Seat assembly with displaceable seat back recliner pivot

• US 6,902,236 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2001
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Magna Seating Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Magna Seating Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Tame, Omar D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): EDELL, JOSEPH F
• Application Number:
  US10/451,046
• Publication Number:
  US 20040061371A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,265 Days
• Field of Search: 297/331, 297/334, 297/335, 297/367, 297/378.12
• US Class Current: 297/335
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/206 to a position in which it can be used as a support for objects, e.g. as a tray
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2352 with external pawls
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3011 the back-rest being hinged on the cushion, e.g. "portefeuille movement"
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/305 the cushion being hinged on the vehicle frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3065 in a longitudinal-vertical plane
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/309 rods
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/36 into a loading platform B60N2/065 takes precedence

Abstract

A seat assembly having a seat back (11), a generally horizontal seat cushion (14), and a recliner mechanism (20) allowing for pivotal adjustment of the seat back about a first pivot axis (21) relative to the seat cushion and displacement of the first pivot axis about a second pivot axis (22) between forward and rearward positions. With the first pivot axis (21) in the forward position, the seat back is adjustable about the first pivot axis (21) between a plurality of reclined seating positions. With the first pivot axis in the rearward position, the seat back is adjustable about the first pivot axis between one of the reclined seating positions and a stowed position generally aligned against the seat cushion. The seat cushion is pivotally adjustable about a four bar linkage (17, 18) between a seating position and a stowed position. A link (80) interconnects the seat back and the seat cushion allowing movement of both the seat back and the seat cushion together between the respective seating and stowed positions.

Claims

1. A seat assembly for supporting an occupant above a floor of an automotive vehicle, said seat assembly comprising:

a seat cushion;

a plurality of legs each extending between one terminal end pivotally assembled to said seat cushion and an opposite terminal end adapted to be pivotally assembled to the floor for allowing movement of said seat cushion between a seating position spaced above the floor and a stowed position supported upon the floor;

a seat back;

a recliner assembly operatively coupled to said seat back for providing pivotal movement of said seat back relative to said seat cushion about a first pivot axis, and further allowing fore and aft displacement of said seat back about a second pivot axis between a forward position and a rearward position relative to said seat cushion;

a locking mechanism coupled to said seat back for selectively locking said seat back between a plurality of reclined seating positions about said first pivot axis and further allowing said seat back to move between said plurality of reclined seating positions and a stowed position aligned longitudinally with said seat cushion;

a link interconnecting said seat back and at least one of said plurality of legs for moving said seat cushion between said seating position and said stowed position in response to movement of said seat back between said plurality of reclined seating positions and said stowed position, respectively;

wherein said locking mechanism includes a floor bracket adapted to be fixedly mounted to the floor, a seat back bracket extending between an upper end pivotally assembled to said seat back for movement of said seat back about said first pivot axis and a lower end pivotally assembled to said floor bracket for movement of said seat back bracket about said second pivot axis between said forward and rearward positions, a sector of teeth extending from said seat back, and a pawl locking engagable with said sector of teeth to prevent pivotal movement of said seat back relative to said seat cushion and pivotally assembled to said seat back bracket for movement in and out of locking engagement with said sector of teeth;

said floor bracket including a first guide slot extending between a forward end and a rearward end and adapted for sliding engagement with said seat back bracket whereby said seat back is moveable between said forward and rearward position and a second guide slot slidably engaged with said pawl, said second guide slot extending between an upper portion for guiding said pawl in and out of engagement with said sector of teeth and an arcuate lower portion centered about said first pivot axis for guiding said pawl away from said sector of teeth during movement of said seat back between said plurality of reclined seating positions and said stowed position.

2. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said seat back bracket includes a first guide pin extending axially therefrom for sliding engagement within said first guide slot, wherein said seat back is movable between said forward position and said rearward position.

3. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said pawl includes a second guide pin extending axially therefrom slidably engaged with said second guide slot for urging said pawl in and out of engagement with said sector of gear teeth during movement of said seat back between said plurality of reclined seating positions and said stowed position.

4. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said seat back includes a third guide pin extending axially therefrom for pivotally interconnecting said seat back and upper end of said link.

5. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein an upper end of said link includes a third guide slot slidably engaged with said third guide pin for movement of said third guide pin therein during movement of said seat back between said plurality of reclined seating positions, wherein said seat cushion remains in said seating position.