Patent ID: 7823977
Filing Date: 2010-11-02
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
1. A vehicle seat arrangement comprising: a rail adapted for connection to a floor surface of a vehicle; a seat body slidably mounted on the rail, the seat body having a seat component, a pin, a locking bolt, and a backrest pivotally connected to the seat component and configured to pivot with respect to the seat component about a pivot axis between a generally upright position and a forward-tilted entry position, the seat body being configured for movement along the rail between a sitting position and an entry position disposed forward of the sitting position; a blocking member disposed proximate the rail, the blocking member configured to obstruct the seat body from moving rearward of the sitting position; and a locking mechanism supported on the seat body, the locking mechanism being configured to move between a locked position wherein the locking mechanism restrains the seat back in the forward-tilted entry position and a release position wherein the seat back is released to return to the generally upright position, the locking mechanism being biased towards the locked position and including a pawl configured to pivot about the pin, the pawl having a surface that defines a recess configured to releaseably engage the locking bolt; wherein the backrest is configured to act as a lever such that when a force is applied to the backrest in a direction toward the sitting position, the force is transferred through the backrest to the locking mechanism and wherein the force moves the locking mechanism from the locked position to the release position when the force exceeds a force biasing the locking mechanism towards the locked position.