Patent ID: 8336961
Filing Date: 2012-12-25
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
1. A seat assembly for supporting an occupant above a floor in an automotive vehicle, said seat assembly comprising: a seat cushion extending between front and rear ends, said front end adapted to be pivotally coupled to the floor for pivotal movement between a generally horizontal seating position and a generally vertical kneeling position; a seat back pivotally coupled to said rear end of said seat cushion and adapted to be releasably secured to the floor; and a drive link adapted to be pivotally coupled between the floor and said seat back, wherein said drive link urges said seat back to pivot relative to said seat cushion between a first vertical position and a second vertical position as said seat cushion pivots between said seating and kneeling positions thereby maintaining said seat back in a generally vertical orientation; and a hinge bracket adapted to be releasably coupled to the floor and operatively coupled between said seat back and said seat cushion, wherein said hinge bracket is pivotally coupled to said rear end of said seat cushion for maintaining said vertical orientation of said seat back during pivotal movement of said seat cushion between said seating and kneeling positions, and wherein said rear end of said seat cushion is releasably coupled to said hinge bracket for pivotal movement between said seating and kneeling positions independent of said seat back.