Abstract:
A seat track assembly includes a latch mechanism operable to allow movement of a movable track relative to a fixed track between a plurality of positions. A memory mechanism is operable between a home position, coupled with the movable track, and a memory position, coupled with the fixed track, to define a selected position. Actuation of the memory mechanism to the memory position unlocks the latch mechanism to allow movement of the movable track in a first direction away from the selected position to an easy-entry position. In response to movement of the movable track in a second direction from the easy-entry position, the memory mechanism blocks the movable track at the selected position, allowing the latch mechanism to lock and the memory mechanism to return to the home position. The latch mechanism operates independently to unlock the latch mechanism when the memory mechanism is in the home position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a national phase application and claims priority to and all the benefits, under 35 USC 371, of PCT/CA2011/001328, filed on Dec. 5, 2011, which in turn claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/458,898, filed on Dec. 3, 2010 and entitled “Full Memory Seat Track Mechanism.” 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a seat track assembly for a seat assembly in an automotive vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a seat track assembly allowing sliding movement of a seat assembly to an easy-entry position and including a full memory mechanism for returning the seat assembly to a previously selected seating position. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Automotive vehicles include seat assemblies for supporting occupants within the vehicle. A typical seat assembly includes a seat cushion and a seat back operatively coupled to the seat cushion by a recliner mechanism for allowing selective pivotal adjustment of the seat back relative to the seat cushion between a plurality of reclined seating positions. Oftentimes, the seat back is also movable to a forwardly inclined or dumped position to allow easier ingress and egress to a rear seat assembly or storage area located behind the seat assembly. 
     It is common for the seat assembly to include a seat track assembly that slidably interconnects the seat assembly to a floor of the vehicle. The seat track assembly provides longitudinal sliding adjustment of the seat assembly along the floor between a plurality of fore/aft seating positions. The seat track assembly typically includes a lower or fixed track mounted to the floor of the vehicle and an upper or movable track slidably engaging the fixed track. The movable track is mounted to a bottom surface of the seat cushion for sliding movement of the seat assembly along the fixed track. A locking mechanism operatively coupled between the movable and fixed tracks selectively locks the movable track relative to the fixed track to prevent sliding movement of the seat assembly. The locking mechanism is selectively 
     It is also common for the seat assembly to include a Bowden-type cable operatively coupling the seat back to the locking mechanism such that when the seat back is pivoted to the dumped position, the locking mechanism unlocks the movable track from the fixed track. The seat assembly may then be biased forward along the fixed track from a previously selected fore/aft seating position to an easy-entry position, forward of the plurality of fore/aft seating positions, to improve ingress and egress to the rear seat assembly or storage area. When access to the rear seat assembly or storage area is no longer required, the seat assembly is returned rearward along the fixed track toward the plurality of fore/aft seating positions. Typically, however, the seat assembly does not return to the previously selected fore/aft seating position. Rather, the seat assembly returns to a predefined fore/aft seating position and an occupant must then readjust the seat assembly to the previously selected fore/aft seating position. 
     It is desirable, therefore, to provide a seat track assembly that provides longitudinal sliding adjustment of a seat assembly between a plurality of fore/aft seating positions and an easy-entry position. It is further desirable that the seat track assembly relocate the seat assembly in a previously selected fore/aft seating position when returned from the easy-entry position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a seat track assembly is provided for moving a seat assembly forward and rearward along a floor in an automotive vehicle. The seat track assembly includes a fixed track fixedly secured to the floor and a movable track fixedly secured to the seat assembly and slidably coupled to the fixed track. A latch mechanism is operatively coupled between the fixed and movable tracks. The latch mechanism prevents sliding movement of the movable track and is selectively disengaged from the fixed track to allow sliding movement of the movable track between a plurality of positions. A memory mechanism is operable between a home position, wherein the memory mechanism is coupled with the movable track and moves therewith during sliding movement of the movable track, and a memory position, wherein the memory mechanism is coupled with the fixed track and defines a previously selected one of the plurality of positions. Actuation of the memory mechanism to the memory position causes the latch mechanism to disengage from the fixed track, thereby allowing sliding movement of the movable track in a first direction away from the previously selected one of the plurality of positions to an easy-entry position. In response to sliding movement of the movable track in a second direction from the easy-entry position the memory mechanism blocks the movable track at the previously selected one of the plurality of positions, thereby allowing the latch mechanism to engage with the fixed track and the memory mechanism to return to the home position. The latch mechanism is independently operable to disengage the latch mechanism from the fixed track when the memory mechanism is in the home position. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a seat assembly for supporting an occupant above a floor in an automotive vehicle includes a seat cushion and a seat back operatively coupled to the seat cushion. The seat back is movable between an upright position and a folded position. A seat track assembly includes a fixed track fixedly secured to the floor and a movable track fixedly secured to the seat cushion and slidably coupled to the fixed track. A latch mechanism is operatively coupled between the fixed and movable tracks. The latch mechanism prevents sliding movement of the movable track and is selectively disengaged from the fixed track to allow sliding movement of the seat assembly between a plurality of positions. A memory mechanism is operable between a home position, wherein the memory mechanism is coupled with the movable track and moves therewith during sliding movement of the movable track, and a memory position, wherein the memory mechanism is coupled with the fixed track and defines a previously selected one of the plurality of positions. Moving the seat back to the folded position actuates the memory mechanism to the memory position. An interlock assembly is operatively coupled between the seat back and the seat track assembly for selectively engaging the seat back to maintain the seat back in the folded position during sliding movement of the seat assembly between the previously selected one of the plurality of positions and an easy-entry position. Actuation of the memory mechanism to the memory position disengages the latch mechanism from the fixed track, thereby allowing sliding movement of the seat assembly in a first direction away from the previously selected one of the plurality of positions to the easy-entry position. In response to sliding movement of the seat assembly in a second direction from the easy-entry position the memory mechanism blocks the seat assembly at the previously selected one of the plurality of positions, thereby allowing the latch mechanism to engage with the fixed track and the memory mechanism to return to the home position. The latch mechanism is independently operable to disengage the latch mechanism from the fixed track when the memory mechanism is in the home position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a seat assembly including a seat track mechanism having a pair of seat track assemblies; 
         FIG. 2  is a rearward end view of a primary seat track assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a fragmentary, inner perspective view of a portion of the primary seat track assembly; 
         FIG. 4  is an outer perspective view of a guide bracket and a memory plate in a home position; 
         FIG. 5  is a fragmentary, partially cut-away, outer side view of the primary seat track assembly illustrating a slider in a raised position, a latch body in a locked position, and the memory plate in the home position; 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary, partially cut-away, inner side view of the primary seat track assembly illustrating a memory tab disposed in a recess on the guide bracket; 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmentary, inner perspective view of the primary seat track assembly illustrating the slider in the raised position and the memory plate in the home position; 
         FIG. 8  is a fragmentary, partially cut-away, outer side view of the primary seat track assembly illustrating the slider in a partially depressed position, the latch body in the locked position, and the memory plate in a partially pivoted position; 
         FIG. 9  is a fragmentary, inner perspective view of the primary seat track assembly illustrating the slider in the partially depressed position; 
         FIG. 10  is a fragmentary, partially cut-away, outer side view of the primary seat track assembly illustrating the slider in a depressed position, the latch body in the unlocked position, and the memory plate in the memory position; 
         FIG. 11  is a fragmentary, partially cut-away, inner side view of the primary seat track assembly illustrating the memory tab withdrawn from the recess on the guide bracket; 
         FIG. 12  is a fragmentary, inner perspective view of the primary seat track assembly illustrating the slider in the depressed position; 
         FIG. 13  is a fragmentary, partially cut-away, inner side view of the primary seat track assembly illustrating the memory plate in the memory position and the memory tab trapped in a guide slot on the guide bracket; 
         FIG. 14  is a rearward end view of the primary seat track assembly according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a fragmentary, partially cut-away, outer side view of the primary seat track assembly shown in  FIG. 14  illustrating a slider in the raised position, the latch body in the locked position, and the memory plate in the home position; 
         FIG. 16  is a fragmentary, perspective view of the seat assembly illustrating an interlock assembly including a hook lever pivoted away from engagement with a seat back bracket and an interlock slider in a first position; 
         FIG. 17  is a fragmentary, outer side view of the seat assembly illustrating the hook lever disengaged from the seat back bracket; 
         FIG. 18  is a fragmentary, outer side view of the seat assembly illustrating the hook lever engaged with the seat back bracket; 
         FIG. 19  is a fragmentary, inner perspective view of the primary seat track assembly illustrating the interlock slider in the first position; 
         FIG. 20  is a fragmentary, outer perspective view of the seat assembly illustrating an alternative version of the interlock assembly including a hook lever having a post engaged with a detent feature on the seat back bracket; 
         FIG. 21  is a rearward end view of the primary seat track assembly according to a third embodiment of the invention illustrating the slider in the raised position, the latch body in the locked position, and the memory plate in the home position; 
         FIG. 22  is a fragmentary, inner perspective view of the guide bracket and the memory plate in the home position; 
         FIG. 23  is a rearward end view of the primary seat track assembly according shown in  FIG. 21  illustrating the slider in the depressed position, the latch body in the unlocked position, and the memory plate in the memory position; 
         FIG. 24  is a fragmentary, inner side view of the guide bracket and the memory plate in the memory position; 
         FIG. 25  is a fragmentary, partially cut-away, inner perspective view of the primary seat track assembly illustrating the slider in the depressed position; 
         FIG. 26  is a fragmentary, inner side view of the guide bracket and the memory plate in the memory position and the memory tab trapped in the guide slot on the guide bracket; and 
         FIG. 27  is a fragmentary, partially cut away, inner perspective view of the primary seat track assembly illustrating the slider in the depressed position and the memory plate in the memory position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the Figures, a seat track mechanism, generally shown at  10 , operably interconnects a seat assembly  11  to a floor  12  in an automotive vehicle. As is well known in the vehicle seating art, the seat assembly  11  includes a seat back  13  operatively coupled to a seat cushion  14  allowing selective pivotal adjustment of the seat back  13  relative to the seat cushion  14  between a plurality of reclined seating positions. The seat back  13  is also pivotally movable to a forwardly folded or dumped position to allow easier ingress and egress to a rear seat assembly or storage area located behind the seat assembly  11 . The seat track mechanism  10  includes a primary seat track assembly  15  and a secondary seat track assembly  16  which are laterally spaced apart. The primary  15  and secondary  16  seat track assemblies allow selective longitudinal sliding adjustment of the seat assembly  11  among a plurality of fore/aft seating positions along the floor  12  of the vehicle. The primary  15  and secondary  16  seat track assemblies also allow sliding movement of the seat assembly  11  to an access or easy-entry position corresponding with a forwardmost position of the plurality of fore/aft seating positions. When the seat back  13  is pivoted to the dumped position, it is contemplated that the seat assembly will automatically slide forward from a previously selected fore/aft seating position to the easy-entry position. The primary  15  and secondary  16  seat track assemblies are similar, however, only the primary seat track assembly  15  will be described in detail. 
     The primary seat track assembly  15  includes a lower or fixed track  17  and an upper or movable track  18 . The fixed track  17  is adapted to be mounted or fixedly secured to the floor  12  by front and rear risers (not shown). The movable track  18  is adapted to be fixedly secured to an underside of the seat cushion  14  and is slidably coupled to the fixed track  17  for longitudinal sliding movement relative thereto. Thus, when the movable track  18  is caused to slide, the seat assembly  11  moves with it and can be adjusted among the plurality of fore/aft seating positions along the floor  12  of the vehicle. 
     The profiles or cross-sections of the fixed  17  and movable  18  tracks are described in detail below, however, it is appreciated that any number of track cross-sections could be used without varying from the scope of the invention. Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the fixed track  17  has a generally U-shaped cross-section that is defined by a horizontal lower portion  19  extending laterally between upstanding outer side walls  20 ,  22 . The outer side walls  20 ,  22  each include an end portion  24 ,  26  extending laterally inward therefrom and terminating at a downward extending flange  28 ,  30 . Each one of the end portions  24 ,  26  defines a downward-facing bearing surface  32 ,  34  extending longitudinally along the fixed track  17 . In addition, the lower portion  19  defines an upward-facing bearing surface  36 ,  38  generally adjacent to each one of the outer side walls  20 ,  22  and extending longitudinally along the fixed track  17 . 
     The movable track  18  has a generally U-shaped cross-section that is inverted relative to the fixed track  17  and is defined by a horizontal upper portion  40  spaced apart from the lower portion  19  of the fixed track  17  and extending laterally between depending inner side walls  42 ,  44 . The inner side walls  42 ,  44  each include an end portion  46 ,  48  extending laterally outward therefrom and terminating at an upward extending flange  50 ,  52 . The inner side walls  42 ,  44  of the movable track  18  interlock with the outer side walls  20 ,  22  of the fixed track  17 . More specifically, the upward extending flanges  50 ,  52  of the inner side walls  42 ,  44  are nested within the end portions  24 ,  26  of the fixed track  17  for sliding engagement of the movable track  18  with the fixed track  17 . Each one of the upward extending flanges  50 ,  52  defines an upward-facing bearing surface  54 ,  56  extending longitudinally along the movable track  18 . In addition, each one of the end portions  46 ,  48  defines a downward-facing bearing surface  58 ,  60  extending longitudinally along the movable track  17 . 
     The upward-facing bearing surfaces  54 ,  56  of the movable track  18  are in opposing relation to the downward-facing bearing surfaces  32 ,  34  of the fixed track  17  and a plurality of roller bearings  62 ,  64  is disposed therebetween to provide smooth forward and rearward sliding movement of the movable track  18  relative to the fixed track  17 . Similarly, the downward-facing bearing surface  58  of the movable track  18  is in opposing relation to the upward-facing bearing surface  36  of the fixed track  17  and a plurality of roller bearings  66  is disposed therebetween to provide smooth forward and rearward sliding movement of the movable track  18  relative to the fixed track  17 . Further, the downward-facing bearing surface  60  of the movable track  18  is in opposing relation to the upward-facing bearing surface  38  of the fixed track  17  and a roller mechanism  68  is disposed therebetween to provide smooth forward and rearward sliding movement of the movable track  18  relative to the fixed track  17 . 
     The primary seat track assembly  15  includes a latch mechanism, generally shown at  70 , for selectively locking the seat assembly in any one of the plurality of fore/aft seating positions. More specifically, the latch mechanism  70  is operatively coupled to the movable track  18  and selectively locks the movable track  18  with the fixed track  17  to prevent forward and rearward sliding movement of the movable track  18  relative to the fixed track  17 . The latch mechanism  70  is disposed generally within a space defined between the lower portion  19  of the fixed track  17  and the upper portion  40  of the movable track  18 . The latch mechanism  70  includes a latch body  72  that is operatively coupled to an inner surface of the inner side wall  44  of the movable track  18  and is operable between a locked position, shown in  FIG. 2 , and an unlocked position. A loop latch  74  extends laterally through the inner side wall  44  and the upward extending flange  52  of the movable track  18  and is adapted for engaging a plurality of downward-facing latching teeth  76  spaced longitudinally along the downward extending flange  30  of the fixed track  17 . A leaf spring  78  extends longitudinally through the latch body  72  and is coupled to the inner surface of the inner side wall  44  of the movable track  18  at opposite ends by tabs  80  on the movable track  18 . The leaf spring  78  biases the latch body  72  upward towards the locked position, shown in  FIG. 2 , wherein the loop latch  74  engages the latching teeth  76  on the fixed track  17 , thereby locking the movable track  18  with the fixed track  17 . 
     The latch body  72  is moved downward, against the bias of the leaf spring  78 , to disengage the loop latch  74  from the latching teeth  76  in response to actuating a towel bar  80 . More specifically, a mounting bracket  82  is fixedly secured to an upper surface of the upper portion  40  of the movable track  18  and a latch release lever  84  is pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket  82  at pivot  86 , which defines a first laterally extending axis  81 . The latch release lever  84  includes an arm  88  that extends through an opening  83  in the upper portion  40  of the movable track  18  and is adapted for engaging the latch body  72 . The towel bar  80  is coupled to a cross bar  85  that rotates about the first axis  81 . The cross bar  85  includes a connecting bracket  87  that connects the cross bar  85  to the latch release lever  84 . The towel bar  80  is accessible to a seat occupant at the underside of a forward end of the seat cushion  14 . When the towel bar  80  is lifted the latch release lever  84  pivots about pivot  86  and the arm  88  pushes the latch body  72  downward towards the unlocked position, wherein the loop latch  74  is disengaged from the latching teeth  76  of the fixed track  17 , thereby unlocking the movable track  18  from the fixed track  17 . 
     The primary seat track assembly  15  also includes a memory mechanism, generally shown at  90 , which allows the seat assembly  11  to return to the previously selected fore/aft seating position after the seat assembly  11  is moved to the easy-entry position. The memory mechanism  90  includes a memory plate  92  that selectively engages a tooth rack  94  to identify the previously selected fore/aft seating position. The tooth rack  94  extends longitudinally along the lower portion  19  of the fixed track  17  and is fixedly secured thereto. A guide bracket  96  extends longitudinally and is fixedly secured to an inner surface of the inner side wall  42  of the movable track  18 . The guide bracket  96  includes a guide slot  98  extending longitudinally between a forward end  100  and a rearward end  102 . A recess  103  at the forward end  100  of the guide slot  98  extends downward therefrom, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The memory plate  92  is disposed laterally between the guide bracket  96  and the latch body  72 . The memory plate  92  extends longitudinally between a front end  104  and a rear end  106  and is pivotally and slidably coupled to the guide slot  98  by a pin  108  located between the front  104  and rear  106  ends thereof. The pin  108  defines a second laterally extending axis  109 . A memory tab  110  extends laterally from the front end  104  of the memory plate  92  and is disposed in the guide slot  98 . A pair of memory teeth  112  extends downward from the rear end  106  of the memory plate  92  and is adapted for engagement with the tooth rack  94 . A flag tab  113  extends upward from the rear end  106  of the memory plate  92 , the purpose of which is described below. 
     The memory plate  92  pivots about pin  108  between a home position, shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , and a memory position, shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . The memory plate  92  is biased to the home position by a coil spring  114 , shown in  FIG. 4 , that is mounted to the guide bracket  96  adjacent to the forward end  100  of the guide slot  98 . The coil spring  114  is adapted to engage the front end  104  of the memory plate  92  to bias the memory tab  110  downward into the recess  103 . In the home position, the memory tab  110  is disposed in the recess  103  on the guide bracket  96  and the memory teeth  112  are disengaged from the tooth rack  94 . In other words, when the memory plate  92  is in the home position, the memory plate  92  is coupled with the guide bracket  96  and therefore travels with the movable track  18  during sliding movement of the movable track  18  relative to the fixed track  17 . Thus, the seat assembly  11  is movable between the plurality of fore/aft seating positions. 
     In the memory position, the memory tab  110  is withdrawn from the recess  103  on the guide bracket  96  and the memory teeth  112  are engaged with the tooth rack  94  to identify the previously selected fore/aft seating position of the seat assembly  11 . With the memory plate  92  in the memory position, the guide bracket  96  and the movable track  18  slide relative to the memory plate  92 . In other words, when the memory plate  92  is in the memory position, the memory plate  92  is coupled with the tooth rack  94  and therefore does not travel with the movable track  18  during sliding movement of the movable track  18  relative to the fixed track  17 . Thus, the seat assembly  11  is movable between the previously selected fore/aft seating position and the easy-entry position. Further, as shown in  FIG. 13 , when the memory plate  92  is in the memory position the memory tab  110  is trapped in the guide slot  98  during sliding movement of the movable track  18  as the seat assembly  11  moves between the previously selected fore/aft seating position and the easy-entry position. Thus, the memory plate  92  remains in the memory position until the memory tab  110  returns to the recess  103 . 
     The memory plate  92  is pivoted from the home position to the memory position in response to pivoting the seat back  13  from one of the reclined seating positions to the dumped position. More specifically, a cam lever  116  is pivotally coupled to the mounting bracket  84  at pivot  118 , which defines a vertically extending axis  119 . A first Bowden-type cable  120  is operatively coupled between the seat back  13  and the cam lever  116  such that pivoting the seat back  13  to the dumped position causes the cam lever  116  to pivot in a first direction about pivot  118 . As the cam lever  116  pivots in the first direction, the cam lever  116  pushes a slider  121  downward and rearward from a raised position, shown in  FIG. 7 , to a depressed position, shown in  FIG. 12 . The slider  121  extends through an opening  122  in the upper portion  40  of the movable track  18  and is adapted to contact the memory plate  92  and the arm  88  of the latch release lever  84 . When the memory plate  92  is in the home position, the rear end  106  of the memory plate  92  is in contact with an underside of the slider  121  and maintains the slider  121  in the raised position. As the cam lever  116  pushes the slider  121  from the raised position to the depressed position, the slider  121  pushes against the rear end  106  of the memory plate  92  and pivots the memory plate  92  from the home position to the memory position. 
     The movement of the slider  121  from the raised position to the depressed position also actuates the latch body  72  from the locked position to the unlocked position. A built-in delay function ensures the memory teeth  112  on the memory plate  92  are engaged with the tooth rack  94  prior to the latch body  72  being actuated to the unlocked position. More specifically, a rearward end  123  of the slider  121  includes a ramped edge  124  facing downward and the arm  88  of the latch release lever  84  includes a ramped edge  125  facing upward, the opposing ramped edges  124 ,  125  coming into contact as the slider  121  moves from the raised position to the depressed position, as shown in  FIG. 8 . The ramped edges  124 ,  125  are configured such that the slider  121  pivots the memory plate  92  to engage the memory teeth  112  with the tooth rack  94  before pivoting the latch release lever  84  to actuate the latch body  72  to the unlocked position. Further, as the ramped edge  124  at the rearward end  123  of the slider  121  comes into contact with the ramped edge  125  of the latch release lever  84 , a forward end  126  of the slider  121  comes into contact with an upper edge  127  of the latch body  72  to prevent the slider  121  from pivoting. 
     At least one side of the slider  121  includes a first groove  130  extending downward and rearward at an angle that corresponds with the downward and rearward movement of the slider  121 . A second groove  132  extending generally horizontally is interconnected with the first groove  130  generally midway between opposite ends of the first groove  130 . The first groove  130  is aligned with a guide tab  134  formed along an edge of the opening  122  in the upper portion  40  of the movable track  18 . As the cam lever  116  pushes the slider  121  downward and rearward, the guide tab  134  cooperates with the first  130  and second  132  grooves to guide the slider  121  from the raised position to the depressed position. 
     In a first embodiment of the invention, the rearward end  123  of the slider  121  includes a recess or step  138  facing upward that is adapted to maintain the slider  121  in the depressed position while the seat assembly  11  moves between the previously selected fore/aft seating position and the easy-entry position. More specifically, when the slider  121  is in the depressed position, the step  138  is disposed underneath the upper portion  40  of the movable track  18  and prevents the slider  121  from moving upward while the seat assembly  11  moves between the previously selected fore/aft seating position and the easy-entry position. For example, if the seat back  13  is pivoted to an upright position before the seat assembly  11  is returned to the previously selected fore/aft seating position, the cam lever  116  will pivot in a second direction about pivot  118  and the bias of the leaf spring  78  will tend to urge the latch body  72 , the arm  88  of the latch release lever  84 , and the slider  121  upward. This will result in the latch body  72  returning to the locked position before the seat assembly  11  is returned to the previously selected fore/aft seating position. However, with the step  138  disposed underneath the upper portion  40  of the movable track  18 , the slider  121  is prevented from moving upward and remains in the depressed position, which in turn maintains the latch body  72  in the unlocked position. In other words, the step  138  acts as a hold-open feature for the latch mechanism  70 . 
     The step  138  is moved from underneath the upper portion  40  of the movable track  18  in response to contact of the slider  121  with the flag tab  113  on the memory plate  92  as the seat assembly  11  is returned from the easy-entry position to the previously selected fore/aft seating position. More specifically, as the seat assembly  11  is returned rearward to the previously selected fore/aft seating position a shoulder  139  on the slider  121 , shown in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , contacts the flag tab  113  on the memory plate  92 . Since the memory plate  92  is in the memory position coupled with the tooth rack  94 , the memory plate  92  is prevented from moving, and contact between the shoulder  139  and the memory plate  92  causes the slider  121  to move forward such that the step  138  is withdrawn from underneath the upper portion  40  of the movable track  16  and the slider  121  is then free to return to the raised position. 
     In operation, beginning with the memory plate  92  in the home position such that the memory teeth  112  are disengaged from the tooth rack  94 , the primary seat track assembly  15  is freely adjustable to move the seat assembly  11  between the plurality of fore/aft seating positions by lifting the towel bar  80 . When the towel bar  80  is lifted, the latch release lever  84  pivots about pivot  86  and the arm  88  pushes the latch body  72  downward from the locked position to the unlocked position. With the latch body  72  in the unlocked position, the loop latch  74  is disengaged from the latching teeth  76  on the fixed track  17  and the movable track  18  is free to slide relative to the fixed track  17 . As the movable track  18  slides relative to the fixed track  17 , the memory plate  92 , which is in the home position, travels therewith. Once a particular fore/aft seating position is selected, the towel bar  80  is released and the leaf spring  78  returns the latch body  72  to the locked position. With the latch body  72  in the locked position, the loop latch  74  is engaged with the latching teeth  76  on the fixed track  17 , thereby locking the movable track  18  relative to the fixed track  17 . 
     When access for ingress or egress to the rear seat assembly or storage area is desired, the seat back  13  is actuated to the dumped position. As the seat back  13  pivots forward to the dumped position, the first cable  120  causes the cam lever  116  to pivot in the first direction about pivot  118 . As the cam lever  116  pivots in the first direction, the cam lever  116  pushes the slider  121  downward and rearward and the guide tab  134  on the movable track  16  cooperates with the first  130  and second  132  grooves on the slider  121  to guide the slider  121  from the raised position to the depressed position. Movement of the slider  121  from the raised position to the depressed position pivots the memory plate  92  about pivot  108  from the home position to the memory position, wherein the memory teeth  112  are engaged with the tooth rack  94  to identify the previously selected fore/aft seating position. As the memory teeth  112  on the memory plate  92  engage with the tooth rack  94 , the ramped edge  124  on the slider  121  comes into contact with the ramped edge  125  on the arm  88  and pivots the latch release lever  84  about pivot  86  to actuate the latch body  72  from the locked position to the unlocked position. With the memory plate  92  in the memory position and the latch body  72  in the unlocked position, the movable track  18  is slid forward relative to the fixed track  17  to move the seat assembly  11  from the previously selected fore/aft seating position to the easy-entry position. 
     To return the seat assembly  11  to the previously selected fore/aft seating position, the movable track  18  is slid rearward relative to the fixed track  17  until the shoulder  139  on the slider  121  contacts the flag tab  113  on the memory plate  92 , which causes the slider  121  to move forward, thereby withdrawing the step  138  from underneath the upper portion  40  of the movable track  18 . The forward end  100  of the guide slot  98  then contacts the memory tab  110  of the memory plate  92 , which stops the seat assembly  11  in the previously selected fore/aft seating position. After the seat assembly  11  is stopped in the previously selected fore/aft seating position, continued rearward force applied to the seat back  13  pivots the seat back  13  to the upright position. As the seat back  13  pivots to the upright position, the cam lever  116  pivots in the second direction about pivot  118  and the bias of the leaf spring  78  moves the latch body  72  upward into the locked position. As the latch body  72  moves upward, the arm  88  of the latch release lever  84  moves the slider  121  upward into the raised position. At the same time, the coil spring  114  pushes the front end  104  of the memory plate  92  downward, which pivots the memory plate  92  about pin  108  until the memory tab  110  is disposed in the recess  103  on the guide bracket  96 . The memory plate  92  is now in the home position and the movable track  18  is locked relative to the fixed track  17 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14 through 20 , wherein like primed reference numerals represent similar elements as those described above, in a second embodiment of the invention the slider  121 ′ does not include the step  138 , as is best seen in  FIG. 15 . Therefore, if the seat back  13 ′ is pivoted to the upright position before the seat assembly  11 ′ is returned to the previously selected fore/aft seating position, the cam lever  116 ′ will pivot in the second direction about pivot  118 ′ and the bias of the leaf spring  78 ′ will tend to urge the latch body  72 ′, the arm  88 ′ of the latch release lever  84 ′, and the slider  121 ′ upward. This will result in the latch body  72 ′ returning to the locked position before the seat assembly  11 ′ is returned to the previously selected fore/aft seating position. However, an interlock assembly, generally shown at  142 , is provided to prevent the seat back  13 ′ from pivoting to the upright position before the seat assembly  11 ′ is returned to the previously selected fore/aft seating position. Thus, with the seat back  13 ′ in the dumped position, the cam lever  116 ′ prevents the slider  121 ′ from moving upward such that the slider  121 ′ remains in the depressed position, which in turn maintains the latch body  72 ′ in the unlocked position. 
     The interlock assembly  142  is operatively coupled between the seat back  13 ′ and the primary seat track assembly  15 ′. The interlock assembly  142  includes a hook lever  144  extending between an upper end  145  and a lower end  146 . The upper end  145  of the hook lever  144  includes a hook  147 . The hook lever  144  is pivotally coupled between the upper and lower ends  145 ,  146  to a seat cushion bracket  148  at pivot  150 , which defines a third laterally extending axis  152 . The hook lever  144  is biased by a clock spring  154  towards engagement with an opening  155  in a bracket  156  that is fixedly secured to a seat back bracket  157 . Engagement of the hook  147  at an upper end  145  of the hook lever  144  with the opening  155  when the seat back  13 ′ is in the dumped position generally prevents the seat back  13 ′ from pivoting to the upright position. 
     The interlock assembly  142  also includes an interlock slider  158  that is slidably coupled to an interlock slot  160  in the inner side wall  42 ′ of the movable track  18 ′, as shown in  FIG. 19 . The interlock slot  160  is disposed generally adjacent to the forward end  100 ′ of the guide slot  98 ′. The interlock slot  160  extends longitudinally between a first end  162  disposed in the direction of the forward end  100 ′ of the guide slot  98 ′ and a second end  164  disposed in the direction of the rearward end  102 ′ of the guide slot  98 ′. The interlock slider  158  is biased by an extension spring  166  toward the second end  164  of the interlock slot  160 . A second Bowden-type cable  168  is operatively coupled between the lower end  146  of the hook lever  144  and the interlock slider  158 . The interlock slider  158  includes an interlock pin  170  that extends laterally toward the guide bracket  96 ′ and is adapted for contact with the memory tab  110 ′ on the memory plate  92 ′. 
     When the memory plate  92 ′ is in the home position, the memory tab  110 ′ contacts the interlock pin  170  and maintains the interlock slider  158  at the first end  162  of the interlock slot  160 . With the interlock slider  158  at the first end  162  of the interlock slot  160 , a tension is applied to the second cable  168  such that the hook lever  144  is pivoted about pivot  150  against the bias of the clock spring  154  away from engagement with the opening  155  in the bracket  156 . 
     When the seat back  13 ′ is pivoted to the dumped position, the memory plate  92 ′ is in the memory position and the latch body  72 ′ is in the unlocked position to allow the movable track  18 ′ to slide forward relative to the fixed track  17 ′ to move the seat assembly  11 ′ from the previously selected fore/aft seating position to the easy-entry position. As the movable track  18 ′ slides forward, the memory plate  92 ′ and the memory tab  110 ′ remain stationary with the fixed track  17 ′, which allows the extension spring  166  to move the interlock slider  158  to the second end  164  of the interlock slot  160 . With the interlock slider  158  at the second end of the interlock slot  160 , the tension from the second cable  168  is released and the clock spring  154  pivots the hook lever  144  about pivot  150  to engage the hook  147  with the opening  155  in the bracket  156 , as shown in  FIG. 18 . Thus, the seat back  13 ′ is maintained in the dumped position while the seat assembly  11 ′ travels between the previously selected fore/aft seating position and the easy-entry position. 
     The hook  147  is released from the opening  155  in the bracket  156  when the seat assembly  11 ′ is returned from the easy-entry position to the previously selected fore/aft seating position. More specifically, as the seat assembly  11 ′ is returned rearward to the previously selected fore/aft seating position, the interlock pin  170  contacts the memory tab  110 ′ which causes the interlock slider  158  to move from the second end  164  to the first end  162  of the interlock slot  160 . With the interlock slider  158  at the first end  162  of the interlock slot  160 , the tension is re-applied to the second cable  168  such that the hook lever  144  is pivoted about pivot  150  against the bias of the clock spring  154  to disengage the hook  147  from the opening  155  in the bracket  156 . The seat back  13 ′ is now free to pivot to the upright position. 
     It is contemplated that engagement between the hook  147  and the opening  155  in the bracket  156  generally prevents the seat back  13 ′ from pivoting to the upright position until the seat assembly  11 ′ is returned from the easy-entry position to the previously selected fore/aft seating position, as described above. However, if enough force is applied to the seat back  13 ′ during movement of the seat assembly  11 ′ between the easy-entry position and the previously selected fore/aft seating position, the engagement between the hook  147  and the opening  155  in the bracket  156  will be overcome to allow the seat back  13 ′ to return to the upright position. Thus, it is possible to return the latch body  72 ′ to the locked position before the seat assembly  11 ′ is returned to the previously selected fore/aft seating position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 20 , an alternative version of the interlock assembly  142 ′ is shown. Rather than the hook  147 , the upper end  145  of the hook lever  144  includes a post  172  extending laterally therefrom. The hook lever  144  is biased by the clock spring (not shown) towards engagement with a detent feature  174  that is flexibly coupled to the bracket  156 , which is fixedly secured to the seat back bracket  157 . 
     When the seat back  13 ′ is pivoted to the dumped position and the interlock slider  158  is at the second end of the interlock slot  160 , the tension from the second cable  168  is released and the clock spring pivots the hook lever  144  about pivot  150  to engage the post  172  with a pocket  176  formed in the detent feature  174 . Thus, the seat back  13 ′ is maintained in the dumped position while the seat assembly  11 ′ travels between the previously selected fore/aft seating position and the easy-entry position. The post  172  is released from the pocket  176  in the detent feature  174  when the seat assembly  11 ′ is returned from the easy-entry position to the previously selected fore/aft seating position. 
     The detent feature  174  is designed such that if enough force is applied to the seat back  13 ′ while the post  172  is engaged with the pocket  176 , the detent feature  174  will deflect and release the post  172  from the pocket  176  to allow the seat back  13 ′ to return to the upright position. Thus, it is possible to return the latch body  72 ′ to the locked position before the seat assembly  11 ′ is returned to the previously selected fore/aft seating position. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 21 through 27 , wherein like double-primed reference numerals represent similar elements as those described above, in a third embodiment of the invention the memory plate  92 ″ is slidably coupled to the guide slot  98 ″ by a memory tab  178  rather than pivotally and slidably coupled to the guide slot  98 ″. In the current embodiment, the memory tab  178  is located near the front end  104 ″ of the memory plate  92 ″. The guide bracket  96 ″ includes a recess  180  extending upward at the forward end  100 ″ of the guide slot  98 ″. 
     The memory plate  92 ″ slides vertically between the home position, shown in  FIG. 22 , and the memory position, shown in  FIG. 24 . The memory plate  92 ″ is biased upward toward the home position by a leaf spring  182  acting against a lip  184  extending longitudinally along the length of the guide bracket  96 ″. More specifically, the leaf spring  182  extends longitudinally through the memory tab  178  and opposite ends of the leaf spring  182  engage the lip  184  on the guide bracket  96 ″ to bias the memory tab  178  upward into the recess  180 . In the home position, the memory tab  178  is disposed in the recess  180  on the guide bracket  96 ″ and the memory teeth  112 ″ are disengaged from the tooth rack  94 ″ such that the memory plate  92 ″ is coupled with the guide bracket  96 ″ and moves with the movable track  18 ″. 
     In the memory position, the memory tab  178  is withdrawn from the recess  180  on the guide bracket  96 ″ and the memory teeth  112 ″ are engaged with the tooth rack  94 ″ such that the memory plate  92 ″ is coupled with the tooth rack  94 ″ to identify the previously selected fore/aft seating position. Further, as shown in  FIG. 26 , when the memory plate  92 ″ is in the memory position the memory tab  178  is trapped in the guide slot  98 ″ during sliding movement of the movable track  18 ″ as the seat assembly  11 ″ moves between the previously selected fore/aft seating position and the easy-entry position. Thus, the memory plate  92 ″ remains in the memory position until the memory tab  178  returns to the recess  180 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 25 , at least one side of the slider  121 ″ includes a first groove  186  extending downward and rearward at an angle that corresponds with the downward and rearward movement of the slider  121 ″. A second groove  188  extending generally horizontally is interconnected with an upper end of the first groove  186 . The guide tab  134 ″ on the movable track  18 ″ cooperates with the first  186  and second  188  grooves to guide the slider  121 ″ from the raised position to the depressed position. 
     In operation, when access for ingress or egress to the rear seat assembly or storage area is desired, the seat back  13 ″ is actuated to the dumped position. As the seat back  13 ″ pivots forward to the dumped position, the first cable  120 ″ causes the cam lever  116 ″ to pivot in the first direction about pivot  118 ″. As the cam lever  116 ″ pivots in the first direction, the cam lever  116 ″ pushes the slider  121 ″ downward and rearward and the guide tab  134 ″ on the movable track  18 ″ cooperates with the first  186  and second  188  grooves on the slider  121 ″ to guide the slider  121 ″ from the raised position to the depressed position. Movement of the slider  121 ″ from the raised position to the depressed position causes the memory plate  92 ″ to slide vertically from the home position to the memory position, wherein the memory teeth  112 ″ are engaged with the tooth rack  94 ″ to identify the previously selected fore/aft seating position. At the same time, the slider  121 ″ pivots the latch release lever  84 ″ about pivot  86 ″ to actuate the latch body  72 ″ from the locked position to the unlocked position. With the memory plate  92 ″ in the memory position and the latch body  72 ″ in the unlocked position, the movable track  18 ″ is slid forward relative to the fixed track  17 ″ to move the seat assembly  11 ″ from the previously selected fore/aft seating position to the easy-entry position. 
     To return the seat assembly  11 ″ to the previously selected fore/aft seating position, the movable track  18 ″ is slid rearward relative to the fixed track  17 ″ until the shoulder  139 ″ on the slider  121 ″ contacts the flag tab  113 ″ on the memory plate  92 ″, as shown in  FIG. 27 , which causes the slider  121 ″ to move forward, thereby withdrawing the step  138 ″ from underneath the upper portion  40 ″ of the movable track  18 ″. The forward end  100 ″ of the guide slot  98 ″ then contacts the memory tab  178 , which stops the seat assembly  11 ″ in the previously selected fore/aft seating position. After the seat assembly  11 ″ is stopped in the previously selected fore/aft seating position, continued rearward force applied to the seat back  13 ″ pivots the seat back  13 ″ to the upright position. As the seat back  13 ″ pivots to the upright position, the cam lever  116 ″ pivots in the second direction about pivot  118 ″ and the bias of the leaf spring  78 ″ moves the latch body  72 ″ upward into the locked position. As the latch body  72 ″ moves upward, the arm  88 ″ of the latch release lever  84 ″ moves the slider  121 ″ upward into the raised position. At the same time, the leaf spring  182  pushes against the lip  184  on the guide bracket  96 ″ to move the memory plate  92 ″ upward until the memory tab  178  is disposed in the recess  180  on the guide bracket  96 ″. The memory plate  92 ″ is now in the home position and the movable track  18 ″ is locked relative to the fixed track  17 ″. 
     The invention has been described herein in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically enumerated within the description.