Multi-function rear seat structure with stow to floor
A vehicle seat assembly is movable between a use position, a stadium position, a recline/slouch position, and a stow to floor position. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion, a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion, a fore/aft adjuster having a lower channel fixed to the vehicle floor and an upper channel slidably coupled to the lower channel, a pivot support bracket fixedly coupled to the upper channel, a stow to floor bracket having a lower end pivotally coupled to the pivot support bracket by a stow pivot and an upper end pivotally coupled to the seat cushion by a stadium pivot. The stow pivot is spaced vertically below the upper channel of the fore/aft adjuster. The seat cushion and the seat back fold and articulate to the stow to floor position by rotating about the stow pivot and stadium pivot.
1 . A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle comprising:
a seat cushion;
a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion by a recline pivot;
a fore/aft adjuster having a lower channel adapted to be fixedly coupled to a floor of the automotive vehicle and an upper channel slidably coupled to the lower channel;
a pivot support bracket fixedly coupled to the upper channel;
a stow to floor bracket having a lower end pivotally coupled to the pivot support bracket by a stow pivot and an upper end pivotally coupled to the seat cushion by a stadium pivot; and
wherein the stow pivot defines a stow pivot axis that is spaced vertically below the upper channel of the fore/aft adjuster.
2 . The seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein in a use position of the seat assembly:
the seat cushion is generally horizontally oriented; and
the seat back is generally vertically oriented in an upright position with respect to the seat cushion.
3 . The seat assembly as set forth in claim 2 , wherein in the use position of the seat assembly:
a recline pivot axis is an axis of rotation defined by the recline pivot;
a stadium pivot axis is an axis of rotation defined by the stadium pivot; and
wherein the recline pivot axis is spaced vertically above the stadium pivot axis and the stadium pivot axis is spaced vertically above the stow pivot axis.
4 . The seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein in a stadium position of the seat assembly:
the upper channel of the fore/aft adjuster is in the full-rear position, wherein a full-rear position is when the upper channel is fully retracted with respect to the lower channel;
the seat cushion is pivoted about the stadium pivot to a folded position parallel and adjacent the seat back; and
the seat cushion and the seat back are both oriented generally vertically and upwardly, with the seat back adjacent to a rear wall of the vehicle.
5 . The seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein in a recline position of the seat assembly:
the upper channel of the fore/aft adjuster is in a full-forward position, wherein a full-forward position is when the upper channel is fully extended with respect to the lower channel; and
the seat back is pivoted rearwardly about the recline pivot to a recline position.
6 . The seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein in a stow to floor position of the seat assembly:
the upper channel of the fore/aft adjuster is in a full-rear position, wherein a full-rear position is when the upper channel is fully retracted with respect to the lower channel;
the seat back is pivoted about the recliner pivot to a fold flat position overlying the seat cushion;
the seat cushion and the seat back are both oriented generally horizontally; and
the seat cushion is pivoted by the stow to floor bracket forwardly and downwardly about the stow pivot and stadium pivot adjacent the floor of the vehicle.
7 . The seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein in the stow to floor position of the seat assembly:
the stadium pivot is positioned forwardly with respect to the stow pivot;
a stadium pivot axis is an axis of rotation defined by the stadium pivot; and
the stadium pivot axis is spaced vertically beneath the stow pivot axis.
8 . The seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 , wherein:
the recline pivot is a free pivot, a latched pivot, a disc recliner pivot, or a power mechanism;
the stadium pivot is a free pivot, a latched pivot, a disc recliner pivot, or a power mechanism; and
the stow pivot is a free pivot, a latched pivot, a disc recliner pivot, or a power mechanism.
9 . The seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a high latch adapted to operatively couple the seat back to a rear interior wall of the vehicle.
10 . The seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising a latch selectively engaging the seat cushion to the pivot support bracket.