Patent ID: 6347834
Filing Date: 2002-02-19
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
A vehicle seat assembly for installation on a floor of a vehicle having a longitudinal axis, said floor having a stop means positioned behind the seat assembly when so installed, said seat assembly comprising:a seat cushion member mountable on the floor; a seatback member having inboard and outboard sides, a loadable back surface extending between a lower extent and an upper extent, and at least one lockable member mounted on the seatback member adjacent said lower extent thereof; said seatback member being movable between a generally upright occupiable configuration in which said loadable back surface is positioned in a generally rearwardly facing, vertical orientation and said at least one lockable member is retained in closely held juxtaposed proximity to a rearward extent of the seat cushion member, and a substantially horizontal load supporting configuration which said loadable back surface is positioned in a generally horizontal, upwardly facing relation and said at least one lockable member is rearwardly displaced from said closely held juxtaposed proximity; a locking means operatively mounted on the seat cushion member and adapted to be selectively movable between a locked configuration whereat said at least one lockable member is retained by said locking means in said closely held juxtaposed proximity, and an unlocked configuration wherein said at least one lockable member is released by said locking means from said closely held juxtaposed proximity; a link means operatively interconnected between said seatback member and said seat cushion member for controlling movement of the seatback member relative to the seat cushion member between said generally upright occupiable configuration and said substantially horizontal load supporting configuration when said locking means is in said unlocked configuration; and, roller means operatively mounted on said seatback member adjacent said lower extent for supporting said seatback member in rolling relation as it moves between said generally upright occupiable configuration and said substantially horizontal load supporting configuration.