STOWABLE SEAT BASE WITH LATCH

Abstract

A stowable seat base includes a frame with a first side member, a second side member, a first cross member coupled to the first side member and the second side member, and a second cross member coupled to the first side member and the second side member. A first leg assembly is hingedly coupled to the first side member and the second side member. A second leg assembly hingedly coupled to the first side member and the second side member. A first d-shaped loop coupled to the first cross member of the frame. A latch assembly is coupled to the second cross member of the frame and is configured to retain a seat on the frame. Other seat bases and coupling mechanisms are also disclosed herein.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/518,262 filed on Aug. 8, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to seat bases and in particular to stowable seat bases that support use of automotive seats outside the automobile.

BACKGROUND

Off-road vehicles take their drivers to remote places far from many creature comforts like outdoor seating. These vehicles often offer limited space for cargo. A beach chair, for example, might take up space in a vehicle that could otherwise transport other items. Owners can sometimes remove the chairs from their vehicles, but those chairs sit flat on the ground at a height unsuitable for comfortably sitting.

SUMMARY

Seat bases of the present disclosure support the use of automotive seats outside of the automobile. Seat bases include a frame with a first side member, a second side member, a first cross member coupled to the first side member and the second side member, and a second cross member coupled to the first side member and the second side member. A first leg assembly is hingedly coupled to the first side member and the second side member. A second leg assembly hingedly coupled to the first side member and the second side member. A first d-shaped loop coupled to the first cross member of the frame. A latch assembly is coupled to the second cross member of the frame and is configured to retain a seat on the frame.

Various embodiments include a guide protruding from the first side member. The guide defines a recess, and a retention pin is configured to engage the recess. The retention pin retains the first leg assembly in a deployed position. The frame includes a perimeter having a quadrilateral geometry. The latch assembly includes a latch having a curved section, an axle coupled to the latch, an end flange coupled to the axle, and a mounting flange coupled to the second cross member, wherein the axle passes through the mounting flange. The axle is configured to rotate relative to the mounting flange. A torsion spring is coupled to the latch assembly and urges the latch assembly towards a closed position. A tab is fixedly coupled to the axle, and the axle is configured to rotate in response to a force applied to the tab.

The forgoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated herein otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation of the disclosed embodiments will become more apparent in light of the following description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. A more complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may best be obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the following figures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and steps throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a seat base supporting a removable automotive seat, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a seat base in a deployed configuration, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of a seat base with a latch, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 4 illustrates a seat base in a stowed configuration, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 5 illustrates a latch for a seat base, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 6A illustrates a latch for a seat base in a closed position, in accordance with various embodiments; and

FIG. 6B illustrates a latch for a seat base in an open position, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate a seat base having deflectable flanges for coupling to a seat, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate a seat base having a bar for coupling to a seat, in accordance with various embodiments.

Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence. For example, steps that may be performed concurrently or in different order are illustrated in the figures to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way of illustration. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosures, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical changes and adaptations in design and construction may be made in accordance with this disclosure and the teachings herein. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation.

The scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examples described. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not necessarily limited to the order presented. Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to more than one component or step may include a singular embodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, coupled, connected or the like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, full or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any reference to without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contact or minimal contact. Surface shading lines may be used throughout the figures to denote different parts but not necessarily to denote the same or different materials.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a foldable seat base 100 is shown supporting seat 152, in accordance with various embodiments. Foldable seat base 100 comprises a frame 102. Frame 102 may comprise polygonal geometry and include any number of flat sides joined at their ends. In that regard, frame 102 may comprise four or more sides defining an open interior space with the sides arranged in a planar or substantially planar configuration. Frame 102 may also comprise one or more curved sides, though in some embodiments flat sides may allow for manufacturing without bending the side materials.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 with continuing reference to FIG. 1, frame 102 may comprise side member 104 and side member 105 arranged in a parallel or substantially parallel configuration. Side members 104 and 105 may be fixedly coupled by front cross member 106, interior cross member 107, and rear cross member 108. The term ‘front’ describes the direction a seat faces when installed on foldable seat base 100. The term ‘rear’ describes the direction a seat back faces when installed on foldable seat base 100. Side member 104, front cross member 106, side member 105, and rear cross member 108 define a quadrilateral perimeter of seat base 100. Additional members may be coupled along the perimeter to form seat base 100 in shapes other than quadrilateral such as, for example, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, circular, semicircular, or other suitable shapes.

In various embodiments, side members 104 and 105 and cross members 106, 107, and 108 may comprise a metal or metal alloy such as, for example, iron, steel, aluminum, titanium, or any other suitable alloy. The metal may come in the form of bar stock, tubing, or other rigid and joinable metal having any cross-sectional shape (commonly available in round or square cross sections), which may then be cut to the desired length and coupled to the adjacent members. For example, side members 104 and 105 may be welded, bolted, riveted, or otherwise fastened to cross members 106, 107, or 108.

In various embodiments, side members 104 and 105 and cross members 106, 107, and 108 may also be molded, stamped from sheet metal, machined from base materials, or otherwise formed using metal manufacturing techniques. Side members 104 and 105 and cross members 106, 107, and 108 may also be formed of other materials capable of supporting a seat and a human occupant such as, for example, ceramic, plastic, fibrous composite material, resin, carbon fiber, or wood. Side members 104 and 105 and cross members 106, 107, and 108 may be shaped or coupled using known techniques suitable for working with the selected material.

In various embodiments, front cross member 106 may include loops 110 extending from front cross member 106. Loops 110 and front cross member 106 may define opening 112 having a D-shaped geometry, O-shaped geometry, or other suitable geometry for receiving and retaining a fastening member protruding from a seat. Interior cross member 107 may include latch assembly 114 protruding upward from the interior cross member 107. The term ‘upward’ refers to the direction pointing away from the ground when frame 102 is in a deployed configuration with legs resting on the ground. Interior cross member may comprise a flat upper surface from which latch assembly 114 protrudes. Opening 112 may receive and retain a foot 150 extending from a seat 152, and latch assembly 114 may extend into an opening, strike, or receiver of seat 152 with seat 152 resting on an upper surface of frame 102, as described in greater detail below.

In various embodiments, front legs 120 and rear legs 122 may fold into the open area defined by frame 102. Front legs 120 may be coupled to frame 102 by a hinge. For example, front legs 120 may comprise an opening aligned with an opening of side member 104 of frame 102 with a pin 124 extending through the opening in front legs 120 and the opening in side member 104. Front legs 120 may pivot on pin 124 with the distal end of front legs 120 moving along an arc in response to pivoting on pin 124. A similar pin arrangement may join front legs 120 with side member 105. Rear legs 122 may be joined to side member 104 and side member 105 in a similar manner by pin 125 or other suitable hinge. In that regard, pin 125 and pin 124 may be a bolt, screw, rod, journal bearing, or other suitable hinge. Although a pin 124 is shown acting as a journal bearing, other types of hinges allowing front legs 120 or rear legs 122 to fold into the opening defined by frame 102 may also be used.

In various embodiments, front legs 120 extend from frame 102 at an angle α. Angle α may be 90 degrees or greater to enhance stability, though an angle α less than 90 degrees may still function as a seat base. For example, angle α may approximately 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, or any other desired angle to give foldable seat base 100 the desired height from a seating surface at front cross member 106. The term approximately as used herein in reference to an angle may refer to a range of +/−2.5 degrees, +/−5 degrees, or +/−10 degrees from the identified angle.

In various embodiments, rear legs 122 extend from frame 102 at an angle β. Angle β may be 90 degrees or greater to enhance stability, though an angle β less than 90 degrees may still function as a seat base. For example, angle β may approximately 90 degrees, 95 degrees, 100 degrees, 105 degrees, or any other desired angle to give foldable seat base 100 the desired height from a seating surface at rear cross member 108.

In various embodiments, front legs 120 and rear legs 122 may comprise an “H” shape. Front legs 120 may comprise two vertical legs 130 of substantially the same length as one another. A cross member 132 may extend between the two vertical legs 130 and be coupled to the two vertical legs to laterally support the two vertical legs 130. Rear legs 122 may comprise two vertical legs 134 of substantially the same length as one another. A cross member 136 may extend between the two vertical legs 134 and be coupled to the two vertical legs 134 to laterally support the two vertical legs 134. Vertical legs 130 and vertical legs 134 may have different heights if desired to situate the upper surface of frame 102 and an angle or pitch relative to a seating surface (e.g., the ground, a rock, a platform, a stationary truck bed, etc.).

With reference to FIG. 4 and continuing reference to FIG. 2, one or more guide 140 may be coupled to frame 102 near front legs 120 or rear legs 122. Guide 140 is shown as a flat metal protrusion from frame 102. Guide 140 may be welded to frame 102 in various embodiments where guide 140 and frame 102 are both metal. Guide 140 may comprise a rounded edge, squared edge, jagged edge, or smooth edge. Guide 140 may also include recess 142 suitable for receiving a retention pin 144 to retain front legs 120 or rear legs 122 in a deployed position (e.g., of FIG. 2).

In various embodiments, retention pin 144 may comprise a rounded head with a spring-loaded bias to protrude from front legs 120 or rear legs 122. Retention pin 144 may be retained wholly or partially within front legs 120 or rear legs 122 in the stowed position (e.g., of FIG. 4). In response to being in a fully or partially stowed position, guide 140 or frame 102 may cover retention pin 144 such that retention pin 144 presses against frame 102 or guide 140. A second opening or recess may be defined in guide 140 to receive retention pin 144 and retain legs in the stowed position.

In response to the front legs 120 or rear legs 122 translating into a deployed position, retention pin 144 may become uncovered and free to translate outward from front legs 120 or rear legs 122. Retention pin 144 may rest in the recess defined by guide 140 or against guide 140 in response to front legs 120 or rear legs 122 being in a deployed position. Retention pin 144 and guide 140 may thus retain front legs 120 or rear legs 122 in the deployed position. Retention pin 144 may be depressed into front legs 120 or rear legs 122 to enable pin 144 to pass guide 140 or frame 102 and configure seat base 100 in a stowed position as shown in FIG. 4.

With reference to FIG. 5, latch assembly 114 is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. Latch assembly 114 includes latch 160 having curved section 161 is coupled to axle 162. Curved section 161 of latch 160 curves towards the front of frame 102 (i.e., towards loops 110 of FIG. 3). Curved section 161 of latch 160 may be shaped to receive seat 152 in response to seat 152 being pressed towards frame 102. Latch 160 may translate aft in response to pressure applied by seat 152 during installation.

In various embodiments, latch 160 is fixedly coupled to axle 162. Flange 165 is fixedly coupled to axle 162. Latch 160, axle 162, and end flange 165 may rotate about the axis defined by axle 162 as a fixed unit in response to force applied to tab 166. Spring 164 applies rotational force that tends to urge latch assembly 114 into the close position. Spring 164 may be a torsion spring, for example.

In various embodiments, mounting flange 163 is fixedly coupled to frame 102 at base 167. Mounting flange 163 defines an opening through which axle 162 passes. Latch 160, axle 162, and end flange 165 may rotate relative to frame 102 and mounting flange 163 in response to force applied at tab 166.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, latch assembly 114 500 is shown moving between a closed position and an open position, respectively and in accordance with various embodiments. Latch 160 and curved section 161 are oriented forward (e.g., towards loops 110 of FIG. 3) in response to being in the closed position. Latch assembly 114 tends to retain seat 152 (of FIG. 1) against seat base 100 (of FIG. 1) in response to being in the closed position with seat 152 installed.

A user may press tab 166 towards frame 102 the ground to translate latch assembly 114 into the open position. A user may press tab 166 using the sole of a show or a foot. A user can also press tab 166 by hand or using a tool. Pressing tab 166 while seat 152 (of FIG. 1) is installed on seat base 100 releases latch assembly 114 from engagement with seat 152. Force applied at tab 166 tends to translate latch assembly 114 from the closed position of FIG. 6A to the open position of FIG. 6B. Force applied at latch 160 by seat 152 (of FIG. 1) during installation tends to translate latch assembly 114 from the closed position of FIG. 6A towards the open position of FIG. 6B.

Spring 164 applies force that tends to rotate latch 160 clockwise (as depicted). In response to lack force applied at tab 166 or latch 160 (i.e., rotational force in the counterclockwise direction as depicted), latch assemble rotates into the closed position of FIG. 6B. In response to being in the closed position, latch 160 engages a strike or opening of seat 152 (of FIG. 1) to retain seat 152 against frame 102 (of FIG. 1).

Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, an example seat base 700 is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. Seat base 700 includes frame 702. Frame 702 may be similar to or the same as to frame 102. Frame 702 may include front and rear legs (not depicted) similar to or the same as front and rear legs 120, 122 of FIG. 1.

In various embodiments, frame 102 may be coupled to loops 110 extending from front cross member 106. Loops 110 and front cross member 106 may define opening 112 having a D-shaped geometry, O-shaped geometry, or other suitable geometry for receiving and retaining a fastening member protruding from a seat. Seat base 700 may differ from seat base 100 in the mechanism for coupling seat base 700 to a seat.

In various embodiments, seat base 700 may include flanges 703 (also referred to herein as spring plates or wings) protruding upward from frame 102. Spring plates 703 can comprise plastic, sheet metal, or other material with elasticity and rigidity sufficient to deflect and retain a bar as described below. In some examples. For example, spring plates 703 can be made by molding plastic or by stamping sheet metal to form spring plates 703. Flanges 703 include internal cutout 704 defining opening 706. Internal cutout 704 may have a circular geometry, though other shapes (square, polygonal, triangular, irregular, etc.) may be used.

In various embodiments, flanges 703 may include mounting tab 708 coupled to frame 702. Mounting tabs 708 are depicted as coupled to frame 102 using fasteners 710 in the example of FIG. 1A, through in other examples tabs could be welded, riveted, screwed, slotted through an opening, glued, or otherwise coupled to frame 702 using any number of techniques. Spring plates 703 can include step 705. Step 705 can be substantially orthogonal to mounting tab 708 and spring plate 703. Step 705 can increase rigidity of spring plate 703 compared to a completely flat embodiments in which mounting tab 708 and spring plate 703 are continuous without step 705.

In various embodiments, a coupling member 720 (e.g., a bar, pin, or protrusion that engages the walls of cutout 704) coupled to a seat can extend through cutout 704. Flange 703 can thus couple the bar, pin, or protrusion, and thus a seat (e.g., seat 152), to frame 102 of seat base 700. Feet 150 of FIG. 1 can enter loops 110 to couple a front end of the seat to seat base 700.

In various embodiments, spring plates 703 deflect outward (e.g., in direction 714 as shown in FIG. 2B for spring plate 703 at the top of the page) to allow a bar, pin, or protrusion to enter cutout 704. Spring plate 703 then snaps inward (e.g., in direction 716 as shown in FIG. 2B for spring plate 703 at the top of the page) in response to the par, pin, or protrusion entering opening 706 and no longer pressing outward against spring plate 703. Spring plate 703 may be oriented with a small portion of the pin, bar, or protrusion extending through the opening 706 in an outward direction. In some examples, the bar, pin, or protrusion may extend approximately an inch, approximately half an inch, approximately a quarter inch, or approximately an eighth of an inch through opening 706 and beyond the outer side of spring plate 703. As used herein with numeric values, the term “approximately” can mean+/−5%, +/−10%, +/−15%, +/−20%, or +/−25%.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A through 8E, an example seat base 800 is shown, in accordance with various embodiments. In the example of FIGS. 8A-8E, seat base 800 includes frame 802. Frame 802 can be similar to or the same as frame 102 and frame 702. Frame 802 may be coupled Seat base 800 may differ from seat base 100 and seat base 700 in the mechanism for coupling seat base 800 to a seat.

In the example of FIG. 8A, arms 804 retaining flat bar 806 substantially parallel to a short side of frame 802. Arms 804 can be welded or otherwise coupled to frame 802, and bar 806 can be welded or otherwise coupled to arms 804. In some examples, a seat may include a clip, spring plates, hooks, feet, or other retention members that engage bar 806 to retain the seat over seat base 800.

In various embodiments, seat base 800 may include brackets 810 having an angled geometry. Brackets 810 can comprise angle iron or other bent metal brackets. Brackets 810 can comprise plastics or other rigid moldable materials. Brackets 810 may comprise a bend of approximately 90 degrees between upper side 812 and lower side 816. Lower side 816 can be welded to or otherwise coupled to frame 802. Upper side 812 of bracket 810 can be spaced from the upper side of frame 802 to define gap 814 between upper side 812 and frame 802. A protrusion, loop, foot, latch, hook, or other retention member coupled to a seat can enter gap 814 and engage interior surfaces of bracket 810 to retain a seat over frame 102. Brackets 810, arms 804, and bar 806 may work in concert to retain a seat on seat base 800.

The seat bases described herein may stow in a compact volume. The portable seat bases may also engage a vehicle seat and rest on the ground to position the seat at a desired height or pitch. In that regard, the seat base enables use of vehicle seats outside of the vehicle and resting on a seating surface. The seat bases described herein may also be installed in a vehicle, while in use, between the seat and the mounting point on the vehicle. Seat bases mountable while the vehicle is in use may conserve space for the base during transportation, reduce the need for mounting brackets or storage tools, and rapid deployment of the seat base. The latching retention member of seat bases disclosed herein removably couples seat bases to seats.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have been described herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of the disclosures. The scope of the disclosures is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims and their legal equivalents, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is used in the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to mean that A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present in an embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that any combination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a single embodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detailed description herein, references to “various embodiments”, “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “an example embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described. After reading the description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure in alternative embodiments.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112 (f) unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.” As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

Claims

1. A seat base, comprising:

a frame comprising: a first side member, a second side member, a first cross member coupled to the first side member and the second side member, and a second cross member coupled to the first side member and the second side member;

a first leg assembly hingedly coupled to the first side member and the second side member;

a second leg assembly hingedly coupled to the first side member and the second side member;

a first d-shaped loop coupled to the first cross member of the frame; and

a latch assembly coupled to the second cross member of the frame, wherein the latch assembly is configured to retain a seat on the frame.

2. The seat base of claim 1, further comprising a guide protruding from the first side member.

3. The seat base of claim 2, wherein the guide defines a recess.

4. The seat base of claim 3, further comprising a retention pin configured to engage the recess and retain the first leg assembly in a deployed position.

5. The seat base of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a perimeter having a quadrilateral geometry.

6. The seat base of claim 1, wherein the latch assembly comprises:

a latch having a curved section;

an axle coupled to the latch;

an end flange coupled to the axle; and

a mounting flange coupled to the second cross member, wherein the axle passes through the mounting flange.

7. The seat base of claim 6, wherein the axle is configured to rotate relative to the mounting flange.

8. The seat base of claim 6, further comprising a torsion spring coupled to the latch assembly and configured to urge the latch assembly towards a closed position.

9. The seat base of claim 6, further comprising a tab fixedly coupled to the axle with the axle is configured to rotate in response to a force applied to the tab.

10. A seat base, comprising:

a frame comprising: a first side member, a second side member, a first cross member coupled to the first side member and the second side member, and a second cross member coupled to the first side member and the second side member;

a first leg assembly hingedly coupled to the first side member and the second side member;

a second leg assembly hingedly coupled to the first side member and the second side member;

a first retention member coupled to the first cross member of the frame, wherein the first retention member comprises at least one of a loop or an angled bracket; and

a second retention member coupled to the second cross member of the frame, wherein the second retention member comprises at least one of a latch assembly, spring plates, or a bar, wherein the second retention member works in concert with the first retention member to couple a seat to the seat base.

11. The seat base of claim 10, wherein the second retention member comprises spring plates and the first retention member comprises a pair of loops.

12. The seat base of claim 11, wherein the spring plates are configured to receive a bar, pin, or protrusion coupled to a seat, wherein the pair of loops are configured to receive feet coupled to the seat.

13. The seat base of claim 10, wherein the first retention member comprises angled brackets and the second retention member comprises arms coupled to the second cross member and a bar coupled to the arms, wherein the bar and the angled brackets are configured to retain a seat over the seat base.

14. The seat base of claim 10, wherein the second retention member comprises the latch assembly, wherein the latch assembly comprises:

a latch having a curved section;

an axle coupled to the latch;

an end flange coupled to the axle; and

a mounting flange coupled to the second cross member, wherein the axle passes through the mounting flange.

15. The seat base of claim 14, wherein the axle is configured to rotate relative to the mounting flange.

16. The seat base of claim 14, further comprising a torsion spring coupled to the latch assembly and configured to urge the latch assembly towards a closed position.

17. The seat base of claim 14, further comprising a tab fixedly coupled to the axle with the axle is configured to rotate in response to a force applied to the tab.

18. A seat base, comprising:

a frame;

a first leg assembly hingedly coupled to a first end of the frame;

a second leg assembly hingedly coupled to a second end of the frame opposite the first end;

a first retention member coupled to the first end of the frame; and

a second retention member coupled to the second end of the frame, wherein the second retention member comprises at least one of a latch assembly, spring plates, or a bar, wherein the second retention member works in concert with the first retention member to couple a seat to the seat base.

19. The seat base of claim 18, wherein the second retention member comprises spring plates and the first retention member comprises a pair of loops, wherein the spring plates are configured to receive a bar, pin, or protrusion coupled to a seat, wherein the pair of loops are configured to receive feet coupled to the seat.

20. The seat base of claim 18, wherein the first retention member comprises angled brackets coupled to the first end of the frame, wherein the second retention member comprises arms coupled to the second end of the frame and a bar coupled to the arms, wherein the bar and the angled brackets are configured to retain a seat over the seat base.