Patent ID: 8757722
Filing Date: 2014-06-24
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
1. A seat assembly including a seat back operatively coupled to a seat cushion for pivotal movement between an upright seating position, a forwardly dumped position and a fold flat position overlying the seat cushion, said seat assembly comprising: a recliner mechanism adapted for operatively coupling the seat back and the seat cushion and providing selective pivotal movement therebetween; a release shaft rotatably coupled to said recliner mechanism for actuating said recliner mechanism between a locked condition preventing pivotal movement of the seat back and an unlocked condition allowing pivotal movement of the seat back; a recliner release lever fixedly secured to said release shaft, wherein pivoting said recliner release lever in a first direction actuates said recliner mechanism from said locked condition to said unlocked condition; an easy-entry release lever pivotally coupled to said release shaft, said easy-entry release lever including a first arm having a drive pin and a second arm having a release pin; a drive link adapted to be pivotally coupled to the seat back, said drive link including a catch pin; and a sector pivotally coupled to said release shaft, said sector including a first leg and a second leg, wherein said first and second legs define a recess therebetween; wherein actuating said easy-entry release lever in said first direction causes said drive pin to engage and pivot said drive link in said first direction thereby moving said catch pin into said recess of said sector, and wherein actuating said easy-entry release lever in said first direction simultaneously causes said release pin to engage and pivot said recliner release lever in said first direction thereby actuating said recliner mechanism from said locked condition to said unlocked condition allowing forward pivotal movement of the seat back from the upright seating position, said drive link moving with the seat back and said catch pin engaging said first leg of said sector thereby causing said sector to pivot in a second direction, opposite said first direction, until said sector is blocked and the seat back is in the forwardly dumped position; wherein actuating said recliner release lever in said first direction actuates said recliner mechanism from said locked condition to said unlocked condition allowing forward pivotal movement of the seat back from the upright seating position, said drive link moving with the seat back and said catch pin passing by said first leg of said sector allowing the seat back to pivot to the fold flat position.