Patent ID: 7494173
Filing Date: 2009-02-24
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
1. A laterally retractable vehicle seat which includes a seat portion comprising a seat cushion and a seat back rotatably connected with said seat cushion in combination with a body of a vehicle and a floor of the vehicle, said seat portion being displaceable in a direction laterally of said vehicle body towards a selected one of: a use position where the seat portion is set on said floor of said vehicle; and a non-use storage position where the seat portion is stored adjacent to said body of said vehicle, said laterally retractable vehicle seat comprising: a support base element provided in said body of said vehicle; a connecting arm having: one end rotatably connected via a shaft with said support base element; and another end fixedly connected with said seat portion; a motor securely provided in said seat portion, said motor being electrically connected with said switch element; a drive shaft rotatably supported in said seat portion so as to be in parallel with said shaft associated with said connecting arm; a drive transmission operatively connected between said motor and said drive shaft; a first support link having: one end fixed to said drive shaft; and a free end; and a second support link having: one end pivotally connected with said support base element; and another end pivotally connected with said free end of said first support link; wherein operation of said motor by turning on said switch element results in rotation of said drive shaft which in turn causes movement of both said first and second support links, thereby causing rotation of said connecting arm relative to said shaft, whereby said seat portion is displaced in said direction laterally of said vehicle body towards a selected on of said use position and said non-use storage position.