Interlocking rear seat and package tray assembly

• US 5,921,605 A
• Filed: 12/18/1997
• Issued: 07/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Musukula, Vijay, Masters, James
• Primary Examiner(s): AVILA, STEPHEN P
• Application Number:
  US08/992,948
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.16, 296/63, 296/68.1, 296/136
• US Class Current: 296/63
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0224 Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02253 characterised by the transmission between the electric motor and the seat or seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0264 characterised by the type of electrical connection, e.g. wiring, plugs or USB
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0296 Central command actuator to selectively switch on or engage one of several special purpose circuits or mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0715 C or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0747 the opening of the cross section being oriented in a direction different from the vertical, e.g. transversal
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0806 with pin alignment systems, e.g. with at least one of a plurality of locking pins always aligned w.r.t. at least one of a plurality of pin-receiving elements
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5825 by hooks, staples, clips, snap fasteners or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5891 characterised by the manufacturing process; manufacturing seat coverings not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/682 Joining means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/686 Panel like structures
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/688 Particular seat belt attachment and guiding
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/70 Upholstery springs ; Upholstery
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/72 Attachment or adjustment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/986 Side-rests B60N2/2872, B60N2/885 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2022/1818 Belt guides
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/18 Anchoring devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 22/26 secured to the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 5/044 : luggage covering means, e.g. parcel shelves

Abstract

An automotive rear seat assembly having a seat back with a top and a bottom for supporting the back of an occupant. A package tray extends from the top of the seat back to an outer periphery. The package tray has a first appendage and a second appendage. A rotational connection is disposed between the package tray and the top of the seat back which pivotally interconnects the first appendage of the package tray to the seat back. The rear seat assembly may be shipped in a first position with the package tray overlying the seat back and installed in a vehicle in a second position by rotating the package tray relative to the seat back to a position transverse to the seat back. The top of the seat back has a C-shaped receptacle and the second appendage of the package tray has a projecting tab. The projecting tab engages the receptacle to mechanically interlock the package tray to the top of the seat back when the package tray is in the second position transverse to the seat back.

Claims

1. An automotive rear seat assembly, comprising:

a seat back having a top and a bottom,

a package tray extending from said top of said seat back to an outer periphery,

a rotational connection rotatably interconnecting said package tray with said top of said seat back, said package tray may be rotated relative to said seat back from a first position substantially overlying said seat back to a second position transverse to said seat back,

said top of said seat back having at least one receptacle and said package tray having at least one projecting tab, said projecting tab engages said receptacle to mechanically interlock said package tray to said top of said seat back when said package tray is in said second position.

2. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said seat back includes a back frame, said rotational connection interconnecting said back frame and said package tray.

3. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said package tray includes a top surface and a bottom surface defining at least one cavity between said top and bottom surfaces.

4. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein said package tray includes a top surface and a bottom surface, a first appendage forming at least a portion of said bottom surface of said package tray and a second appendage forming at least a portion of said top surface of said package tray.

5. An assembly as set forth in claim 1, further including at least one seat belt retractor mounted to said package tray.

6. An assembly as set forth in claim 5, further including at least one slot disposed within said package tray, and a seat belt disposed within said at least one seat belt retractor, said seat belt extending outwardly through said at least one slot.

7. An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said rotational connection comprises a clip and a cylindrical section rotatably disposed in said clip.

8. An assembly as set forth in claim 7, wherein said clip is secured to said back frame and said cylindrical section is secured to said package tray.

9. An assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said back frame comprises a top portion and two side portions extending downwardly from said top portion.

10. An assembly as set forth in claim 9, wherein a clip is secured along said top portion of said back frame.

11. An assembly as set forth in claim 10, wherein said side portions each include a snap for securing said back frame to a support beam.

12. An assembly as set forth in claim 11, further including right and left seating surfaces each having a pair of snaps, said right and left seating surfaces are pivotally retained to said support beam between said side portions and below said top portion of said back frame.

13. An assembly as set forth in claim 14, further including at least one seat belt restraint secured to said support beam.

14. An assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said seat back has two receptacles and said second appendage has two projecting tabs for respective interlocking engagement with said two receptacles.

15. An assembly as set forth in claim 14 further including a retaining material disposed between said receptacles and said tabs to assist in securing said tabs to said receptacles.

16. An automotive rear seat assembly, comprising:

a seat back having a top and a bottom;

a package tray extending from said seat back;

a package tray extending from said seat back;

at least one seat belt retractor mounted to said package tray; and

a rotational connection for rotatably interconnecting said package tray with the top of said seat back such that said package tray is rotatable relative to said seat back from a first position substantially overlying said seat back to a second position transverse to said seat back.

17. An assembly according to claim 16, further including at least one slot formed in said package tray, and further including a seat belt disposed within said at least one seat belt retractor, said seat belt extending outwardly through the at least one slot.

18. An assembly according to claim 16, wherein the top of said seat back includes at least one receptacle and said package tray includes at least one projecting tab, said projecting tab engaging said receptacle to mechanically interlock said package tray to the top of said seat back when said package tray is in the second position.

19. An automotive rear seat assembly, comprising:

a seat back having a top and a bottom and including a back frame, said back frame including a top portion and two side portions extending downwardly from said top portion;

a support beam extending between said two side portions;

at least one seat belt restraint secured to said support beam;

a package tray extending from said seat back; and

a rotational connection for rotatably interconnecting said package tray with the top of said seat back such that said package tray is rotatable relative to said seat back from a first position substantially overlying said seat back to a second position transverse to said seat back.

20. An assembly according to claim 19, further including a snap for securing said back frame to said support beam.

21. An assembly according to claim 19, wherein the top of said seat back includes at least one receptacle and said package tray includes at least one projecting tab, said projecting tab engaging said receptacle to mechanically interlock said package tray to the top of said seat back when said package tray is in the second position.