Remote Release Seat Cushion Lock With One Hand Operation

Abstract

A seat assembly supports an occupant in a passenger compartment of a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion pivotally coupled to the vehicle for movement about a first pivot axis between a generally horizontal seating position and a generally upright stowed position. The first pivot axis being fixed with respect to the vehicle. The seat assembly also includes a seat back pivotally coupled to seat cushion for pivotal movement relative to the seat cushion about a second pivot axis, such that the seat back is displaced rearwardly as the seat cushion is moved toward the stowed position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a side elevational view of a seat assembly according to the invention, shown with the seat cushion in the seat position;

FIG. 1B is an enlarged side view of the seat back frame when the seat cushion (not shown) is in the seating position;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged side view of the seat assembly with the seat cushion in the stowed position;

FIG. 2B is an enlarged side view of the seat back frame when the seat cushion (not shown) is in the stowed position

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the frame of the seat assembly with the seat cushion in the seating position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the seat back frame when the seat cushion (not shown) is in the seating position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a release lever for releasing the seat cushion from the seating position; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the release lever in an actuated position.

Claims

1. A seat assembly for supporting an occupant in a passenger compartment of a vehicle, said seat assembly comprising: a seat cushion pivotally coupled to the vehicle for movement about a first pivot axis between a generally horizontal seating position and a generally upright stowed position, the first pivot axis being fixed with respect to the vehicle; anda seat back pivotally coupled to seat cushion for pivotal movement relative to the seat cushion about a second pivot axis, such that the seat back is displaced rearwardly as the seat cushion is moved toward the stowed position.

2. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein an upper end of the seat back is slidably coupled to the vehicle to allow generally vertical displacement of the seat back during actuation of the seat cushion between the seating position and the stowed position.

3. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 2 including a hook extending from a back surface of the seat back, the hook having a substantially vertical slot slidably engaged with an outwardly extending striker from the vehicle allowing generally vertical movement of the seat back during actuation of the seat cushion between the seating position and the stowed position.

4. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein the seat back slides generally vertically and pivots about the striker to accommodate the pivotal movement of the seat cushion about the first pivot axis between the seating position and the stowed position.

5. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a locking mechanism for releasably locking the seat cushion in the seating and stowed position.

6. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism is actuated by a lever located along a side surface of the seat cushion adjacent a front edge of the seat cushion.

7. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein the lever pivots upwardly when actuated to facilitate lifting of the seat cushion from the seating position toward the stowed position.

8. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 including a riser fixedly secured to both the floor and a back wall of the vehicle.

9. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 8 including a pivot bracket pivotally coupled to the riser for pivotal movement about the first pivot axis.

10. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein the seat cushion is fixedly secured to the pivot bracket for pivotal movement about the first pivot axis between the seating position and the stowed position.

11. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein the seat back is pivotally coupled to the pivot bracket for pivotal movement about the second pivot axis.