Patent Abstract:
A method and apparatus for displacing a portion of either or both of a vehicle seat back and a seat base to reveal a CRS anchor are disclosed. The inventive concept disclosed herein provides the use of a seat back foam displacing assembly that includes a user-operable actuator, an interface attachment member, and a tension extension member connecting the actuator and the interface attachment member. By moving the user-operable actuator, a portion of either or both of the seat base and the seat back may be displaced allowing visualization of and access to the CRS anchor. Such a system fully satisfies the need to provide easy access to the CRS anchor while fully and aesthetically concealing the anchor when not in use. The actuator may be any one or more of a lever, a handle, or a strap. A tension member guide may optionally be provided.

Full Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosed inventive concept relates generally to vehicle seats and safety systems. More particularly, the disclosed inventive concept relates to a method and system for selectively and strategically moving seat foam or seat trim to expose anchors for child safety seat. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Child Restraint Systems (CRS) are becoming increasingly used in a variety of markets including some where safety qualifications include anchor accessibility for such systems. Use of the CRS is becoming increasingly popular in automotive vehicles. Today, various state and federal rules and guidelines specify that children of certain ages should be seated in Child Restraint Systems (CRS) or in a booster seat. For example, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that children from birth to three years old be positioned in a rear-facing car seat, while children between the ages of one year to seven years be seated in a forward-facing car seat. Booster seats are recommended for children between the ages of four and 12 years. Age variations for these recommendations are due to such factors as height and weight for the individual child. 
     However, CRS anchors for vehicles are often not readily visible and/or accessible in some vehicles. While a child anchor identification symbol (such as a tag or button) is often included on the vehicle seatback to aid vehicle users in identifying the approximate anchor locations, accessibility is nonetheless often limited as the anchor may be located behind or under seat foam and trim that must be displaced to see and access the anchors for CRS installation or removal. 
     Anchor conditions such as these increase difficulty of installation and removal based on limited visibility and hand clearance to an anchor sandwiched snugly between seat foam/trim and seat frame or vehicle structures. Disconnecting a CRS can be especially challenging when attempting to release a spring clip engagement from a child seat webbing strap hook without being able to see, or having finger access clearance to, the anchor for a child seat cinched tightly to the vehicle seat. 
     Accordingly, a practical and cost-effective solution to the use of CRS anchors in today&#39;s motor vehicle remains wanting. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed inventive concept provides a solution to the need for concealing CRS anchors while simultaneously making them readily accessible to the consumer. The inventive concept disclosed herein provides the use of a seat back foam displacing assembly that includes a user-operable actuator, an interface attachment member, and an extension connecting the actuator and the interface attachment member. By moving the user-operable actuator, a portion of either or both of the seat base and the seat back may be displaced allowing visualization of and access to the CRS anchor. Such a system fully satisfies the need to provide easy access to the CRS anchor while fully and aesthetically concealing the anchor when not in use. 
     Thus the disclosed inventive concept enhances the ease of installing a CRS into a vehicle, particularly in the rear row seats of the vehicle. The system of the disclosed inventive concept provides improved accessibility to lower child restraint anchors for parents without affecting seating comfort or anchor performance. This results in improved customer satisfaction and provides an improved, real-world usage condition beyond the details commonly provided in vehicle and CRS OEM instruction manuals. The disclosed inventive concept provides an alternative to systems that provide for manual operation or electronic signal-based, solenoid/axle/gear/shaft driven linear or rotationally operating mechanisms that move CRS anchors at the bight line of a vehicle seat. Such systems are meant to “present” the otherwise hidden anchors to provide enhanced customer accessibility and to simplify installation/removal of child seats and enhance “correctness” of installation. 
     The concepts presented herein avoid complexity associated with multi-position anchors and bypass the need for multi-position anchor misuse design prevention for non-road use or out-of-zone anchor positions. The overall goal of the disclosed inventive concept is to change the current approach of “presenting” CRS anchors by moving them to an accessible position to displacing either or both of a portion of the seat back and the seat base to reveal the CRS anchor. 
     This approach avoids changing vehicle seat structure and anchor design or load paths. By avoiding the need to move the CRS anchor to a position of accessibility, complex mechanisms such as sensors, interlocks, positional control features, gears, axles, motors, drive shafts, solenoids and the like are rendered unnecessary. In addition, there is no need to consider package specific zone limitations for multi-position anchors. 
     According to the disclosed inventive concept, no seat or body structural changes are required. There is no need for motors, solenoids, or added structure and there is no need to revisit the anchor load carrying capability or the vehicle specific content/package limitations. Furthermore, there is no need to incorporate sensors, to maintain tight functional tolerances, or to ensure the same level of robustness relative to production build variation. The package space required for the disclosed inventive is minimal, the cost is low and the approach is relatively simple. The result is enhanced accessibility and customer satisfaction while improving accuracy of consumer installations. 
     The above advantages and other advantages and features will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of this invention, reference should now be made to the embodiments illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of examples of the invention wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a portion of a vehicle seat having CRS anchors that are hidden by the vehicle seat back according to current technology; 
         FIG. 2  is the view of  FIG. 1  but showing the hand of an operator physically manipulating the vehicle seat back to access the CRS anchor according to current technology; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional side view of a vehicle seat illustrating the arrangement for drawing in portions of the seat back and the seat base to reveal the CRS anchor, the arrangement including two levers according to a first embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept, the levers shown in their resting positions; 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 3  but illustrating the two levers moved to their operating positions whereby portions of the seat back and the seat base are drawn in to reveal the CRS anchor; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional side view of a vehicle seat illustrating the arrangement for drawing in a portion of the seat back to reveal the CRS anchor, the arrangement including a single levers according to a second embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept, the lever shown in its resting position; 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 5  but illustrating the lever moved to its operating position whereby a portion of the seat back is drawn in to reveal the CRS anchor; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional side view of a vehicle seat illustrating the arrangement for drawing a portion of the vehicle seat back illustrating a tether strap an associated tether strap locking mechanism in its resting position according to a third embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept; 
         FIG. 8  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 7  but illustrating the tether strap moved to and locked in its operating position whereby a portion of the seat back is drawn in to reveal the CRS anchor; 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view of the seat back of the seat of  FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrating the tether strap for drawing in a portion of the seat back to allow access to the CRS anchor; 
         FIG. 10  is a view of a portion of the rear of the vehicle seat back illustrating the tether strap of  FIGS. 7 and 8  having an alternative locking mechanism; 
         FIG. 11  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 10  but illustrating the pull strap actuator moved to its operating position whereby a portion of the seat back is drawn in to reveal the CRS anchor; 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional side view of a vehicle seat illustrating the arrangement for drawing in a portion of the seat back to reveal the CRS anchor, the arrangement including a lever linked to a pivotable member attached to the lower portion of the front of the seat back shown in its resting position according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept; and 
         FIG. 13  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 12  but illustrating the lever moved to its operating position whereby a portion of the seat back is drawn in to reveal the CRS anchor. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In the following figures, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same components. In the following description, various operating parameters and components are described for different constructed embodiments. These specific parameters and components are included as examples and are not meant to be limiting. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an example of known vehicle seat technology having CRS anchors that are hidden by the seat back. The illustrated seat anchor or package, generally illustrated as  10 , is typical of known arrangements. The seat anchor or package  10  includes a seat back  12  and a seat base  14 . The seat back  12  and the seat base  14  may be joined by a hinge  16  or may be anchored to the vehicle by known methods. 
     Typical of the known seat anchor or package  10 , a CRS anchor  18  is purposefully hidden from view as shown in  FIG. 1 . Access to the CRS anchor  18  is accomplished by physical movement of a portion of the seat back  12  so that it is out of the way of the CRS anchor  18  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . This figure illustrates the inconvenience involved with the need for the user to physically displace a portion of the seat back  12  in order to gain access to the CRS anchor  18 . Known designs present a challenge in attaching the CRS clip (not shown) to the CRS anchor  18  and an even greater challenge in removing the CRS clip because displacement of the portion of the seat back  12  needed to allow access to the CRS anchor  18  is made even more difficult by the presence of the CRS on the vehicle seat. 
     The disclosed inventive concept provides a general solution to the problem encountered by the user of today&#39;s vehicle seat when trying to attach a CRS to the CRS anchor. The general solution is presented herein in four embodiments of the disclosed inventive concept. Particularly,  FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a first embodiment,  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a second embodiment,  FIGS. 7, 8 and 9  illustrate a third embodiment,  FIGS. 10 and 11  relate to the embodiment of  FIGS. 7, 8 and 9  by illustrating a locking mechanism for locking a tether strap, and  FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate a fourth embodiment. It is to be understood that these embodiments of the disclosed inventive concept are not intended as being limiting as it is to be understood that variations of these embodiments are envisioned. 
     A common characteristic of the four embodiments of the disclosed inventive concept is the interfacing attachment member that is provided to mechanically displace a portion of the seat back (or the seat base) to allow easy access to the CRS anchor. The interfacing attachment member may consist of something as simple as a stitching sewn into the trim cover, or a plastic, cloth or alternative material sewn or otherwise inserted, embedded or attached to one of the trim cover (presumably a B-surface so not to be cosmetically visible to the user), the seat cushion or seat back foam beneath the trim cover, or both of a trim cover and the foam covered thereby, in combination. 
     Additional common characteristics of the four embodiments of the disclosed inventive concept include the tension extension member, the actuator, and the optional tension member guide. The tension extension member may be, for example, one or more of a strap, a cable, a string, a wire, or a tether. The actuator may be, for example, any one or more of a lever, a handle, or a strap. The optional tension member guide may be, for example, any one or more of a guide sleeve, a pulley, a channel, or a slot. The optional tension member guide may include a smooth surface or may have a friction- and wear-reducing surface. The optional tension member guide may be either an existing surface on the seat frame or seat structure or may be a purpose-specific attachment. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a sectional view of a seat according to the first embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept, generally illustrated as  20 , is shown. The seat  20  includes a seat back  22  and a seat base  24 . The seat  20  may be of any of a variety of seats and may include an external skeleton upon which the molded foam rests in or against, an external surface such as the sheet metal second row seat in a sedan (below the package tray, for example), and an internal wireframe skeleton over which the foam is molded. 
     According to the illustrated seat  20 , the non-limiting arrangement for the seat back  22  is an internal seat back frame  26  and an external seat back frame  28 . The seat back  22  further includes a seat back foam  30  and seat back trim  32 . The non-limiting arrangement for the seat base  24  is an internal seat base frame  34  and an external seat base frame  36 . The seat base  24  further includes a seat base foam  38  and a seat base trim  40 . 
     The seat  20  of the first embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4  includes a seat back foam displacing assembly  42  and a seat base foam displacing assembly  44 . A CRS anchor  46  is fitted approximately between the seat back  22  and the seat base  24 . 
     The seat back foam displacing assembly  42  includes an actuator  48  in the form of a lever that is pivotably attached to the seat back  22  by an actuator pivot  50 . The actuator lever  48  is attached to a seat back interfacing attachment member  56  by a seat back extension member  58 . 
     The seat base foam displacing assembly  44  includes an actuator  60  in the form of a lever that is pivotably attached to the seat base  24  by an actuator pivot  62 . The actuator lever  60  is attached to a seat base interfacing attachment member  64  by a seat base extension member  66 . The seat base attachment member  66  is guided by a pair of spaced apart tension member guides  68  and  68 ′. 
     When in its non-displaced state as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the CRS anchor  46  is hidden from view by portions of both the seat back  22  and the seat base  24 . To gain access to the CRS anchor  46 , portions of both the seat back  22  and the seat base  24  are displaced so that the CRS anchor  46  becomes visible as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     To displace portions of the seat back  22  and the seat base  24 , the operator manipulates one or the other or both of the actuator lever  48  or the actuator lever  60  from their resting, non-displacing positions shown in  FIG. 3  to their active, displacing positions shown in  FIG. 4 . If the user chooses to operate the seat back foam displacing assembly  42 , the actuator lever  48  is rotated from the position illustrated in  FIG. 3  to the position illustrated in FIG.  4 . Movement of the actuator lever  48  causes the seat back extension member  58  to act on the seat back interfacing attachment member  56 , thus displacing a portion of the seat back  22  so that it is moved out of the line of sight of the user. 
     If the user chooses to operate the seat base foam displacing assembly  44 , the actuator lever  60  is rotated from the position illustrated in  FIG. 3  to the position illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Movement of the actuator lever  60  causes the seat base extension member  66  to act on the seat base interfacing attachment member  64 , thus displacing a portion of the seat base  24  so that it is moved out of the line of sight of the user. 
     It should be noted that, with respect to the first embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , it is not necessary that both of the seat back foam displacing assembly  42  and the seat base foam displacing assembly  44  be provided in the same vehicle or even in all of the seats within a single vehicle. It should also be noted that, while actuator lever  48  and actuator lever  60  are shown as pivotable handles, other hand-operable devices may be used instead. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a sectional view of a seat according to the second embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept, generally illustrated as  70 , is shown. The seat  70  includes a seat back  72  and a seat base  74 . The seat  70  may be of any of a variety of seats and may include an external skeleton upon which the molded foam rests in or against, an external surface such as the sheet metal second row seat in a sedan (below the package tray, for example), and an internal wireframe skeleton over which the foam is molded. 
     According to the illustrated seat  70 , the non-limiting arrangement for the seat back  72  is an internal seat back frame  76  and an external seat back frame  78 . The seat back  72  further includes a seat back foam  80  and seat back trim  82 . The non-limiting arrangement for the seat base  74  is an internal seat base frame  84  and an external seat base frame  86 . The seat base  74  further includes a seat base foam  88  and a seat base trim  90 . 
     The seat  70  of the second embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  includes a seat back foam displacing assembly  92 . A CRS anchor  94  is fitted approximately between the seat back  72  and the seat base  74 . 
     The seat back foam displacing assembly  92  includes an actuator  95  in the form of a lever that is pivotably attached to the seat back  72  by an actuator pivot  96 . The actuator lever  95  is attached to a seat back interfacing attachment member  98  by a seat back extension member  100 . A tension member guide  102  is preferably though not absolutely provided against which the seat back extension member  100  travels. 
     When in its non-displaced state as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the CRS anchor  94  is hidden from view by portions of both the seat back  72  and the seat base  74 . To gain access to the CRS anchor  94 , a portion of the seat back  72  is displaced so that the CRS anchor  94  becomes visible as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     To displace the portion of the seat back  72 , the operator manipulates the actuator lever  95  from its resting, non-displacing position shown in  FIG. 5  to its active, displacing position shown in  FIG. 6 . Particularly, to allow access to the CRS anchor  94 , the user rotates the actuator lever  95  from the position illustrated in  FIG. 5  to the position illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Movement of the actuator lever  95  causes the seat back extension member  100  to act on the seat back interfacing attachment member  98 , thus displacing a portion of the seat back  72  so that it is moved out of the line of sight of the user. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a sectional view of a seat according to the third embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept, generally illustrated as  110 , is shown.  FIG. 9  is a view of the back of the seat  110  of  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The seat  110  includes a seat back  112  and a seat base  114 . As noted above with respect to the first two embodiments of the disclosed inventive concept, the seat  110  may be of any of a variety of seats and may include an external skeleton upon which the molded foam rests in or against, an external surface such as the sheet metal second row seat in a sedan (below the package tray, for example), and an internal wireframe skeleton over which the foam is molded. 
     According to the illustrated seat  110 , the non-limiting arrangement for the seat back  112  is an internal seat back frame  116  and an external seat back frame  118 . The seat back  112  further includes a seat back foam  120  and seat back trim  122 . The non-limiting arrangement for the seat base  114  is an internal seat base frame  124  and an external seat base frame  126 . The seat base  114  further includes a seat base foam  128  and a seat base trim  130 . 
     The seat  110  of the second embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8  includes a seat back foam displacing assembly  132 . A CRS anchor  134  is fitted approximately between the seat back  112  and the seat base  114 . 
     The seat back foam displacing assembly  132  includes a tether strap adjuster  136  as opposed to the actuator levers of the previous two embodiments. The tether strap adjuster  136  includes a spring-loaded, pivoting v-shaped catch  137  and a tether locking plate  138 . The tether strap adjuster  136  selectively locks and holds a tether strap  139  by providing to the tether strap  139  by capturing a portion of the tether strap  139  between the pivoting v-shaped catch  137  and the tether locking plate  138 . The tether strap adjuster  136  is preferably mounted to the external seat base frame  126 , although attachment locations are possible. 
     A seat back displacing assembly  140  is provided in the lower forward portion of the seat back  120 . The tether strap  139  is connected to the seat back displacing assembly  140 . A tether strap guide  142  is provided that is preferably a pre-existing member of seat back  120 . 
     When in its non-displaced state as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the CRS anchor  134  is hidden from view by portions of both the seat back  112  and the seat base  114 . To gain access to the CRS anchor  134 , a portion of the seat back  112  is displaced so that the CRS anchor  134  becomes visible as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
     To displace the portion of the seat back  112 , the operator manipulates the tether strap adjuster  136  from its resting, non-displacing position shown in  FIG. 7  to its active, displacing position shown in  FIG. 8 . Particularly, to allow access to the CRS anchor  134 , the user pulls up on the tether strap  139  thus moving the seat back displacing assembly  140  from the position illustrated in  FIG. 7  to the position illustrated in  FIG. 8 , thus displacing a portion of the seat back  112  so that it is moved out of the line of sight of the user and the CRS anchor  134  is revealed. To release the tension of the tether strap adjuster  136 , the user pushes pivoting v-shaped catch  137  moving it away from the tether locking plate  138  and releasing tension on the tether strap  139 . 
     While  FIGS. 7, 8 and 9  illustrate the tether strap adjuster  136  as the mechanism for selectively locking and tether strap  139 , other approaches to locking and holding the tether strap  139  are possible, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a portion of a seat, generally illustrated as  170 , is shown. The seat  170  includes a seat back  172 . A tether strap  184  is shown passing through the seat back  172 . The tether strap  184  is connected at one end to a seat back drawing in assembly as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  and as described in conjunction therewith. It is to be understood that while the tether strap  184  is illustrated as being associated with the seat back  172  it can alternatively or additionally be associated with the seat base (not shown). 
     A tether strap moving and locking assembly  176  is associated with the seat back  172  (or seat base as the case may be) to move and selectively hold or release the tether strap  184 . It is to be understood that the tether strap moving and locking assembly  176  as shown is for illustrative purposes only and that the lock may be smaller than that illustrated relative to the seat  170 . 
     The tether strap moving and locking assembly  176  includes a movable handle  178  that is pivotably attached to an assembly base  180 . The assembly base  180  is fixed to the seat back  172 . An assembly clamp  182  is attached to the tether strap  184  and is operatively associated with the movable handle  178  and the assembly base  180 . 
     In  FIG. 10 , the resting position of the tether strap moving and locking assembly  176  is illustrated. In this position, the tether strap  184  remains drawn into the seat back  172  and the seat back displacing assembly (not shown) is in its non-displaced position. In the event that access to the CRS anchor is desired, the operator moves the movable handle  178  to withdraw a portion of the tether strap  184  from the seat back  172  as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . Thus withdrawn, the seat back displacing assembly is displaced, exposing the CRS anchor as discussed above. Movement of the movable handle  178  to the displaced position shown in  FIG. 11  also results in the locking of the tether strap moving and locking assembly  176  in its displaced position. Release of the tether strap  174  to allow the seat back displacing assembly to return to its non-displaced position is accomplished by moving the movable handle  178  back toward the seat back  172 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a sectional view of a seat according to the fourth embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept, generally illustrated as  190 , is shown. The seat  190  includes a seat back  192  and a seat base  194 . The seat  190  may be of any of a variety of seats and may include an external skeleton upon which the molded foam rests in or against, an external surface such as the sheet metal second row seat in a sedan, and an internal wireframe skeleton over which the foam is molded. 
     According to the illustrated seat  190 , the non-limiting arrangement for the seat back  192  is an internal seat back frame  196  and an external seat back frame  198 . The seat back  192  further includes a seat back foam  200  and seat back trim  202 . The non-limiting arrangement for the seat base  194  is an internal seat base frame  204  and an external seat base frame  206 . The seat base  194  further includes a seat base foam  208  and a seat base trim  210 . 
     The seat  190  of the fourth embodiment of the disclosed inventive concept illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13  includes a seat back foam displacing assembly  212 . A CRS anchor  214  is fitted approximately between the seat back  192  and the seat base  194 . 
     The seat back foam displacing assembly  212  includes an actuator  216  that may be composed of a variety of materials that include, for example, a bonded or molded covering on pressboard, plastic or other lightweight semi-rigid material. The actuator  216  is pivotably attached to the seat back  192  by a pivot  218 . A seat back interfacing attachment member  220  is provided in operative association with the actuator  216 . The seat back interfacing attachment member  220  is pivotably attached to the seat back  192  by a pivot  222 . A rigid tension extension member or linkage  224  connects the actuator  216  and the seat back interfacing attachment member  220 . 
     When in its non-displaced state as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the CRS anchor  214  is hidden from view by portions of both the seat back  192  and the seat base  194 . To gain access to the CRS anchor  214 , a portion of the seat back  192  is displaced so that the CRS anchor  214  becomes visible as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
     To displace the portion of the seat back  192  to thereby render the CRS anchor  214  visible to the user, the operator manipulates the actuator  216  from its resting, non-displacing position shown in  FIG. 12  to its active, displacing position shown in  FIG. 13 . Particularly, to allow access to the CRS anchor  214 , the user rotates the actuator  216  from the position illustrated in  FIG. 12  to the position illustrated in  FIG. 13 . Movement of the actuator  216  causes the linkage  224  to act on the seat back interfacing attachment member  220 , thus displacing a portion of the seat back  192  so that it is moved out of the line of sight of the user and allows attachment of the CRS clip to the CRS anchor  214 . 
     The system for revealing a CRS anchor according to various embodiments of the disclosed inventive concept may be employed in any vehicle seat conventionally fitted with a CRS anchor. While specific locations of the CRS anchor have been illustrated in the figures and described in relation thereto, it is to be understood that the CRS anchors may be provided in locations other than those shown and described. The illustrated and described system of revealing a CRS anchor according to the disclosed inventive concept would find application regardless of the location of the CRS anchors. 
     Additional and Alternative Concepts 
     The lower portion of the seatback, foam or rear portion of seat cushion foam could pivot slightly about an axis to reveal the anchors compared with compressing foam as set forth above whereby trim is drawn in without moving the seat structure at all. These concepts need not be limited to lower CRS anchors but might be adapted to upper CRS tether anchors if desirable for certain package configurations. In addition, the disclosed inventive concept could be applied to a either seat cushion or lower seatback at the bight-line, or both. A single user action (presumably through a cable-like attachment) could simultaneously reveal the anchors by compressing both lower seatback foam and cushion foam through one actuator. It is initially assumed the largest benefit would be achieved through minimally exposing anchors from a top viewpoint. Also it is possible to provide for clearance openings, recesses or pockets and the like for placement of the actuator and customer hand clearance to access to the actuator in the seatback, on the package tray or the like. Graphics may also be added to enhance ease of customer operation. Decorative covers as well as customer interfacing features for cosmetic and ergonomic purposes may also be added. 
     One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the true spirit and fair scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1