Patent ID: 6793285
Filing Date: 2004-09-21
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle comprising:a seat cushion for supporting a seat occupant on said seat assembly; a seat back operatively coupled to said seat cushion for pivotal movement between a generally upright seating position and a forwardly folded position pivoted against said seat cushion; a seat back pivot mechanism coupled to said seat back and operable between a locked position locking said seat back in said upright seating position and an unlocked position for providing pivotal movement of said seat back between said upright seating position and said folded position; a front seat riser adapted to secure said seat assembly to the vehicle, said front seat riser pivotally coupled to said seat cushion for pivoting said seat cushion between a generally horizontal seating position and a generally upright tumbled position; a rear seat riser adapted to releasably secure said seat assembly to the vehicle, said rear seat riser including a locking latch operable between a latched position for releasably latching said rear seat riser to the vehicle with said seat cushion in said seating position and an unlatched position for releasing said rear seat riser from the vehicle to allow said seat cushion to pivot from said seating position to said tumble position; a blocking member coupled between said seat back and said locking latch, said blocking member operable in a first blocking position for engaging said seat back in said upright seating position and preventing said locking latch from releasing from said latched position to said unlatched position when said seat back is locked by said seat back pivot mechanism in said upright seating position, and a second blocking position for engaging said seat back in said folded position when said locking latch is in said unlatched position and preventing pivotal movement of said seat back from said folded position to said seating position until said locking latch is returned to said latched position latching said rear seat riser to the vehicle with said seat cushion in said seating position, and said locking latch including a latch gate pivotally connected to said rear seat riser for pivotal movement between 1) an open position engaging and retaining said locking latch in said unlatched position when said seat cushion is released and pivotal between said seating position and said tumble position and for retaining said blocking member in said second blocking position until said locking latch is returned to said latched position and 2) a closed position disengaged from said locking latch when said locking latch is in said locked position.