Patent ID: 7434862

Claim:
A multi-functional latch assembly associated with a rear row mounted and removable vehicle seat, the seat exhibiting a seat back pivotally secured relative to a seat bottom, said latch assembly releasably engaging the seat bottom to front and rear floor supported strikers to permit at least one of forward rotating seat dump and rearward seat removal, said assembly comprising: a first latch mechanism mounted to a selected rear location of a frame associated with the seat bottom and including a latch plate configured to engage the rear striker; a release lever secured to a further location of said seat frame and actuated a degree to permit the seat back to pivotally fold flat against the seat bottom, said release lever actuated a second degree to disengage said latch plate from the rear located striker and to permit forward rotation of the seat about the front supported striker; a second latch mechanism mounted to a selected front location of the seat frame and including an arcuately configured latch engaging the front striker; and said second latch mechanism further comprising a spring actuated and combination displaceable and pivotable hook actuated via a linkage assembly for engaging a lockout pin which is in turn in contact with said arcuately configured latch at a location offset from a pivot point of said latch and such that, upon a selected pivotal displacement of said seat frame relative the front floor supported striker, said hook is manipulated into contact with lockout pin, causing said latch plate to pivot out of contact with said front striker and thereby permitting the seat subsequently being rearwardly displaced to permit removal from the vehicle.