Patent Publication Number: US-2006012232-A1

Title: Round recliner with sliding pin mechanism

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/588,373, filed on Jul. 15, 2004 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/651,406 filed on Feb. 9, 2005. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FlELD  
      The present teachings relate to seat adjustment mechanisms, and more particularly, to a recliner mechanism having an easy entry feature for use with a seat assembly.  
     BACKGROUND  
      Reconfigurable seating systems are commonly used in vehicles to provide a comfortable seating arrangement and to improve access to various seating and/or cargo areas of the vehicle. For example, most vehicle seats include a recliner mechanism disposed generally between a seatback and a seat bottom to provide selective rotation of the seatback relative to the seat bottom. Rotation of the seatback relative to the seat bottom increases passenger comfort by providing a plurality of recline positions and improves access to the vehicle (i.e., behind the vehicle seat) for passenger entry and cargo loading.  
      The recliner mechanism is typically released by an actuation mechanism disposed near a junction of the seatback and seat bottom. The actuation mechanism may include a manually-operated or powered lever that manipulates internal components of the recliner mechanism to toggle the mechanism from a locked state to an unlocked state. When the lever is rotated, the recliner mechanism is toggled into the unlocked state and rotation of the seatback relative to the seat bottom is permitted.  
      In addition to providing a plurality of recline positions, conventional recliner mechanisms also allow the seatback to be positioned in a so-called “fold-flat” position such that the seatback is substantially parallel to the seat bottom. In the fold-flat position, the seatback provides a flat load floor and/or work surface and improves entry to an area generally behind the vehicle seat. When the desired position is achieved (i.e., either a reclined position or a fold-flat position), the actuation lever is released and the recliner mechanism is returned to the locked state. In the locked state, the recliner mechanism once again prevents rotation of the seatback relative to the seat bottom.  
      Conventional recliner mechanisms bias the seatback into a forward position such that when the recliner mechanism is actuated into the unlocked state, the seatback is rotated into the fold-flat position. Such actuation sufficiently moves the seatback into a parallel relationship with the seat bottom and therefore improves access to an area behind the vehicle seat. However, a user is typically required to bend down to actuate the recliner mechanism to rotate the seatback into the fold-flat position as the actuation handle is disposed proximate to the seat bottom. In addition, conventional recliner mechanisms do not typically include a memory function that returns the seatback to a desired angle relative to the seat bottom upon return to an upright position. Therefore a the user is inconvenienced by having to manipulate the seatback into a comfortable position each time the seatback is returned to an upright and usable position.  
     SUMMARY  
      A seat adjustment mechanism includes a recliner mechanism having a first recliner plate and a second recliner plate. The second recliner plate is rotatable relative to the first recliner plate about a first axis in an unlocked state and is fixed to the first recliner plate in a locked state. A locking plate is rotatable about the first axis and is fixed for rotation with the second recliner plate in a first state and rotatable relative to the second housing plate in a second state.  
      Further areas of applicability of the present teachings will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the teachings.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present teachings will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a recliner assembly;  
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the recliner assembly of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the recliner assembly of  FIG. 1  in an upright and locked position;  
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the recliner assembly of  FIG. 1  in a fold-flat position achieved through actuation of a recliner mechanism;  
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the recliner assembly of  FIG. 1  in a fold-flat position through actuation of an easy-entry mechanism;  
       FIG. 6  is a side view of a seat assembly incorporating the recliner mechanism of  FIG. 1 ; and  
       FIG. 7  is a side view of a seat assembly incorporating the recliner mechanism of  FIG. 1  at an elevated pivot point to provide a table feature. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the teachings, application, or uses.  
      With reference to the figures, a seat adjustment mechanism  10  for use with a seat assembly is provided and includes a support plate  12 , a recliner mechanism  14 , and an easy-entry mechanism  16 . The recliner mechanism  14  is supported by the support plate  12  and provides for recline or forward folding of a seatback relative to a seat bottom. The easy-entry mechanism  16  is supported by the recliner mechanism  14  and support plate  12  and provides for articulation of the seatback into a “fold-flat” position such that the seatback is folded into a parallel relationship relative to the seat bottom without having to manipulate the recliner mechanism  14 .  
      With reference to  FIG. 2 , the support plate  12  includes an attachment arm  18  and a mounting portion  20 . The attachment arm  18  may include mounting apertures  22  for use in attaching the support plate  12  to an external structure such as seat assembly or other vehicle structure. The mounting portion  20  includes a main aperture  24 , an arcuate top surface  26 , and a series of apertures  28 . The main aperture  24  includes three arcuate inner surfaces  30  having similar radii as apertures  28  and a spring post  32  extending therefrom. The arcuate top surface  26  extends between a first stop  34  and a second stop  36  and generally defines a range of motion for both the recliner mechanism  14  and the easy-entry mechanism  16 .  
      With reference to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the recliner mechanism  14  includes an inner housing plate  38 , an outer housing plate  40 , and a locking mechanism  42 . The inner housing plate  38  includes a series of projections (not shown) that are matingly received within apertures  28  of the support plate  12  and within arcuate inner surfaces  30  of the main aperture  24 . Interaction between the apertures  28 , arcuate surfaces  30 , and projections fix the inner housing plate  38  to the support plate  12  and prevent relative movement therebetween.  
      The outer housing plate  40  is rotatably supported relative to the inner housing plate  38  and is selectively fixed to the inner housing plate  38  by the locking mechanism  42 . The outer housing plate  40  includes an aperture  44  formed therethrough, a series of projections  46  radially spaced on an outer surface thereof, and a series of teeth  47  formed on an inner circumferential surface. The aperture  44  rotatably receives a spindle  48  having a series of teeth  50 . The projections  46  are received by the easy-entry mechanism  16  to selectively fix the easy-entry mechanism  16  to the recliner mechanism  14 .  
      The locking mechanism  42  is disposed generally between the inner and outer housing plates  38 ,  40  and includes a cam  52  and a pair of pawls  54 . The cam  52  includes a central aperture  56  that is staked to the spindle  48  such that the cam  52  is fixed for rotation with the spindle  48 . The pawls  54  are rotatably supported between the inner and outer housing plates  38 ,  40  and rotate about a pair of projections  60  formed integrally with the outer housing plate  40 . Each pawl  54  includes a series of teeth  62  and an engagement surface  64 . It should be understood that while the central aperture  56  is described as staked to the spindle  48  that any suitable process for fixedly attaching the cam  52  to the spindle  48  such as welding or broaching is anticipated and should be considered within the scope of the present teachings.  
      In operation, a rotational force is applied to the spindle  48  causing the cam  52  to rotate therewith. Rotation of the cam  52  causes engagement between the cam  52  and the engagement surface  64  of each pawl  54 . Engagement between the cam  52  and engagement surfaces  64  causes each pawl  54  to rotate about a respective projection  60 . Rotation of the pawls  54  about projections  60  continues until the pawls  54  are rotated into engagement with a pair of stops  66 . Once sufficiently rotated by the cam  52 , the teeth  64  of each pawl  54  disengage the teeth  47  of the outer housing plate  40  and the outer housing plate  40  is permitted to freely rotate relative to the inner housing plate  38  and support plate  12 .  
      With reference to  FIG. 2 , the easy-entry mechanism  16  is shown to include a housing  68 , a locking plate  70 , and a cam  72 . The housing  68  includes an inner housing plate  74  and an outer housing plate  76 . The inner housing plate  74  includes a central aperture  78  rotatably receiving the spindle  48 , a series of apertures  80  formed around the central aperture  78 , and a slot  82 . In addition, the inner housing plate  74  includes a projection  84 , a pivot aperture  86 , an attachment aperture  88 , and a spring post  90 .  
      The outer housing plate  76  includes a main aperture  92  rotatably receiving the spindle  48 , a slot  94 , a pivot aperture  95 , and a pair of attachment apertures  96 ,  98 . The outer housing plate  76  is fixedly attached to the inner housing plate  74  by inserting the projection  84  of the inner housing plate  74  into attachment aperture  96  and deforming the projection  84  (i.e., staking). A rivet  100  is inserted into attachment aperture  88  of the inner housing plate  74  and into aperture  98  of the outer housing plate  76  to further fix the outer housing plate  76  to the inner housing plate  74 . Rivet  100  includes a pair of cylindrical sections  102  flanking a central cylindrical section  104 . The cylindrical sections  102  are received within apertures  88 ,  98 , respectively, while the central cylindrical section  104  is disposed generally between the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  to define a space therebetween.  
      The locking plate  70  is rotatably supported between the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  and includes a pivot aperture  106 , a locking recess  108 , an attachment aperture  110 , and a stop arm  112 . The pivot aperture  106  rotatably receives the spindle  48  and is rotatable about the spindle  48  relative to the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76 . The locking recess  108  is formed in an arcuate surface  114  of the locking plate  70  and selectively receives a slide pin  116  to prevent rotation of the locking plate  70  relative to the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76 . The slide pin  116  is slidably supported within slots  82 ,  94  of the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  and is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The slide pin  116  is disposed generally within locking recess  108  in the locked position and is disengaged from the locking recess  108  in the unlocked position.  
      The attachment aperture  110  is disposed on an opposite side of the pivot aperture  106  from the locking recess  108  and fixedly receives a post  118 . The post  118  includes a cylindrical body  120  having an engagement surface  122 . One end of the post  118  is fixedly attached to attachment aperture  110  while the other end of the post  118  includes a flange  124 . The stop arm  112  is disposed proximate to locking recess  108  and includes an engagement surface  126  that selectively engages rivet  100  to restrict rotation of the locking plate  70  relative to the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76 .  
      The slide pin  116  is biased into engagement with the locking recess  108  of the locking plate  70  by the cam  72 . The cam  72  includes a central aperture  128  having flats  130 , an arcuate surface  132 , and a pair of cable apertures  134 . The cam  72  is rotatably supported between the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  by a pivot  126 .  
      The pivot  126  includes a pair of cylindrical sections  138  that are rotatably supported by apertures  86 ,  95  of the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  and a central cylindrical section  140  having flats  142 . The central aperture  128  of the cam  72  matingly receives the central cylindrical section  140  of the pivot  136  such that the flats  142  of the pivot  126  are aligned with the flats  130  of the cam  72 . Engagement between flats  130  and flats  142  fixes the cam  72  for rotation with the pivot  126 . The pivot  126  also includes an extension  144  having a spring slot  146  extending through the inner housing plate  74 .  
      A coil spring  148  is disposed on an outer surface  150  of the inner housing plate  74  and includes a coiled main body  152 , a centrally-disposed flat  154 , and an extension  156 . The centrally-disposed flat  154  is matingly received by the spring slot  146  of the pivot  126  while the extension  156  abuts the spring post  90  of the inner housing plate  74 . The coiled main body  152 , in conjunction with flat  154  and extension  156 , cooperate to bias the pivot  136 , and thus the cam  72 , in the clockwise direction relative to the view shown in  FIG. 4 . In this manner, the cam  72  is biased into engagement with the slide pin  116  and causes the slide pin  116  to engage the locking recess  108  of the locking plate  70  to prevent rotation of the locking plate  70  relative to the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76 .  
      With reference to  FIGS. 3-5 , operation of the seat adjustment mechanism  10  will be described in detail. In the use position, the recliner mechanism  14  is in a locked position such that the teeth  62  of the pawls  54  are in engagement with the teeth  47  of the outer housing plate  40 . In this position, rotation of the outer housing plate  40  relative to the inner housing plate  38  is prohibited. In addition to the foregoing, the locking plate  70  is prevented from rotating independently of the recliner mechanism  14  and inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  due to the engagement between the slide pin  116  and the locking recess  108 .  
      To adjust a position of the locking plate  70  relative to the attachment arm  18 , a force is applied to the spindle  48  either by manually rotating the spindle  48  or through a powered operation. In either event, the rotational force causes the spindle  48  to rotate relative to the support plate  12  and rotate the cam  52  of the recliner mechanism  14 . Rotation of cam  52  causes concurrent rotation of the pawls  54  about projections  60 . Once the pawls  54  have been sufficiently rotated about projections  60 , such that each pawl  54  is in contact with a stop  66 , the teeth  62  of each pawl  54  are fully disengaged from the teeth  47  of the outer housing plate  40 .  
      Once the teeth  62  of the pawls  54  are sufficiently disengaged from the outer housing plate  40 , the outer housing plate  40  may be rotated relative to the inner housing plate  38  and support plate  12  ( FIG. 3 ). Rotation of the outer housing plate  40  in the counterclockwise direction relative to the view shown in  FIG. 4  is facilitated by a coil spring  158 . Coil spring  158  includes a coiled main body  160  and an outwardly-extending arm  162 . The coiled main body  160  is attached to the spring post  32  of the support plate  12  while the arm  162  is biased into engagement with the surface  122  of post  118 . Therefore, when the pawls  54  are released from engagement with the teeth  47  of the outer housing plate  40 , the outer housing plate  40 , locking plate  70 , and inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  are rotated in the counterclockwise direction relative to the view shown in  FIG. 4  by the coil spring  158 .  
      If rotation of the outer housing plate  40 , locking plate  70 , and inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  in the clockwise direction relative to the view shown in  FIG. 4  is desired, a force must be applied to the outer housing plate  40 , locking plate  70 , and/or inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  against the bias of coil spring  158  to prevent rotation in the counterclockwise direction.  
      Once the desired rotational position of the outer housing plate  40 , locking plate  70 , and inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  is achieved, in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the rotational force applied to the spindle  48  is released, and a pair of torsion springs (not shown) associated the recliner mechanism  14  bias the cam  52  in the clockwise direction relative to the view shown in  FIG. 4 . Sufficient rotation of the cam  52  causes rotation of the pawls  54  about projections  60  until the teeth  62  of each pawl  54  are meshed with teeth  47  of the outer housing plate  40 . Once fully rotated, the position of the outer housing plate  40 , locking plate  70 , and inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  relative to the inner housing plate  38  and support plate  12  is fixed.  
      Independent rotation of the locking plate  70  relative to the recliner mechanism  14  and inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  is achieved through rotation of the cam  72  relative to the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76 . Specifically, a rotational force is applied to the cam  72  generally at cable aperture  134 . The force causes the cam  72  to rotate in the counterclockwise direction relative to the view shown in  FIG. 5  and against the bias of coil spring  148 . Sufficient rotation of the cam  72  releases engagement between the arcuate surface  132  of the cam  72  and the slide pin  116  and therefore allows the slide pin  116  to disengage the lock recess  108  of the locking plate  70 . Once the slide pin  116  is disengaged from the locking recess  108 , the locking plate  70  is permitted to rotate relative to the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76 .  
      Once the slide pin  116  disengages the locking recess  108 , the locking plate  70  is rotated in the counterclockwise direction relative to the view shown in  FIG. 5  due to the interaction between coil spring  158  and post  118 . The locking plate  70  is rotated relative to the recliner mechanism  14  and the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  until the engagement surface  122  of post  118  contacts stop  36  of the support plate  12 . At this point, further rotation of the locking plate  70  in the counterclockwise direction is prohibited.  
      To return the locking plate  70  to the use position, a force is applied to the locking plate  70  against the bias of coil spring  158  and the locking plate  70  is rotated about the spindle  48 . Once the locking plate  70  has been sufficiently rotated such that the locking recess  108  is aligned with slots  82 ,  94 , the slide pin  116  will traverse the slots  82 ,  94  and seat within the locking recess  108 . The slide pin  1   16  traverses the slots  82 ,  94  due to the force applied thereto by the cam  72  under bias of coil spring  148 .  
      Proper alignment of the locking plate  70  with the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  is accomplished due to interaction between the stop arm  112  and rivet  100 . Specifically, when the locking plate  70  is rotated in the clockwise direction relative to the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76 , the slots  82 ,  94  are properly aligned with the slide pin  116  due to interaction between the stop arm  112  and the central cylindrical section  104  of rivet  100 . The engagement of the stop arm  112  and rivet  100  prevents further rotation of the locking plate  70  in the clockwise direction and ensures that the slide pin  116  can engage the locking recess  108 .  
      Once the slide pin  116  is disposed within the locking recess  108 , the locking plate  70  is returned to the use position. It should be noted that the locking plate  70  is returned to the same angular position relative to the recliner mechanism  14  and the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  that the locking plate  70  occupied prior to rotation of the cam  72  and release of the slide pin  116  from locking recess  108 . This “memory” feature allows return of the locking plate  70  to the same angular position upon return to the use position. The memory feature is achieved by allowing rotation of the locking plate  70  relative to the recliner mechanism  14  and the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  without changing the relative position of the pawls  54  relative the outer housing plate  40 .  
      With particular reference to  FIG. 6 , the seat adjustment mechanism  10  is shown incorporated into a seat assembly  164  having a seatback  166  and a seat bottom  168 . The seat adjustment mechanism  10  is disposed generally at a junction between the seatback  166  and seat bottom  168  to provide the seatback  166  with a plurality of recline positions relative to the seat bottom  168 .  
      The seatback  166  is fixedly attached to the locking plate  70  and the seat bottom is fixedly attached to the support plate  12 . In this manner, rotation of the locking plate  70  relative to the inner housing plate  38  causes concurrent rotation of the seatback  166  relative to the seat bottom  168 . To rotate the seatback  166  relative to the seat bottom  168 , a rotational force is applied to a handle  170  associated with the recliner mechanism  14 . The handle  170  is matingly received by teeth  50  of the spindle  48  and therefore causes the spindle  48  to rotate when a rotational force is applied to the handle  170 . Rotation of the spindle  48  causes the cam  52  of the recliner mechanism  14  to disengage each pawl  54  from the teeth  47  of the outer housing plate  40 , as previously discussed. Once the pawls  54  are disengaged, the outer housing plate  40 , locking plate  70 , and inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  are free to rotate relative to the inner housing plate  38  and support plate  12 .  
      Rotation of the locking plate  70  relative to the inner housing plate  38  causes concurrent rotation of the seatback  166  relative to the seat bottom  168 . Once the desired position of the seatback  166  relative to the seat bottom  168  is achieved, the force applied to the handle  170  is released and the pawls  54  once again prevent rotation of the seatback  166  relative to the seat bottom  168 .  
       FIG. 6  shows the range of motion of the seatback  166  relative to the seat bottom  168 . The seatback  166  may be positioned in any number of angular positions relative to the seat bottom  168  through actuation of the recliner mechanism  14  as described above. A recline position “A” is shown in  FIG. 6  relative to a design position “B.” It should be noted that while the seatback  166  is shown in a recline position relative to the design position B, that the seatback  166  may also be pivoted into a forward position relative to the design position B. For example, the seatback  166  may be rotated about the spindle  48  until the seatback  166  is substantially parallel with the seat bottom  168 . This “fold-flat” position shown as position “C” provides a flat load floor and improves access to an area behind the seat assembly  164 .  
      When the pawls  54  of the recliner mechanism  14  are engaged with the teeth  47  of the outer housing plate  40 , rotation of the locking plate  70  may still be accomplished through use of the easy-entry mechanism  16 . The easy-entry mechanism  16  includes a release handle  172  and cable  174  that cooperate to rotate the cam  72  and release the slide pin  116  from the recess  108 .  
      The release handle  172  is disposed at an upper end of the seatback  166  to provide quick access to a user. The release handle  172  is rotatably supported by the seatback  166  and is coupled to one end of the cable  174 . The other end of the cable  174  is fixedly attached to the cable aperture  134  of the cam  72  such that when the cable  174  is placed under tension due to rotation of the release handle  172 , the cam  72  is similarly rotated.  
      Rotation of the cam  72  allows the slide pin  116  to disengage the locking recess  108  of the locking plate  70 , as previously discussed. Once the slide pin  116  is fully disengaged from the locking recess  108 , the locking plate  70  is rotated relative to the recliner mechanism  14  and inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76 , until the engagement surface  122  of post  118  engages stop  36  of the attachment arm  18 . In this manner, the easy-entry mechanism  16  provides a user with the ability to quickly position the seatback  166  into the fold-flat position C without having to actuate the recliner mechanism  14 .  
      To return the seatback  166  to a use position, a force is applied to the seatback  166  against the bias of coil spring  158  until the locking recess  108  is aligned with the slots  82 ,  94  and the stop arm  112  contacts rivet  100 . Once the locking recess  108  is aligned with slots  82 ,  94  of the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76 , the cam  72  is allowed to bias the slide pin  116  into the locking recess  108  and lock the position of the locking plate  70 , and thus the seatback  166 , relative to the seat bottom  168 .  
      When the seatback  166  is rotated from the fold-flat position C, the seatback  166  is returned to the same angular position relative to the seat bottom  168  that the seatback  166  occupied prior to being articulated into the fold-flat position. When the easy-entry mechanism  16  is released, the recliner mechanism  14  remains locked (i.e., the pawls  54  remain engaged with the teeth  47  of the outer housing plate  40 ). Therefore, the relative position of the outer housing plate  40  and inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  relative to the inner housing plate  38  does not change. When the seatback  166  is returned to the upright position B, the slide pin  116  engages the locking recess  108  at the same angle as the relationship of the recliner mechanism to the inner and outer housing plates  74 ,  76  has not changed. Therefore the easy-entry mechanism  16  provides a “memory” feature that allows the user to articulate the seatback  166  into the fold-flat position and easily return the seatback  166  to a desired angular position relative to the seat bottom  168  without having to adjust the recliner mechanism  14 .  
       FIG. 7  shows the seat adjustment mechanism  10  incorporated into a seat assembly  164 ′. The seat assembly  164 ′ is similar to the seat assembly  164 , however, the pivot point of the seatback  166 ′ relative to the seat bottom  168 ′ is higher that the pivot point of the seatback  166  relative to the seat bottom  168 .  
      Seat assembly  164 ′ includes a seatback  166 ′ and a seat bottom  168 ′. The seatback  166 ′ is pivotably supported by an extension  174  of the seat bottom  168 ′ such that the pivot point of the seatback  166 ′ is positioned at a higher location on the seatback  166 ′ when compared to the position of the pivot point of the seatback  166 . The design position B of the seatback  166 ′ and angular position A of the seatback  166 ′ do not change. The seatback  166 ′ simply pivots at a higher location as compared to the seatback  166  of seat assembly  164 . When the seatback  166 ′ is adjusted into a fold-flat position C′, such that the seatback  166 ′ is substantially parallel to the seat bottom  168 ′, a gap  176  is created generally between the seatback  166 ′ and the seat bottom  168 ′.  
      The gap  176  is created due to the higher pivot point of the seatback  166 ′ and therefore results in a higher load floor (i.e., back of seatback  166 ′ when folded flat) when compared to seatback  166 . The higher load floor allows the seatback  166 ′ to be used as a table when the in the fold-flat position. As with seat assembly  164 , the seatback  166 ′ may be articulated into the fold-flat position through either actuation of the recliner mechanism  14  or through actuation of the easy-entry mechanism  16 .  
      As described, the seat adjustment mechanism  10  provides the ability to position a seatback  166 , 166 ′ in any number of angular positions relative to a seat bottom  168 ′ through actuation of a recliner mechanism  14 . In addition, the seat adjustment mechanism  10  provides the ability to position the seatback  166 ,  166 ′ in a fold-flat position relative to the seat bottom  168 ,  168 ′ through actuation of either the recliner mechanism  14  or the easy-entry mechanism  16  and allows the seatback  166 , 168 ′ to be used as a table by adjusting the location of the pivot point of the seatback  166 ,  166 ′. Furthermore, the easy-entry mechanism  16  provides a memory feature that allows the seatback  166 , 166 ′ to be automatically returned to a desired angular position relative to the seat bottom  168 ,  168 ′ from the fold-flat position.  
      The description of the teachings is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the teachings 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.