[go: up one dir, main page]

US20010001526A1 - Power assisted seat folding mechanism - Google Patents

Power assisted seat folding mechanism Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20010001526A1
US20010001526A1 US09/447,134 US44713499A US2001001526A1 US 20010001526 A1 US20010001526 A1 US 20010001526A1 US 44713499 A US44713499 A US 44713499A US 2001001526 A1 US2001001526 A1 US 2001001526A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
seat
seat back
floor
back frame
vehicle
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
US09/447,134
Other versions
US6270141B2 (en
Inventor
Joseph J. Moon
Majid Jack Hammoud
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Visteon Global Technologies Inc
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US09/447,134 priority Critical patent/US6270141B2/en
Assigned to FORD MOTOR COMPANY, A DELAWARE CORPORATION reassignment FORD MOTOR COMPANY, A DELAWARE CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HAMMOUD, MAJID (JACK), MOON, JOSEPH J.
Assigned to VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. reassignment VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Publication of US20010001526A1 publication Critical patent/US20010001526A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US6270141B2 publication Critical patent/US6270141B2/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/30—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
    • B60N2/3088—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats characterised by the mechanical link
    • B60N2/309—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats characterised by the mechanical link rods
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
    • B60N2/20—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the back-rest being tiltable, e.g. to permit easy access
    • B60N2/206—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the back-rest being tiltable, e.g. to permit easy access to a position in which it can be used as a support for objects, e.g. as a tray
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/30—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
    • B60N2/3002—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements
    • B60N2/3004—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements by rotation only
    • B60N2/3009—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements by rotation only about transversal axis
    • B60N2/3011—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements by rotation only about transversal axis the back-rest being hinged on the cushion, e.g. "portefeuille movement"
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/30—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
    • B60N2/3002—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements
    • B60N2/3004—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements by rotation only
    • B60N2/3009—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements by rotation only about transversal axis
    • B60N2/3013—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats back-rest movements by rotation only about transversal axis the back-rest being hinged on the vehicle frame
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/30—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
    • B60N2/3038—Cushion movements
    • B60N2/3063—Cushion movements by composed movement
    • B60N2/3065—Cushion movements by composed movement in a longitudinal-vertical plane
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/30—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats
    • B60N2/3072—Non-dismountable or dismountable seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats on a lower level of a multi-level vehicle floor
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/24—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
    • B60N2/32—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles convertible for other use
    • B60N2/36—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles convertible for other use into a loading platform

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a vehicle seat assembly including a motor operative to adjust the reclined position of a seat back and also operative to fold the seat back forward to a load floor position.
  • the present invention overcomes the above-referenced shortcomings of prior art collapsible vehicle seat assemblies by providing a vehicle seat assembly including a drive motor connected to a seat back and operative both to adjust the reclined position of the seat back and to flatten the seat back to a horizontal, load floor position.
  • the present invention provides a vehicle seat assembly for a vehicle floor, including a seat back frame pivotally connected with respect to the vehicle floor for movement between a fully reclined position for seating and a horizontal position for forming a load floor.
  • a drive motor is connected to the seat back and operative to adjust the reclined position of the seat back frame with respect to the vehicle floor and further operative to pivot the seat back frame between the fully reclined and horizontal positions.
  • the vehicle seat assembly may be collapsed to a load floor position by the push of a button, rather than manually collapsing the seat assembly.
  • an object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat assembly including a drive motor which is operative both to adjust the reclined position of the seat back and to collapse the seat assembly to a horizontal, load floor position.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of a seating arrangement within a motor vehicle with all seats in the upright seating position in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of a seating arrangement within a motor vehicle with the third row seat in the dropped and folded position in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a seat frame assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a reverse perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 3 in the collapsed position.
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 3 in the collapsed position.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 show a three-row seating arrangement of a motor vehicle 12 .
  • passengers enter and exit the second row seats 14 and third row seats 16 through a second entrance 17 .
  • the present invention allows the third row seat 16 to drop and fold from an upright seating position to a folded position by the push of a button such that the third row seat 16 rests above both a lower floor 21 and an upper floor 20 .
  • the third row seat 16 combines with the second row seat 14 to provide a substantially flat load floor 19 .
  • a gap filler 18 may be provided to complete the load floor 19 between the second row seat 14 and third row seat 16 .
  • FIGS. 3 - 6 various views of the third row seat 16 are shown and will now be described. To simplify the description of the third row seat 16 , only one side will be described, it being understood that both sides, unless otherwise mentioned, are symmetrically opposite. Furthermore, while the preferred embodiment discloses a third row seat as an example of the present invention, it should be understood that the present invention can be incorporated into any row within the motor vehicle.
  • the third row seat 16 includes a seat back frame 24 and a lower seat frame 34 enclosed in cushions for comfort.
  • the cushions are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but have been removed from FIGS. 3 - 6 for clarity.
  • the seat back frame 24 includes a right back side 26 and a left back side 25 located opposite therefrom, an upper end 27 interconnecting the right and left back sides 26 , 25 , and a lower end 28 pivotally attached to right and left upper floor mounting brackets 30 which are securely attached to the upper floor 20 .
  • Slider pins 57 are attached to the right and left back sides 26 , 25 , respectively, of the seat back frame 24 .
  • the slider pins 57 slidably engage with slots 54 of slotted links 50 .
  • the slotted links 50 include third ends 52 pivotally connected to the upper floor mounting brackets 30 and fourth ends 56 opposite the third ends 52 .
  • Each of the slots 54 in the form of an arcuate slot, extends from a position substantially adjacent to the third end 52 to the fourth end 56 .
  • Intermediate pivot points 64 of the slotted links 50 are positioned intermediate of the third ends 52 and the fourth ends 56 .
  • rear links 58 pivotally attach to the intermediate pivot points 64 on the slotted links 50 .
  • the rear links 58 extend downwardly and include fifth ends 68 rigidly attached to right and left bottom sides 37 , 38 , respectively, of the lower seat frame 34 .
  • the lower seat frame 34 is positioned adjacent to the seat back frame 24 with the third row seat 16 in the upright seating position.
  • the lower seat frame 34 includes a forward end 35 and a rearward end 36 , with the right and left bottom sides 37 , 38 interconnecting the forward and rearward ends 35 , 36 .
  • First and second front legs 44 support the forward end 35 of the lower seat frame 34 above the lower floor 21 of the vehicle.
  • the front legs 44 include first ends 46 pivotally connected to the right and left bottom sides 37 , 38 , respectively, of lower seat frame 34 and second ends 48 pivotally attach to lower floor mounting brackets 51 .
  • Counterbalance springs 70 are provided between the second ends 48 and the lower floor mounting brackets 51 .
  • the seat assembly 16 also includes a seat back recliner 72 , a synchronizing rod 74 , and a drive motor and gear reduction device 76 for adjusting the reclined position of the seat back 24 , and for collapsing the seat back 24 to the load floor position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
  • the recliner 72 is a conventional recliner, such as a “rotary recliner” or “disk recliner” available from Faurecia Corporation of Troy, Mich. or Keiper Delta Corporation of Warren, Mich.
  • the recliner 72 need only be modified slightly to enable the full range of pivotal movement of the seat back frame 24 from the fully reclined position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to the horizontal position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This modification is within the skill level of one of ordinary skill in the art instructed to do so, and would vary slightly depending upon the conventional recliner selected, and is therefore not described herein in detail.
  • the recliner 72 is used for adjusting the reclined position of the seat back 25 with respect to the vehicle floor, and is also used for folding the seat back 24 to the horizontal position when driven by the motor and gear reduction system 76 .
  • a control button would preferably be provided in a side panel behind the seat 16 , or as part of the driver controls in the front of the vehicle. A single push of this control button would cause the seat back 24 to collapse to the load floor position shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Seats For Vehicles (AREA)

Abstract

A vehicle seat assembly for a vehicle floor includes a seat back frame pivotally connected with respect to the vehicle floor for movement between a fully reclined position for seating and a horizontal position for forming a load floor. A drive motor is connected to the seat back and operative to adjust the reclined position of the seat back frame with respect to the vehicle floor and operative to pivot the seat back frame between the fully reclined and horizontal positions.

Description

    TECHNICAL FIELD
  • The present invention relates to a vehicle seat assembly including a motor operative to adjust the reclined position of a seat back and also operative to fold the seat back forward to a load floor position. [0001]
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Many modern vehicle designs include foldable and collapsible rear seat assemblies to improve cargo capacity of vehicles, particularly minivans and SUVs. Some vehicles provide seat assemblies which are collapsible to a substantially flat position in the vehicle to create a cargo load floor wherein vehicle cargo is supported on top of the flattened seat assemblies. However, such assemblies are typically complex, bulky, and cumbersome for the average user to operate. Generally, the seat assemblies are heavy and require actuation of release levers, which may cause difficulty in collapsing the seat assembly within the confined space of a vehicle interior. [0002]
  • It is, therefore, desirable to provide a vehicle seat assembly which does not require manual operation for collapsing the assembly to a load floor position. [0003]
    • DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention overcomes the above-referenced shortcomings of prior art collapsible vehicle seat assemblies by providing a vehicle seat assembly including a drive motor connected to a seat back and operative both to adjust the reclined position of the seat back and to flatten the seat back to a horizontal, load floor position. [0004]
  • More specifically, the present invention provides a vehicle seat assembly for a vehicle floor, including a seat back frame pivotally connected with respect to the vehicle floor for movement between a fully reclined position for seating and a horizontal position for forming a load floor. A drive motor is connected to the seat back and operative to adjust the reclined position of the seat back frame with respect to the vehicle floor and further operative to pivot the seat back frame between the fully reclined and horizontal positions. [0005]
  • In this manner, the vehicle seat assembly may be collapsed to a load floor position by the push of a button, rather than manually collapsing the seat assembly. [0006]
  • Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a vehicle seat assembly including a drive motor which is operative both to adjust the reclined position of the seat back and to collapse the seat assembly to a horizontal, load floor position. [0007]
  • The above object and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. [0008]
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 is a side view of a seating arrangement within a motor vehicle with all seats in the upright seating position in accordance with the present invention; [0009]
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of a seating arrangement within a motor vehicle with the third row seat in the dropped and folded position in accordance with the present invention; [0010]
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a seat frame assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention; [0011]
  • FIG. 4 is a reverse perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 3; [0012]
  • FIG. 5 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 3 in the collapsed position; and [0013]
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 3 in the collapsed position. [0014]
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
  • Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a seating arrangement is shown for use with the present invention. This embodiment is only shown for exemplary purposes, and the present invention may be used with any variety of collapsible vehicle seat assemblies. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a three-row seating arrangement of a [0015] motor vehicle 12. Typically, passengers enter and exit the second row seats 14 and third row seats 16 through a second entrance 17. When it is desired to provide maximum cargo capability for the vehicle, the present invention allows the third row seat 16 to drop and fold from an upright seating position to a folded position by the push of a button such that the third row seat 16 rests above both a lower floor 21 and an upper floor 20. The third row seat 16 combines with the second row seat 14 to provide a substantially flat load floor 19. A gap filler 18 may be provided to complete the load floor 19 between the second row seat 14 and third row seat 16.
  • Referring now to FIGS. [0016] 3-6, various views of the third row seat 16 are shown and will now be described. To simplify the description of the third row seat 16, only one side will be described, it being understood that both sides, unless otherwise mentioned, are symmetrically opposite. Furthermore, while the preferred embodiment discloses a third row seat as an example of the present invention, it should be understood that the present invention can be incorporated into any row within the motor vehicle.
  • The [0017] third row seat 16 includes a seat back frame 24 and a lower seat frame 34 enclosed in cushions for comfort. The cushions are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but have been removed from FIGS. 3-6 for clarity.
  • Referring now to FIGS. [0018] 3-6, the seat back frame 24 includes a right back side 26 and a left back side 25 located opposite therefrom, an upper end 27 interconnecting the right and left back sides 26, 25, and a lower end 28 pivotally attached to right and left upper floor mounting brackets 30 which are securely attached to the upper floor 20. Slider pins 57 are attached to the right and left back sides 26, 25, respectively, of the seat back frame 24.
  • The [0019] slider pins 57 slidably engage with slots 54 of slotted links 50. The slotted links 50 include third ends 52 pivotally connected to the upper floor mounting brackets 30 and fourth ends 56 opposite the third ends 52. Each of the slots 54, in the form of an arcuate slot, extends from a position substantially adjacent to the third end 52 to the fourth end 56. Intermediate pivot points 64 of the slotted links 50 are positioned intermediate of the third ends 52 and the fourth ends 56.
  • Sixth ends [0020] 62 of rear links 58 pivotally attach to the intermediate pivot points 64 on the slotted links 50. The rear links 58 extend downwardly and include fifth ends 68 rigidly attached to right and left bottom sides 37, 38, respectively, of the lower seat frame 34.
  • The [0021] lower seat frame 34 is positioned adjacent to the seat back frame 24 with the third row seat 16 in the upright seating position. The lower seat frame 34 includes a forward end 35 and a rearward end 36, with the right and left bottom sides 37, 38 interconnecting the forward and rearward ends 35, 36.
  • First and second [0022] front legs 44 support the forward end 35 of the lower seat frame 34 above the lower floor 21 of the vehicle. The front legs 44 include first ends 46 pivotally connected to the right and left bottom sides 37, 38, respectively, of lower seat frame 34 and second ends 48 pivotally attach to lower floor mounting brackets 51. Counterbalance springs 70 are provided between the second ends 48 and the lower floor mounting brackets 51.
  • The [0023] seat assembly 16 also includes a seat back recliner 72, a synchronizing rod 74, and a drive motor and gear reduction device 76 for adjusting the reclined position of the seat back 24, and for collapsing the seat back 24 to the load floor position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
  • The [0024] recliner 72 is a conventional recliner, such as a “rotary recliner” or “disk recliner” available from Faurecia Corporation of Troy, Mich. or Keiper Delta Corporation of Warren, Mich. The recliner 72 need only be modified slightly to enable the full range of pivotal movement of the seat back frame 24 from the fully reclined position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 to the horizontal position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. This modification is within the skill level of one of ordinary skill in the art instructed to do so, and would vary slightly depending upon the conventional recliner selected, and is therefore not described herein in detail.
  • Accordingly, with the present invention, the [0025] recliner 72 is used for adjusting the reclined position of the seat back 25 with respect to the vehicle floor, and is also used for folding the seat back 24 to the horizontal position when driven by the motor and gear reduction system 76. A control button would preferably be provided in a side panel behind the seat 16, or as part of the driver controls in the front of the vehicle. A single push of this control button would cause the seat back 24 to collapse to the load floor position shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6.
  • While the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims. [0026]

Claims (4)

What is claimed is:
1. A vehicle seat assembly for a vehicle floor comprising:
a seat back frame pivotally connected with respect to the vehicle floor for movement between a fully reclined position for seating and a horizontal position for forming a load floor; and
a drive motor connected to the seat back and operative to adjust the reclined position of the seat back frame with respect to the vehicle floor and operative to pivot the seat back frame between the fully reclined and horizontal positions.
2. The vehicle seat assembly of
claim 1
, wherein said seat back frame is pivotally connected to the seat floor.
3. The vehicle seat assembly of
claim 2
, further comprising a lower seat frame having a forward end and a rearward end disposed adjacent to said seat back frame when said seat back frame is in the fully reclined position.
4. The vehicle seat assembly of
claim 3
, further comprising a first leg having a first end pivotally connected to said lower seat frame and having a second end pivotally connected to the floor;
a first slotted link having a third end pivotally connected to the floor and a slot extending from a position substantially adjacent to said third end to a fourth end opposite said third end, said slot being slidably engaged with a slider pin disposed on said seat back frame; and
a first rear link having a fifth end rigidly attached to said seat bottom frame and a sixth end pivotally attached to an intermediate pivot point on said first slotted link, said intermediate pivot point being disposed intermediate of said third and fourth ends of said first slotted link;
whereby upon movement of said seat back frame from the fully reclined position to the horizontal position, said first slotted link together with said first rear link operatively position said lower seat frame forward and downward such that the seat back frame lies substantially flat and parallel to said floor, and said lower seat frame moves forward and downward to a stowage position.
US09/447,134 1999-11-22 1999-11-22 Power assisted seat folding mechanism Expired - Fee Related US6270141B2 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/447,134 US6270141B2 (en) 1999-11-22 1999-11-22 Power assisted seat folding mechanism

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/447,134 US6270141B2 (en) 1999-11-22 1999-11-22 Power assisted seat folding mechanism

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20010001526A1 true US20010001526A1 (en) 2001-05-24
US6270141B2 US6270141B2 (en) 2001-08-07

Family

ID=23775114

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US09/447,134 Expired - Fee Related US6270141B2 (en) 1999-11-22 1999-11-22 Power assisted seat folding mechanism

Country Status (1)

Country Link
US (1) US6270141B2 (en)

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6582003B2 (en) * 2000-02-10 2003-06-24 Aurecia Sieges D'automobile S.A. Modular seat layout system for an automobile vehicle, especially for the seats of the first and second rows
US20030184112A1 (en) * 2002-03-29 2003-10-02 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle rear seat position changing device
US6746083B2 (en) 2002-09-27 2004-06-08 Lear Corporation Vehicle seat assembly
US6749247B1 (en) * 2002-12-19 2004-06-15 Daimlerchrysler Corporation Stowable vehicle seat
US20040169391A1 (en) * 2003-02-28 2004-09-02 Taku Imajo Retractable seats
US20040169404A1 (en) * 2003-02-28 2004-09-02 Taku Imajo Retractable seats
WO2005044616A1 (en) * 2003-10-31 2005-05-19 Johnson Controls Technology Company Vehicle seat system with a vehicle ingress/egress position and a load floor position
US7040684B2 (en) 2001-05-29 2006-05-09 Intier Automotive Inc. Easy entry seat with seat back mounted floor latch
WO2006080859A1 (en) * 2005-01-28 2006-08-03 Pels Jacques M A Button clip for ball marker
WO2007031313A1 (en) * 2005-09-15 2007-03-22 Intier Automotive Seating Systems Gmbh Second row seat assembly having fold flat mechanism with forward cushion movement
US7469861B2 (en) 2001-08-09 2008-12-30 Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited Seating system and a passenger accommodation unit for a vehicle
USD583579S1 (en) 2004-06-18 2008-12-30 Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited Airplane seating unit
DE102008037971A1 (en) * 2008-08-12 2010-02-18 Brose Fahrzeugteile Gmbh & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg Rear seat arrangement for motor vehicle, has rear seat row arrangement and seat part that is formed at passenger seat, and frame part is connected with seat part for supporting seat part
US20100194134A1 (en) * 2008-11-17 2010-08-05 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Device for adjusting a motor vehicle seat and motor vehicle seat
CN102019860A (en) * 2009-09-11 2011-04-20 布罗泽汽车部件制造科堡有限公司 Motor vehicle rear seat
DE102004033222B4 (en) * 2004-07-08 2013-10-17 Johnson Controls Gmbh seat adjustment
CN105818718A (en) * 2016-05-18 2016-08-03 力帆实业(集团)股份有限公司 Clearance compensation structure used during folding and flatwise laying of second-row seats and third-row seats
US20160358783A1 (en) * 2015-06-08 2016-12-08 Meyer Burger (Germany) Ag Method and device for texturing a silicon surface
US20190248254A1 (en) * 2018-02-14 2019-08-15 Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle seat system
DE112005001056C5 (en) * 2004-05-07 2020-03-19 Fisher Dynamics Corp. Motorized remote release actuator for a seat assembly

Families Citing this family (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6345867B1 (en) 2000-06-02 2002-02-12 Fisher Dynamics Corporation Seat recliner and floor latch with interlock
GB0120250D0 (en) * 2001-08-21 2001-10-10 Ford Global Tech Inc Vehicle seating
US7118178B2 (en) * 2002-11-06 2006-10-10 Intier Automotive Inc, Power folding seat
DE10209759A1 (en) † 2002-03-05 2003-09-25 Johnson Controls Gmbh Motor vehicle seat with an electrically adjustable backrest
US6688696B2 (en) * 2002-05-09 2004-02-10 Timothy J. Brush Automatic articulating seat assembly
US6601901B1 (en) * 2002-06-17 2003-08-05 Daimlerchrysler Corporation Fold flat motor vehicle seat
KR20040023876A (en) * 2002-09-12 2004-03-20 기아자동차주식회사 Rear seat folding structure
JP2004196163A (en) * 2002-12-19 2004-07-15 Aisin Seiki Co Ltd Seat device
EP1491388A3 (en) * 2003-06-24 2005-10-19 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Electrically foldable seat
JP3860151B2 (en) * 2003-08-29 2006-12-20 株式会社タチエス Retractable seat for vehicle
DE102004025507A1 (en) * 2004-05-21 2005-12-15 Johnson Controls Gmbh Automotive Systems Group vehicle seat
EP1598270B1 (en) * 2004-05-21 2009-04-29 Airbus Deutschland GmbH Aircraft passenger seat with integrated spring element
CN100465026C (en) * 2004-06-01 2009-03-04 C·劳勃汉默斯坦两合有限公司 Arrangement of foldable rear chair of vehicle
DE102005001042A1 (en) * 2004-06-01 2005-12-29 C. Rob. Hammerstein Gmbh & Co. Kg Reversible rear seat arrangement for vehicles
US20060138839A1 (en) * 2004-12-01 2006-06-29 Ryan Christopher J Flip and slide seat assembly
US7290822B2 (en) * 2005-08-26 2007-11-06 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Occupant seat system
US9333883B2 (en) * 2005-12-28 2016-05-10 Ts Tech Co., Ltd. Tip-up/dive-down type reclining seat for vehicle
CA2582892A1 (en) * 2006-03-28 2007-09-28 Intier Automotive Inc. Rising pivot seat
US20080122280A1 (en) * 2006-09-08 2008-05-29 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Multifunction vehicular seat
US7600801B2 (en) * 2006-12-20 2009-10-13 Globe Motors, Inc. Seat storage actuator
DE102007007296A1 (en) * 2007-02-12 2008-08-14 Keiper Gmbh & Co.Kg Vehicle seat, in particular motor vehicle seat
WO2009064650A1 (en) * 2007-11-12 2009-05-22 Johnson Controls Technology Company Seat recliner mechanism with fold-flat feature
US8002331B2 (en) 2008-09-11 2011-08-23 Honda Motor Company, Ltd. Vehicles having utility dump bed and folding seat assembly
US8899684B2 (en) * 2010-07-01 2014-12-02 Johnson Controls Techonology Company Second row package
US9333885B2 (en) * 2013-08-26 2016-05-10 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Folding vehicle seat
US10266075B2 (en) * 2015-07-02 2019-04-23 Lear Corporation Stowable vehicle seat with slotted guide linkage
US10040494B2 (en) * 2017-01-05 2018-08-07 GM Global Technology Operations LLC Aerodynamic floor pan for a vehicle
US10632873B2 (en) * 2018-04-04 2020-04-28 Ford Global Technologies, Llc Seat structure dual motion recliner pivot mechanism
JP7099346B2 (en) * 2019-02-06 2022-07-12 トヨタ紡織株式会社 Rotating device for seat back

Family Cites Families (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3114574A (en) 1961-03-06 1963-12-17 Harry M Pryale Combination lid and seat
US4627656A (en) 1981-08-26 1986-12-09 Mazda Motor Corporation Seat for automobile
FR2589800B1 (en) 1985-11-08 1989-06-23 Peugeot Cycles TRANSFORMABLE REAR SEAT
GB9028083D0 (en) 1990-12-27 1991-02-13 Rover Group A seat for a vehicle
US5195795A (en) 1992-04-01 1993-03-23 Cannera Raymond C Automotive vehicle seat assembly fully retractable below the vehicle's floor
US5393116A (en) 1993-10-25 1995-02-28 General Motors Corporation Van-type vehicle multi-positional seat
CA2111725C (en) 1993-12-18 1998-10-13 Wojciech Smuk Combination reclining and folding mechanism for automotive seat assemblies
JP3658776B2 (en) * 1994-07-29 2005-06-08 アイシン精機株式会社 Power seat reclining device
US5570931A (en) * 1995-09-29 1996-11-05 Chrysler Corporation Vehicle adjustable and stowable rear seat
US5588707A (en) 1995-11-14 1996-12-31 General Motors Corporation Folding seat
US5934732A (en) 1996-09-30 1999-08-10 Chrysler Corporation Lock mechanism for foldable vehicle seat
DE19705281C2 (en) * 1997-02-12 1999-03-11 Daimler Benz Ag Vehicle with a rear seat
US6089641A (en) * 1997-12-23 2000-07-18 Chrysler Corporation Passenger vehicle floor and seat arrangement
US6079763A (en) * 1998-05-06 2000-06-27 Ford Global Technologies, Inc. Foldable multi-position automotive vehicle seat
US6113191A (en) * 1998-10-21 2000-09-05 Johnson Controls Technology Company Storable seat assembly
US6070934A (en) * 1999-02-01 2000-06-06 Ford Motor Company Folding seat mounting apparatus
US6123380A (en) * 1999-06-11 2000-09-26 Lear Corporation Automotive seat assembly with folding structural supports for storage in a foot well for an automotive vehicle body

Cited By (35)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6582003B2 (en) * 2000-02-10 2003-06-24 Aurecia Sieges D'automobile S.A. Modular seat layout system for an automobile vehicle, especially for the seats of the first and second rows
US7040684B2 (en) 2001-05-29 2006-05-09 Intier Automotive Inc. Easy entry seat with seat back mounted floor latch
US7472957B2 (en) 2001-08-09 2009-01-06 Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited Seating system and a passenger accommodation unit for a vehicle
US7997654B2 (en) 2001-08-09 2011-08-16 Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited Seating system and a passenger accommodation unit for a vehicle
US8313059B2 (en) 2001-08-09 2012-11-20 Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited Seating system and a passenger accommodation unit for a vehicle
US7523888B2 (en) 2001-08-09 2009-04-28 Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited Seating system and a passenger accommodation unit for a vehicle
US8720821B2 (en) 2001-08-09 2014-05-13 Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited Seating system and passenger accommodation unit for a vehicle
US7469861B2 (en) 2001-08-09 2008-12-30 Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited Seating system and a passenger accommodation unit for a vehicle
US9403597B2 (en) 2001-08-09 2016-08-02 Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited Seating system and a passenger accommodation unit for a vehicle
US6820911B2 (en) * 2002-03-29 2004-11-23 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle rear seat position changing device
US20030184112A1 (en) * 2002-03-29 2003-10-02 Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle rear seat position changing device
US6746083B2 (en) 2002-09-27 2004-06-08 Lear Corporation Vehicle seat assembly
US6749247B1 (en) * 2002-12-19 2004-06-15 Daimlerchrysler Corporation Stowable vehicle seat
US20040119312A1 (en) * 2002-12-19 2004-06-24 Mack Kenneth S. Stowable vehicle seat
US20040169391A1 (en) * 2003-02-28 2004-09-02 Taku Imajo Retractable seats
US6986542B2 (en) * 2003-02-28 2006-01-17 Araco Kabushiki Kaisha Retractable seats
US6974174B2 (en) * 2003-02-28 2005-12-13 Araco Kabushiki Kaisha Retractable seats
US20040169404A1 (en) * 2003-02-28 2004-09-02 Taku Imajo Retractable seats
WO2005044616A1 (en) * 2003-10-31 2005-05-19 Johnson Controls Technology Company Vehicle seat system with a vehicle ingress/egress position and a load floor position
US7686368B2 (en) 2003-10-31 2010-03-30 Johnson Controls Technology Company Vehicle stadium/slide seat system
EP2289732A1 (en) * 2003-10-31 2011-03-02 Johnson Controls Technology Company Vehicle seat system with a vehicle ingress/egress position and a load floor position
DE112005001056C5 (en) * 2004-05-07 2020-03-19 Fisher Dynamics Corp. Motorized remote release actuator for a seat assembly
USD583579S1 (en) 2004-06-18 2008-12-30 Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited Airplane seating unit
DE102004033222B4 (en) * 2004-07-08 2013-10-17 Johnson Controls Gmbh seat adjustment
WO2006080859A1 (en) * 2005-01-28 2006-08-03 Pels Jacques M A Button clip for ball marker
US7766430B2 (en) 2005-09-15 2010-08-03 Intier Automotive Seating Systems Gmbh Second row seat assembly having fold flat mechanism with forward cushion movement
US20080211282A1 (en) * 2005-09-15 2008-09-04 Ventura Kevin J Second Row Seat Assembly Having Fold Flat Mechanism with Forward Cushion Movement
WO2007031313A1 (en) * 2005-09-15 2007-03-22 Intier Automotive Seating Systems Gmbh Second row seat assembly having fold flat mechanism with forward cushion movement
DE102008037971A1 (en) * 2008-08-12 2010-02-18 Brose Fahrzeugteile Gmbh & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg Rear seat arrangement for motor vehicle, has rear seat row arrangement and seat part that is formed at passenger seat, and frame part is connected with seat part for supporting seat part
DE102008037971B4 (en) * 2008-08-12 2020-03-26 Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg Rear seat assembly for a motor vehicle
US20100194134A1 (en) * 2008-11-17 2010-08-05 Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. Device for adjusting a motor vehicle seat and motor vehicle seat
CN102019860A (en) * 2009-09-11 2011-04-20 布罗泽汽车部件制造科堡有限公司 Motor vehicle rear seat
US20160358783A1 (en) * 2015-06-08 2016-12-08 Meyer Burger (Germany) Ag Method and device for texturing a silicon surface
CN105818718A (en) * 2016-05-18 2016-08-03 力帆实业(集团)股份有限公司 Clearance compensation structure used during folding and flatwise laying of second-row seats and third-row seats
US20190248254A1 (en) * 2018-02-14 2019-08-15 Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha Vehicle seat system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6270141B2 (en) 2001-08-07

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6270141B2 (en) Power assisted seat folding mechanism
US6070934A (en) Folding seat mounting apparatus
US7255399B2 (en) Thin profile folding vehicle seat
EP1387779B1 (en) Vehicle seat
EP2061674B1 (en) Fold flat seat assembly with drive link
US4779917A (en) Reconfigurable rear seat for van or station wagon
EP1406787B1 (en) Fold flat stow in floor seat assembly with collapsible bolsters
CA2847815C (en) Stowable seat arrangement for a motor vehicle
US7762604B1 (en) Vehicle seating arrangement
US9308836B2 (en) Folding and reclining seat for vehicle
CN101193771B (en) Mono leg transformer seat
CN100556733C (en) Long Seats with Removable Upholstery
US20080174160A1 (en) Foldable vehicle seat from a use position to a stowed position and related layout of a seat assembly
EP0151426B1 (en) Improved vehicle provided with seats, the back rest of which can be folded down to the level of the load-carrying platform
EP2855196B1 (en) Fold and kneel seat wtih rearward folding motion
US8066325B2 (en) Deployable bolster for a vehicle seat
US20070252404A1 (en) Adjustable rear seat
WO1997028019A1 (en) A vehicle seat and armrest arrangement
EP1945477B1 (en) Second row seat assembly having fold flat mechanism with forward cushion movement
WO2006015487A1 (en) Transformer seat
JP3300104B2 (en) Vehicle seat structure
JP2000108742A (en) Seat folding structure
MXPA00011918A (en) Kneeling and tumbling automotive seating assembly

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: FORD MOTOR COMPANY, A DELAWARE CORPORATION, MICHIG

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:MOON, JOSEPH J.;HAMMOUD, MAJID (JACK);REEL/FRAME:010418/0868;SIGNING DATES FROM 19991109 TO 19991111

AS Assignment

Owner name: VISTEON GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC., MICHIGAN

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:FORD MOTOR COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:010968/0220

Effective date: 20000615

FPAY Fee payment

Year of fee payment: 4

REMI Maintenance fee reminder mailed
LAPS Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees
STCH Information on status: patent discontinuation

Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362

FP Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee

Effective date: 20090807