Patent ID: 8505999

Claim:
A vehicle comprising: a body structure defining a floor; a cargo surface supported with respect to the floor; and a vehicular seat assembly comprising: a left leg member attached to the floor, the left leg member comprising a central portion, an upper flange, and a lower flange, the upper flange and the lower flange each extending transversely relative to the central portion; a right leg member spaced from the left leg member and attached to the floor, the right member comprising a central portion, an upper flange, and a lower flange, the upper flange and the lower flange each extending transversely relative to the central portion; a support member extending between a left end and a right end, the support member attached to the upper flange of the left leg member adjacent to the left end, the support member attached to the upper flange of the right leg member adjacent to the right end, and the upper flange of the left leg member and the upper flange of the right leg member cooperating to provide underlying support for the support member; a seat back pivotally supported directly by each of the left leg member and the right leg member and pivotable between an upright position and a cargo support position; and a cover panel coupled with the support member and pivotable with respect to the support member between a stowed position and a bridging position; wherein: the seat back and the cover panel are configured to pivot forwardly into the cargo support position and the bridging position, respectively; pivoting the seat back between the upright position and the cargo support position facilitates pivoting of the cover panel between the stowed position and the bridging position, respectively; and when the seat back is in the cargo support position with the cover panel in the bridging position, the support member provides underlying support for the cover panel, and the cargo surface, the cover panel, and the seat back cooperate to provide a generally planar load support surface.