Seat for motor vehicle

US6231103A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• General Motors LLC · US

Inventors

• Gerald Elson · Rochester, US
• Elisabeth B. Nevitt · Shelby Charter Township, US
• Gregory J. Cenzer · Warren, US
• James A. Watson · Santa Clara, US
• Michael A. Jones · Atlanta, US
• Robert W. Smith · Lakeside, US
• Nancy M. Simioni · Troy, US
• Michael H. Bates · Oxford, US
• Francis Nile Smith · Clarkston, US
• Juan M. Capo · Rochester Hills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 15, 1999
• Grant date: May 15, 2001
• Expiry date: Mar 15, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60N2/3018
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A 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 parallel to the longitudinal centerline. With the seat cushion folded vertically against the seat back and the seat back in its cargo position, the 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 pivotally supported on the seat cushion has a raised position against a side of the seat cushion and a lowered position when the seat cushion is horizontal defining a vertical brace between the seat cushion and the floor. A latch releasably secures the strut to the floor of the motor vehicle.