Abstract: To save space it is often not possible to provide a comfortable seat beside a bed, for example for a second flightdeck crew. Normally, sitting on a bed is not comfortable for extended periods of time. The present invention states a backrest arrangement which can be changed from a foldaway position to a seating position. The backrest arrangement can be hinged to a wall. In foldaway position, the distance between a lower region of the backrest and the essentially vertical surface is shorter than in the seating position. In this way the backrest arrangement can for example be attached to a wall beside a bed; in the seating position the backrest arrangement provides a comfortable and safe seat.

Abstract: A tube recliner mechanism for a vehicle seat having a reclining seat back includes an inner tube extending in a lateral cross vehicle direction and having inboard and outboard ends, an outer tube positioned around the inner tube, and a cylindrical spacer positioned between the inner tube and the outer tube. The relative rotational position of the inner and outer tubes is configured to change via rotation of one of the inner and outer tubes. The spacer, inner tube, and outer tube are all concentrically positioned to thereby reduce friction between the inner and outer tubes during relative movement between the tubes.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a seat assembly for supporting an occupant above a floor and an adjustment mechanism providing generally horizontal movement of the seat assembly relative to the floor and substantially vertical movement of the seat assembly through an opening in the floor between a use position extending above the floor and a stowed position disposed in a storage space beneath the floor.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat cushion; and a front end transfer member which supports a front end of the seat cushion movably in a front-rear direction of a vehicle; and a rear end transfer member which supports a rear end of the seat cushion movably in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; wherein the seat cushion is storable in a storage concave part provided in a vehicle floor further to a rear than the seat cushion, and the front end transfer member is provided on a vehicle floor adjacent to the front of the storage concave part, and the rear end transfer member is provided on a vehicle floor adjacent to a side of the storage concave part, or provided on a side interior surface of the storage concave part.

Abstract: A seat slide device for a vehicle includes a lower rail, an upper rail movable relative to the lower rail and a lock member for restricting the relative movement of the upper and lower rails. The restriction of the relative movement can be released and the lock-released position can be retained. The seat slide device further includes a memory piece detachably engaged with the lower rail and provided in a direction separating from the lower rail and engaging therewith when a seatback is reclined forward, wherein the memory piece is moved in association with the movement of the upper rail by retaining the memory piece at the receiving portion and the shaped portion when the memory piece is separated from the lower rail and wherein the memory piece is engaged with the lower rail at the engaging portion when the memory piece is engaged with the lower rail.

Abstract: In a vehicle seat lock, a striker is mounted to a vehicle body and a hook member is mounted to the seat back. The striker comprises the first and second engagement portions which selectively engage in first and second engagement grooves of the hook member to hold the seat back in two kinds of standing positions. The hook member is pivotally secured on a pivot to open and molded with synthetic resin to buffer impacting of the striker.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat backrest, bottom, and frame. The seat frame operatively supports the seat bottom and further has a seat backrest rotating assembly that is adapted to allow the seat backrest to move between an upright position and a folded position in which the seat backrest is folded down upon the seat bottom. A hinge mechanism allows the rear of the seat frame to be rotatively lifted upward and forward to move the seat frame to a tumbled position. A first latching mechanism is adapted to latch the seat backrest in the upright position. A second latching mechanism is adapted to latch the seat bottom to the vehicle floor. A release assembly is adapted to cause the first and the second latching mechanisms to be selectively released and has a release member and a pulley assembly to provide a mechanical advantage for operating the release assembly.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a latch mechanism for an automotive application, such as securing a seat assembly to a vehicle floor. A bracket is provided with a first link pivotally connected thereto. A second link is pivotally connected to the first link; and a third link is pivotally connected to the bracket and the second link. One of the links is provided with a hook, and selective actuation of one of the links drives the hook from a closed to an open orientation for latching the bracket to a striker. A release link is also provided for driving the linkage to a released orientation and for locking the linkage in the closed orientation.

Abstract: A walk-in mechanism is provided to a seat, which includes an extension coil spring. One end of the extension coil spring is engaged with a first support element fixed to a floor, while another end thereof is engaged with a second support element fixed to the seat. The walk-in mechanism further includes a connecting element for operatively connecting such another end of extension coil spring with a seat back of the seat. Forward and backward movement of the seat causes movement of both of the second support element and another end of extension coil in forward and backward directions. Also, with forward inclination of the seat back, such another end of extension coil spring is moved backwardly via the connecting element. Hence, a tensile force of the extension coil spring is increased and decreased to allow a user to easily move the seat to either of walk-in position and normal use position.

Abstract: A collapsible seating apparatus is provided for use on a bed of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle bed includes a vehicle bed length and a vehicle bed width. The collapsible seating apparatus includes a container which includes a container length which is substantially less than the vehicle bed length and which includes a container width which is less than the vehicle bed width. A collapsible seat assembly is retained in the container in a nondeployed condition in a storage mode, and the collapsible seat assembly is transformed into a deployed condition for use by persons who sit on the deployed collapsible seating apparatus. The deployed collapsible seat assembly fits upon the vehicle bed. When the collapsible seating apparatus of the invention is deployed in a pickup truck bed, persons can sit in the deployed collapsible seat assembly and view outdoor events from the pickup truck by looking out the back of the pickup truck.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat cushion having a riser releasably secured to a floor. A seat back operatively coupled to the seat cushion pivots between seating and folded positions. A recliner is coupled between the seat back and seat cushion. Rotation of an input shaft actuates the recliner between locked and unlocked states. A lockout mechanism controls actuation of the recliner and includes a lock plate fixedly secured to the input shaft and a lock arm operatively coupled to the riser. The lock arm moves between a retracted position allowing rotation of the input shaft and actuation of the recliner when the riser is latched to the floor and an extended position wherein the lock plate abuts the lock arm preventing rotation of the input shaft and actuation of the recliner when the seat back is in the folded position and the riser is unlatched from the floor.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat support structure, a seat back portion coupled to the seat support structure and a seat cushion portion coupled to the seat support structure. The seat cushion portion includes a rear section and a front section. The front section is movably mounted to the seat support structure for operation in a passenger supporting orientation and an upright cargo retaining orientation.

Abstract: A seating apparatus for a vehicle includes a seat cushion, a seat back pivotally connected to the seat cushion, a contacting member provided at the seat back, a receiving portion supporting the contacting member, the receiving portion including a parallel link mechanism having a fixed link member, a facing link member, first and second link members connecting the fixed link member to the facing link member, a long groove, a connecting axial portion sliding in the long groove when the seatback is moved, an adjustment mechanism adjusting an inclination of the seat back by positioning the facing link member to be close to, or be spaced away from, the fixed link member.

Abstract: A rear seat assembly for a truck includes a seat cushion and a scat back. The seat cushion supports an occupant above the floor of the vehicle. The seat cushion has opposite and spaced apart front and rear ends. The seat back supports the back of the occupant while seated on the seat cushion. The seat back is operatively coupled to the seat cushion to allow selective angular adjustment of the seat back relative to the seat cushion between a plurality of seating positions. The seat back is also movable between any one of the seating positions and a folded flat position overlying the seat cushion. The rear seat assembly is movable along the floor of the vehicle between a full rear position, where the rear end of the seat cushion is adjacent a rear wall, and a full forward position, where the front end of the seat cushion is spaced apart from the rear wall.

Abstract: Seat for a rear row of seats in a vehicle, which seat can be collapsed into a recess positioned in the cargo area behind the row of seats for the purpose of expanding cargo space, so that the back side of the backrest, which is folded forward onto the seat portion, is facing upward, and is essentially flush with the cargo area floor. The seat improves the kinematics of known seats and thereby makes the seat more ergonomically favorable in terms of its operation. The conversion of the seat from its use position to its non-use position is achieved through a single operation, namely a continuous pull on a strap fastened at the back end of a two-component seat portion frame, unlike known complicated systems.

Abstract: A vehicle slouch seat includes a cushion frame attached to a seat back frame such that the cushion frame is pivotable from an upright position to a slouch position. The slouch seat is also foldable and stowable against a vehicle cabin wall. Motion between the upright and the slouch positions is mediated by a guide hook attached to the back side of seat back frame.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is attached to a floor attachment bracket by pivoted front and rear leg assemblies is disclosed. A seat base frame, the floor attachment bracket and the front and rear leg assemblies form a four bar link that support the seat assembly on a floor pan of a vehicle. The floor pan defines a stowage well in which the seat assembly may be selectively stored. The four bar link may be rotated to a limited extent when the seat back frame is in its normal seating position to provide a tip and kneel position. In the tip and kneel position the seat is disposed intermediate the seating position and fully stowed position with the seat back upright to provide improved ingress and egress to areas of the vehicle behind the seat assembly.

Abstract: An automotive slouch rear seat with improved adjustability is provided including an upper seat back and a lower seat bottom. The upper seat back includes a fixed rear seat back, a pivotal seat back, and a sliding seat back. The pivotal seat back has an upper end and a lower end for connecting to the lower seat bottom. The sliding seat back is slidably engaged to the fixed rear seat back. The sliding seat back is rotatably engaged to the upper end of the pivotal seat back. The lower seat bottom includes a fixed rear seat bottom, and a sliding seat lower. The sliding seat lower is slidably engaged to the fixed rear seat bottom. The sliding seat lower is rotatably engaged to the lower end of the pivotal seat back. Also, an automotive slouch rear seat assembly and a method of assembling a pre-installation automotive slouch rear seat assembly are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus provides a pass-through between the passenger compartment and the cargo space of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a front portion, the front portion surrounding a front opening of a central aperture, and a flange extending rearward of the front portion, the flange surrounding the central aperture and defining a rear opening of the central aperture. A portion of the flange protrudes into the cargo space. The apparatus is mechanically associated with the seat so that, as the seat reclines, the apparatus moves in relation to the body of the vehicle, and the flange protrudes further into the cargo space as the seat is reclined.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat including a foldable backrest and a lowerable seat part, wherein the backrest is foldable toward the seat part and a mechanism is provided so the seat part is lowerable from a use position into a forward position, wherein a coupling element is provided to couple folding-down of the backrest to forward movement and lowering of the seat part, and a locking mechanism is provided to lock the seat part in the use position. The coupling element may unlock the locking mechanism as the backrest is folded forward toward the seat part at a predefined angle of inclination, so that inclination of the backrest can be changed while the seat part is locked by folding the backrest forward to the predefined angle of inclination and the unlocked seat part is lowered into the forward position by folding the backrest further forward.

Abstract: A device is provided for securing a seat back to a vehicle. The device includes a base that is mounted on the floor of the vehicle. The base includes a spool that can be partitioned to create separate areas upon which the seat backs can be mounted. The device also includes a first hinge that is mounted on the outer side of the seat back. The first hinge can include a pin that is comprised of two portions. The first portion of the pin extends normal to the seat back, and the second portion of the pin extends at an angle therefrom. The device further includes a second hinge that is mounted on the inner side of the seat back. The second hinge includes a slot that is configured to cooperate with the spool of the base mounted on the floor to attach the seat back to the vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is a folding split seat which is easy to move from a seating position to a cargo position and back and which accomplishes this by moving the seat cushion forward and downward out of the way of the folded seat back without the need to fold or flip the seat cushion. Also disclosed is a embodiment of the folding split seat that also provides for a reclining seat back.

Abstract: A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle comprises a seat cushion and a seat hack pivotally connected to the seat cushion by a recliner mechanism for providing pivotal movement of the seat back between a plurality of reclined seating positions and a forwardly folded position against the seat cushion. A front link supports the scat cushion above the floor of the vehicle in the seating position and lowers the seat cushion to a flat position with the seat back in the folded position. A rear floor latch releasably secures the seat cushion to the floor of the vehicle in the seating position and unlocks the seat cushion and the seat back for pivotal movement about the front link from the seating position to an upright tilted position with each of the seat cushion and the seat back extending generally upright from the floor of the vehicle.

Abstract: This seat (1) has a mechanism comprising: a link rod called the transmission link rod (16) rotationally connected, at one of its ends, to the backrest (3), and a link rod called the bearing link rod (17) rotationally connected, at one of its ends, to the vehicle structure, these two link rods (16, 17) being rotationally connected to one another at their second end, the rotation of the backrest (3) towards the seat part (2) causing the bearing link rod to rotate into a fixed position in which the link rod bears against a stop that is fixed with respect to the vehicle structure, then the seat (1) to move into a predetermined position owing to the transmission, via the transmission link rod (16), of the rotational movement of the backrest (3) into a translational movement of the seat (1).

Abstract: A latch for use in a vehicle having a rear seat with a fold down seatback. The latch comprises a striker member coupled to the vehicle and a latch assembly coupled to the seatback and configured to releasably engage the striker member. The latch assembly comprises a catch plate configured with two prongs and pivotably mounted on a support plate. A hook plate with two camming surfaces is configured to engage at least one of the prongs with the hook plate pivotably mounted on the support plate. The movement of the engaged prong is restricted in any direction when the hook plate is in a locked position.

Abstract: A tailgate seat system for use with a pickup truck includes a back, a seat, and a hinge connecting the seat to the back. The hinge permits the back to freely pivot with respect to the seat, including to form an L-shaped position and also a folded U-shaped position. The tailgate seat system also includes a substantially rigidly supported pole extending along the back to maintain the back in fixed L-shaped or U-shaped position with respect to the seat. The back and the seat each include a rigid panel topped with padding. The back and seat can be upholstered or otherwise treated for comfortable use in seating. The seat can sit atop a tailgate, and the back can extend upright from the seat. The tailgate seat system is conveniently stowable in minimal space of a pickup bed. Additionally, the back of the seat can serve as a display, such as for a design, ad, or team logo.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bracket construction for a seat striker, which can firmly hold the seat striker at a position separated from the vehicle body side. A latch 18 having a pin 18a is provided in a folding type squab 10, and a slot 10b is formed in a back face 10a thereof. A bracket 1 is installed to a side panel 13 by bolting. The bracket 1 has a bracket body 2 and a seat striker 3 that is installed to the bracket body 2 so as to be capable of being engaged with the latch 18. The bracket body 2 has a shape such as to project toward the vehicle inside from an outside end 10c of the squab 10 and be long in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The bracket body 2 consists of an upper bracket 2a and a lower bracket 2b. The bracket body 2 has a seat belt guide portion 5, and further has an installation portion for a trim 4 which covers the bracket body 2.

Abstract: A reinforced fastener assembly (18) for securing a vehicle seat (14, 16) to a vehicle sheet metal body structure (20) is provided. The reinforced fastener assembly (18) includes a mounting bracket (34) having a collar portion (36) for coupling to the vehicle sheet metal body structure (20) and distributing a load across a substantial portion of the vehicle sheet metal body structure (20). This mounting bracket (34) further includes an attachment portion (50) that has a vehicle seat fastener (52) extending therefrom. Finally, the reinforced fastener assembly (18) includes a tubular reinforcement member (78) that is coupled to and extends substantially across the collar portion (36) of the mounting bracket (34). This tubular reinforcement member (78) is intended to reinforce the collar portion (36) thereby allowing the collar portion (36) to distribute a load across a substantial portion of the vehicle sheet metal body structure (20).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a folding seat assembly for a vehicle having a floor, comprising a seat cushion mounted to said vehicle floor and a seat back independent of said seat cushion and pivotally mounted on tracks to allowing said seat back to be moved away from said seat cushion and folded forward into a substantially horizontal position producing a cargo area over said folded seat. The folding seat assembly being mountable in a vehicle without modification to the vehicle floor pan or the need for special mounting brackets to provide a seat storage area.

Abstract: A theft prevention device includes a security module integrated with the powered seat system. The security module is programmed to instruct the powered seat system to move the vehicle seat between an original position and a forward security position with the seat member and lumbar support member moved forward to prevent a thief from accessing the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The theft prevent device further includes a gearing mechanism linking the seat member and the lumbar support member for controlled forward movement of the lumbar support member to a fully forward position flush with a forward most position within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The theft prevent device further includes further includes a trigger switch linked to the security module for sending a trigger event signal instructing the security module when an individual leaves the vehicle or when an individual returns to the vehicle.

Abstract: A seat latch mechanism accommodating a pair of seatback positions, comprising a housing, a latch assembly, and an actuation assembly operably supported by the housing and in operable communication with the latch assembly to selectively unlatch the latch assembly. The housing is adapted to receive a striker assembly having a first and second striker bar, whereby the latch mechanism is adapted to lock the first striker bar in a first latched position and the second striker bar in a second latched position. The actuator serves to apply a force to either of the first or second striker bars when in the first and second latched positions respectively to reduce noise and avoid chucking. The actuation handle serves to release the striker assembly from the latch mechanism and also to allow the first and second striker bars to toggle between the first and second latched positions.

Abstract: A tailgate seat system for use with a pickup truck includes a back, a seat, and a hinge connecting the seat to the back. The hinge permits the back to freely pivot with respect to the seat, including to form an L-shaped position and also a folded U-shaped position. The tailgate seat system also includes a substantially rigidly supported pole extending along the back to maintain the back in fixed L-shaped or U-shaped position with respect to the seat. The back and the seat each include a rigid panel topped with padding. The back and seat can be upholstered or otherwise treated for comfortable use in seating. The seat can sit atop a tailgate, and the back can extend upright from the seat. The tailgate seat system is conveniently stowable in minimal space of a pickup bed. Additionally, the back of the seat can serve as a display, such as for a design, ad, or team logo.

Abstract: A seat latch mechanism accommodating a plurality of seatback positions, comprising an upper housing and a lower housing whereby the lower housing includes a recess for a striker to pass therethrough when the latch mechanism is in an unlatched position. Further, a latch assembly is provided and is operably supported by the lower housing, whereby the latch assembly is operable between a latched position and an unlatched position, and an actuation assembly operably supported by the upper and lower housings and in operable communication with the latch assembly to selectively toggle the latch assembly between the latched and unlatched position.

Abstract: A movable panel attached to a seat assembly serves as both a security shade for a motor vehicle cargo area and as a close-out panel to close gaps in the cargo loading floor. The panel is pivotable and extendible to conceal the cargo area when the seatback is upright, and is pivotable and extendible to create a flat cargo load floor when the seatback is stowed.

Abstract: A vehicle rear structure is provided in which, when a seatback is tilted forward and folded, an upper surface of the seatback and a rear floor positioned behind the seat form a flat surface. A bridge plate is extended between the folded seatback and the rear floor. The bridge plate is rotatably attached to the front edge of the rear floor. A portion for lifting a front edge portion of the bridge plate in conjunction with the uprising movement of the seatback is provided at the rear of the seatback to prevent the seatback from getting stuck on the front edge portion of the bridge plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle-seat storing structure having in combination an instrument panel disposed in the front end zone of a cabin space of a vehicle along the width direction of the vehicle, and a seat disposed opposed to the instrument panel. A concave portion is formed in the surface of the instrument panel opposed to the seat so as to receive therein at least a part of the seat in a seat position where a seat cushion is slidingly moved to a given position in the front end zone of the cabin space and a seatback is inclined frontwardly by a given angle. Further, the instrument panel defines an inside space having a given zone containing an air-conditioning unit for controllably adjusting cabin air and outside air to provide a desired cabin-air condition.

Abstract: A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle comprises a seat cushion having a bottom surface extending between front and rear portions and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for movement between an upright position and a folded flat position against the seat cushion. A spaced apart pair of risers is fixedly secured to the floor of the vehicle. A support bar extends between the risers spaced above the floor of the vehicle for pivotally supporting the seat assembly between a seating position generally parallel with the floor of the vehicle for supporting an occupant and a forwardly stowed position with the seat cushion generally upright relative to the floor of the vehicle. A pair of retractable support legs are pivotally coupled to the bottom of the seat cushion for movement between a support position extending between the seat cushion in the seating position and the floor of the vehicle and a storage position nested within a slot formed in the bottom of the seat cushion.

Abstract: A vehicle seat wherein left and right seat backs are attached to left and right seat cushions, respectively, in such a manner as to be folded up thereon. A support shaft is provided on the left and right seat cushions for allowing the left and right seat cushions and the left and right seat backs folded up on the left and right seat cushions to be rotated toward the rear of a vehicle individually. The seat cushions and the seat backs so rotated about the support shaft are stored in a recessed portion in a vehicle body floor. The support shaft is provided on the vehicle body floor so that the support shaft is supported in the vicinity of edge portions of the recessed portion.

Abstract: A foldable and tumblable seat assembly includes a base having a front end and a rear end. The front end of the base is pivotally connected to a vehicle floor. A seat bottom frame having a front end and a rear end is also provided. The front end of the seat bottom frame is pivotally connected proximate the front end of the base. The seat assembly includes a lower arm having an upper end and a lower end. The lower end of the lower arm is pivotally connected proximate the rear end of the base. The invention also provides an upper arm having an upper end and lower end. The lower end of the upper arm is pivotally connected to the upper end of the lower arm. A seat back is attached to at least the upper arm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bracket construction for a seat striker, which can firmly hold the seat striker at a position separated from the vehicle body side. A latch 18 having a pin 18a is provided in a folding type squab 10, and a slot 10b is formed in a back face 10a thereof. A bracket 1 is installed to a side panel 13 by bolting. The bracket 1 has a bracket body 2 and a seat striker 3 that is installed to the bracket body 2 so as to be capable of being engaged with the latch 18. The bracket body 2 has a shape such as to project toward the vehicle inside from an outside end 10c of the squab 10 and be long in the vehicle longitudinal direction. The bracket body 2 consists of an upper bracket 2a and a lower bracket 2b. The bracket body 2 has a seat belt guide portion 5, and further has an installation portion for a trim 4 which covers the bracket body 2.

Abstract: An accessory, such as a bench, is attached to a vehicle's tailgate. When the tailgate is in an open or down position, the accessory can be simply unfolded from the tailgate. The accessory may comprise a retractable folding bench that may be attached to the inside of the tailgate of a pick-up truck, sport utility vehicle, trailer or any vehicle equipped with a tailgate. The accessory may comprise a retractable folding bench that may be attached to the inside rear floor portion of a “sports utility vehicle” that has “barn doors” and are not equipped with a tailgate.

Abstract: A stowable seating apparatus optimizes vertical space when stowed by positioning its component elements such that their minimum dimensions are vertical, and by avoiding overlapping of component elements. The stowable seating apparatus facilitates avoidance of packaging constraints when stowed because of combined movement of both a seat cushion and a seatback. The design of the stowable seating apparatus is easily modifiable to accommodate the differing packaging constraints of different vehicle interiors.

Abstract: A structure of vehicle seat including a seat cushion frame pivoted therein, a striker, and a lock mechanism for locking and unlocking the seat cushion frame to and from the striker. The lock mechanism is disposed in the rearward area of the seat cushion frame, while the striker is fixed on the floor of vehicle, so as to allow smooth and direct escape of a great load from the seat cushion frame via the striker to the floor. This avoids the necessity of any reinforcement leading to weight increase of the seat. Also, a seat belt is provided in the seat cushion frame together with the lock mechanism in an integral manner.

Abstract: A seat for a motor vehicle comprises a squab carried by a frame (31) and a back (54). The squab (31) is mounted for movement along a rail (21, 22, 23) from an operative position to a stored position remote from the operative position. The seat back (54) is pivotally mounted for movement from an operative position to a stored position. Part of the seat-back, when in the stored position, occupies space that was occupied by the squab of the seat when the squab of the seat was in the operative position. The seat may be mounted in a motor vehicle in such a way that part (55) of the back of the seat, when in the stored position, is substantially flush with part of the floor (53) of the motor vehicle to provide a load carrying platform.

Abstract: A tailgate seat apparatus includes a tailgate frame pivotally mounted to a pickup truck for movement between upright and open configurations. A top surface of the tailgate frame defines a seat recess for supporting a person in a seated position. A seat back is pivotally mounted to an inner edge of the tailgate frame for movement between an upright support configuration and a stowage configuration, the back support being nested in the seat recess at the stowage configuration for conventional tailgate use. Armrests are mounted to a front surface of the back support and may be selectively pivoted into front surface channels. The apparatus includes beverage holders and storage compartments.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat system includes a row of front seats, a row of back seats separated from the row of front seats by a lateral isle, a longitudinal aisle through the front row, and a middle seat in the back row having a full-row position behind the lateral aisle and a half-row position overlapping the front row and the lateral aisle. In its full-row position, the middle seat cooperates with the back row seats for bench-type seating. In its half-row position, the middle seat provides a rigid platform for a child seat closer to occupants of the front row seats. The middle seat includes a removable lower frame, a seat cushion frame, a seat back frame pivotally connected to the seat cushion frame, and a mechanical linkage supporting the seat cushion frame on the lower frame for translation between an extended position corresponding to the half-row position of the middle seat and a retracted position corresponding to the full-row position of the middle seat.

Abstract: A collapsible seat assembly includes first and second risers supported on a vehicle floor. The first and second movable supports are pivotally connected to the first and second risers, respectively, by first and second parallelogram linkages. Each movable support has a front end and a rear end. A lower seat cushion pan is pivotally connected to the front ends of the movable supports. A seat back and recliner mechanism is pivotally connected to the rear ends of the movable supports. The lower seat cushion pan and seat back are pivotally collapsible forward to substantially horizontal positions in which they are substantially flush and parallel with each other to maximize cargo space in the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle rear seat lock that has a latch (3), a trigger (1) and a bolt housed in a recess (2) in the trigger, according to which the safety of the unit against unwanted opening is increased.

Abstract: The backrest of a rear seat of a motor vehicle presents a frame, which lower fastening means pivoting on the body of the motor vehicle on a transverse axis and which upper fastening means to the body can be released to rotate the backrest forwards for extending the motor vehicle luggage compartment. The lower pivots are shaped so to pivot the backrest on the body of the motor vehicle with the lower part of the backrest arranged either in a first most advanced operative position or in a second most retracted operative position.

Abstract: A collapsible seat assembly includes first and second risers supported on a vehicle floor. The first and second movable supports are pivotally connected to the first and second risers, respectively, by first and second parallelogram linkages. Each movable support has a front end and a rear end. A lower seat cushion pan is pivotally connected to the front ends of the movable supports. A seat back and recliner mechanism is pivotally connected to the rear ends of the movable supports. The lower seat cushion pan and seat back are pivotally collapsible forward to substantially horizontal positions in which they are substantially flush and parallel with each other to maximize cargo space in the vehicle.