Patent ID: 6361098
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
A seat assembly for a vehicle comprising:a seat back; a seat bench operatively connected to the seat back, wherein the seat back pivots relative to the seat bench and is pivotable between to a generally upright position and a generally horizontal position onto the seat bench; and a riser assembly having front and rear latch assemblies including a front and rear latch for engaging and disengaging respective front and rear anchors formed in a floor of the vehicle and is pivotable in a forward direction upon release of the rear latch, the riser assembly supporting the seat back and connected seat bench, a latch plate positioned on a forward section of the riser assembly; the latch plate pivotable about the floor of the vehicle upon release of the front latch, whereby as the front latch is disengaged and the riser assembly moves rearward, the riser assembly pivots about the floor of the vehicle, thereby preventing the front latch from engaging the front anchor; a latch for locking the seat back in one of the generally upright position and the generally horizontal position, the latch being releasable to enable varying the position of the seat back between the generally upright and generally horizontal positions; wherein the riser assembly, the seat back, and the seat bench may assume any one of the following configurations: a seating position wherein the front and rear latches engage the respective front and rear anchors, and the seat back is in the generally upright position to enable an occupant to sit on the seat bench; an entry position wherein the seat back is in the generally upright position, the rear latch is disengaged, and the riser assembly is pivoted forward to facilitate access to and egress from an area behind the seat assembly; a first cargo position wherein the seat back is pivoted to the generally horizontal position on top of the seat bench; a second cargo position wherein the seat back is pivoted to the generally horizontal position on top of the seat bench, the rear latch is disengaged, and the riser assembly is pivoted forward to provide a cargo space vacated by the seat assembly; and a removal position wherein the front and rear latches are disengaged enabling removal of the seat assembly.