Patent ID: 9061605
Filing Date: 2015-06-23
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
1. A seat assembly comprising: a seat cushion; a seat back pivotally coupled to said seat cushion, said seat back pivotal between a seating position and a fold-flat position overlying said seat cushion; a recliner operatively coupled between said seat back and said seat cushion, said recliner operable between a locked condition securing said seat back relative to said seat cushion and an unlocked condition allowing pivotal movement of said seat back relative to said seat cushion; a recliner handle pivotally coupled to said seat cushion and operatively coupled to said recliner, wherein pivoting said recliner handle in a first direction actuates said recliner to said unlocked condition allowing pivotal movement of said seat back between said seating position and said fold-flat position; an EZ-entry link pivotally coupled to said seat cushion, said EZ-entry link pivotal between a first position and a second position; a walk-in handle pivotally coupled to said seat cushion and operatively coupled to said recliner, wherein pivoting said walk-in handle in a second direction actuates said recliner to said unlocked condition allowing pivotal movement of said seat back toward a forwardly inclined dump position between said seating and fold-flat positions, and wherein pivoting said walk-in handle in said second direction simultaneously pivots said EZ-entry link to an intermediate position between said first and second positions; wherein said pivotal movement of said seat back toward said dump position urges said EZ-entry link from said intermediate position to said second position, said second position of said EZ-entry link blocking said pivotal movement of said seat back in said dump position; a drive lever operatively coupled between said recliner and each of said recliner handle and said walk-in handle for actuating said recliner between said locked and unlocked conditions in response to pivotal movement of each of said recliner handle and said walk-in handle; and a connecting rod having a first end connected to said recliner handle and an opposite second end slidably connected to said drive lever wherein said drive lever includes an elongated slot formed therein for receiving said second end of said connecting rod for pivoting said drive lever and actuating said recliner between said locked and unlocked conditions in response to pivotal movement of said recliner handle while preventing pivotal movement of said recliner handle in response to pivotal movement of said walk-in handle.