Seat assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2023202401-A1
Application number	US-202117563140-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Dec 28, 2021
Priority date	Dec 28, 2021
Publication date	Jun 29, 2023
Grant date	—

Abstract

A seat assembly may include a seatback, a seat base, and/or a retractable cover assembly connected to the seat base. The retractable cover assembly may include a retractable cover that is selectively connectable to the seatback. The retractable cover assembly may include a housing mounted to an underside of the seat base. The seat base may be configured to rotate relative to the seatback between a seating position and a storage position. The retractable cover may be selectively connectable to the seatback at least when the seat base is in the seating position. The retractable cover may be selectively connectable to a second seatback of a second seat at least when the seat base is in the storage position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A seat assembly, comprising:
a seatback; a seat base; and a retractable cover assembly connected to the seat base; wherein the retractable cover assembly includes a retractable cover that is selectively connectable to the seatback.

2 . The seat assembly of claim 1 , wherein the retractable cover assembly includes a housing mounted to an underside of the seat base.

3 . The seat assembly of claim 2 , wherein the seat base is configured to rotate relative to the seatback between a seating position and a storage position.

4 . The seat assembly of claim 3 , wherein the retractable cover is selectively connectable to the seatback at least when the seat base is in the seating position; and
the retractable cover is selectively connectable to a second seatback of a second seat at least when the seat base is in the storage position.

5 . The seat assembly of claim 3 , wherein the housing includes a plurality of hooks that extend generally upward when the seat base is in the storage position.

6 . The seat assembly of claim 2 , wherein the housing includes a tapered surface and one or more lights connected to the tapered surface.

7 . The seat assembly of claim 2 , wherein the retractable cover includes a plurality of solar cells disposed at a first side of the retractable cover.

8 . The seat assembly of claim 7 , wherein the retractable cover includes a second plurality of solar cells disposed at a second side of the retractable cover.

9 . The seat assembly of claim 2 , wherein the retractable cover includes a hook portion configured to releasably engage a portion of the seatback; and
the housing includes a receptacle configured to releasably engage the hook portion.

10 . The seat assembly of claim 9 , wherein the receptable includes deflectable first and second arms.

11 . The seat assembly of claim 10 , wherein the receptacle includes a U-shaped recess configured to at least partially receive the hook portion and restrict lateral movement of the hook portion; and
the first and second arms are configured to restrict longitudinal movement and vertical movement of the hook portion.

12 . The seat assembly of claim 10 , wherein the first and second arms are configured to provide a tactile indication that the retractable cover is in a retracted position.

13 . The seat assembly of claim 2 , wherein the retractable cover assembly includes a mounting plate connected to the housing that connects the housing to the underside of the seat base.

14 . The seat assembly of claim 13 , wherein the seat base includes a first track and a second track configured to facilitate sliding movement of a cushion of the seat base; and
the mounting plate is disposed at least partially between the first track and the second track.

15 . The seat assembly of claim 2 , wherein the retractable cover assembly includes a slide plate connected the housing and disposed at least partially between the housing and the seat base.

16 . The seat assembly of claim 15 , wherein the slide plate is in contact with a trim cover of the seat base and is configured to facilitate movement of the retractable cover relative to the trim cover.

17 . The seat assembly of claim 16 , wherein the slide plate includes a tapered and rounded wall that extends forward beyond the housing.

18 . The seat assembly of claim 1 , wherein retractable cover includes a hook portion and a handle portion;
the hook portion and the handle portion extend in opposite directions.

19 . The seat assembly of claim 18 , wherein the retractable cover includes a retracted position and a hooked position in which the hook portion is engaged with the seatback; and
the hook portion and the handle are in substantially the same orientation in the retracted position and the hooked position of the retractable cover.

20 . The seat assembly of claim 19 , wherein the seatback includes a head rest connected to a post; and
the hook portion is engaged with the post in the hooked position.

Assignees

• Lear Corp

Inventors

• Weaver Mark
• Muthyala Sumanth
• Landry Brandon
• Severinski Paul
• Powell Michael R

Classifications

• B60R7/043

  mounted on or under a seat · CPC title

• B60R7/005 Primary

  Nets or elastic pockets tensioned against walls or backrests · CPC title

• B60N2/6009

  covering more than only the seat · CPC title

• B60N2/3047

  the cushion being hinged at the back-rest · CPC title

• B60N2/60 Primary

  Removable protective coverings · CPC title