Patent ID: 8496294
Filing Date: 2013-07-30
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
1. A seat assembly for supporting an occupant above a floor, said seat assembly comprising: a seat cushion having a front end and an opposite rear end, said seat cushion adapted to be pivotally coupled to the floor about said front end for movement between a generally horizontal position and a generally vertical position wherein said rear end is disposed above said front end; a seat back operatively coupled to said seat cushion for pivotal movement between a generally upright seating position and a forwardly fold position; a recliner mechanism operatively to said seat back and selectively operable between a locked state preventing pivotal movement of said seat back and an unlocked state for providing pivotal movement of said seat back between said upright seating position, a plurality of reclined seating positions disposed rearwardly of said upright seating position, and said forwardly folded position; a support mechanism releasably coupled to said rear end of said seat cushion allowing said seat cushion to pivot between said generally horizontal position and said generally vertical position and said support mechanism is adapted to be releasably coupled to the floor; wherein said support mechanism is actuated in a first sense to actuate said recliner mechanism between said locked and unlocked state and automatically release said rear end of said seat cushion from said support mechanism in response to pivotal movement of said seat back from said upright seating position toward said forwardly folded position thereby causing said seat cushion to pivot from said generally horizontal position to said generally vertical position and defining a fold and stow position; and a stand-up link adapted to be pivotally coupled between the floor and said support mechanism, wherein said support mechanism is actuated in a second sense to actuate said recliner mechanism between said locked and unlocked state and to release said support mechanism from the floor such that said stand-up link moves said seat cushion from said generally horizontal position to said generally vertical position and simultaneously forces said seat back to pivot relative to said seat cushion in response to pivotal movement of said seat cushion, thereby maintaining said seat back in a generally vertical orientation and defining a stand-up position.