Seatback fold flat with lock
Disclosed is a product that may include a vehicle seatback having a back face and an opposite front face and a first side face extending between the back face and a front face, the seatback having a frame, and a lock component connected to the frame, the lock component moveable from a first position wherein the first end of the lock component is a first distance from the first side face to a second position wherein a first end of the lock component is a second distance from the first side face, and wherein the second distance is shorter than the first distance.
1 . A product comprising:
a vehicle seatback having a back face and an opposite front face and a first side face extending between the back face and a front face, the vehicle seatback having a frame, and a lock component connected to the frame, the lock component moveable from a first position where a first end of the lock component is disposed a first distance from the first side face to a second position where the first end of the lock component is disposed a second distance from the first side face, wherein the second distance is shorter than the first distance, and wherein the lock component is moveable so the first end of the lock component travels or moves along a curved surface of a vehicle body bracket.
2 . The product as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the lock component is spring-loaded and biased to the first position.
3 . The product as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the lock component is an elongated plate pivotally connected to the frame.
4 . The product as set forth in claim 3 , wherein a spring is connected to a second end of the elongated plate and to the frame.
5 . The product as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the lock component is a lock pin having a shaft and a spring is received on the shaft.
6 . The product as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the vehicle seatback includes a mounting rod extending outboard of the first side face.
7 . The product as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the vehicle body bracket has a first slot for receiving the mounting rod.
8 . The product as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the vehicle body bracket includes a projection and the vehicle seatback being movable to an upright position wherein the lock component engages the projection to lock the vehicle seatback in the upright position.
9 . The product as set forth in claim 8 , wherein the lock component is moveable by pushing, pulling, or rotating the lock component out of engagement with the projection.
10 . The product as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the vehicle body bracket includes an opening for receiving the first end of the lock component.
11 . The product as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the curved surface of the vehicle body bracket is above the opening and wherein the lock component is movable from the first position to move along the curved surface and into the opening.
12 . The product as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the opening is a second slot.
13 . The product as set forth in claim 10 , wherein the opening is a through hole.
14 . The product as set forth in claim 13 , further comprising a first bushing and a spaced apart second bushing, wherein the lock pin extends through the first bushing and the second bushing, and a C clamp is attached to the shaft of the lock pin, and wherein the spring is positioned between the first bushing and the C clamp, and wherein the lock pin includes a radially extending flange at a second end of the lock pin, and wherein the radially extending flange engages the first bushing and the first end of the lock pin is in the first position.
15 . The product as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the lock pin is movable to the second position wherein the radially extending flange is positioned away from the first bushing.
16 . The product is set forth in claim 14 , further comprising a release having a release first end connected to the second end of the lock pin, and the release having a pullable second end to pull the lock pin from a position wherein the lock pin is received in an opening form in the vehicle body bracket or from engagement of the lock pin with a projection of the vehicle body bracket.
17 . The product is set forth in claim 10 , wherein the vehicle seatback is movable to a folded position wherein the lock component is received in the opening in the vehicle body bracket.
18 . The product as set forth in claim 17 , further comprising a seat bottom, and wherein the lock component engages at least one edge of the vehicle body bracket defining the opening when the vehicle seatback is in the folded position overlying the seat bottom.
19 . A product comprising:
a vehicle seatback having a back face and an opposite front face and a first side face extending between the back face and a front face, the vehicle seatback having a frame, and a lock component moveable from a first position where a first end of the lock component is disposed a first distance from the first side face to a second position where the first end of the lock component is disposed a second distance from the first side face, wherein the second distance is shorter than the first distance;
wherein the vehicle seatback includes a mounting rod extending outboard of the first side face;
a vehicle body bracket includes a first slot formed therein for receiving the mounting rod;
wherein the vehicle body bracket includes an opening for receiving the first end of the lock component;
wherein the vehicle body bracket includes a curved surface above the opening and wherein the lock component is movable from the first position to move along the curved surface and into the opening.
20 . A method comprising:
providing a vehicle seatback having a back face and an opposite front face and a first side face extending between the back face and a front face, the vehicle seatback having a frame, and a lock component moveable from a first position where a first end of the lock component is disposed a first distance from the first side face to a second position where the first end of the lock component is disposed a second distance from the first side face, wherein the second distance is shorter than the first distance; wherein the vehicle seatback includes a mounting rod extending outboard of the first side face; a vehicle body bracket having a first slot formed therein for receiving the mounting rod; wherein the vehicle body bracket includes an opening for receiving the first end of the lock component; wherein the vehicle body bracket includes a curved surface above the opening and wherein the lock component is movable from the first position to move along the curved surface and into the opening; and a seat bottom having a top face;
positioning the vehicle seatback over the seat bottom so that the front face of the vehicle seatback faces the top face of the seat bottom, and lowering the vehicle seatback toward the seat bottom so that the mounting rod is received in the first slot formed in the vehicle body bracket and the lock component moves along the curved surface of the vehicle body bracket and is received in the opening in the vehicle body bracket so that the vehicle seatback is locked in a folded position overlying the seat bottom.