Patent Publication Number: US-2023143122-A1

Title: Seating assembly with displaceable panel

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/190,659, filed on Mar. 3, 2021, entitled “SEATING ASSEMBLY WITH DISPLACEABLE PANEL.” The aforementioned related application is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to a seating assembly for a vehicle with a displaceable panel. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Seating assemblies may include movable components that may be placed in different positions to accommodate different seating assembly needs. Improved movable components for seating assemblies are desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a seating assembly is provided. The seating assembly includes a seating assembly frame that includes a seatback frame and a seat frame. The seating assembly further includes a seatback panel coupled to an upper portion of the seatback frame and movable between a stored position relative to the seatback frame and an extended position relative to the seatback frame, and an adjustment mechanism coupled to the seatback panel and the seating assembly frame and movable between a first position and a second position in response to an actuating force. 
     Embodiments of the first aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
         in the first position of the adjustment mechanism, the seatback panel is in the stored position;   in the second position of the adjustment mechanism, the seatback panel is in the extended position;   a seatback panel pivotable coupling including the seatback panel and the seatback frame and defined by a seatback panel axis of rotation extending through the seatback panel and the seatback frame;   the adjustment mechanism includes a linkage assembly;   the first position of the adjustment mechanism includes a collapsed position of the linkage assembly;   the second position of the adjustment mechanism includes an expanded position of the linkage assembly;   the linkage assembly is pivotably coupled to an inward-extending portion of a seating assembly cross member;   in the collapsed position of the linkage assembly, a forward link of the linkage assembly is disposed above the seat frame;   in the expanded position of the linkage assembly, the forward link of the linkage assembly is disposed below the seat frame;   the adjustment mechanism includes a cam lever pivotably coupled to the seatback frame;   the cam lever defines an armrest;   the first position of the adjustment mechanism includes a primary position of the cam lever substantially aligned with the seatback frame and wherein the second position of the adjustment mechanism includes a secondary position of the cam lever transverse to the seatback frame; and/or   the adjustment mechanism includes a telescoping member extending between the seating assembly frame and the seatback panel.       

     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seating assembly is provided. The vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback pivotably coupled to a seat and movable between an upright position relative to the seat and a substantially parallel position relative to the seat and including a seatback panel coupled to an upper portion of a seatback frame, and an adjustment mechanism extending between the seatback frame and the seatback panel and configured to move from a first position to a second position in response to an actuating force disposed on the adjustment mechanism if the seatback is in the upright position relative to the seat, thereby moving the seatback panel from a first distance relative to the seatback frame to a second distance relative to the seatback frame. 
     Embodiments of the second aspect of the disclosure can include any one or a combination of the following features:
         the seatback panel defines a load floor if the seatback is disposed substantially parallel to the seat and if the seatback panel is positioned at a first distance relative to the seatback frame;   the adjustment mechanism includes a latching system configured to maintain the seatback panel at the second distance relative to the seatback frame;   the adjustment mechanism includes first and second adjustment mechanisms disposed on opposing sides of the seatback panel; and/or   the adjustment mechanism includes a four bar linkage pivotably coupled to a seating assembly frame.       

     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seating assembly is provided. The vehicle seating assembly includes a seating assembly frame including a seat frame and a seatback frame. The vehicle seating assembly further includes a panel positioned on the back of the seatback frame and movable between a stored position relative to the seatback frame and an extended position relative to the seatback frame, and an adjustment mechanism extending between the seating assembly frame and the panel and movable between a first position and a second position in response to an actuating force disposed on the adjustment mechanism, wherein if the adjustment mechanism is in the first position, then the panel is in the stored position, and wherein if the adjustment mechanism is in the second position, then the panel is in the extended position. 
     These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosure will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a seating assembly frame with a linkage assembly and a seatback panel in a stored position, according to an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a side elevational view of a seating assembly frame with a linkage assembly and a seatback panel in an extended position, according to an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of a seating assembly frame with a linkage assembly and a seatback panel in an extended position, according to an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a side schematic view of a linkage assembly and the seatback panel in a stored position and an extended position, according to an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a side perspective view a seating assembly frame with a seated occupant and the linkage assembly in a first position and a second position, according to an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is a right side perspective view of a seating assembly frame with a cam lever and a seatback panel in the stored position, according to an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    is a right side elevational view of a seating assembly frame with a cam lever and a seatback panel in the stored position, according to an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  8    is a left side perspective view of a seating assembly frame with a cam lever and a seatback panel in the stored position, according to an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  9    is a right side perspective view of a seating assembly frame with a cam lever and a seatback panel in the expended position, according to an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  10    is a right side elevational view of a seating assembly frame with a cam lever and a seatback panel in the extended position, according to an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  11    is a left side perspective view of a seating assembly frame with a cam lever and a seatback panel in the extended position, according to an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  12    is a schematic view of a seating assembly frame with a telescoping member and a seatback panel in the extended position, according to an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  13    is a schematic view of a guide sleeve, according to an aspect of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  14    is a schematic view of a seating assembly frame with an alternate cam lever and a seatback panel in the stored position, according to an aspect of the disclosure; and 
         FIG.  15    is a schematic view of a seating assembly frame with an alternate cam lever and a seatback panel in the stored position and the extended position, according to an aspect of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to the vehicle seating assemblies  10  described below and shown in the attached figures, a vehicle seating assembly  10  may be described from the vantage point of an occupant  12  seated in the seating assembly  10 . The side of a seating assembly  10  disposed on a right side of a seated occupant  12  may be referred to as a right side of the seating assembly  10 . The side of the seating assembly  10  disposed on a left side of a seated occupant  12  may be referred to as a left side of the seating assembly  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 15   , a seating assembly  10  includes a seating assembly frame  14  having a seatback frame  18  and a seat frame  22 . A seatback panel  26  is coupled to an upper portion  30  of the seatback frame  18  and movable between a stored position I relative to the seatback frame  18  and an extended position II relative to the seatback frame  18 . An adjustment mechanism  34  is coupled to the seatback panel  26  and the seating assembly frame  14  and movable between a first position V and a second position VI. If the adjustment mechanism  34  is in the first position V, then the seatback panel  26  is in the stored position I. If the adjustment mechanism  34  is in the second position VI, then the seatback panel  26  is in the extended position II. 
     Customers desire a vehicle that may be used for various purposes. Therefore, it is advantageous to configure vehicle seating assemblies  10  to use vehicle space in multiple ways. A seating assembly  10  that may be configured as a load floor  102  may provide additional cargo storage space in a vehicle. A seating assembly  10  may include a seatback  38  and a seat  40 . A seating assembly  10  may have a seatback panel  26  that may function as a load floor  102  if the seatback frame  18  is folded flat above the seat  40  and in a substantially parallel position X with the seat  40 . If the seatback frame  18  is in the upright position IX, it may be desirable to have the seatback panel  26  extend away from the seat frame  22  to provide additional space for a seated occupant  12  in the seating assembly  10 . As such, it may be desirable to have a seatback panel  26  that may be in a stored position I relative to a seatback frame  18  if the seatback  38  is in a substantially parallel position X with the seat  40  and/or if a seating assembly  10  is in the upright position IX. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a seating assembly  10  may include a seating assembly frame  14 . The seating assembly frame  14  may include a seat frame  22  and a seatback frame  18 . A seatback panel  26  may be disposed on the back of the seatback frame  18 . The seating assembly  10  may include an adjustment mechanism  34  for moving the seatback panel  26  between the stored position I and the extended position II. The seatback panel  26  is shown in the stored position I. 
     The adjustment mechanism  34  shown in  FIGS.  1 - 5    includes a linkage assembly  34 A. In the example shown, opposing linkage assemblies  34 A may be disposed on opposing sides of the seatback panel  26 . The linkage assemblies  34 A may move between a first position (for example, collapsed position V) and a second position (for example, expanded position VI) in response to an actuating force  42 A exerted on the linkage assemblies  34 A. Movement of the linkage assemblies  34 A from the first position (collapsed position V) to the second position (expanded position VI) may cause the seatback panel  26  to move from the stored position I to the extended position II. A seat panel  46  may be disposed in the seat frame  22 . The seat panel  46  may extend from a forward portion  50  of the seat frame  22  to a rearward portion  54  of the seat frame  22 . The seating assembly  10  may include mounts  58  for securing the seating assembly  10  to a vehicle floor  62 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the actuating force  42 A exerted on the seating assembly  10  may move the linkage assembly  34 A from the collapsed position V to the expanded position VI. The movement of the linkage assembly  34 A to the expanded position VI may cause the seatback panel  26  to be pushed from the stored position I to the extended position II. The seatback panel  26  may be coupled to the seatback frame  18  at a seatback panel pivotable coupling  66 . A seatback panel axis of rotation  68  may extend through the seatback panel pivotable coupling  66  and may define the seatback panel pivotable coupling  66 . The linkage assembly  34 A may include a rearward link  70  disposed along the seatback panel  26 . The rearward link  70  may include a slot  74  for receiving the intermediate link  78  of the linkage assembly  34 A. The seatback panel  26  may be a substantially flat structure that may extend over the seatback frame  18 . The seatback panel  26  may be a metal, plastic or other material. The seatback panel  26  may include a tether  82  for mounting cargo to the seatback panel  26 . The seatback panel  26  may be covered by a cover. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  3   , the linkage assembly  34 A may include rearward link  70 , intermediate link  78 , intermediate link  86 , and forward link  90 . The forward link  90  may be coupled to the seat panel  46 . The rearward link  70  may extend along the seatback panel  26 . Two intermediate links  78 ,  86  may be disposed between the forward link  90  and the rearward link  70 . The seatback frame  18  may be rotatably coupled to the seat frame  22  at a seatback pivotable coupling  94 . The seatback pivotable coupling  94  may be defined by the seatback axis of rotation  98 . The seatback frame  18  may move from the upright position IX relative to the seat frame  22  to a substantially parallel position X relative to the seat frame  22  if the seatback frame  18  is rotated about the seatback axis of rotation  98 . If the seatback frame  18  is in a substantially parallel position X relative to the seat  40 , then the seatback panel  26  may be in the stored position I. If the seatback frame  18  is in a substantially parallel position X relative to the seat  40 , then the linkage assembly  34 A may be in a collapsed position V. The seatback frame  18  may be in a folded position over the seat frame  22  if the seatback panel  26  creates a load floor  102 . A folded position of the seatback frame  18  over the seat  40  may include the seatback frame  18  in a substantially parallel position X relative to the seat frame  22 . 
     Referring again to  FIG.  3   , a cross member  110  of the seating assembly  10  may be disposed between the mounts  58  at the junction of the seat frame  22  and the seatback frame  18 . In the example shown, the cross member  110  may be part of the seat frame  22 . In other examples, the cross member  110  may be part of the seatback frame  18 , or the cross member  110  may be a separate part. Inward-extending portions  114  at the ends of the cross member  110  may cover components of the seating assembly frame  14 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  3   , the seatback frame  18  may include a pair of opposing upright longitudinal members  118  and an upper cross member  122 . The upper cross member  122  may be secured to the pair of opposing upright longitudinal members  118 . The upper cross member  122  may include apertures  126  for receiving headrest rods. The seating assembly frame  14  may include a pair of opposing side brackets  130  coupled to the pair of opposing upright longitudinal members  118 . The seatback panel  26  may be disposed against the pair of opposing side brackets  130  if the seatback panel  26  is in the stored position I. The seatback panel  26  may be disposed against the pair of opposing upright longitudinal members  118  if the seatback panel  26  is in the stored position I. 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  3   , a link pivotable coupling  134  may be between the forward link  90  and the intermediate link  86 . A link pivotable coupling  138  may be between an intermediate link  78  and an intermediate link  86 . The link pivotable coupling  134  between the forward link  90  and the intermediate link  86  may be coupled to the inward-extending portion  114  of the seating assembly frame  14  at the linkage assembly pivotable coupling  142 . The linkage assembly pivotable coupling  142  may be defined by a linkage assembly axis of rotation  146  extending through the linkage assembly  34 A and the seating assembly frame  14 . A support bracket  150  may extend from the cross member  110  to secure the linkage assembly  34 A to the inward-extending portion  114  of the seating assembly frame  14 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  4   , the linkage assembly  34 A may move from the collapsed position V to the extended position VI in response to an actuating force  42 A. The actuating force  42 A may be the weight of an occupant  12  sitting on the seating assembly  10 . As the linkage assembly  34 A moves from the collapsed position V to the expanded position VI, the seatback panel  26  moves from the stored position I to the extended position II. The seatback panel  26  may rotate about the seatback panel axis of rotation  68 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIG.  4   , the linkage assembly  34 A may include a first end  158  coupled to the seat panel  46  and a second end  162  fixed to the seatback panel  21 in 6 . The seatback panel  26  may include a slot  74  for receiving a link  78 . If the linkage assembly  34 A is in the collapsed position V, then the forward link  90  may be disposed above the seat frame  22 . See,  FIGS.  1 ,  5   . If the linkage assembly  34 A is in the expanded position VI, then the forward link  90  may be disposed below the seat frame  22 . See,  FIGS.  2 ,  5   . Upon application of an actuating force  42 A on the seat panel  46  due to the weight of an occupant  12  or another object, a rotation movement of the linkage assembly  34 A is created. The seat panel  46  and the forward link  90  move downward in an arc of rotation that may cause the intermediate links  78 ,  86  to exert a force on the seatback panel  26  to provide increased space in the seating assembly  10  for occupant comfort. The linkage assembly  34 A may lock with a pin-based or other latching mechanism  166  to maintain the linkage assembly  34 A in the in the expanded position VI during use of the seating assembly  10  by an occupant  12 . If the occupant  12  leaves the seating assembly  10 , the seatback panel  26  may return to the stored position I against the seatback frame  18  to create the load floor function of the seatback panel  26 . The seatback panel  26  and the seatback frame  18  may be spring-loaded to return the seatback panel  26  to a stored position I after an occupant  12  leaves the seating assembly  10 . See, exemplary spring system  290  in  FIGS.  14 - 15   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , if the adjustment mechanism  34  (for example, linkage assembly  34 A) is in the collapsed position V, then the seatback panel  26  may be disposed at a first distance D 1  relative to the seatback frame  18 . If the adjustment mechanism  34  (for example, linkage assembly  34 A) is in the second position VI, then the seatback panel  26  may be disposed in a second distance D 2  relative to the seatback frame  18 . See, exemplary first distance D 1  shown in  FIG.  7   . See, exemplary second distance D 2  shown in  FIG.  5   . In the exemplary first panel distance D 1  shown in  FIG.  7   , the distance D 1  may be approximately zero. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  5   , the linkage assembly  34 A is shown in the collapsed position V and the expanded position VI. If the linkage assembly  34 A is in the expanded position VI, then the seatback panel  26  may be in the extended position II. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  6 - 11   , the adjustment mechanism  34  shown includes a cam lever  34 B. The cam lever  34 B may include a cam portion  190  and a lever portion  194 . The lever portion  194  may be an armrest  198 . The lever portion  194  may be coupled to the cam portion  190  such that movement of the lever portion  194  moves the cam portion  190 . The cam lever  34 B may be coupled to the seating assembly frame  14  at a cam lever pivotable coupling  202 . 
     With reference to  FIG.  6   , the cam lever  34 B may be in a primary position XIII aligned with the seatback frame  18 . The position of the cam lever  34 B when the cam lever  34 B is disposed along the seatback frame  18  may be referred to as the primary position XIII of the cam lever  34 B. The seatback panel  26  may be in the stored position I when the cam lever  34 B is disposed in the primary position XIII aligned with the seatback frame  18 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIG.  6   , the lever portion  194  may be an armrest  198  with an enlarged flat portion  206  at the end of the armrest  198 . The enlarged flat portion  206  may provide a surface for an occupant  12  to rest his or her forearm. The lever portion  194  may include a hole  210  for receiving a pin  214  that may couple the lever portion  194  to the cam portion  190 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , an actuating force  42 B applied to the lever portion  194  may cause the cam lever  34 B to rotate in the direction shown by arrow  216  to move the seatback panel  26  from the stored position I to the extended position II. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , the lever portion  194  is shown adjacent to side bracket  130 . The seatback panel  26  is in the stored position I. 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , the cam lever  34 B is shown in the secondary position XIV transverse to the seatback frame  18 . The seatback panel  26  is shown in the extended position II relative to the seatback frame  18 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , the cam lever  34 B may be in the secondary position XIV transverse to the seatback frame  18 , and the seatback panel  26  may be in the corresponding extended position II relative to the seatback frame  18 . The cam lever  34 B may include the lever portion  194  and the cam portion  190 . The cam portion  190  may be coupled to the lever portion  194  by a pin  214  that may extend through the hole  210  in the lever portion  194 . The lever portion  194  may be disposed on the outside of a flange  218  of the seatback frame  18 . The cam portion  190  may be disposed on the inside of a flange  218  of the seatback frame  18 . The cam portion  190  may include a curved slot  222  that may receive a seatback panel pin  226  that may be coupled to the seatback panel  26 . In the example shown, the seatback panel  26  is disposed against an outer portion of the cam portion  190 . As the cam lever  34 B is rotated in the direction shown by arrow  230 , the pin  226  may move along the slot  222  and the cam portion  190  may rotate into a space adjacent to the flange  218 , thereby moving the seatback panel  26  from the extended position II to the stored position I. 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  10   , the cam lever  34 B in the secondary position XIV transverse to the seatback frame  18  may move the seatback panel  26  a distance D 2  from the seatback frame  18 . In one example, the distance D 2  may be in the approximate range of between approximately 20.0 millimeters and approximately 80.0 millimeters and ideally approximately 40.0 millimeters. In another example, the distance D 2  may be less than approximately 30.0 millimeters. In yet another example, the distance D 2  may be greater than approximately 80.0 millimeters. 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , the cam lever  34 B is shown in the secondary position XIV transverse to the seatback frame  18 . It is to be understood that the cam lever  34 B may be located on either the right side or the left side of the seatback frame  18 . In various aspects, cam levers  34 B may be located on both the right and the left sides of the seatback frame  18 . In various examples, the cam lever  34 B may be located on the bottom of the seating assembly frame  14 , the top of the seating assembly frame  14 , or elsewhere so that the cam lever  34 B may be coupled with the seatback panel  26 . In various aspects, the cam lever  34 B may be movable between positions other than the primary position XIII aligned with the seatback frame  18  and the secondary position XIV transverse to the seatback frame  18  to move the seatback panel  26  between the stored position I and the extended position II. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  12 - 13   , an adjustment mechanism  34  may include a telescoping member  34 C. The telescoping member  34 C may include a guide  242 , a sleeve  246 , and a spring  250 . The guide  242  may include a handgrip  254 . The handgrip  254  may include a cylindrical cavity that may be pushed over the guide  242 . The handgrip  254  may be rubber, plastic, or another material. The handgrip  254  may include a bumpy outer surface that the fingers of a user may conveniently hold on to. A cross-section of the guide  242  may be circular. A cross-section of the sleeve  246  may be circular. A user may exert an actuating force  42 C on the handgrip  254  by pushing the handgrip  254  in the direction shown by arrow  256  to move the seatback panel  26  from the stored position I to the extended position II. A user may exert a return force  258  in the direction shown by arrow  260  on the handgrip  254  by pulling the handgrip  254  in the direction shown by arrow  260  to move the seatback panel  26  from the extended position II to the stored position I. The telescoping member  34 C may be coupled to the seating assembly frame  14 . A distal end  262  of the telescoping member  34 C may be coupled to the seatback panel  26 . In various aspects, the telescoping member  34 C may be located on either the right side or the left side of the seating assembly frame  14 . In various aspects, telescoping members  34 C may be located on right and left sides of the seating assembly frame  14 . In various aspects, the telescoping member  34 C may be located on places of the seating assembly frame  14  other than the right and/or left sides of the seating assembly frame  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  14 - 15   , an adjustment mechanism  34  may include a cam lever  34 D. The cam lever  34 D may include a cam hand grip  270 . The cam lever  34 D may be disposed on the seatback frame  18 . The cam lever  34 D may move from an initial position XVII transverse to the seatback frame  18  to a final position XVIII aligned with the seatback frame  18 . The cam lever  34 D may include a cam portion  274  and a lever portion  278 . The cam lever  34 D may be rotatable about the cam lever pivotable coupling  282  in the direction shown by arrow  286  and in response to actuating force  42 D. The cam lever  34 D may be secured to the seating assembly frame  14  at the cam lever pivotable coupling  282 . In various examples, the handgrip  270  may be integral to the lever portion  278 , or the handgrip  270  may be a separate part. The handgrip  270  may include a cylindrical cavity that may be pushed over the lever portion  278 . The handgrip  270  may be rubber, plastic, or another material. The handgrip  270  may include a bumpy outer surface that the fingers of a user may conveniently hold on to. A spring system  290  may be disposed between the seatback panel  26  and the seating assembly frame  14 . The spring system  290 , together with the rotation of the cam lever  34 D, may move the seatback panel  26  from the extended position II to the stored position I. A latch and cable release  294  may be coupled with the seating assembly frame  14 . The latch and cable release  294  may release the cam lever  34 D from the seating assembly frame  14  to allow the cam lever  34 D to rotate about the cam lever pivotable coupling  282  from a final position XVIII alighted with the seatback frame  18  to an initial position XVII transverse to the seatback frame  18 . The latch and cable release  294  may be one example of a latching mechanism  166 . See,  FIG.  4   . In various aspects of the disclosure, the cam levers  34 D may be disposed on one or both sides of the seating assembly frame  14 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1 - 15   , a vehicle seating assembly  10  includes a seatback  38  pivotably coupled to a seat  40  and movable between an upright position IX relative to the seat  40  and a substantially parallel position X relative to the seat  40 . See,  FIG.  3   . The seatback  38  includes a seatback panel  26  coupled to an upper portion  30  of the seatback frame  18 . The vehicle seating assembly  10  includes an adjustment mechanism  34  extending between the seatback frame  18  and the seatback panel  26 . The adjustment mechanism  34  is configured to move from a first position (for example, the collapsed position V for the linkage assembly  34 A) to a second position (for example, the expanded position VI for the linkage assembly  34 A) in response to an actuating force  42  disposed on the adjustment mechanism  34  if the seatback  38  is in the upright position IX relative to the seat  40 , thereby moving the seatback panel  26  from a first distance D 1  relative to the seatback frame  18  to a second distance D 2  relative to the seatback frame  18 . The adjustment mechanism  34  may include a latching mechanism  166  configured to maintain the seatback panel  26  at the second distance D 2  relative to the seatback frame  18 . 
     The seatback panel  26  may be positioned to function as a load floor  102  if the seatback frame  18  is in a substantially parallel position X relative to the seat  40  and if the seatback panel  26  is in the stored position I. The seatback panel  26  may also be positioned to function as a load floor  102  if the seatback panel  26  is in a substantially parallel position X relative to the vehicle floor  62 . If the seatback  38  is in a folded position relative to the seat  40 , then the seatback panel  26  may also be positioned to function as a load floor  102 . 
     In various aspects of the disclosure, powered actuation may be used to apply an activation force  42  to the adjustment mechanism  34  to move the seatback panel  26  from the stored position I to the extended position II. 
     A variety of advantages may be obtained by use of the present disclosure. The seatback panel  26  may be placed in a stored position I to create a load floor  102  If the seatback  38  is in the folded position (for example, If the seatback frame  18  is in the substantially parallel position X). If the seatback  38  is in the upright position IX, then the seatback panel  26  may be in the stored position I to generally maximize space behind the seatback  38 . If the seatback  38  in in the upright position, then the seatback panel  26  may be in extended position II to provide space for a seating assembly occupant  12 . As such, the seatback panel  26  may be a seating assembly feature that may enhance seating assembly function in different seating assembly positions. 
     It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.