Patent ID: 6196612
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: B60N,B60R

Abstract:
An automotive vehicle (12, 12') and seat assembly (10, 10') in which:the vehicle (12, 12') includes an exterior shell (14) that defines and bounds a vehicle interior (16, 16');the seat assembly (12, 12') includes a platform (18, 18') including an upper seating surface (20, 20') supported on said vehicle (12, 12'), at least a portion of said upper seating surface (20, 20') extending outside said vehicle interior (16, 16') in a generally horizontal use position;the vehicle (12, 12') including a platform support structure (24, 24') engageable with said platform (18, 18') to support said platform (18, 18') in said use position;an opening (22, 22') is disposed in said exterior shell (14, 14'), said platform (18, 18') being movable through said opening (22, 22') between said use position and an interior stowed position within said vehicle interior (16, 16') to protect said platform (18, 18') from the elements and to prevent said platform (18, 18') from interfering with the operation of a vehicle bumper (26, 26') in a collision;said platform (18) defines an inclined plane when in said stowed position with an outer edge (38) of said platform (18) disposed higher than an inner edge (34) of said platform (18);said platform (18) is translationally movable along said inclined plane between said interior stowed position and an exterior raised position above said use position; andsaid platform (18) is pivotally movable between said raised position and said use position about a horizontal pivot axis (40) disposed adjacent and parallel to said platform inner edge (34).