FOLD AND TUMBLE SEAT SUPPORT ASSEMBLY

Abstract: A fold and tumble seat support assembly (10) for removably securing a vehicle seat to a pair of front and rear strikers (12, 14) on the floor (16) of a vehicle. The seat support assembly includes a riser (20) having a pair of forward (32) and rearward (34) legs. A rear latch (36) is pivotally connected to each of the rearward legs (34) and operable by a first linkage mechanism (40) to latch and unlatch with the rear strikers (14). A front latch (64) is pivotally connected to each of the forward legs (32) and operable by a front latch handle (68) to latch and unlatch with the front strikers. A rear support leg (74) supports the rearward legs (34) of the riser above the vehicle floor (16). A foot bracket (56) is pivotally connected to each of the forward legs (32) for supporting the riser (20) above the vehicle floor (16) between both a generally horizontal use position and a forwardly pivoted tumbled position. A second linkage mechanism (72) is connected between the foot brackets (56) and the rear support legs (74) for automatically retracting the rear support legs (74) against the riser (20) in response to pivotal movement of the seat about the foot bracket (56) from the use position to the tumbled position. A pair of front (92) and rear (96) wheels are connected to the foot brackets (56) and rearward legs (74), respectively, for providing rolling support of the seat when removed from the vehicle in a roll-away position.

Description: FOLD AND TUMBLE SEAT SUPPORT ASSEMBLY 1. Field of Invention The subject invention relates to a fold and tumble seat support assembly for removably securing a vehicle seat to the floor of a vehicle. 2. Background of Invention Automotive vehicle rear seats often include a seat support assembly for removably supporting the seat to the floor of a vehicle. The seat support assemblies often also provide for pivoting of the seat between a use position for supporting an occupant on the seat and a forwardly pivoted position or tumbled position. These seat support assemblies are often referred to as fold and tumble seat mechanisms. The seat back portion of the seat can fold onto the seat cushion and then the entire seat can tumble forward from the use position to the tumbled position. These mechanisms provide an ingress/egress path for a passenger to or from behind the seat, and provide quick additional cargo room by folding the seat back flat to the seat cushion prior to rotating or pivoting forwardly to the tumbled position. One type of fold and tumble seat mechanism utilizes four floor strikers to attach the seat to the floor. The seat rotates forward, when the rear latch mechanisms are released from the two rear strikers, by pivoting on the front two strikers. Once the two rear latches are released, the seat rotates forward by an applied force supplied by a spπng loaded leg which is attached to the seat mechanism base or riser at one end and acts against the floor at the other end. The leg end acting against the floor contains a wheel that rolls on the floor as the seat mechanism rotates forward. The rear latch areas of the mechanism may or may not be designed to tuck into the seat mechanism as the seat tilts forward. Once the seat rotates to its full forward position, the front two latches can be released to remove the seat from the vehicle. The seat back may or may not need to be folded flat to the seat cushion prior to intended seat removal. There is minimal, if any, under-seat storage intended due to the chosen design. Another type of fold and tumble seat mechanism utilizes six floor strikers to attach the seat to the floor. There are two strikers for each front latch mechanism and one striker for each rear latch mechanism. The seat rotates forward, when the rear latch mechanisms are released from the two rear strikers, by pivoting on the front two latch legs of the seat mechanism which are latched to the front stπkers. Once the two rear latches are released, the seat rotatesforward by an applied force supplied by a spπng load between the front latch legs and the πser. The rear latch areas of the mechanism are designed to tuck into the seat mechanism, by a link connected from the front latch leg to the rear latch leg, as the seat tilts forward. Once the seat rotates to its full forward position, the front two latches can be released to remove the seat from the vehicle. The seat back may or may not need to be folded flat to the seat cushion pπor to intended seat removal. Again, there is minimal, if any, under-seat storage intended due to the chosen design. There are several inadequacies of each of the aforementioned designs. Neither design provides any under-seat storage and when the seats are removed from the vehicle and placed on the ground, the latch mechanisms support the seat weight which could damage the mechanism or the surface its resting upon. The first type of fold and tumble mechanism uses the roller leg to supply the load to rotate the seat. This makes the reinstallation of the seat to the vehicle more difficult for the customer. Additionally, the roller can create a wear pattern on the floor. Finally, debris on the floor can interfere with the intended function of the roller leg. The second type of fold and tumble mechanism uses six stπkers to mount the seat, which is an added cost to the vehicle. Latching and unlatching the seat from the front stπkers is more difficult for the passenger because the front latch mechanisms hook on one of the front strikers and latch to the other. Additionally, visibility for performing this process is poor, creating some of the difficulty. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A seat support assembly for removable secuπng a vehicle seat to a pair of front and rear stπkers on the floor of a vehicle compπses a riser having a forward leg and a rearward leg for supporting the seat above the vehicle floor. A rear latch is pivotally coupled to the rearward leg of the πser for releasably secuπng the seat to the rear stπker. A first linkage mechanism extends between the πser and the rear latch for moving the rear latch between a latched position for engaging the rear stπker and an unlatched position for disengaging from the rear stπker. A foot bracket is pivotally coupled to the forward leg of the πser for suppoπmg the seat above the vehicle floor between a generally hoπzontal use position with the rear latch in the latched position and a tumbled position with the πser pivoted forwardly about the foot bracket with the rear latch in the unlatched position. A rear support leg is pivotally coupled to the rearward leg of the πser and pivotal between a support position for supporting the seat above the vehicle floor and stowed position retracted against the πser A front latch is pivotally coupled to the foot bracket for releasably secuπng the seat to the front stπkers. Finally, a second linkage mechamsm is coupled between the foot bracket and the rear support leg for automatically retracting the rear support leg from the support position to the stowed position, while the first linkage mechanism automatically pivots the rear latch from an extended position for movement between said latched and unlatched positions and a retracted position folded against the πser, in response to pivotal movement of the πser about the foot bracket from the use position to the tumbled position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed descπption when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the fold and tumble seat support assembly of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the seat support assembly of Figure 1, illustrated in a use and latched position; Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the seat support assembly of Figure 1, illustrated in a tumbled position: and Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the seat support assembly of Figure 1. illustrated m a roll-away condition. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referπng to Figure 1, a fold and tumble seat support assembly of the present invention is generally shown at 10. The seat support assembly 10 removably secures a vehicle seat to a pair of front and rear stπkers 12.14 on the floor 16 of a vehicle. The seat includes a seat cushion frame 18 and a seat back mounted to the top of a riser 20 for supporting the seat above the vehicle floor 16 in a manner well known in the art. The πser 20 has a generally inverted U- shaped configuration, when viewed from the front or rear of the seat support assembly 10. The πser 20 has front and rear latches, as will be discussed in greater detail herein below, which releasably connect the seat support assembly 10 to the floor 16 of the vehicle The floor 16 has - 3 - SUBSTΓΓIΠΈ SHEET (RULE 26) a channel 22 having a recessed sub-floor 24 in which the stπkers 12,14 are mounted. The use of stπkers mounted in channels is more fully descπbed in United States Patent No. 5,372,398, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by way of reference. The πser 20 includes an upper platform 26 for supporting the seat cushion frame 18 which extends between first 28 and second 30 sides on each side thereof which significantly space the upper platform 26 above the vehicle floor 16 providing under-seat storage. The sides 28,30 are generally the same on each side of the πser 20 and thus only one side need be descπbed. Each side 28,30 compπses a forward leg 32 and rearward leg 34. A rear latch 36 is pivotally connected at pin 38 to the rearward leg 34 of the riser 20 for releasably secuπng the seat to the rear stπker 14 A first linkage mechanism 40 extends between the πser 20 and the rear latch 36 for moving the rear latch 36 between a latched position for engaging the rear stπker 14, as shown in Figure 2, and an unlatched position for disengaging the rear striker 14, as shown in phantom in Figure 2. The first linkage mechanism 40 includes a rear latch handle 42 pivotally secured by pm 44 to the side 28,30 of the πser 20 and coupled to the rear latch 36 for moving the rear latch 36 between the latched and unlatched position. The first link mechanism 40 further includes a fixed link 46 fixedly secured to the rear latch 36 for rotation therewith, a first link 48 fixedly secured to the rear latch handle 42, and a second link 50 having opposite ends pivotally connected at pms 52, 54 between the fixed link 46 and the first link 48, respectively. The links 46,48,50 transfer pivotal movement of the rear latch handle 42 to pivotal movement of the rear latch 36 duπng movement between the latched and unlatched positions. A coil spπng 39 is secured between the pin 38 and latch 36 to continuously bias the latch 36 in the clockwise or latching direction engaging the rear stπker 14. A foot bracket 56 is pivotally connected at pm 88 to the forward leg 32 for supporting the seat above the vehicle floor 16 between a generally hoπzontal use position with the rear latch 36 in the latched position, as shown in Figure 2, and a tumbled position with the πser 20 pivoted forwardly about the foot bracket 56 with the rear latch 36 in the unlatched position, as shown in Figure 3 The foot bracket 56 has generally triangular configuration with the pivot at pin 88 slightly offset from the center thereof A forward lower comer of the foot bracket 56 has a pad 60 for contacting the sub-floor 24 The foot bracket 56 further includes an open notch 62 adjacent the pad 60 for receiving the front stπker 12 A front latch 64 is pivotally connected at pin 66 to the foot bracket 56 for releasably securing the seat to the front striker 12. A front latch handle 68 is fixedly secured to the front latch 64 for moving, or pivoting, the latch 64 between a latched position for engaging the front striker 12 when the riser 20 is in each of the use and tumbled positions, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and an unlatched position for disengaging the front striker 12 and removing the seat from the vehicle floor in a roll-away position as shown in Figure 4. The front latch handle 68 is a wire or tubular member which interconnects both the front latches 64 for ganged operation. The front latch 64 includes a J-shaped hook portion 70 for closing the open notch 62 of the foot bracket 56, capturing the front striker 12 therein and securing the riser 20 to the front striker 12 in the latched position. A rear support leg 74 is pivotally connected to the rearward leg 34 of the riser 20 and pivotal between a support position for supporting the seat above the vehicle floor, as shown in Figure 2, and a stowed position retracted against the riser 20, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. More specifically, the rear support leg 74 is pivotally connected to both the rearward leg 34 and the rear latch 36 by the pin 38 for engaging the rear striker 14 and supporting the riser 20 on the vehicle floor 16 in the use position. The rear support leg 74 includes on open notch 76 for receiving the rear striker 14 and supporting the riser 20 above the vehicle floor 16. The rear latch 36 includes a J-shaped hook portion 78 for closing the open notch 76, capturing the rear striker 14, and securing the riser 20 to the rear striker 14 in the latched position. A second linkage mechanism 72 is coupled between the foot bracket 56 and the rear support leg 74 for automatically retracting the rear support leg 74 from the support position to the stowed position, while the first linkage mechanism 40 automatically pivots the rear latch 36 from an extended position for movement between the latched and unlatched positions, as shown in Figure 2. and a retracted position folded against the riser 20, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, in response to pivotal movement of the riser 20 about the foot bracket 56 from the use position to the tumbled position. The second linkage mechanism 72 includes a longitudinally extending link rod 80 having a first end pivotally connected at the pin 58 on the foot bracket 56 and a second end pivotally connected at pin 84 to the rear support leg 74 for automatically retracting the rear support leg 74 against the πser 20 in response to the pivotal movement of the riser 20 about the foot bracket 56 from the use position to the tumbled position. A spiral spπng 86 is fixedly secured between the foot bracket 56 by pm 88 and the forward leg 32 of the πser 20 by pin 90 for continuously biasmg the πser 20 toward the tumbled position. 5 A front wheel 92 is rotatably attached by axle 94 to the rearward corner of the foot bracket 56 for further supporting the πser 20 in each of the use and tumbled positions and for movably supporting the forward leg 32 when the seat is removed from the vehicle floor 16 in the roll-away position. That is, in the use position and the tumbled position, both the pad 60 of the foot bracket 56 and the front wheel 92 contact the sub-floor 24 to support the πser 20. 10 A rear wheel 96 is rotatably attached by axle 98 to the rearward leg 34. The rear wheel 96 is spaced above the vehicle floor 16 when the rear latch 36 is in the extended position and extends below the rear latch 36 in the retracted position for movably supporting the rearward leg 34 of the πser 20 when the seat is removed from the vehicle floor 16 in the roll-away 15 position. The rear wheel 96 is also spaced above the vehicle floor 16 when the rear support leg 74 is in the support position and extends below the leg 74 in the stowed position. In operation, to move the seat from the use position to the tumbled position, the user simply rotates the rear latch handle 42 in the counterclockwise direction. The first linkage 20 mechanism 40 transfers the rotational movement of the handle 42 to rotation of the rear latch 36 to release the hook portion 78 from the rear stoker 14 The continuously biasing force of the spiral spπng 86 will urge the seat to pivot forwardly to the tumbled position Obviously, depending on the strength of the spπng 86, some user assistance mav be necessary for the seat to fully fumble The seat will rotate about the pin 88 of the foot bracket 56. Since the foot 25 bracket 56 is stationary, the link rod 80 of the second linkage mechanism 72 will automatically force the rear support leg 74 to retract from the support position to the stowed position. Also, the coil spπng 39 of the first linkage mechanism 40 will automatically force the rear latch 36 to rotate about the pin 38 to the retracted position against the πser 20 as shown in Figure 3. More specifically, as the rear support leg 74 is forced to rotate to the retracted position, the coil spπng 30 39 forces the rear latch 36 to rotate with the leg 74 to the retracted position. The retraction of both the rear support leg 74 and the rear latch 36 optimizes ingress and egress, as well as storage, behind the seat in the rumbled position The rear latch handle 42 maintains it oπentation with respect to the riser 20 via the first linkage mechanism 40 having pivot pins - 6 - SUBSTΓΓUTE SHEET (RULE 26) 52,54 connecting the second link 50 between the first link 48 and the fixed link 46. When the seat is rotated back from the tumbled position to the use position, the rear support leg 74 automatically returns to its extended position for support against the rear stπker 14 and simultaneously forces the rear latch 36 to return to its extended position for automatic engagement with the rear stoker 14. In the tumbled position, the seat may also be completely unlatched from the vehicle floor 16 and removed from the vehicle. In the tumbled position, the front latch handle 68 is pivoted to disengage the front latch 64 from the front stoker 12. When the entire seat is removed and lowered to a generally hoπzontal position, the front wheels 92 support the forward legs 32 and the rear wheels 96 support the rearward legs 34 to provide rolling movement of the seat in the roll-away position. The rear support leg 74 and the rear latch 36 are retained in the stowed and retracted positions, respectively, against the πser 20 to expose the rear wheels 96 and prevent contact of all the wheel 92,96 with the support floor of the seat or damage thereto by the weight of the seat. Thus, the entire seat can be rolled away for easy removal and storage. The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words of descπption rather than of limitation. Many modification and vaπations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, it is to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically descπbed. - 7 - SUBSTΠUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. A seat support assembly for removably securing a vehicle seat to a pair of front and rear stokers on the floor of a vehicle, said support assembly comprising: a riser for supporting the seat above the vehicle floor, said riser having a forward leg and a rearward leg; a rear latch pivotally coupled to said rearward leg of said riser for releasably securing the seat to the rear stoker; a first linkage mechanism extending between said riser and said rear latch for moving said rear latch between a latched position for engaging the rear striker and an unlatched position for disengaging from the rear stoker; a foot bracket pivotally coupled to said forward leg of said riser for supporting the seat above the vehicle floor between a generally horizontal use position with said rear latch in said latched position and a tumbled position with said riser pivoted forwardly about said foot bracket with said rear latch in said unlatched position; a rear support leg pivotally coupled to said rearward leg of said riser and pivotal between a support position for supporting the seat above the vehicle floor and stowed position retracted against said riser; a front latch pivotally coupled to said foot bracket for releasably securing the seat to the front strikers; and a second linkage mechanism coupled between said foot bracket and said rear support leg for automatically retracting said rear support leg from said support position to said stowed position, while said first linkage mechanism automatically pivots said rear latch from an extended position for movement between said latched and unlatched positions and a retracted position folded against said riser, in response to pivotal movement of said riser about said foot bracket from said use position to said tumbled position. 2. A seat support assembly as set forth in claim 1 further including a spring connected between said foot bracket and said riser for continuously biasing said riser toward said tumbled position. 3. A seat support assembly as set forth in claim 2 further including a front latch handle for moving said front latch between a latched position for engaging the front stoker when said riser is in each of said use and tumbled positions and an unlatched position for disengaging the front - 8 - SUBSTTTUTE SHEET (RULE 26) striker and removing the seat from the vehicle floor. 4. A seat support assembly as set forth in claim 3 further including a front wheel rotatably attached to said foot bracket for supporting said riser in said use and tumbled position and for movably supporting said forward leg of said riser when the seat is removed from the vehicle floor. 5. A seat support assembly as set forth in claim 4 further including a rear wheel rotatably attached to said rearward leg of said riser wherein said rear wheel is spaced above the vehicle floor when said rear latch is in said extended position and extends below said rear latch in said retracted position for movably supporting said rearward leg of said riser when the seat is removed from the vehicle floor. 6. A seat support assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said rear wheel is spaced above the vehicle floor when said rear support leg is in said support position and extends below said rear support leg in said stowed position for movably supporting said rearward leg of said riser when the seat is removed from the vehicle floor. 7. A seat support assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said rear support leg includes a first portion pivotally coupled to said rearward leg of said riser and said rear latch and an open notch for engaging the rear striker and supporting said riser on the vehicle floor in said use position. 8. A seat support assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said second linkage mechanism includes a link rod pivotally coupled between said foot bracket and said rear support leg for automatically retracting said rear support leg and said rear latch against said riser and above said rear wheel in response to said pivotal movement of said riser about said foot bracket from said use position to said tumbled position. 9. A seat support assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said first linkage mechanism includes a rear latch handle secured to said riser and coupled to said rear latch for moving said rear latch between said latched and unlatched positions. - 9 - SUBSTΓΓUTE SHEET (RULE 26) 10. A seat support assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said first linkage mechanism includes a fixed link fixedly secured to said rear latch and pivotally connected to said rearward leg of said riser, a first link fixedly secured to said rear latch handle, and a second link having opposite ends pivotally connected between said fixed link and said first link for transferring 5 pivotal movement of said rear latch handle to pivotal movement of said rear latch during movement between said latched and unlatched positions. 11. A seat support assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said first linkage mechanism includes a spring coupled between said rearward leg and said rear latch for retracting said rear 10 latch from said extended position to said retracted position. 12. A seat support assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said foot bracket includes an open notch for receiving the front stoker and said front latch includes a hook for closing said open notch and securing said riser to the front striker in said latched position. 15 13. A seat support assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said rear latch includes a hook for closing said open notch on said rear support leg and securing said riser to the rear striker in said latched position. 20 14. A seat support assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said riser is generally U-shaped and includes an upper platform for supporting the seat and extending between first and second sides wherein each of said sides form forward and rearward legs of said riser. - 10 - suBsrrruTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Inventors: NICOLA KIRK M, WITTMAN FRANK, NICOLA, KIRK, M., WITTMAN, FRANK
Applicants: MAGNA INTERIOR SYS INC, NICOLA KIRK M, WITTMAN FRANK, MAGNA INTERIOR SYSTEMS INC., NICOLA, KIRK, M., WITTMAN, FRANK
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B60N2
IPC codes: B60N2