Abstract: A latch assembly with a first leg securing to a seat bottom and a second leg pivotally engaged to an upper end of a stanchion mount. A sector is pivotally slaved to the second leg opposing the stanchion and exhibits a bottom shoulder projection separating into first and second surface locations. A pendulum pivotally secures to the stanchion and seats against a first sector location with the seat bottom in a downward position. The seat bottom is rotated in an upward direction, causing a detent lever to pivot out of engagement with a notch location of a supporting frame and travel along an edge extending profile thereof, simultaneous with the sector displacing relative to the pendulum. The detent lever reestablishes seating engagement with a second notch location concurrent with the pendulum pivoting into engagement with a second sector location corresponding to an upwardly rotated position of the seat.

Abstract: A linear latch interconnecting a pivoting seatback with a frame location of a vehicle interior. The latch includes a bracket secured to a surface of the frame. An elongated gear rack exhibits upper and lower ratchet defining surfaces and is supported in linearly displaceable fashion to the bracket, a forward extending end of the gear rack connecting to the seatback such that the gear rack is biased in a first lineal direction relative to the bracket. A pair of locking members are pivotally secured to the bracket and are biased in first directions to engage selected teeth associated with the upper and lower ratchet defining surfaces of the gear rack. The locking members are concurrently pivoted out of contact with the gear rack to permit readjustment of the seatback in a second counter-biasing direction, following which they re-engage additional selected teeth associated with gear rack surfaces.

Abstract: A linear latch interconnecting a pivoting seatback with a frame location of a vehicle interior. The latch includes a bracket secured to a surface of the frame. An elongated gear rack exhibits upper and lower ratchet defining surfaces and is supported in linearly displaceable fashion to the bracket, a forward extending end of the gear rack connecting to the seatback such that the gear rack is biased in a first lineal direction relative to the bracket. A pair of locking members are pivotally secured to the bracket and are biased in first directions to engage selected teeth associated with the upper and lower ratchet defining surfaces of the gear rack. The locking members are concurrently pivoted out of contact with the gear rack to permit readjustment of the seatback in a second counter-biasing direction, following which they re-engage additional selected teeth associated with gear rack surfaces.

Abstract: An inertial latch assembly including a planar shaped sector pivotally mounted between a pair of spaced apart support plates. The sector exhibits a bottom including a central projecting shoulder separating first and second bottom surfaces. An arcuate interior channel in the sector is offset from its pivotal mounting location, a pin extending through a second channel defined in a selected support plate and seating within the arcuate channel so that the pin exerts a bias against the sector during travel along the arcuate interior channel. A pendulum is secured in sandwiching fashion between the support plates and proximate the bottom extending surface of the planar shaped sector, an arcuate edge thereof seating against a selected bottom extending surfaces of the rotatable sector, depending upon a pivoted position established between the sector and the support plates.

Abstract: A multifunctional latch assembly associated with a rear row mounted and removable vehicle seat exhibiting a seat back pivotally secured to a seat bottom. The latch assembly releasably engages the seat bottom to front and rear floor supported strikers and to permit forward rotating seat dump and/or rearward seat removal. A first latch mechanism is mounted to a rear location of a frame associated with the seat bottom and includes a latch plate configured to engage the rear striker. A release lever is secured to a further location of the seat frame and is actuated a degree to permit the seat back to pivotally fold flat against the seat bottom, the release lever is further actuated a second degree to disengage the latch plate from the rear located striker and to permit forward rotation of the seat about the front supported striker. A second latch mechanism is mounted to a selected front location of the seat frame and includes an arcuately configured latch engaging the front striker.

Abstract: An inertial latch assembly including a planar shaped sector pivotally mounted between a pair of spaced apart support plates. The sector exhibits a bottom including a central projecting shoulder separating first and second bottom surfaces. An arcuate interior channel in the sector is offset from its pivotal mounting location, a pin extending through a second channel defined in a selected support plate and seating within the arcuate channel so that the pin exerts a bias against the sector during travel along the arcuate interior channel. A pendulum is secured in sandwiching fashion between the support plates and proximate the bottom extending surface of the planar shaped sector, an arcuate edge thereof seating against a selected bottom extending surfaces of the rotatable sector, depending upon a pivoted position established between the sector and the support plates.

Abstract: A disengage mechanism incorporated into a floor-mounted, forwardly pivotal and removable seat including a bottom and a pivotally associated back. The mechanism includes a handle-operated actuating assembly mounted to an underside of the seat bottom. A seat forward tumble mechanism includes a cable securing to the assembly at a first location and a seat disengage mechanism includes a pair of cables securing to the assembly at a second location. The assembly is actuated in a first selected direction to engage the forward tumble mechanism, the assembly being actuated in a second reverse direction to concurrently engage the forward tumble mechanism as well as the seat disengagement mechanism.

Abstract: A release latch for use with a vehicle seat. A latch plate is rotatably secured to the seat and engages a floor mounted striker. A cam is rotatably secured to the seat and defines a shoulder biasingly seating against a support surface of the latch plate. A lever actuates the cam away from the support surface. A coil spring extends between the cam and a location of the latch plate offset from its pivot point. Forward pivoting of the seat occurs upon the shoulder separating from the support surface, the coil spring causing the latch plate to further rotate in a disengaging direction relative to the striker and upon the coil spring exceeding an over center portion relative to the pivot point of rotation of the latch plate.

Abstract: A multifunctional latch assembly associated with a rear row mounted and removable vehicle seat exhibiting a seat back pivotally secured to a seat bottom. The latch assembly releasably engages the seat bottom to front and rear floor supported strikers and to permit forward rotating seat dump and/or rearward seat removal. A first latch mechanism is mounted to a rear location of a frame associated with the seat bottom and includes a latch plate configured to engage the rear striker. A release lever is secured to a further location of the seat frame and is actuated a degree to permit the seat back to pivotally fold flat against the seat bottom, the release lever is further actuated a second degree to disengage the latch plate from the rear located striker and to permit forward rotation of the seat about the front supported striker. A second latch mechanism is mounted to a selected front location of the seat frame and includes an arcuately configured latch engaging the front striker.

Abstract: A combined seat back release and floor release for use with a vehicle seat. The seat back includes a first mechanism for forwardly rotating a seat back relative to a seat bottom. The floor release is actuated by the seat back by virtue of a linearly translatable cable extending therebetween. The cable acts upon a floor release lever, which is rotatably slaved to a pair of cam elements. A latch plate is rotatably secured to the seat and engages a floor mounted striker. Shoulder portions associated with the cams define primary and secondary abutment surfaces acting against the support surface of the latch plate. The lever actuates the cams away from the support surface in response to the actuation of the cable from the seat back mechanism.

Abstract: A disengage mechanism incorporated into a floor-mounted, forwardly pivotal and removable seat including a bottom and a pivotally associated back. The mechanism includes a handle-operated actuating assembly mounted to an underside of the seat bottom. A seat forward tumble mechanism includes a cable securing to the assembly at a first location and a seat disengage mechanism includes a pair of cables securing to the assembly at a second location. The assembly is actuated in a first selected direction to engage the forward tumble mechanism, the assembly being actuated in a second reverse direction to concurrently engage the forward tumble mechanism as well as the seat disengagement mechanism.

Abstract: A release latch for use with a vehicle seat. A latch plate is rotatably secured to the seat and engages a floor mounted striker. A cam is rotatably secured to the seat and defines a shoulder biasingly seating against a support surface of the latch plate. A lever actuates the cam away from the support surface. A coil spring extends between the cam and a location of the latch plate offset from its pivot point. Forward pivoting of the seat occurs upon the shoulder separating from the support surface, the coil spring causing the latch plate to further rotate in a disengaging direction relative to the striker and upon the coil spring exceeding an over center portion relative to the pivot point of rotation of the latch plate.

Abstract: A combined seat back release and floor release for use with a vehicle seat. The seat back includes a first mechanism for forwardly rotating a seat back relative to a seat bottom. The floor release is actuated by the seat back by virtue of a linearly translatable cable extending therebetween. The cable acts upon a floor release lever, which is rotatably slaved to a pair of cam elements. A latch plate is rotatably secured to the seat and engages a floor mounted striker. Shoulder portions associated with the cams define primary and secondary abutment surfaces acting against the support surface of the latch plate. The lever actuates the cams away from the support surface in response to the actuation of the cable from the seat back mechanism.

Abstract: A recliner mechanism for use with a vehicle seat having bottom and a pivotally secured back. A release mechanism is operably engaged to the back and includes an actuating handle extending from the bottom. A plate is secured to the back at a first location and pivotable along with the back about an axis defined at a second location, an arcuate exterior surface defined by the plate exhibiting a recessed detent. A floor release lever is secured to the bottom proximate the plate and is pivotally associated with the release mechanism by a cable extending to a floor latch mechanism associated with the vehicle. A male detent is pivotally secured to the seat bottom in inter-disposed fashion between the floor release lever and the plate.

Abstract: A recliner mechanism for use with a vehicle seat having bottom and a pivotally secured back. A release mechanism is operably engaged to the back and includes an actuating handle extending from the bottom. A plate is secured to the back at a first location and pivotable along with the back about an axis defined at a second location, an arcuate exterior surface defined by the plate exhibiting a recessed detent. A floor release lever is secured to the bottom proximate the plate and is pivotally associated with the release mechanism by a cable extending to a floor latch mechanism associated with the vehicle. A male detent is pivotally secured to the seat bottom in inter-disposed fashion between the floor release lever and the plate.

Abstract: A seatback recliner mechanism incorporated into a vehicle, the seat including a seat bottom and a pivotally engaged seatback. The recliner mechanism includes a pair of lower supports forming a part of the seat bottom and secured to at least one of first and second sides of the seat bottom. A first gear is fixed between the lower support and at a generally upper end and a pair of upper supports are pivotally secured to the lower supports and include a second rotatable gear meshingly engaged with the first gear. The seatback includes an upper arm pivotally secured to the upper support in coaxial fashion relative to a third rotatable gear meshingly engaged with the second gear. A first lever is operative to pivot the upper support relative the lower support over a specified range of forward incline and rearward recline. A second lever is operative to pivot the upper arm, relative to the upper support, to a substantially forward and horizontal position.

Abstract: A seatback recliner mechanism incorporated into a vehicle, the seat including a seat bottom and a pivotally engaged seatback. The recliner mechanism includes a pair of lower supports forming a part of the seat bottom and secured to at least one of first and second sides of the seat bottom. A first gear is fixed between the lower support and at a generally upper end and a pair of upper supports are pivotally secured to the lower supports and include a second rotatable gear meshingly engaged with the first gear. The seatback includes an upper arm pivotally secured to the upper support in coaxial fashion relative to a third rotatable gear meshingly engaged with the second gear. A first lever is operative to pivot the upper support relative the lower support over a specified range of forward incline and rearward recline. A second lever is operative to pivot the upper arm, relative to the upper support, to a substantially forward and horizontal position.

Abstract: A latch assembly for maintaining a seat back in upright position responsive to inertial loads. Support plates include hinged upwardly extending arms defining a seat back. A latch gear includes a first plurality of exteriorly arrayed teeth. A first cam operates a second pivotal cam so that, upon rotation, the second cam rotates in an opposite direction to move into and out of contact with a pawl. The pawl is pivotally and translatably secured to the support plates and includes additional teeth arrayed opposite to the latch gear teeth and an extending end with an upwardly/arcuate shape. A wedge block defines first and second shoulder supports. In operation, the pawl engages the first support surface of the block. In response to inertial loads, the pawl shifts radially to be engaged upon the second support surface, the pawl teeth being forcibly interengaged with the latch gear teeth.

Abstract: A latch assembly incorporated into a vehicle seat for forcibly maintaining a seat back portion in an upright position responsive to a determined inertial or crash load. A frame of the seat includes a pair of support plates mounted and an upwardly extending arm hingedly connected to the support plates, the extending arm defining part of the seat back of the vehicle seat. A latch gear is mounted to the arm at the hinged connection and includes an exterior facing surface defined, in part, by a first plurality of teeth. A first cam is pivotally secured between the support plates at a first location and operably engages a second cam pivotally secured at a second location so that, upon rotation of the first cam in a given direction, the second cam rotates in an opposite direction. A pawl is pivotally and translatably secured at a third location and is engageable by the second cam in normal operation.