Abstract: The system for locking a movable element of a seat to a stationary element comprises a wall of a first one of said elements which is provided with a window into which a hook connected to the other element penetrates following an insertion direction substantially perpendicular to the wall and a resiliently retractable interlocking member constituted by a ring made of a wire of a material resistant to shearing. A shiftable part of the ring extends in contact with the wall across the window. The ring comprises two ends spaced apart from the shiftable part and oriented in a same axial direction perpendicular to the wall and around which the ring can be pivoted, the ends being offset one with respect to the other and the axes of the ends being maintained in a common plane which is stationary with respect to the support. The shiftable part is able to shift by an elastic deformation of the wire in a direction parallel to the wall and cooperates with the hook to provide reliable interlocking.

Abstract: A device for collapsing a backrest of a backseat of a car for placing in communication a rear trunk with the passenger compartment of the car. The backrest is biased from an upright position to a collapsed position forwardly by a coiled biasing spring. A latch rod fixed to the backrest is received and held by a releasable latch of a backseat lock so that the backrest is releasably held in an upright position against the biasing force of the biasing spring. The lock is connected to a control cable operable manually from the vicinity of the front seat of the car or from the vicinity of the rear trunk to render the latch holding action ineffective and release the latch rod. The biasing spring will then collapse the backrest forwardly. The backrest is restored manually to an upright position and locked in readiness for collapsing by the biasing spring. The control cable has a flexible outer casing and an inner cable slidable longitudinally therein.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a seat bottom and seat back pivotally couple to a support stanchion. A rear cargo support platform having a horizontal ledge is spaced behind the seat back for providing an extended cargo area when the seat back is pivoted to a horizontal folded position. An upholstered trim cover encases the seat back and includes a peripheral edge adjacent the ledge of the support platform. A trim strip is stitched to the edge of the trim cover and includes a hook portion and a plurality of locking tabs for attaching the edge of the trim cover to the support stanchion and covering the space between the seat back and the rear cargo support platform.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided including a front leg with first and second ends, the front leg being pivotally attached to the vehicle floor adjacent the front leg first end; a seat cushion with front and rear ends, the front end being pivotally connected to the front leg second end; a rear leg with a second end pivotally connected to the seat cushion rear end, the rear leg having a first end pivotally connected to the vehicle floor, the rear leg first end having an attached first gear; a sector link having first and second ends, the sector link second end pivotally connected relative to the vehicle floor, the sector link second end having a second gear attached thereto being meshed with the first gear; an intermediate link with a rear end and a front end, the front end being pivotally connected to the sector link first end; and a seat back pivotally connected to the vehicle and pivotally connected to the rear end of the intermediate link, whereby when folding the seat back forwardly, the seat cushion forward end

Abstract: A longitudinally adjustable vehicle seat, including a seat cushion and a seatback, is supported on a bi-level seat frame for movement from an occupant in-use position to a compact fold-flat stowed position. The bi-level seat frame includes a front lower portion slidably supported on front track assemblies and a rear elevated portion slidably supported on rear track assemblies. A pair of forward upright links each has a lower end pivoted on the seat frame front portion for rotation about a first transverse axis and upper ends pivoted to associated front underlying portions of the seat cushion for rotation about a second transverse axis. A pair of upstanding laterally spaced arms each has a lower end fixed to an aft end of the seat cushion and an upper end pivoted to an intermediate portion of the seatback for rotation about a third transverse axis. The seatback has its lower portion pivoted to a pair of pivot mounts on the seat frame elevated portion for rotation about a fourth transverse pivot axis.

Abstract: A seat for supporting an individual relative to an exterior panel of a vehicle. The inventive device includes a seat assembly pivotally mounted within an aperture in an exterior body panel of a vehicle. A latch assembly retains the seat assembly within the body panel and can be selectively actuated to permit releasing of the seat assembly into a horizontal position, whereby an individual can be supported relative to the vehicle exterior.

Abstract: The seat unit capable of being folded away in a floor (10) in which is provided a cavity closed by a movable cover, comprises in particular a seat proper (21) with a frame (201) which has lateral members (2111) and cross-bars (2112) and a backrest (22) with a frame (221) having lateral posts (2211) and cross-members (2212), and two lateral arms (23) each having a free end portion (231) adapted to rest on the bottom of the cavity, an anchored end portion (232) connected by a pivot (2320) to a lateral post of the backrest frame and an intermediate portion (233) connected by a pivot (2330) to a lateral member of the seat frame, an articulation (24) comprising a fixed part (241) and a movable part (242), and retaining means (252, 2511). Application in an automobile vehicle of the "estate car" type is disclosed.

Abstract: A collapsible automobile seat pivotally mounted on an automobile floor having a storage recess defined therein. The collapsible automobile seat comprises a seat cushion pivotally coupled to the automobile floor and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion, the seat cushion having a lower surface normally facing the automobile floor. After the seat back is folded against the seat cushion, the automobile seat is angularly moved into a position in which the seat cushion and the seat back are fully stored in the storage recess with the lower surface facing upwardly and lying substantially flush with the automobile floor.

Abstract: A rear seat for a motor vehicle includes a squab, the front of which is articulated to the motor-vehicle body, and a backrest connected to the body. The backrest can adopt a vertical position of normal use, a first lowered position in which it bears on the squab. and a second lowered position in which it bears directly on the floor after the squab has been pivoted forwards. A double articulation which enables the backrest to be put into these positions includes two articulation pins connected rigidly to the backrest and an S-shaped body which is carried by the vehicle body and whose two sides define two guide tracks with arcuate profiles which are engaged by the two pins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storable vehicle seat assembly which is fully retractable below the level of the vehicle's floor. Typically, the invention involves a bench-type seat which is located behind the driver and passenger seats of a van or station wagon. In an operative position, the seat has an upper member or back rest which cooperates with a lower horizontal bench member to provide the seating portion. In the nonoperative or fully retracted position, the upper seat portion is folded upon the lower seat member and the supporting legs so that the entire seat assembly occurs below the level of the vehicle's floor.

Abstract: An assembly for the modification of a truck bed of a pickup truck which facilitates the conversion of a two or three seat pickup truck into a four or five seat pickup truck convertible, the assembly comprising a flared extension sidewall adjacent the cab portion which extends the effective width of the truck bed to permit the rotation of the pickup truck cab into the truck bed when the pickup truck cab's lower width dimension is greater than the inner width dimension of the truck bed.

Abstract: A rear seat cushion for the seat of an automobile is movable from a riding position to an escaped position. A seat back for the seat can be tilted forward from its normal standing position to a stacked position in which it lays over the seat cushion or, when the seat cushion is in the escaped position, to a "sunken" position in which it occupies the same space on the floor of the automobile that the seat cushion occupies in the riding position. A connector link of the hinge of the seat back has a unique arrangement of stops which allow the seat back to be maintained in each of its three positions without the need for the user to perform any locking operations. Also the seat back can be moved from one state to any of the others without any need for inconvenient unlocking operations of the hinge mechanism.

Abstract: A liner assembly for protecting the interior covering located in the rear cargo area of a vehicle having a foldable rear seat. The linear assembly protects the interior covering from being soiled or damaged from transporting cargo placed in the rear cargo area. The liner assembly includes a first liner member adapted to cover the cargo area rearward of the rear seat. A second liner member is pivotally connected to the first liner member and is adapted to cover at least a portion of a rear surface of the foldable rear seat which is adjacent the cargo area. A third liner member is removably attached to the rear seat surface in overlapping sliding relation to the second liner member to cover any remaining portion of the rear seat surface.

Abstract: A seat riser integrated with the floor or bed of an automotive vehicle having a removable seat. The integration reduces the height and weight of the seat assembly and allows for the easier use of the vehicle in its full capacity. The seat riser is capable of rotating from a generally vertical operative position to a generally horizontal inoperative position. When in the inoperative position, the seat riser is concealed within a recessed well and has a top portion lying flush with the floor or bed of the vehicle. After rotation, the seat riser is locked into the operative position by a pin and hole locking mechanism. A removable seat, equipped with complimentary retaining elements, is then positioned on the seat risers. Two arms of a spring biased retaining mechanism are then able to engage the retaining elements of the removable seat. The seat riser thus secures and supports the seat in the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: An assembly for installation in the cargo compartment of a light pickup truck consisting of a unitarily formed inner cargo liner insert and rear facing seat combination is described. The seat back of the rear facing seat is hinged at the top and locked at the bottom to provide a secure storage compartment. The liner in one embodiment allows a camper shell to be placed on the top of the sidewall and frontwall of the cargo compartment. In another embodiment, the liner has a watertight seal around the perimeter of the carbo compartment. The rear facing seat also includes two armrests that are designed to cover the two wheelwells. Two anchored seatbelts are also provided to ensure safety when passengers are riding in the rear facing seat.

Abstract: An improvement in pickup trucks whereby two or three seat pickups may be transformed into four or five seat pickup truck convertibles. The invention consists of a modified pickup truck cab section that doubles as a rearwardly facing jump seat and a truck bed that offers a mechanism to secure the jump seat in place and a passenger restraint for those riding in the jump seat. The device facilitates the conversion without the use of additional parts or frame reinforcements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a convertible seat apparatus and method of utilizing the same for a vehicle seat having two major alternative positions. The seat can be converted to a compact forward generally vertical position utilizing the back of the upper seat member as a cargo barrier. The seat member can also be folded into a another alternative position to utilize the back of the seat as a floor extension within the vehicle. By the use of the present invention the seat back can serve both as a cargo barrier as well as a floor extension depending upon the configuration desired.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a small lightweight automotive vehicle having a frame supported on front and rear axles, a stationary front module containing an engine, drive train, controls, etc. and a rear seating module which is pivotally supported by the frame for movement about a generally vertically axis extending above the rear axles to permit easy entry into and exit from the vehicle. The vehicle could either have a single or a pair of pivotal rear seating modules and the basic geometric structural shell for the vehicle is a tetrahedron so that the seating module or modules when pivoted to an open position to permit entry to and exit from the vehicle requires relatively little side clearance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a seat bearing insert for fitting in the bed of a pick-up truck. The insert is of a size to substantially fill and essentially eliminate horizontal movement in the truck bed and includes securing members for attaching to the truck to secure against vertical movement. The insert further includes forward and rearward sitting regions each having a seat for readily converting the truck bed to a sitting area and each seat comprises a seat portion and a backrest portion at generally right angles to one another, extending widthwise across the insert in a forwardly facing direction when fitted in the truck bed.

Abstract: A motor truck body structure including a cabin and a load carrying rear body. The cabin includes a cabin body having a rear end opening provided with an upper rear panel and a lower rear panel. The upper rear panel is swingable from an upright position upwardly and rearwardly to an open position. The lower rear panel is also swingable from an upright position downwardly and rearwardly to an open position. The rear body includes a load carrying floor panel having an opening at the front portion where a movable floor panel segment is mounted for rearward and upward swinging movement. The lower rear panel is provided with a seat cushion and the floor panel segment with a seat back cushion so that an auxiliary seat can be formed when the panels are opened.

Abstract: A folding platform for a vehicle (12) comprising a first series of panels (2, 3, 4), and a second series of panels (5, 7, 9) which may be unfolded within the vehicle (12) to form load carrying shelves or a platform which may be used to support a mattress. The first series of panels (2, 3, 4), one of which is affixed to a shaft, rotate as a unit with the shaft. The panels fold to be stored against the rear of a folding seat back (11) in close parallel proximity to the seat back (11), thus occupying only a small volume and not interfering with the use of the rear cargo area or trunk (30) of the vehicle (12). The panels may be disposed in a flexible fabric container (101, 105) with seams between the panels serving as hinges.

Abstract: A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle is disclosed which includes a seat cushion unit and a back rest unit which is adapted to be moved from a generally upright position to a generally horizontal position located rearwardly of the seat cushion unit to provide a cargo carrying platform. The back rest unit has a back rest which is rotatably supported intermediate its ends by a pair of hinge arms for movement 180.degree. to position its planar back side adjacent the seat cushion unit. The seat assembly also has a latching mechanism including a three position lever means for holding the seat back unit in its upright position, allowing the back rest to be rotated 180.degree. which retaining the hinge arms in an upright position and allowing the rotated back rest and hinge arms to be moved from their upright position to a generally horizontal position.

Abstract: A foldable rear seat for a motor vehicle is disclosed. A connecting bar which is pivoted to the seat portion and to the back portion has a first pivot axis below the plane P containing both the pivot axis connecting a connecting link member of the seat portion to the floor and the pivot axis connecting the connecting bar to the back portion. A guide ramp provides for guiding translatory movement of a point A of the connecting bar, for the purpose of raising the first axis above said plane.

Abstract: A convertible seat structure for an automobile vehicle includes a seat pivotably connected to the vehicle by a link member and a backrest pivotably connected to the vehicle at a pivot. At least one connecting bar connects the backrest and the seat with a pivotal movement of the backrest moving the seat longitudinally with respect to the vehicle and pivotally about the pivotal connection with the link member.

Abstract: A seat back core for a vehicle having a fold down seat which is also required to serve as a load floor.The core is blow-molded and formed with a pair of parallel spaced walls having tying links extending between the walls to strengthen and rigidify the core but not to prevent flexure thereof. There is a peripheral closing wall around the core.An elongate metal member is incorporated into the core at the time that it is blow-molded and becomes a permanent part of the core. It serves to limit the flexure of the core, provide additional strength and may serve as an anchor for securement of hardware.

Abstract: A vehicle convertible seat and locking arrangement, wherein a spring biased catch member pivotally mounted on the seat back is engageable with separate stationary latches and is guided for engagement therewith by a guide surface between the latches and wherein the spring force on the catch member urges its guided movement and establishes and maintains engagement of the catch member with one of the latches to lock the seat in its upright position and wherein the spring force also establishes engagement of the catch member with the other latch but the compression of the cushions thereafter maintains this engagement to lock the seat back in its horizontal position.

Abstract: An abutment type peripheral seal for sealing the gap between a pivoted member and the boundary of an aperture in a structure, for example between a rumble seat lid and the peripheral boundary of a trunk lid in which it is located. The member is pivotal between a tilted position where it passes through the aperture and projects beyond both sides of the structure and a closed position where it lies in general alignment with the boundary and substantially closes the aperture. The member has an under face along the first part of its periphery and an upper face along a second part of its periphery. The seal is attached to the boundary and has an upwardly facing portion and a downwardly facing portion respectively facing and making a fluid sealing contact with the upper face and under face respectively when the member is in its closed position.

Abstract: A drop-in rumble seat system to fit in an aperture in the trunk lid of a vehicle. The aperture has a peripheral margin which is engaged by a peripheral frame that makes a watertight seal with it. The peripheral frame is supported by the trunk lid and in turn supports bearing means which depend beneath it in the trunk cavity. Hinge means is rotatably mounted to the bearing means, and a support member is mounted to the hinge means. The support member is adapted to assume a closed position where it closes the aperture, and an upright backrest position where it leaves the aperture open and is tilted relative to the frame to form a backrest. The hinge means is preferably a parallelogram type movement whose change in parallelogram configuration is controlled at various positions to provide necessary angular changes of position of the support member. The support means can be moved to its two positions by hand, or preferably by motor means.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat, especially a rear seat for a station wagon whose seat cushion is adapted to be folded about a fixed pivot shaft located near its lower forward edge and whose backrest is adapted to be folded about a fixed pivot shaft located near its lower edge in such a manner that these parts can be displaced out of the seating position into a position in which the back side of the backrest forms a horizontal loading surface which is delimited by the bottom side of the seat cushion as forward, vertical abutment surface; a shaft extending transversely to the driving direction is rotatably supported underneath the backrest and to the rear of the seat cushion whereby one lever each is non-rotatably arranged at the two ends of the shaft, which effect the seat cushion locking while a pivot arm is pivotally connected at the lever at a distance from the latter's pivot axis which, during actuation of the lever, is being disengaged from its detent.