an adjustable manner. The actuator plate is positioned forward from the mounting plate through the spring in the non-latched position and the latch is moved up above the mounting plate in the non-latched position. The bifurcating guide is slidably installed in the channels of the mounting plate in its central part. The support structure is slidably installed in the channels of the mounting plate on its lower part. The support structure includes a foot, foot support to strengthen the foot and a cradle attached to the foot in an adjustable manner. The displacement of the self-contained breathing apparatus into the guide and support structure and relative to the actuator plate automatically moves and latches the latch down at the top end of the self-contained breathing apparatus and causes the latching mechanism to engage by the pivot arm in the latched position.

[0012] The guide carriage has side edges with upper and lower stops slidably introduced into the channels. Fasteners and adjusting nuts are attached to the channels between the upper and lower stops, the distance between the upper and lower stops determines the vertical adjustment range for the latching assembly. The latch mechanism is connected to a cable to cause the pivot arm to move to the non-latched position and release the self-contained breathing apparatus from the latch, guide, and support structure.

[0013] The mounting bracket assembly is provided for releasably retaining the elongated self contained breathing apparatus. The mounting bracket assembly includes a latch system mounted for vertical movement on the mounting structure and movable between the engaged position and the disengaged position relative to the self-contained breathing apparatus. The cam system is located between the latch system and the attachment structure to enable and prevent vertical adjustment of the latch system relative to the attachment structure. The cam system includes a cam element attached to the adjustment lever. The adjustment lever has a flap extending from its front. The latch system is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin passing through a pair of receiving tubes and the cam element is mounted off-centered on the pivot pin for direct rotation. The cam system includes a coil spring mounted on a pivot pin, coupled to the adjustment lever and located between one of the receiving pipes and the adjustment lever. The cam element is usually positioned by a spring for engagement with the fastening structure. The movement of the adjustment lever relative to the spring setting allows the cam element to disengage from the attachment structure to allow vertical adjustment of the latch system relative to the attachment structure.

[0014] According to the invention, the mounting bracket assembly is installed in a vehicle for detachably holding an elongated self-contained breathing apparatus. The attachment bracket assembly includes a latch system attached to the attachment structure and movable between the non-latched position and the latched position relative to the self-contained breathing apparatus. The latch system includes a powered latch mechanism engageable with a portion of the latch system to provide a non-latched and latched position. The control system separately from the powered latching mechanism is operably connected to it for the selective control of the energized latching mechanism and the release of the self-contained breathing apparatus from the latched position when the vehicle is at rest and parked. The powered latch mechanism and control system are functionally connected to the vehicle's electrical system. The powered latch mechanism is preferably an electric latch mechanism positioned outside the mounting structure and connected to the latch system. The latch system is mounted for vertical movement on the fastening structure and the powered latch mechanism is movable with the latch system along the fastening structure. The latching condition is achieved by mechanically locking parts of the latching system in the energized latching mechanism and maintained during normal vehicle movement. The powered latch mechanism and control system are connected to a device such as the parking brake switch to indicate that the vehicle is in a parked and parked position. The control system is at least one device in the vehicle. The control device is preferably a switch located within the seat cushion equipped with the mounting bracket assembly. The switch is controlled by the movement of the handle on the front of the seat cushion. The parking brake switch and the control system switch must be in the on position to release the self-contained breathing apparatus from the latched position. The parking brake switch and the control system switch are in the off position when the vehicle is moving normally.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0015] The drawings show the best mode of the invention currently being considered. In the drawings:

[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a seat of a rescue vehicle equipped with an SCBA mounting bracket assembly made in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

[0017] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an SCBA mounting bracket assembly showing an oxygen tank installed thereon (dashed lines);

[0018] Figure 3 shows Figure 2 seen from the front;

[0019] Figures 4 and 4A are longitudinal sections of Figure 2 showing the mounting bracket assembly in the unlocked and latched positions, respectively;

[0020] Figure 5 is an exploded sketch of Figure 2;

[0021] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the first alternative embodiment of Figure 2;

[0022] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of Figure 2;

[0023] Figure 8 is an inverse perspective view of the mounted spring loaded rear insert assembly;

[0024] Figure 9 is an exploded sketch of Figure 8;

[0025] Figure 10 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the spring loaded rear insert assembly of Fig. 8 installed in a vehicle seat.

[0026] Figure 11 is a view similar to Fig. 10 showing the spring loaded rear insert assembly removed from the vehicle seat;

[0027] Figure 12 is an elevational view of the spring loaded rear insert assembly attached to the seat frame in a down position; and [0028] Figure 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 showing the spring loaded rear insert assembly in an upper position.

[0029] Figure 14 is a perspective view of a mounting bracket assembly provided with a cam system and a powered latch system;

[0030] Figure 15 is a front view of Fig. 14;

[0031] Figure 16 is a partial side view and sectional view in line 16-16 of Fig. 15; [0032] Figure 17 is an exploded sketch of the upper part of Fig. 14 and [0033] Figure 18 is a perspective view of an emergency vehicle seat equipped with the mounting bracket assembly of Fig. 14.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0034] Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a seat 10 of a rescue vehicle that finds application particularly in fire brigade and rescue vehicles. The seat 10 has a rear cavity that is equipped with a mounting bracket assembly 12 used to releasably maintain a self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) having generally the form of a cylindrical oxygen tank 14 under pressure. Typically, the tank 14 is attached to a harness worn by a fireman or other user located in the seat 10 and is held by the mounting bracket assembly 12 in an inverted position so that the adjusting portion 15 is supported at the bottom of the mounting bracket assembly 12. The spherical end of the vessel 14 and the regulating part 15 is defined by the opposite ends of the tank extensions 14.

[0035] The seat 10 includes a frame for supporting the seat cushion 18 and a removable back housing the side cushion system 20. The frame 16 supports the cover 22, to which the mounting bracket assembly 12 and a pair of safety cages 24 are attached, one of which is coupled to the seat belt structure 26 engaged in the seat 10. The headrest 28 is rotatably positioned in a head support position between the safety cages 24.

[0036] Referring to Figures 2-5, the SCBA attachment bracket assembly generally includes a attachment plate 30, latch system 32, guide 34, and support structure 36. [0037] The attachment plate 30 serves to secure the attachment bracket assembly 12 to a supporting surface such like the rear of the seat 10. The mounting bracket 30 is a rigid extruded metal structure having a flat, rectangular base 38 integrally formed with a pair of extended side channels for sliding receiving of the latch system 32, a guide 34 and a supporting structure 36. The mounting plate 30 is normally proportional to the seat 10 in which it is installed . However, this length may vary depending on the particular application.

The base 38 is formed with a first set of holes 42 that receive connectors to secure the base 38 to the seat cover 22. Alternatively, the base 38 may be attached to another support structure, such as a wall, for example. The base 38 is also formed with a second set of holes 43 to allow adjustable attachment of the guide 34. The base 38 is also formed with a third set of holes 44 to facilitate the adjustable attachment of the support structure 36. The channels 40 are provided with a pair of aligned holes (one of which is visible at 46) which are used in the adjustable locking of the latch system 32.

[0038] The latch system 32 serves to automatically and immobilize engage and disengage the inverted spherical lower end of the tank 14. The latch system 32 includes a guide carriage 48, a pivot arm 50 and a latch 52.

[0039] The guide carriage 48 has a base plate 54 with an upper edge 56, a lower edge 58 and a pair of side edges 60, 61. The helical spring 62 is attached to the circular plane 63 on the base plate 54. The upper edge 56 has a pair of aligned receiving pipes. 64, which are separated by a recess 66. Side edges 60, 61 have a pair of upper stops 68 and a pair of lower stops 70 protruding forward from there. An extended strip 72 supporting the latch having a fastening ear 74 is attached by a connector 76 to the lower right corner of the base plate 54. The support strip 72 extends down over the base plate 54 and is provided with a guide hole 78 at the lower end. The latching mechanism 80 is attached with fasteners 82 to the mounting eye 74.

[0040] As is well known, the latch mechanism 80 comprises a rotatable jaw directed by a torsion spring from a latched position to an open position, and a rotatable latch directed by the same or separate coil spring twisted from a jaw release position to a jaw holding position. The latch mechanism 80 further includes an operating arm 84 connected to the rotatable latch and a U-shaped notch 86 that receives the cylindrical pin 88 on the rotatable arm 50. The upper end of the cable 89 passes through the guide hole 78 and is permanently attached to the operating arm 84 on the latch mechanism 80.

[0041] The swivel arm 50 has a vertical portion 90, an angular portion 92 and a horizontal portion 94 and is formed with a pair of horizontally oriented holes 96 and a set of vertically extending holes 98 on opposite sides of the horizontal portion 94. The swivel arm 50 is designed so that its vertical portion 90 is located opposite the spring 62 in the recess 66 in the base plate 54 with the holes 96 synchronized with the passages 100 formed in the receiving tubes 64 and the upper stops 68. The rotary pin 102 passes through the holes 96 and corridors 100 and is constantly mounted in a position such that the pivot arm 50 is pivotally mounted on top of the guide carriage 48. As can be seen, the pivot arm 50 is pivoted between the latched position and the open position, where the cylindrical pin 88 is engaged and disengaged with the latching mechanism.

[0042] The latch 52 has a half-round or curved nut 104 with a flat top 106 provided with a pair of holes 108 that are aligned with any pair of holes 98 on the pivot arm 50. The bottom of the nut 104 is configured to help center the rounded end of the tank and it may, if desired, have an insert to protect the tank 14. The latch 52 further has a rear end 110 that slidably receives the horizontal portion 94 of the pivot arm 50. The latch 52 is attached to the pivot arm 50 by means of connectors 112 that pass through aligned holes 108 and the holes 98. The latch 52 is adjustable in position in front of or behind the horizontal part 94 of the pivot arm 50 by moving the latch 52 to the desired position on the horizontal part 94 of pivot arm 50 and insertion of connectors 112 into aligned holes 98 and holes 108. This adjustment function allows the tanks 14 of different diameters to be closed.

[0043] The latch system 32 is installed relative to the mounting plate 30 by sliding the side edges 60, 61 of the base plate 54 into the upper part of the channels 40. The holes 46 in the channels 40 are aligned in between the upper and lower stops 68.70 on the base plate 54. A pair of bolts 114 pass through the seals 116 and holes 46, and then are secured in a pair of adjusting nuts 118 located inside the channels 40. By means of the screws 114 and adjusting nuts 118, the latch system 32 can be adjusted up and down mounted on the mounting plate 30 above the horizontal travel range determined by the length between the upper and lower stops 68, 70 on the base plate 54. Therefore, the mounting bracket 10 is able to accept tanks 14 of different lengths.

[0044] The guide 34 centrally adjusts and holds the central part of the tank 14 when entering and exiting the mounting bracket assembly 12. The guide 34 is a bifurcating or splitting structure provided with an extended central part 120 integral with a pair of separated arms 122 holding the tank, which have lateral extensions 124. The central portion 120 is formed with a vertically extending slot 126 that is in line with the pair of holes 43 formed in the base 38. The guide 34 is installed by sliding the extensions 124 into the channels 40 so that from its bottom into the slot 126 it is positioned in line with holes 43. Then a pair of bolts 130 are passed through the gap 126 and threaded into the threaded walls of the holes 43. By loosening and tightening the screws 130, the guide 34 can be vertically adjusted on the base 38 so as to remove any additional tank equipment while providing additional hold on the tank 14.

[0045] The support structure 36 fully and adjustable supports the inverted top portion of the regulating part 15 of the tank 14. The support structure 36 comprises a foot 132, foot support 134 and an adjustable bed 136.

[0046] The foot 132 usually consists of plastic material and has an upper part 138 and a lower part 140. The upper part 138 has side edges 142 and is formed with a pair of holes 144 that are designed to be in line with the upper or lower set of holes 44 in base 38. The bottom portion 140 has lateral edges 146 and is formed with several holes 148. The foot 132 is reinforced by the support of the foot 134, which extends along the back and side edges of the foot 132. The foot support 134 has a pair of holes 150 at its upper end and a single hole 152 at its bottom. The bed 136 has an angled wall 154 and a hole 156 at the bottom. Screw 158 passes through hole 156, one of several holes 148 and hole 152 to partially connect the foot 132, foot support 134 and bed 136. Figure 5 shows that the bed 136 can be reversibly mounted on the foot 132 to fit a particular adjusting part 15 tank 14. It should also be obvious that the front and rear position of the cradle 136 can be matched to a particular tank 14 by using the respective holes 148 in the bottom 140 of the foot 132.

[0047] The side edges 142 of the foot 132 are extended from the bottom of the channels 40 until one of the pairs of holes 44 aligns with the holes 150 on the support of the foot 134 and the holes 144 on the foot 132. Then a pair of screws 160 passes through holes 144 and holes 150 and is screwed into holes 44 in base 38 to hold the support structure 36 at the top or bottom position to fit the entire height of the tank 14, Screws 160 may be loose to change the position of the support structure 36 at the discretion.

[0048] With the mounting bracket assembly 12 positioned as described above and installed in the seat 10 as shown in Figure 1, the pivot arm 50 has a pin 88 disengaged from the latch mechanism 80, and the latch system 32 assumes the open position shown in Figure 4 . In this position, the helical spring 62 forces the pivot arm 50 to rotate around the pin 102 so that the lower part 90 extends forward from the base plate 54, the angled part 92 extends vertically, and the latch 52 moves up above the mounting plate thirty.

[0049] The lower part 90 of the pivot arm 50 defines the actuator plate adapted to adhere to the tank 14 when it is moved back towards the base 38. The contact of the tank 14 with the actuator plate 90 causes the pivot arm 50 to move downwards in the direction shown by arrow A in Figure 4. At the same time, the central part of the tank 14 is engaged between the tank holding arms 122 of the guide 34, and the adjusting part 15 of the tank 14 is moved to the cradle 136 of the supporting structure 36.

[0050] Further backward movement of the tank 14 will cause the actuator plate 90 to compress the spring 62 until the pin 88 enters the notch 86 and locks in the latching mechanism 80 in the closed position shown in Figures 2 and 4A. In the closed position, the latch 52 tightly covers the inverted rounded end of the tank 14 to optimally secure the opposite end ends of the tank 14 in the mounting bracket assembly 12.

[0051] The invention thus provides an automatic tank closing function achievable only by moving the tank 14 backwards towards the actuator 90 of the latch system 32. The pivot arm 50 and the latch 52 rotate about a horizontal axis, defined by the pivot pin 102, while the latch system 32 moves between open and closed position. It is not necessary to use your hands to secure the tank 14, which makes the protection quick, effective and convenient.

[0052] If it is desired to release the reservoir 14 from the mounting bracket assembly 12, pull cable 89 to unlock the latch mechanism 80, allowing the spring 62 to force the pivot arm 50 and latch 52 to move up to the open position. In Figure 1, the outer end of the cable 89 opposite the latch mechanism 80 is attached to the release lever 162 at the front of the seat cushion 18 as shown in Figure 1. Cable 89 can be routed through the grooves 164 formed in the rear of the guide 34 and in the foot 132. Movement of the lever 162 causes the cable 89 to release the latch mechanism 80. It should be obvious, however, that the outer end of the cable 89 may be attached to the release mechanism elsewhere than in the seat cushion 18 or in the seat 10, or can be routed over the shoulder of the person sitting in seat 10. The latching mechanism 80 can also be released remotely in other ways. A plurality of cables 89 may extend from the latch mechanism 80 to allow a person in the seat to release the tank 14 from various locations. For example, Fig. 10 shows the combination of the release lever 162 on the seat 10 and the second release lever 166 next to the headrest 28 so that a person on the seat can release the latch mechanism 80 from the bottom of the seat 10 or from a position above the person's arm in the seat.

[0053] Operation of the mounting bracket assembly 12 is further facilitated by the ability to adjust the latch system 32, the guide 34 and the supporting structure 36 in the channels 40 in the mounting plate assembly. In addition, the latch 32 is adjustable on the pivot arm 50, and the bed 136 is reversibly mounted to fit the specific structure of the tank.

[0054] Within the mounting bracket assembly 12, alternative embodiments are contemplated for housing various reservoir structures. Figure 6 shows an alternative, two-part support structure 36a used to hold European type tanks 14. Figure 7 shows a further alternative support structure 36b used to hold the double tank or two tanks located side by side.

[0055] The invention also includes a spring-loaded rear insert assembly 168 (Figs. 8-13) which is located in the rear seat cavity of the rescue car and can be used to support the back of the occupant of the seat. Rear insert assembly 168 is particularly versatile because it can be used with or without reservoir 14 in mounting bracket assembly 10. Rear inserts known in the art can only be used without the tank 14 in the space provided.

[0056] The rear insert assembly 168 consists of a mounting bracket 170, a lower swivel bracket 172, an upper swivel bracket 174, an insert supporting plate 176 and a covered padded rear insert 178.

[0057] The mounting bracket 170 has a flat, horizontal base 180 integrally connected substantially to the vertical wall 182. The base 180 is provided with a pair of spaced apart holes 184, and the wall 182 is also provided with a pair of spaced apart holes 186. Wall 180 it is also formed with a vertical gap 185. The mounting bracket 170 is attached to the seat 10 by threaded pins 187 passing through seals 188, holes 184 and holes in the seat frame 16 and then by applying nuts 189 to the pins 187 (Fig. 12).

[0058] The lower pivot bracket 172 has a main wall 190 formed with a pair of separated holes 192 and a protruding portion 194 having a recess 196 and a small holding hole 198. A pair of side walls 200 extends integrally from the main wall 190, where each side wall 200 has an opening rotational 202 formed in its upper part. The side walls 200 are formed with the stop parts 204 extending inwardly.

[0059] The upper pivot bracket 174 has a main plate 206 configured with a set of holes 208, a stop hole 210 and a recess 212. The main plate 206 has a pair of dependent side arms 214 formed with rotary holes 216.

The side arms 214 are arranged inside the side walls 200 of the lower pivot bracket 172 so that the pivot holes 202 and 216 are aligned. The upper pivot bracket 174 is pivotally attached to the lower pivot bracket 172 by passing threaded screws 218 through aligned holes 202 and 216 and screwing nuts 220 to screws 218. The extension coil spring 222 has one end 224 held in the holding hole 198 on the lower pivot bracket 172, and the opposite end 226 located in the holding hole 210 of the upper pivot bracket 174. The end parts of the spring 222 are located in recesses 196 and 212 formed on the respective pivot brackets 172 , 174.

[0060] The support plate of the insert 176 includes a base plate 228 and extends rigidly thereto, positioned with respect to it substantially at an obtuse angle of the support wall 230. The base plate 228 is formed with the right side edges 232 and the set of holes 234. The support wall 230 has a portion 236 extending upwardly and a vertical portion 238 to which a covered padded back pad 178 is attached to support the lower back of the sitting person. The insert support plate 176 together with the attached rear insert 178 is positioned so that the base plate 228 lies on the main plate 206 and the holes 208 and 234 are aligned. Insert support plate 176 and rear insert 178 are permanently attached to upper pivot bracket 174 by passing threaded screws 240 through aligned holes 208, 234 and screwing nuts 242 to screws 240.

[0061] The upper pivot bracket 174, insert support plate 176 and rear insert 178 are pivotally connected to the lower pivot bracket 172 and form a subassembly that can be attached to the mounting bracket 170 in a removable manner. This is achieved by inserting the main wall 190 into the slot 185 of the wall 182, aligning the holes 192 on the bottom support bracket 172 with the holes 186 on the mounting bracket 170 and passing through the aligned holes 186 and 192 of the pair of pull-out pins 244, as shown in Fig. 8, 12 and 13. Preferably, the withdrawable pins 244 have retaining rings 246 and well-known spring pawl designs that will normally hold components 172, 174, 176, 178 on mounting bracket 170, but will also, if desired, facilitate relatively simple removal of components 172, 174, 176, 178 while the mounting bracket 170 will remain attached to the seat frame 16.

[0062] In use, the spring loaded rear insert assembly 168 is positioned on the seat frame 16 between the mounting bracket assembly 12 and the lower back of the sitting person. Rear insert assembly 168 has a spring arrangement located above the center formed by components 170, 172, 174, 176, 178 and spring 222 so that rear insert assembly 168 is manually displaced and left in the folded position (Figures 10 and 12) or unfolded (Fig. 13). Spring 222 moves rotary components 174, 176, 178 down or up relative to components 170 and 172 depending on the corresponding position of components 174, 176 and 178. In the stowed position shown in Figures 10 and 12, the lower end 246 of insert 178 is moved down and spring-loaded 222 against the seat cushion 18. When the insert 178 is pivoted up to a particular end point, the spring arrangement above the center will force the insert 178 to rotate to the upper position shown in Fig. 13, which final position is defined by the engagement of the side arms 214 at the stop parts 204.

[0063] If there is no reservoir 14 in the mounting bracket assembly 12, the rear insert assembly 168 provides the back of the seat in an extended position to support the lower back of the person in the seat for comfort and safety. If there is a reservoir 14 in the mounting bracket assembly 12, the rear insert assembly 168 still acts on the back of the person in the seat to provide additional support. When the tank 14 is removed from the mounting bracket assembly 12, the rear insert assembly 168 moves easily downward and folds against the seat cushion 18 to allow removal of the tank 14. The rear insert assembly 168 remains spring-loaded on the seat cushion 18 until it moves. to the extended position.

[0064] The rear insert assembly 168 is particularly novel and versatile because it can be used with the tank 10 installed in or without the mounting bracket 12 as opposed to rear insert designs known in the art.

[0065] Referring now to Figs. 14-18, the mounting bracket assembly 12 is essentially as described herein, however, it is modified to include a cam system 248 for conveniently adjusting the vertical position of the latch system 32 relative to the mounting plate 30, so as to accommodate tanks 14 of different lengths. In addition, the mounting spring assembly 12, when installed in a vehicle, is modified to include a powered latching or locking system 250 that is operable to release the reservoir from the mounting bracket assembly 12 in response to a vehicle parking condition in conjunction with actuation of control system 252 ( Fig. 18) connected to the powered latch mechanism 250.

[0066] More specifically, the cam system 248 includes a cam element 254 that is attached, such as fasteners, to an adjustment lever 256 having a flap 258 extending from its front portion. Cam element 254 is mounted eccentrically to rotation with a pivot pin 102 at one end thereof that extends beyond the receiving tube 64 on the right side of the guide carriage 48. The pivot pin 102 also passes through the coil spring 260 located between the outermost end of said receiving tube 64 and the adjustment lever 256. The spring 260 has one leg (not shown) set relative to the guide carriage 48 and another leg 262 set on the adjustment lever 256. The spring 260 sits below pin 264 (Fig. 15) which projects inwardly from cam element 254. The pin 102 further passes through the helical spring 266, which further replaces the spring 62 and serves to simply adjust the latch system 32 to the non-latched position as described previously. The cam system 248 is located between the mounting plate 30 and the latch system 32.

[0067] In use, the latch system 32 is in an adjustable manner attached to a displaceable up and down displacement along the mounting plate 30 within the vertical displacement range determined by the upper and lower stops 68, 70 on the base plate 54. The stops 68, 70 are engageable with a nut assembly 268 (Fig. 17) having a threaded shaft 270 that passes through the left side channel 40 and receives the nut 272 (Fig. 15). Typically, cam member 254 is set by spring 260 to engage base 38 to prevent sliding displacement of latch system 32 (including guide carriage 48 and pivot arm 50) relative to base 38 as shown in Fig. 16.

[0068] When it is desirable to allow vertical adjustment of the position of the latch system 32, the flap 258 on the adjustment lever 256 is pushed upward relative to the position of the spring 260 (as shown in broken lines in Fig. 16) to disengage the cam element 254 from the base 38. Together with the upper pressure maintained on the flap 258, the latch system 32 can be vertically adjusted as desired to accommodate the different lengths of tanks used in the mounting bracket assembly 12. Releasing the flap 258 allows the spring-adjusted cam element 254 to re-engage the base 38 and re-lock the vertical position of the system latch 32.

[0069] The cam system 248 allows quick, convenient adjustment of the latch system 32 relative to the mounting plate 30. This vertical adjustment previously required loosening and tightening of the screws 114 and nuts 118, adjustment of the nuts on the longitudinal rods relative to the mounting bracket assembly or other less effective adjustments.

[0070] Figs. 14-18 also show a powered latch or locking system 250 comprising an electric latch mechanism 274 attached to the latch bracket 276 that is connected to the latch system 32. As best seen in Fig. 17, the latch bracket 276 has an outer portion 278 , inner part 280 and middle part 282 connecting the outer and inner parts 278, 280. The electric latching mechanism 274 is connected to the outer portion 278 of the bracket 276 by screws 284 (Fig. 15) and the inner portion 280 of the bracket 276 is attached to the lower rear surface of the base plate 54 using screws 286 and nuts 288. The central portion 282 of the bracket 276 extends laterally and backwards from the outer part 278 to the inner part 280. The bracket 276 is designed to secure the electric latch mechanism 274 so that the electric latch mechanism 274 and the bracket 276 will move freely along the mounting plate 30 with any vertical movement of the latch system 32.

[0071] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the latch mechanism 274 is a latch of the powered rotary latch Part No. R4-EM-12-131, commercially available from Southco, Inc. of Concordville, Pennsylvania. This latch is described in detail in US Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0235767, published on September 24, 2009 as disclosed in '767 published application and as can be seen in Fig. 16, the latch mechanism 274 includes a housing 290 and a spring-set latch 292 movably attached within the housing 290 and movable between the open position and the closed position, the second position is shown in the drawings. Inside the housing 290, the spring-mounted latch is movably mounted and engageable with the latch 292 to cause a latch and when actuated, the motorized actuator assembly having a piston selectively moves the latch from the latch 292 engage to open. The connector 294 and wiring 296 are electrically connected to the actuator assembly and extend from the bottom of the housing 290 as seen in Figs. 14 and 16. The end portion 298 of the spring-adjusted latch projects below the housing 290 and is selectively engageable with the head piston 300, which is slidably mounted on separated hooks 302 extending downward from the bracket 276.

[0072] As seen in Fig. 18, the electrical installation 296 extending from the electric latching mechanism 274 is typically connected to various parts of the vehicle to allow control. That is, the electrical installation 296 is functionally via the corresponding electrical installation 304 with the parking brake switch 306 included in the vehicle's electrical system. A unique aspect of the disclosure is the inclusion of a control system 252 which is connected by a suitable electrical installation 308 to the parking brake switch 306 for final control of the selective unlocking of the latch mechanism 274 and the movement of the latch system 32 from the latched position. The control system 252 is exemplified as a single switch mounted inside the seat cushion 18. However, it should be understood that other switches may be included as part of the control system 252 that are located elsewhere in the vehicle. The control system 252 used with the latching mechanism 274 can be operated manually or alternatively by means of a remote control.

[0073] In use, coupling the reservoir to the actuator plate causes the pivot arm 50 downward until the pin 80 enters the notch on the latch 292 and is mechanically locked in the latch mechanism 274 in the latched position visible in Figs. 14, 15, 16 and 18. In the latched position, the latch 52 is engaged with the extreme end of the tank, such that the tank is positively attached to the mounting bracket assembly 12. The latched position is maintained so that the tank is securely held in place while the vehicle is moving, because an empty tank could cause injury to passengers in the event of a motor vehicle accident or in the event that the tank could otherwise loosen during normal vehicle travel. The latched position prevents the latch system 32 from rotating upwards and unintentionally releasing the tank unless the vehicle is first placed in a stationary and parking position, such as determined by actuating the parking brake switch 306 for positive engaging the parking brake.

[0074] When it is desired to release the reservoir from the mounting bracket assembly 12, the parking brake switch 306 is in the on position and the switch (s) of the control system 252 is / are in the off position. Turning on the control switch (s) 252, such as by using the handle 310 (Fig. 18), will allow the motorized actuator assembly to energize within the electric latch mechanism 274, so that the latch 292 will disengage the pin 88. The release of the pin 88 will allow the latch system 32 to spring up and automatically to the disengaged position, so that the reservoir can be removed.

[0075] Therefore, unless the parking brake switch 306 and the switch (i) of the control system 252 are both in the on position, it will usually be impossible to release the tank from the mounting bracket assembly 12. Removal of the tank is prevented unless the vehicle is in a stationary position and stationary, such as determined by the parking brake coupling by actuating the switch 306, and the tank release check is performed by simultaneously activating the control system 252 with one or more switches on the bottom of the seat 18 , switch (s) located elsewhere on the vehicle, which are connected to the electric latching mechanism 274 or by means of a remote actuation of the switch (s). An alternative control configuration can be used to detect that the vehicle transmission has been parked.

[0076] The control system 252 used in conjunction with the electric latch mechanism 274 ensures that the release of the tank will only occur under appropriate conditions when the vehicle is stationary and parked in a substantially even position. Without protection by the 252 control system, unwanted release of the tank may occur when the vehicle is stationary on a steep slope.

[0077] As a mechanical safety device, such as in the event of an electrical failure, the pawl 292 can be released from the pin 88 by sliding the piston 300 into engagement with the coupling part 298 (Fig. 18) inside the electric latch mechanism 274.