Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Seats with body modifications
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-15
2001-05-15
Pedder, Dennis H. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Seats with body modifications
C296S065050, C296S065030, C296S065090
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231103
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a motor vehicle seat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A motor vehicle seat typically includes a horizontal seat cushion and a vertical seat back joined at a horizontal hinge for pivotal movement of the seat back through a relatively small angle for occupant comfort and/or to make the space behind the seat more accessible. In some motor vehicle seats, referred to herein as “foldable seats”, the seat back is pivotable through a substantially greater angle relative to the seat cushion to a position folded flat against the seat cushion and defining a horizontal platform for cargo. In a similar foldable seat, the seat cushion is itself connected to a floor of the motor vehicle at a second horizontal hinge which permits the folded seat to be pivoted to a vertical position in which the floor under the seat is exposed and available for cargo. In a functionally similar foldable seat, the seat back and the seat cushion are each hinged to the vehicle body for independent pivotal movement about respective ones of a pair of horizontal axes. The seat cushion pivots up from its usual horizontal position to a vertical position exposing a well under the seat and the seat back pivots down behind the seat cushion from its usual vertical position to a horizontal position covering the well and expanding the area of the floor of the vehicle available for cargo. A foldable motor vehicle seat according to this invention is a novel alternative to the above described foldable motor vehicle seats.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a new and improved foldable motor vehicle seat including a horizontal seat cushion and a vertical seat back joined at a horizontal hinge for pivotal movement of the seat cushion from a horizontal position to a vertical position folded against the seat back. The seat back is connected to a side wall of a body of the motor vehicle for pivotal movement about a vertical axis between a seating position in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal centerline of the motor vehicle and a cargo position in a plane generally parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the motor vehicle. With the seat cushion folded vertically against the seat back and the seat back in its cargo position, a floor of the motor vehicle under the seat is exposed for cargo. With the seat cushion horizontal and the seat back in its seating position, a passenger may sit on the foldable seat. A strut on the seat cushion has a raised position against a side of the seat cushion when the latter is folded vertically against the seat back and a lowered position when the seat cushion is horizontal defining a vertical brace between the seat cushion and the floor. A latch on the seat cushion releasably secures the strut to the floor of the motor vehicle.
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Bates Michael H.
Capo Juan M.
Cenzer Gregory J.
Elson Gerald Lee
Jones Michael A.
General Motors Corporation
Leahy Charles E.
Murray Mickki D.
Pedder Dennis H.
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