Seat back and adjustable platform assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11529896-B2
Application number	US-202117198516-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 11, 2021
Priority date	Mar 11, 2021
Publication date	Dec 20, 2022
Grant date	Dec 20, 2022

Abstract

A method and an apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a seat back movable between an upright position and a folded position, and a platform coupled to the seat back with a support mechanism such that the platform is movable between a plurality of use positions when the seat back is in the folded position. The support mechanism includes at least one member that is selectively detached from the platform to provide at least one of the plurality of use positions.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a seat back movable between an upright position and a folded position, wherein the seat back has an outermost external surface; and
a platform coupled to the seat back with a support mechanism such that the platform is movable between a plurality of use positions when the seat back is in the folded position, and wherein the platform is generally flush with the outermost external surface of the seat back when the seatback is in the upright position, and wherein the support mechanism includes at least one member that is selectively detached from the platform and moved to a member stowed position to provide at least one of the plurality of use positions.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of use positions includes at least a stowed position, a table position, and an upright position.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the at least one member is detached from the platform when in the upright position.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the seat back provides a seat back surface that is generally parallel to ground level when in the folded position, and wherein
the platform is generally parallel to and fitted against the seat back surface when in the stowed position,
the platform is generally parallel to and spaced apart from the seat back surface when in the table position, and
the platform is oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the seat back surface when in the upright position.

5. An apparatus, comprising:
a seat back movable between an upright position and a folded position, wherein the seat back provides a seat back surface that is generally parallel to ground level when in the folded position; and
a platform coupled to the seat back with a support mechanism such that the platform is movable between a plurality of use positions when the seat back is in the folded position, wherein the plurality of use positions includes at least a stowed position, a table position, and an upright position, and wherein the platform includes at least a base portion and a flippable portion that pivots relative to the base portion, and wherein the plurality of use positions additionally includes at least a flip-up position where the flippable portion is pivoted upright relative to the base portion to provide a support stand, and wherein
the platform is generally parallel to and fitted against the seat back surface when in the stowed position,
the platform is generally parallel to and spaced apart from the seat back surface when in the table position, and
the platform is oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the seat back surface when in the upright position; and

wherein the support mechanism includes at least one member that is selectively detached from the platform and moved to a member stowed position to provide at least one of the plurality of use positions, and wherein the at least one member is detached from the platform when in the upright position.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the flippable portion is selectively movable to the flip-up position at least when the seat is in the stowed or table position.

7. An apparatus, comprising:
a seat back movable between an upright position and a folded position, wherein the seat back provides a seat back surface that is generally parallel to ground level when in the folded position;
a platform coupled to the seat back with a support mechanism such that the platform is movable between a plurality of use positions when the seat back is in the folded position, wherein the plurality of use positions includes at least a stowed position, a table position, and an upright position, and wherein
the platform is generally parallel to and fitted against the seat back surface when in the stowed position,
the platform is generally parallel to and spaced apart from the seat back surface when in the table position, and
the platform is oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the seat back surface when in the upright position;

wherein the support mechanism includes at least one member that is selectively detached from the platform and moved to a member stowed position to provide at least one of the plurality of use positions, wherein the at least one member is detached from the platform when in the upright position; and
wherein the plurality of use positions additionally includes at least an extended storage position, wherein the at least one member is detached from the platform and the platform is pivoted beyond the upright position to the extended storage position.

8. An apparatus, comprising:
a seat back movable between an upright position and a folded position;
a platform coupled to the seat back with a support mechanism such that the platform is movable between a plurality of use positions when the seat back is in the folded position, and wherein the support mechanism includes at least one member that is selectively detached from the platform to provide at least one of the plurality of use positions;
wherein the plurality of use positions includes at least a stowed position, a table position, and an upright position;
wherein the at least one member is detached from the platform when in the upright position;
wherein the seat back provides a seat back surface that is generally parallel to ground level when in the folded position, and wherein
the platform is generally parallel to and fitted against the seat back surface when in the stowed position,
the platform is generally parallel to and spaced apart from the seat back surface when in the table position, and
the platform is oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the seat back surface when in the upright position; and

wherein the platform includes a first surface facing the seat back surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and including at least one latch member on the first surface that selectively couples the at least one member to the platform.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one latch member is configured to additionally provide a retaining feature that can hold a bag or secure a moveable object when the platform is in the upright position.

10. An apparatus, comprising:
a seat back movable between an upright position and a folded position; and
a platform coupled to the seat back with a support mechanism such that the platform is movable between a plurality of use positions when the seat back is in the folded position, and wherein the support mechanism includes at least one member that is selectively detached from the platform to provide at least one of the plurality of use positions; and
wherein the support mechanism includes
a first bar linkage that has one end pivotally connected to the seat back and an opposite end pivotally connected to the platform, and
a second bar linkage that is separate from the first bar linkage, and has one end pivotally connected to the seat back and another end pivotally and detachably connected to the platform to comprise the at least one member that is detachable from the platform.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the second bar linkage comprises a single bar having a U-shape or a C-shape.

12. The apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the second bar linkage is selectively detached from the platform to rest against the seat back while the first bar linkage remains attached to the platform to allow the platform to be pivoted forwardly about the opposite end of the first bar linkage to an upright position where the platform is oriented at a non-zero angle relative to the seat back when the seat back is in the folded position.

13. A m

Assignees

• Faurecia Automotive Seating Llc

Inventors

• Fitzpatrick Robert

Classifications

• B60N2/366 Primary

  characterised by the locking device · CPC title

• B60N2/32

  convertible for other use · CPC title

• B60N2/206 Primary

  to a position in which it can be used as a support for objects, e.g. as a tray · CPC title

• B60N3/004

  of foldable trays mounted on the back-rest · CPC title

• B60N3/001

  of tables or trays · CPC title