Adjustable seat assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10946776-B2
Application number	US-201916452689-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 26, 2019
Priority date	Jun 26, 2019
Publication date	Mar 16, 2021
Grant date	Mar 16, 2021

Abstract

A seat assembly includes a base frame and first and second guide brackets coupled to opposed sides of the base frame. The first and second guide brackets each include slots disposed therethrough. First and second support brackets are slideably mounted to the slots of the first and second guide brackets, respectively. A seat portion includes a seat frame that is pivotally coupled to the first and second support brackets at opposed first and second ends of the seat frame. The seat frame is configured to pivot with respect to the first and second support brackets between use and upright non-use positions. The base frame is rotatably supported on a swivel mechanism for rotation of the seat assembly between forward-facing and rearward-facing configurations.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A seat assembly, comprising:
a base frame;
first and second guide brackets coupled to opposed sides of the base frame, wherein the first and second guide brackets each include one or more slots disposed therethrough;
first and second support brackets slideably mounted to the one or more slots of the first and second guide brackets, respectively;
a seat portion having a seat frame that is pivotally coupled to the first and second support brackets at opposed first and second ends of the seat frame, respectively, wherein the seat frame pivots with respect to the first and second support brackets between use and upright non-use positions; and
a swivel mechanism, wherein the base frame is rotatably supported on a rotating upper portion of the swivel mechanism for rotation about a pivot axis.

2. The seat assembly of claim 1 , including:
first and second actuators coupled to the base frame, wherein the first and second actuators are further coupled to the first and second support brackets, respectively for driving movement of the first and second support brackets between raised and lowered positions.

3. The seat assembly of claim 1 , including:
a cross member disposed between and interconnecting the opposed first and second ends of the seat frame.

4. The seat assembly of claim 3 , including:
an actuator disposed within an interior portion of the cross member.

5. The seat assembly of claim 4 , wherein the actuator includes a drive gear engaged in a geared relationship with a fixed gear assembly mounted to one of the first and second support brackets to drive the seat frame between the use and upright non-use positions.

6. The seat assembly of claim 1 , wherein the seat frame includes a front edge, and further wherein the front edge of the seat frame is vertically juxtaposed over the swivel mechanism when the seat frame is in the upright non-use position.

7. The seat assembly of claim 6 , wherein the front edge of the seat frame is disposed outwardly in a forward direction beyond the swivel mechanism when the seat frame is in the use position.

8. A seat assembly, comprising:
a base frame;
a guide bracket coupled to the base frame and having inner and outer surfaces;
a support bracket slideably coupled to the inner surface of the guide bracket between raised and lowered positions;
a first actuator operably coupled between the base frame and the support bracket for driving the support bracket between the raised and lowered positions;
a retainer bracket slideably coupled to the outer surface of the guide bracket, wherein the retainer bracket is further coupled to the support bracket for movement therewith; and
a seat frame pivotally coupled to the support bracket between use and upright non-use positions.

9. The seat assembly of claim 8 , including:
a second actuator operably coupled between the seat frame and the support bracket for driving the seat frame between the use and upright non-use positions.

10. The seat assembly of claim 8 , wherein the support bracket includes a forwardly extending base portion having an inwardly extending support tab.

11. The seat assembly of claim 10 , wherein an underside of the seat frame abuts the support tab of the support bracket when the seat frame is in the use position.

12. The seat assembly of claim 8 , wherein the seat frame includes a front edge extending outwardly in a forward direction beyond a front edge of the base frame when the seat frame is in the use position.

13. The seat assembly of claim 12 , wherein the front edge of the base frame is disposed outwardly in a forward direction beyond the front edge of the seat frame when the seat frame is in the upright non-use position.

14. A seat assembly, comprising:
a support bracket;
a retainer bracket operably coupled to the support bracket;
a guide bracket slideably disposed between the support bracket and the retainer bracket, wherein the guide bracket includes at least one slot disposed therethrough;
at least one guide member slideably received in the at least one slot of the guide bracket, wherein the at least one guide member is coupled to the support bracket on a first side of the at least one guide member, and further wherein the at least one guide member is coupled to the retainer bracket on a second side of the at least one guide member;
a seat frame pivotally coupled to the support bracket between use and upright non-use positions relative to the support bracket; and
a first actuator operably coupled between the seat frame and the support bracket for driving the seat frame between the use and upright non-use position.

15. The seat assembly of claim 14 , including:
a second actuator coupled to the support bracket for driving the support bracket and the retainer bracket between raised and lowered positions relative to the guide bracket.

16. The seat assembly of claim 14 , wherein the at least one slot includes first and second slots spaced-apart from one another on the guide bracket, and further wherein the at least one guide member includes first and second guide members slideably received in the first and second slots, respectively.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Kish Joseph Michael
• Gabalski Jeffrey
• Line Johnathan Andrew
• Gauthier Joshua
• Kondrad Marcos Silva
• Hoernke Spencer Robert

Classifications

• B60N2/163

  Slides only · CPC title

• B60N2/143

  taking a position opposite to the original one · CPC title

• B60N2/06 Primary

  slidable (B60N2/12 {, B60N2/2209} take precedence) · CPC title

• B60N2/305

  the cushion being hinged on the vehicle frame · CPC title

• B60N2/164

  Linear actuator, e.g. screw mechanism · CPC title