Easy entry assist mechanism for vehicle pivotal seat
First Claim
1. In a vehicle a seat structure including a seat back connected to a seat cushion, a seat riser mounted on the underside of the cushion, said seat riser pivotally mounted on a vehicle floor for rotation from a first seat structure upright position, wherein said riser is releasably latched to the floor by a latch mechanism operable to be released by a first seat latch release handle, said seat riser adapted to be rotated upon operation of said first release handle to a second seat structure forwardly tilted stop position wherein said riser is inclined to the floor, the improvement comprising:
- a gas spring assisted latch assembly operative upon release of said latch mechanism for pivoting said seat structure from said upright position to said forwardly tilted position allowing easy access to the vehicle area rearwardly of said seat structure;
said gas spring actuator being extensible and retractable and constantly biased to an extended position, said gas spring actuator having its one end pivotally connected to said seat riser and its other end pivotally connected by bracket means to said vehicle floor;
a second side latch release handle adopted to release said latch mechanism, said second handle projecting outboard from said seat riser, whereby upon either said first or second release handle being operated resulting in release of said latching mechanism;
said gas spring actuator operative, upon release of said latch mechanism, to expand rotating said seat structure to said stop position and maintaining said seat structure in said stop position without passenger assistance until said seat structure is manually returned to said upright latched position by retracting said gas spring actuator under pressure and re-engaging said latch mechanism.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gas spring assisted latch assembly for an automotive vehicle seat structure which tilts the seat forwardly to an easy entry position without passenger assistance upon release of the latch. An extensible and retractable gas spring actuator is provided constantly biased toward its extended position. The actuator, which has its one end pivotally connected to the seat riser and its other end pivotally connected to the vehicle floor, is held in its retracted position by a latch mechanism releasably locking the seat structure in its upright mode. Release of the latch mechanism allows the actuator to apply a constant pushing force pivoting the seat to its forwardly tilted position. An improved dual actuated latch mechanism provides an alternative outboard side latch release handle for ready access from outside the vehicle in combination with an existing rear latch release handle.
58 Citations
4 Claims
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1. In a vehicle a seat structure including a seat back connected to a seat cushion, a seat riser mounted on the underside of the cushion, said seat riser pivotally mounted on a vehicle floor for rotation from a first seat structure upright position, wherein said riser is releasably latched to the floor by a latch mechanism operable to be released by a first seat latch release handle, said seat riser adapted to be rotated upon operation of said first release handle to a second seat structure forwardly tilted stop position wherein said riser is inclined to the floor, the improvement comprising:
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a gas spring assisted latch assembly operative upon release of said latch mechanism for pivoting said seat structure from said upright position to said forwardly tilted position allowing easy access to the vehicle area rearwardly of said seat structure; said gas spring actuator being extensible and retractable and constantly biased to an extended position, said gas spring actuator having its one end pivotally connected to said seat riser and its other end pivotally connected by bracket means to said vehicle floor; a second side latch release handle adopted to release said latch mechanism, said second handle projecting outboard from said seat riser, whereby upon either said first or second release handle being operated resulting in release of said latching mechanism; said gas spring actuator operative, upon release of said latch mechanism, to expand rotating said seat structure to said stop position and maintaining said seat structure in said stop position without passenger assistance until said seat structure is manually returned to said upright latched position by retracting said gas spring actuator under pressure and re-engaging said latch mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification