Abstract:
A seat recliner and latch includes a housing, an upper quadrant rotationally supported by the housing, a recliner mechanism supported by the housing and operably engaging the upper quadrant, a latch mechanism pivotally supported by the housing and operable to selectively engage a floor striker. An actuation mechanism is in operable communication with the recliner and latch mechanisms, and is operable in a first position, whereby the recliner mechanism enables rotational adjustment of the upper quadrant, and in a second position whereby the latch mechanism disengages the striker. The latch mechanism is pivotally supported about a pivot axis, wherein the latch mechanism rotates thereabout as the seat folds about a remote axis. An interlock is engaged with latch mechanism and is in selective engagement with the quadrant. The interlock limits a range of rotation of the quadrant when the latch mechanism disengages the striker.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to recliner and floor-latch mechanisms for a seat assembly and, more particularly, to integrated recliner and floor-latch mechanisms for a seat assembly. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Seat assemblies, such as those used in vehicles, generally include a recliner mechanism for enabling reclining motion of a seat-back relative to a seat. Many seat assemblies include the ability of being folded about a forward pivot to provide added floor space within a vehicle or access to an otherwise obstructed space. To enable reclining and stowing operation of the seat assembly, integrated recliner and floor-latch mechanisms are traditionally provided as an assembly. The floor-latch mechanism typically extend downward from the seat for selective engagement with a floor. Generally, actuation of a lever in a first direction actuates the recliner mechanism to enable reclining motion of the seat-back relative to the seat. Further actuation of the lever actuates the floor-latch mechanism to release the seat assembly from engagement with the floor to enable forward pivoting of the complete seat assembly. 
     Traditional seat assemblies suffer from the particular disadvantage that even though the seat assembly may not be properly engaged with the floor, the seat-back is fully actuable and positionable relative to the seat. In this manner, an occupant may falsely believe that the seat assembly is properly secured to the floor via the floor-latch mechanism and occupy the seat. Improper securing of the seat assembly to the floor is a potentially dangerous situation, especially in the event of an accident. A second disadvantage of such traditional seat assemblies is that the downward extending floor-latch mechanism obstructs vehicle access, as it projects outward from the seat assembly when in the forward dump or stowed position. 
     Therefore, it is desirable in the industry to provide a combination seat recliner and floor-latch assembly that includes seat recliner and floor-latch mechanisms on both sides of a seat. Also, the seat recliner and floor-latch mechanisms should be operable from a single actuation lever. The actuation lever should be preferably operable to a first position for enabling actuation of the recliner mechanisms and to a second position for enabling actuation of the floor-latch mechanisms. 
     It is also desirable in the industry to provide an interlock for a seat recliner and floor-latch mechanism that prohibits seat-back return from a forward-folded position in the event that the floor latch is not properly secure. 
     It is further desirable in the industry to provide a dynamic recliner and floor-latch mechanism that enables stowing motion of the floor latch as the seat pivots to a dump position to improve access to the space behind the seat. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention provides a seat latch and recliner apparatus. The seat latch and recliner apparatus is implemented with a seat that is selectively engageable with a floor having first and second strikers, and is pivotal about a remote axis relative to the floor. The seat recliner and latch apparatus includes a first and second apparatus halves. The first apparatus half has a first housing, a first quadrant rotationally supported by the first housing, a first recliner mechanism supported by the housing and in operable engagement with the first quadrant, and a first latch mechanism supported by the housing and in operable engagement with the first recliner mechanism. The second apparatus half has a second housing, a second quadrant rotationally supported by the second housing, a second recliner mechanism supported by the second housing and operably engaging the second quadrant, and a second latch mechanism pivotally supported by the second housing and operable to selectively engage the second striker of the floor. An actuation mechanism is included and is in operable communication with the first and second recliner mechanisms and the first and second latch mechanisms. The actuation mechanism is operable in a first position, whereby the first and second recliner mechanisms are operable for enabling selective rotational adjustment of the first and second quadrants relative to the first and second housings, and in a second position, whereby the first and second latch mechanisms are operable for disengaging the first and second strikers. 
     The seat recliner and latch apparatus further includes a pivot axis, about which the second latch mechanism is pivotally supported. The second latch mechanism rotates about the pivot axis as the seat pivots about the remote axis. 
     Additionally, the seat recliner and latch apparatus includes an interlock operably engaged with the second latch mechanism, and in selective engagement with the first quadrant. The interlock limits a range of rotation of the first quadrant when the second latch mechanism is disengaged from the second striker. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recliner and floor-latch assembly in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of a first half of the recliner and floor-latch assembly of FIG. 1 having an outer plate removed; 
     FIG. 3A is an exploded view the first half of the recliner and floor-latch assembly; 
     FIG. 3B is a detailed exploded view of recliner components of the first half of the recliner and floor-latch assembly; 
     FIG. 3C is a detailed exploded view of floor latch components of the first half of the recliner and floor-latch assembly; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of a second half of the recliner and floor-latch assembly of FIG. 1 having outer plates removed; 
     FIG. 5A is an exploded view of recliner components of the second half of the recliner and floor-latch assembly; 
     FIG. 5B is a detailed view of the recliner components of FIG. 5A; 
     FIG. 6A is an exploded view of floor-latch components of the second half of the recliner and floor-latch assembly; 
     FIG. 6B is a detailed view of the floor-latch components of FIG. 6A; 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the first half of the recliner and floor-latch assembly in a fully actuated state; 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the first half of the recliner and floor-latch assembly in a fully actuated state; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of a seat assembly including the recliner and floor-latch assembly according to the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of the seat assembly of FIG. 9 in a partially dumped position; and 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of the seat assembly of FIG. 7 in a fully dumped position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
     With reference to FIGS. 1 through 8, a combination recliner and floor-latch (RFL) assembly  10  for use with a seat assembly and operable in a first mode to enable recline or forward folding of a seat back relative to a seat and in a second mode to enable forward dumping of a seat assembly. The RFL mechanism  10  includes operably interconnected first and second RFL halves  12 , 14  respectively including recliner mechanisms  16   a,    15   b  and floor-latch mechanisms  18   a,    18   b . Also provided are upward extending seat-back supports  20   a,    20   b  operably interconnected with the recliner mechanisms  16   a,    16   b  for selectively positioning the seat-back supports about an axis X. The floor-latch mechanisms  18   a,    18   b  selectively engage a pair of strikers disposed on a floor for securing the seat assembly thereto, as shown in FIGS. 9-11 and discussed in further detail below. 
     The first RFL half  12  includes inner and outer plates  22 , 24  between which the recliner mechanism  16   a  and floor-latch mechanism  18   a  are operably supported. The seat-back support  20   a  is pivotally supported between the inner and outer plates  22 , 24  and is in selective engagement with the recliner mechanism  18   a  for pivotally positioning the seat-back support  20   a.  An actuation lever  26  is pivotally supported between the inner and outer plates  22 , 24  and is in operable engagement with the recliner mechanism  16   a  and the floor-latch mechanism  18   a,  as well as the recliner mechanism  16   b  of the second RFL half  14 . 
     The seat-back support  20   a  includes a generally triangular-shaped plate  30   a  having a pivot aperture  32   a  therethrough and an arcuate edge  34   a.  A portion of the arcuate edge  34   a  includes a plurality of teeth  36   a  formed therein and an interlock notch  38   a.  Auxiliary apertures  40   a  are provided for attachment of a seat-back frame thereto. The seat-back support  20   a  is pivotally supported between the inner and outer plates  22 , 24  by a seat-back support pivot  42 . The seat-back support pivot  42  includes a disc end  44 , a keyed cylindrical section  46 , a first cylindrical section  54  having a bearing surface  50 , a second cylindrical section  52 , and a third cylindrical section  54  having a diametric notch  56  formed therein. The support pivot  42  is received through a keyed aperture  58  of the inner plate  22 , the pivot aperture  32   a  of the seat-back support  20   a  and a pivot aperture  60  of the outer plate  24 . The keyed cylindrical section  46  aligns with the keyed aperture  58  of the inner plate  22  for fixing the support pivot  42  from rotating relative to the inner and outer plates  22 , 24 . The first cylindrical section  48  aligns within the pivot aperture  32   a  of the seat-back support  20   a,  whereby the seat-back support  20   a  pivots on the bearing surface  50 . The second cylindrical extension  52  aligns with the pivot aperture  60  of the outer plate  24  and the third cylindrical section  54  extends therefrom. 
     The seat-back support  20   a  is biased by a coil spring  62  including a central flat  64  that engages the diametric notch  56  of the third cylindrical section  54  and an outwardly extending arm  66  that engages a post  68  extending from the seat-back support  20   a.  In this manner, as the seat-back support  20   a  is caused to pivot clockwise (CW) relative to the view shown in FIG. 2, or recline, the post  68  engages the extending arm  66  to bias against the reclining motion. 
     A top edge  70  of the inner plate  22  and a top edge  72  of the outer plate  24  each include a generally arcuate shape having seats  74  formed at either end. As the seat-back support  20   a  is caused to pivot relative to the inner and outer plates  22 , 24 , the post  68  may abut the seats  74  to prohibit further pivotal motion of the seat-back support  20   a  relative to the inner and outer plates  22 , 24 . In this manner, a range of pivotal motion of the seat-back support  20   a  is defined. 
     The recliner mechanism  16   a  includes a pawl  76   a  and a recliner cam  78   a  pivotally supported between the inner and outer plates  22 , 24 . The recliner cam  78   a  selectively biases the pawl  76   a  into engagement with the seat-back support  20   a  to fix the seat-back support  20   a  in position. The recliner cam  78   a  is operably interconnected to an actuation lever  26 , whereby movement of the actuation lever  26  concurrently moves the recliner cam  78   a  to selectively engage or disengage the pawl  76   a.    
     The actuation lever  26  generally includes a flat plate having a lever arm  80 , a keyed spindle aperture  82 , an actuation notch  84  and a curving transfer arm  86 . The actuation lever  26  is pivotally supported between the inner and outer plates  22 , 24  by a spindle  88 . The spindle  88  includes a conical cylinder section  90  having flats  92  and notches  94  formed therein, a second cylinder section  96  having a bearing surface  98 , a keyed cylindrical section  100  having keys  102  formed therein, a central disc-shaped section  104  and a fourth cylindrical section  106  including a notch  108  formed therein. The spindle  88  is received through the spindle aperture  82  whereby the keys  102  of the keyed cylindrical section  100  align with keys of the spindle aperture  82  for prohibiting relative rotational motion of the spindle  88  within the spindle aperture  82 . The spindle  88  is further disposed through a pair of support apertures  107  of the inner and outer plates  22 , 24 , supporting the spindle  88  therebetween. 
     The actuation lever  26  is rotationally biased in a neutral position by a coil spring  110 . The coil spring  110  includes a central flat  112  and an outwardly extending arm  114 . The central flat  112  is received by the notch  108  of the fourth cylindrical section  106  and the extending arm  114  engages an anchor point  116  on the outer plate  24 . As the actuation lever  26  is caused to rotate from the neutral position, the coil spring  110  biases the actuation lever  26  back towards the neutral position. The curving transfer arm  86  includes a transfer rivet  118  extending perpendicularly from the transfer arm  86 , and partially disposed within an arcuate aperture  120  of the inner plate  22 , whereby a range of motion for the actuation lever  26  is defined. 
     The pawl  76   a  includes a pivot aperture  122   a,  a plurality of teeth  124   a , an engagement flat  126   a  and a disengagement recess  128   a.  The plurality of teeth  124   a  of the pawl  76   a  selectively engage the plurality of teeth  36   a  of the seat-back support  20   a  for defining a plurality of pivotal positions (i.e., recline positions) of the seat-back support  20   a  relative to the inner and outer plates  22 , 24 . The pawl  76   a  is pivotally supported by a pawl spindle  130   a  that includes a central cylindrical section  132   a  having a bearing surface  134   a  and smaller, extending side cylindrical sections  136   a.  The central cylindrical section  132   a  aligns with the pivot aperture  122   a  of the pawl  76   a  and the side cylindrical sections  136   a  are received into apertures  138   a  of the inner and outer plates  22 , 24 , respectively. 
     A spacer  129  is further provided for spacing the inner and outer plates  22 , 24 . The spacer  129  includes a central cylindrical section  131  and side cylindrical sections  133 . The side cylindrical sections  133  are received into apertures  137  of the inner and outer plates  22 , 24 , whereby the spacer  129  is supported therebetween. A width of the central cylindrical section  131  defines a distance between the inner and outer plates  22 , 24 . 
     The recliner cam  78   a  includes a pivot aperture  140   a,  an engagement arm  142   a  having an engagement edge  144   a , and an actuation arm  146   a  having a post aperture  148   a  formed therethrough. The engagement arm  142   a  of the recliner cam  78   a  selectively engages the engagement flat  126   a  and the disengagement recess  128   a  of the pawl  76   a.  An actuation post  150   a  is disposed through the post aperture  148   a  of the recliner cam  78   a  and extends perpendicularly therefrom to engage the actuation notch  84  of the actuation lever  26  and extends through an arcuate slot  152  of the inner plate  22 . As the actuation lever  26  is caused to pivot from the neutral position, edges of the actuation notch  84  force the actuation post  150   a  into engagement with the recliner cam  78   a,  thereby causing the recliner cam  78   a  to move. In an engaged position, the engagement edge  144   a  of the recliner cam  78   a  pushes up against the engagement flat  126   a  of the pawl  76   a,  forcing the pawl  76   a  into engagement with the seat-back support  20   a.  In a disengaged position, the engagement arm  142   a  is positioned within the disengagement recess  128   b  of the pawl  76   a,  enabling the pawl  76   a  to disengage the seat-back support  20   a.    
     The recliner cam  78   a  is pivotally supported between the inner and outer plates  22 , 24  about a pivot  151   a.  The pivot  151   a  includes a central disc section  153   a,  a cylindrical section  155   a  having a bearing surface  157   a  and side cylindrical sections  159   a.  The pivot  151   a  is disposed through the pivot aperture  140   a  for rotatably supporting the recliner cam  78   a  about the bearing surface  157   a.  The side cylindrical sections  159   a  are received into apertures  161  of the inner and outer plates  22 , 24  for supporting the pivot  151   a  therebetween. 
     The floor-latch mechanism  18   a  is in operable communication with the actuation lever  26  through a transfer lever  160 , which is pivotally supported between the inner and outer plates  22 , 24  and includes an upper transfer notch  162 , a lower transfer notch  164 , a rivet aperture  166 , and a transfer cable attachment point  168 . The transfer lever  160  is pivotally supported by a rivet  170  that includes a disc end  172 , a first cylindrical section  174  having a bearing surface  176 , and a second cylindrical section  178 . The rivet  170  is received through the rivet aperture  166  of the transfer lever  160  with the first cylindrical section  174  aligning with the rivet aperture  166  and the second cylindrical section  174  extending through an aperture  180  of the outer plate  24 . The second cylindrical section  178  is deformable for securing the transfer lever  160  to the outer plate  24 , while enabling pivotal motion of the transfer lever  160  about the bearing surface  176 . The upper transfer notch  162  of the transfer lever  160  is in selective engagement with the transfer rivet  118  of the actuation lever  26 . Sufficient rotation of the actuation lever  26  enables engagement of the transfer rivet  118  and upper transfer notch  162  of the transfer lever  160  for impairing CW rotation thereof. The lower transfer notch  164  is operably engaged with the floor-latch mechanism  18   a.  A transfer cable  182  is attached to the transfer cable attachment point  168  and operably interconnects the transfer lever  160  with the second RFL half  14  for enabling concurrent actuation thereof. 
     A spacer  181  is provided for spacing the inner and outer plates  22 , 24 . The spacer  181  includes a central cylindrical section  183  and side cylindrical sections  185 . The side cylindrical sections  185  are received into apertures  187  of the inner and outer plates  22 , 24  and is supported therebetween. A width of the central cylindrical section  183  defines a distance between the inner and outer plates  22 , 24 . 
     The floor-latch mechanism  18   a  includes a latch-release lever  184   a , a locking lever  186   a  and a latch  188   a,  each of which is pivotally supported between support plates  190   a.  The latch-release lever  184  includes a pivot aperture  192 , an attachment aperture  194 , a spring aperture  196  and an upper arm  198  having a transfer rivet  200  extending therefrom and in engagement with the lower transfer notch  164  of the transfer lever  160 . The locking lever  186   a  includes a pivot aperture  202   a , an attachment aperture  204   a , and a spring aperture  206   a.  The latch-release lever  184   a  and locking lever  186   a  are adjacently aligned and pivotally supported about a common pivot  208   a,  which includes a central cylindrical section  210   a  having a bearing surface  212   a  and side cylindrical sections  214   a.  The central cylindrical  210   a  section is received through the pivot apertures  192 , 202   a  of the latch release and locking levers  184   a ,  186   a,  and apertures  216   a  of the support plates  190   a.  The side cylindrical sections  214   a  are received into apertures  218  of the inner and outer plates  22 , 24  for supporting the floor latch  18   a  therebetween. 
     The latch  188   a  includes a latching notch  220   a,  a pivot aperture  222   a , a spring attachment  224   a  and a locking face  226   a.  The latch  188   a  is pivotally supported by the support plates  190   a  on a pivot  228   a  having a central cylindrical section  230   a  with a bearing surface  232   a  and side cylindrical sections  234   a.  The central cylindrical section  230   a  is received through the pivot aperture  222   a  of the latch  188   a  and the side cylindrical sections  230   a  are received through apertures  235   a  of the support plates  190   a  and into apertures  236  of the inner and outer plates  22 , 24  for supporting the floor-latch mechanism  18   a  therebetween. A spring  238  is anchored between the latch release and locking levers  184   a,    186   a  and the latch  188   a.  In this manner, a locking nub  240   a  of the locking lever  186   a  is biased into engagement with the locking face  226   a  of the latch  188   a  for securing the latch  188   a.    
     The support plates  190   a  each include a striker recess  242   a  having a top flat  244   a  and an outward anchor extension  246   a.  The anchor extensions  246   a  seat within corresponding apertures  248  of the inner and outer plates  22 , 24  for supporting the floor-latch mechanism  18   a  therebetween. The inner and outer plates  22 , 24  each include a striker aperture  250  for receiving a striker, as discussed in further detail hereinbelow. 
     The first RFL half  12  further includes an interlock plate  260  to prohibit positioning the seat-back support  20   a  in a use or upright position if either floor-latch mechanism  18   a,b  is not properly latched on a striker. The interlock plate  260  is pivotally supported adjacent an outer surface of the outer plate  24  by a pivot  262  and includes an interlock post  264  selectively engagable with the seat-back support  20   a  through a notch  265  of the outer plate  24 . The pivot  262  is supported by the outer plate  24  through an aperture  267 . A wire spring  266  is disposed about the pivot  262  to impart a bias force on the interlock plate  260 . In this manner, the interlock post  264  is biased toward engagement with the seat-back support  20   a.  However, an interlock cable  268 , supported by a cable bracket  269 , operably interconnects the interlock plate  260  and the second RFL half  14 . As explained in further detail below, tension on the interlock cable  268  is present when both floor-latch mechanisms  18   a,    18   b  are properly engaged, thereby pulling the interlock plate  260  against the bias of the spring  266  and enabling return of the seat-back support  20   a  from a forward-fold position to a use or upright position. If, on the other hand, either floor-latch mechanism  18   a,    18   b  is not properly secure, the interlock cable  268  is slack, causing the interlock plate  260  to bias into engagement with the seat-back support  20   a  by the wire spring  266 . In this situation, return rotation of the seat-back support  20   a  from a forward-fold position causes the interlock post  264  to engage the interlock notch  38   a,  thereby preventing return of the seat-back support  20   a  to a use or upright position. 
     The second RFL half  14  includes a recliner portion  14   a  and a floor latch portion  14   b  interconnected by a bracket  270 . The recliner portion  14   a  includes the recliner mechanism  16   b  operably engaged with the actuation lever  26  of the first RFL half  12 . The floor latch portion  14   b  includes the floor-latch mechanism  18   b  operably engaged with the transfer lever  160  of the first RFL half  12 . As discussed in further detail below, operation of the actuation lever  26  to a first position concurrently operates the recliner mechanisms  16   a,    16   b  of the first and second RFL halves  12 , 14 , and further operation of the actuation lever  26  to a second position concurrently operates the floor-latch mechanisms  18   a,    18   b  of the first and second RFL halves  12 , 14 . 
     The recliner portion  14   a  of the second RFL half  14  includes inner and outer plates  272 , 274  pivotally supporting the seat-back support  20   b  and the supporting recliner mechanism  16   b.  The seat-back support  20   b  includes a generally triangular-shaped plate  30   b  having a pivot aperture  32   b  therethrough and an arcuate edge  34   b.  A portion of the arcuate edge  34   b  includes a plurality of teeth  36   b  formed therein and an interlock notch  38   b.  Auxiliary apertures  40   b  are provided for attachment of a seat-back frame thereto. The seat-back support  20   b  is pivotally supported between the inner and outer plates  272 , 274  by a seat-back support pivot  276 . The seat-back support pivot  276  includes a keyed disc end  278 , a keyed cylindrical section  280 , a first cylindrical section  282  having a bearing surface  284 , and a second cylindrical section  286 . The support pivot  276  is received through a keyed aperture  288  of the inner plate  272 , the pivot aperture  32  of the seat-back support  20   b,  and a pivot aperture  290  of the outer plate  274 . The keyed cylindrical section  280  aligns with the keyed aperture  288  of the inner plate  272  for fixing the support pivot  276  from rotating relative to the inner and outer plates  272 , 274 . The first cylindrical section  282  aligns within the pivot aperture  32   b  of the seat-back support  20   b,  whereby the seat-back support  20   b  pivots on the bearing surface  284  and the second cylindrical extension  286  aligns with the pivot aperture  290  of the outer plate  274 . 
     A top edge  292  of the inner plate  272  and a top edge  294  of the outer plate  274  each include a generally arcuate shape having seats  296  formed at either end. As the seat-back support  20   b  is caused to pivot relative to the inner and outer plates  272 , 274 , a post  298  extending from an aperture  299  of the seat-back support  206  may abut the seats  296  to prohibit further pivotal motion of the seat-back support  20   b  relative to the inner and outer plates  272 , 274 . In this manner, a range of pivotal motion of the seat-back support  206  is defined and is equivalent to the range defined by the first RFL half  12 . 
     The recliner mechanism  16   b  includes a pawl  76   b  and a recliner cam  78   b  pivotally supported between the inner and outer plates  272 , 274 . The recliner cam  78   b  selectively biases the pawl  76   b  into engagement with the seat-back support  20   b  to fix the seat-back support  20   b  in position. The recliner cam  78   b  is operably interconnected to an actuation plate  300 , whereby movement of the actuation plate  300  concurrently moves the recliner cam  78   b  to selectively engage or disengage the pawl  76   b.    
     The pawl  76   b  includes a pivot aperture  122   b,  a plurality of teeth  124   b , an engagement flat  126   b  and a disengagement recess  128   b.  The plurality of teeth  124   b  of the pawl  76   b  selectively engage the plurality of teeth  36   b  of the seat-back support  20   b  for defining a plurality of pivotal positions (i.e., recline positions) of the seat-back support  20   b  relative to the inner and outer plates  272 , 274 . The pawl  76   b  is pivotally supported by a pawl spindle  130   b  that includes a central cylindrical section  132   b  having a bearing surface  134   b  and smaller, extending side cylindrical sections  136   b.  The central cylindrical section  132   b  aligns with the pivot aperture  122   b  of the pawl  76   b  and the side cylindrical sections  136   b  are received into apertures  302  of the inner and outer plates  272 , 274 , respectively. 
     The recliner cam  78   b  includes a pivot aperture  140   b,  an engagement arm  142   b  having an engagement edge  144   b , and an actuation arm  146   b  having a post aperture  148   b  formed therethrough. The engagement arm  142   b  of the recliner cam  78   b  selectively engages the engagement flat  126   b  and the disengagement recess  128   b  of the pawl  76   b.  An actuation post  160   b  is disposed through the post aperture  148   b  of the recliner cam  78   b  and extends perpendicularly therefrom to engage an actuation notch  310  of the actuation plate  300  and extends through an arcuate slot  312  of the inner and outer plates  272 , 274 . The recliner cam  78   b  is biased into engagement with the pawl  76   b  by a spring  313  that is attached between the actuation post  150   b  and an anchor point  315  formed in the outer plate  274 . As the actuation plate  300  is caused to pivot from the neutral position, the actuation notch  310  forces the actuation post  150   b  into engagement with the recliner cam  78   b , thereby causing the recliner cam  78   b  to move. In an engaged position, the engagement edge  144   b  of the recliner cam  78   b  pushes up against the engagement flat  126   b  of the pawl  76   a,  forcing the pawl  76   a  into engagement with the seat-back support  20   b.  In a disengaged position, the engagement arm  142   b  is positioned within the disengagement recess  128   b  of the pawl  76   b , enabling the pawl  76   b  to disengage the seat-back support  20   b.    
     The recliner cam  78   b  is pivotally supported between the inner and outer plates  272 , 274  about a pivot  151   b.  The pivot  151   b  includes a central disc section  153   b,  a cylindrical section  155   b  having a bearing surface  157   b  and side cylindrical sections  159   b . The pivot  151   b  is disposed through the pivot aperture  140   b  for rotatably supporting the recliner cam  78   b  about the bearing surface  157   b.  The side cylindrical sections  159   b  are received into apertures  277  of the inner and outer plates  272 , 274  for supporting the pivot  151   b  therebetween. 
     The actuation plate  300  includes the actuation notch  310  and a keyed spindle aperture  314 , and is pivotally supported by a spindle  316  operably interconnected with the actuation lever  26  of the first RFL half  12 . The spindle  316  includes a conical cylinder section  318  having flats  320  and notches  322  formed therein, a second cylindrical section  324  having a bearing surface  326 , a keyed cylindrical section  328  having keys  330  formed therein, a central disc-shaped section  332 , and a splined spindle section  334 . The spindle  316  is received through apertures  331  of the inner and outer plates  272 , 274  and the spindle aperture  314 , whereby the keys  330  of the keyed cylindrical section  328  align with keys of the spindle aperture  314  for prohibiting relative rotational motion of the spindle  316  within the spindle aperture  314 . A transfer rod  340  operably interconnects the spindles  88 , 316  of the first and second RFL halves  12 , 14 . Further, a second actuation lever or dial (not shown) is attachable to the splined spindle section  334  for actuating the RFL mechanism  10  from the second RFL half  12 . 
     A pair of spacers  341  is further provided for spacing the inner and outer plates  272 , 274 . The spacers  341  each include a central cylindrical section  343  and side cylindrical sections  345 . The side cylindrical sections  345  of the spacers  341  are received into apertures  347  of the inner and outer plates  272 , 274  and are supported therebetween. A width of the central cylindrical sections  343  define a distance between the inner and outer plates  272 , 274 . 
     The floor-latch portion  14   b  of the second RFL half  12  includes inner and outer plates  350 , 352  supporting a release lever  354  and the floor-latch mechanism  18   b  therebetween. The floor-latch mechanism  18   b  includes a latch-release lever  184   b , a locking lever  186   b , and a latch  188   b , each of which is pivotally supported between support plates  190   b.  The floor-latch portion  14   b  is pivotally supported by the bracket  270  about a pivot  356 . The pivot  356  includes a central keyed cylindrical section  358 , a pair of side cylindrical sections  360  having bearing surfaces  362 , an inwardly extending cylindrical section  364  having a notch  366  formed therein and an outwardly extending, stepped cylindrical section  368 . The pivot  356  is received through a keyed aperture  370  of the bracket  270  for prohibiting rotational motion of the pivot  356  therewithin. The side cylindrical sections  360  are received into corresponding apertures  372  of the inner and outer plates  350 , 352  for enabling rotational motion of the inner and outer plates  350 , 352  about the bearing surfaces  362 . A coil spring  374  biases the floor latch portion  14   b  to a neutral position relative to the bracket  270 . The coil spring  374  includes a central flat  376  disposed within the notch  366  of the pivot  356  and an outwardly extending arm  378  engaging an anchor point  380  formed from the inner plate  350 . Further, the outer plate includes an actuation cable attachment point  397  for securing an end of an actuation cable, whereby the floor latch portion  14   b  can be caused to pivot about the pivot  356 . 
     Upper and lower spacers  382 , 384  are disposed between the inner and outer plates  350 , 352 . Each spacer  382 , 384  includes a central cylindrical section  386  and extending side cylindrical sections  388 . The side cylindrical sections  388  are disposed within corresponding apertures  390  of the inner and outer plates  350 , 352  for securing the spacers  382 , 384  therebetween. The spacers  382 , 384  are functional to define a range of rotational motion of the floor-latch portion  14   b  relative to the bracket  270 . The bracket  270  includes an upper arcuate face  392  between a pair of seats  394 , and a lower arcuate face  396  between a pair of seats  398 . In the neutral position, the upper spacer  382  abuts the seat  394  and the lower spacer  384  abuts the seat  398 . As the floor-latch portion  14   b  is caused to rotate, as described in further detail below, the upper and lower spacers  382 , 384  respectively rotate about the upper and lower arcuate faces  392 , 396 , ultimately abutting the seat  394  and seat  398 , respectively. 
     The release lever  354  includes a pivot aperture  400 , a post aperture  402 , an upper engagement face  404  and a lower engagement face  406 . The release lever  354  is pivotally supported between the inner and outer plates  350 , 352  by a pivot  408 , and operably interconnects the floor-latch mechanism  18   b  and the bracket  270 . The pivot  408  includes a first keyed cylindrical section  410 , a central cylindrical section  412  having a bearing surface  414 , a second keyed cylindrical section  416 , a third cylindrical section  418  having a bearing surface  420 , and an extending cylindrical section  422  having a notch  424  formed therein. The first and second keyed cylindrical sections  410 , 416  are respectively received into keyed apertures  426 , 428  of the outer and inner plates  350 , 352 , whereby the pivot  408  is rotationally fixed relative thereto. The central cylindrical section  412  is received through the pivot aperture  400  of the release lever  354  for enabling rotational motion of the release lever  354  about the bearing surface  414 . 
     The release lever  354  is biased in a counter-clockwise (CCW) direction, as shown in FIG. 4, by a coil spring  430 , whereby the upper engagement face  404  engages a corresponding face  432  of the bracket  270 . The coil spring  430  includes a central flat  434  disposed within the notch  424  of the pivot  408  and an outwardly extending arm  436  engaging a biasing post  438 . The biasing post  438  seats within and extends from the release lever  354 , extending through a slot  440  of the inner plate  350  for engagement with the extending arm  436 . In this manner, the coil spring  430  biases the release lever  354  into engagement with the bracket  270 . 
     The latch-release lever  184   a  includes a pivot aperture  450 , an engagement slot  452 , a transfer cable attachment point  454  and an interlock cable attachment point  456 . The latch-release lever  184   b  is pivotally supported on the inner plate  350  by the pivot  408 , whereby the third cylindrical section  418  is received through the pivot aperture  450  to enable rotation of the latch-release lever  184   b  about the bearing surface  420 . The coil spring  430  lies adjacent to the latch-release lever  184   b , separated therefrom by a washer  457 . A latch post  458  operably interconnects the latch-release lever  184   b  and the locking lever  186   b.  The latch post  458  includes a disc end  460 , a first cylindrical section  462  having a bearing surface  464 , and a second cylindrical section  466 . The latch post  458  is received through the engagement slot  452  of the latch-release lever  184   b , whereby edges of the engagement slot  452  slidably engage the bearing surface  464 . The latch post  458  is securely fixed to the locking lever  186   b , as described immediately below. The interlock cable  268  is attached at the interlock cable attachment point  456  to operably interconnect the interlock plate  260  and the latch-release lever  184   b.    
     The locking lever  186   b  includes a pivot aperture  202   b , an attachment aperture  204   b  and a spring aperture  206   b.  The second cylindrical section  466  of the latch post  458  is fixedly secured within the attachment aperture  204   b  for operably engaging the locking lever  186  and the latch-release lever  184   b.  The locking lever  186   b  is pivotally supported about a pivot  208   b  including a central cylindrical section  210   b  having a bearing surface  212   b  and side cylindrical sections  214   b.  The central cylindrical section  210   b  is received through the pivot aperture  202   b  of the locking lever  186   b , and apertures  216   b  of the support plates  190   b.  The side cylindrical sections  214   b  are received into apertures  470  of the inner and outer plates  350 , 352  for supporting the floor-latch mechanism  18   b  therebetween. 
     The latch  188   b  includes a latching notch  220   b,  a pivot aperture  222   b , a spring attachment aperture  224   b , a locking face  222   b , and an upward extending release cam  472  having a cam surface  474 . The latch  188   b  is pivotally supported by the support plates  190   b  on a pivot  228   b  having a central cylindrical section  230   b  with a bearing surface  232   b  and side cylindrical sections  234   b.  The central cylindrical section  230   b  is received through the pivot aperture  222   b  of the latch  188   b  and the side cylindrical sections  234   b  are received through apertures  235   b  of the support plates  190   b  and into apertures  476  of the inner and outer plates  350 , 352  to support the floor-latch mechanism  18   b  therebetween. A spring  478  is anchored between the locking lever  186   b  and the latch  188   b.  In this manner, a locking nub  240   b  of the locking lever  186   a  is biased into engagement with the locking face  226   b  of the latch  188   b  for securing the latch  188   b.  The cam surface  474  selectively engages the lower engagement face  406  of the release lever  354  enabling actuation of the release lever  354  against the biasing force of the coil spring  430 . 
     The support plates  190   b  each include a striker recess  242   b  having a top flat  244   b  and an outward anchor extension  246   b.  The anchor extensions  246   b  seat within corresponding apertures  480  of the inner and outer plates  350 , 352  for supporting the floor-latch mechanism  18   b  therebetween. The inner and outer plates  350 , 352  each include a striker aperture  482  for receiving a striker, as discussed in further detail hereinbelow. 
     With reference to FIGS. 2,  4 ;  7  and  8 , operation of the RFL mechanism will be described in detail. It should be noted that in each of these Figures, the outer plates  24 ,  274  and  352  are removed to provide a clear view of the internal components. Initially, either the actuation lever  26  of the first RFL half or the actuation lever (not shown) of the second RFL half is operable to a first position to enable reclining or forward-folding motion of the seat-back supports  20   a,    20   b.  It should be noted that operation of either actuation lever results in concurrent actuation of the other, via interconnection of the spindles  88 , 316 . Operation to the first position imparts actuation of the recliner cams  78   a,    78   b  to disengage the pawls  76   a,    76   b  from the seat-back supports  20   a,    20   b.  Disengagement of the pawls  76   a,    76   b  from the seat-back supports  20   a,    20   b  enables the seat-back supports  20   a,    20   b  to recline against the biasing force of the coil spring  62  or forward folding of the seat-back supports  20   a,b.    
     Further operation of the actuation levers to a second position enables operation of the floor-latch mechanisms  18   a,    18   b.  As the actuation lever  26  of the first RFL half  12  moves to the second position, as shown in FIG. 7, the transfer lever  160  articulates to concurrently actuate the floor-latch mechanism  18   a  via the latch-release lever  184   a  and pull the transfer cable  182  to actuate the floor-latch release mechanisms  18   a,    18   b  via the latch-release lever  184   b.  Actuation of the latch-release levers  184   a ,  184   b  pulls the locking levers  186   a,    186   b  against the bias of the springs  238 , 478 , whereby the locking nubs  240   a,    240   b  disengage the locking surfaces  226   a,    226   b  of the latches  188   a,    188   b.  In this manner, the latches  188   a,    188   b  are caused to pivot about the pivot  228   a,    228   b , moving to an open position, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Pivoting of the latch  188   b  enables the cam surface  474  of the latch  188   b  to engage the release lever  354  and disengage the release lever  354  from the bracket  270 , as seen in FIG.  8 . 
     As discussed above, if either floor-latch release mechanisms  18   a,    18   b  are not fully secured, the interlock plate  260  prevents the seat-back supports  20   a,    20   b  from returning to a use or upright position. Specifically, if the floor-latch release mechanism  18   a  of the first RFL half  12  is not fully secured, the transfer lever  160  remains in a mid-actuated position, thereby causing the latch-release lever  184   b  of the floor-latch mechanism  18   b  to also be in a mid-actuated position through the transfer cable  182 . The mid-actuated position of the latch-release lever  184   b  causes the interlock cable  268  to be slack, thereby allowing upward biasing of the interlock plate  260  against the seat-back support  20   a.  Similarly, if the floor-latch mechanism  18   b  of the second RFL half  14  is not fully secured, the latch-release lever  184   b  remains in a mid-actuated position, similarly causing the interlock cable  268  to be slack. 
     With reference to FIGS. 9 through 11, a seat assembly  500  implementing the RFL mechanism  10  will be described in detail. The seat assembly  500  includes a seat-back frame  502  fixedly attached to the seat-back supports  20   a,    20   b  and a seat frame  504  fixedly attached to the first and second RFL halves  12 , 14 . The seat frame  504  is pivotally attached to a pair of brackets  506 , secured to a floor  508 , about a pivot axis Y. The floor  508  includes recesses  510  each having a striker  512  fixedly disposed therein. The strikers  512  align with and are selectively engaged by the floor-latch mechanisms  18   a,    18   b.    
     An actuation cable  514  (shown in phantom) operably interconnects one of the brackets  506  and the floor-latch portion  14   b.  Specifically, a first end  513  of the cable  514  is interconnected to an anchor point  516  of the bracket  506  and runs the length of the seat frame  502 . A second end  515  of the cable  514  is anchored to the actuation cable attachment point  397  of the outer plate  352 . The operable interconnection between the recliner portion  14   b  and the bracket  506 , through the actuation cable  514 , enables pivoting of the recliner portion  14   b  on the bracket  270 , about the pivot  356 , as discussed further below. 
     To dump the seat assembly  500  forward to a stowed position, the RFL mechanism  10  is actuated to initially release the seat-back supports  20   a,    20   b,  as described above, for forward folding of the seat-back frame  502  relative to the seat frame  504 . With the seat-back frame  502  in a forward-fold position, the RFL mechanism  10  is further actuated to disengage the floor-latch mechanism  18   a,    18   b  from the strikers  512 . With the strikers  512  disengaged, the seat assembly  500  may be dumped to a stowed position about the pivot axis Y. As the seat assembly  500  pivots forward, the actuation cable  514  is pulled by the bracket  506 , thereby pulling on the recliner portion  14   b.  In this manner, the recliner portion  14   b  retracts by pivoting about the pivot  356 , against the bias of the coil spring  374  to stow the recliner portion  14   b  adjacent the seat frame  504 . 
     The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.