IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,993,198
Granted Patent B2
US 11,993,198 · App. 17/814,552 · Granted May 28, 2024

Accessible rear seat latch release

Inventor: Matt Beenen (Ridgefield, CT)
Assignee: BuiltRight Industries, LLC
B60P7/0807B60N2/2245B60P3/007B60R5/00B60R5/04B60R7/00B60R7/02B60R9/00B60R9/02B60R9/06B60R9/065B62D33/0207B62D33/023B65D90/0053
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,993,198
App. No.
17/814,552
Granted
May 28, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A rear seat latch release device is easily installed to a portion of a rear seat holding mechanism so the rear seat can be released and more effectively folded down. The rear seat latch release device is specifically designed to surround the factory latch, and allow a pull strap to be added, which can more easily and effectively operate the rear seat latch. Components of the rear seat latch release device are designed to easily cooperate with several variations in the factory latch, thereby allowing installation in many different situations.

Claims (32)

1. A latch release device capable of cooperating with an existing factory latch mechanism, comprising:

a latch base bracket having a latch base plate and a retaining tab which extends upwardly from the latch base plate, the latch base bracket being configured for mounting immediately adjacent to the existing factory latch mechanism;

a latch pull bracket having a keyhole feature therein configured to be operably coupled to a latch pin of the existing factory latch mechanism, the latch pull bracket being further held in the operable coupling relationship by the retaining tab; and

a pull strap functionally coupled to the latch pull bracket; and

wherein pulling on the pull strap will cause force to be applied to the latch pull bracket thereby causing the latch pull bracket to exert force in a lateral direction upon the latch pin thereby causing lateral movement of the latch pin and the releasing of the existing factory latch mechanism.

2. The latch release device of claim 1 , wherein the latch pull bracket has an oblong opening configured to receive and cooperate with the latch pin.

3. The latch release device of claim 1 , wherein the latch base plate has a plate portion and a receiving slot positioned between the plate portion and the retaining tab, the receiving slot configured to surround a portion of the existing factory latch mechanism when installed.

4. The latch release device of claim 1 , wherein the keyhole feature comprises two overlapping holes.

5. The latch release device of claim 1 , wherein the keyhole feature comprises a narrower portion which is sized smaller than a diameter of the latch pin.

6. The latch release device of claim 1 , wherein the keyhole feature comprises a recessed portion.

7. The latch release device of claim 1 , wherein the latch base bracket is configured to be mounted using at least one mounting bolt which is a mounting bolt for holding the factory latch mechanism.

8. A latch release device capable of cooperating with an existing factory latch mechanism, comprising:

a latch base bracket having a latch base plate and a retaining tab which extends upwardly from the latch base plate, the latch base bracket being configured for mounting immediately adjacent to the existing factory latch mechanism;

a latch pull bracket having a keyhole feature therein configured to be operably coupled to a latch pin of the existing factory latch mechanism, the latch pull bracket being further held in the operable coupling relationship by the retaining tab; and

a rigid handle functionally coupled to the latch pull bracket; and

wherein pulling on the rigid handle will cause force to be applied to the latch pull bracket thereby causing the latch pull bracket to exert force in a lateral direction upon the latch pin thereby causing lateral movement of the latch pin and the releasing of the existing factory latch mechanism.

9. The latch release device of claim 8 , wherein the latch pull bracket has an oblong opening configured to receive and cooperate with the latch pin.

10. The latch release device of claim 8 , wherein the latch base plate has a plate portion and a receiving slot positioned between the plate portion and the retaining tab, the receiving slot configured to surround a portion of the existing factory latch mechanism when installed.

11. The latch release device of claim 8 , wherein the keyhole feature comprises two overlapping holes.

12. The latch release device of claim 8 , wherein the keyhole feature comprises a narrower portion which is sized smaller than a diameter of the latch pin.

13. The latch release device of claim 8 , wherein the keyhole feature comprises a recessed portion.

14. The latch release device of claim 8 , wherein the latch base bracket is configured to be mounted using at least one mounting bolt which is a mounting bolt for holding the factory latch mechanism.

15. A latch release device capable of cooperating with an existing factory latch mechanism, comprising:

a latch base bracket having a latch base plate and a retaining tab which extends upwardly from the latch base plate, the latch base bracket being configured for mounting immediately adjacent to the existing factory latch mechanism;

a latch pull bracket having a keyhole feature therein configured to be operably coupled to a latch pin of the existing factory latch mechanism, the latch pull bracket being further held in the operable coupling relationship by the retaining tab; and

an electrical solenoid functionally coupled to the latch pull bracket, said electrical solenoid comprising a button; and

wherein pushing the button will actuate the electrical solenoid and cause force to be applied to the latch pull bracket thereby causing the latch pull bracket to exert force in a lateral direction upon the latch pin thereby causing lateral movement of the latch pin and the releasing of the existing factory latch mechanism.

16. The latch release device of claim 15 , wherein the latch pull bracket has an oblong opening configured to receive and cooperate with the latch pin.

17. The latch release device of claim 15 , wherein the latch base plate has a plate portion and a receiving slot positioned between the plate portion and the retaining tab, the receiving slot configured to surround a portion of the existing factory latch mechanism when installed.

18. The latch release device of claim 15 , wherein the keyhole feature comprises two overlapping holes.

19. The latch release device of claim 15 , wherein the keyhole feature comprises a narrower portion which is sized smaller than a diameter of the latch pin.

20. The latch release device of claim 15 , wherein the keyhole feature comprises a recessed portion.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 20, 2024
From: BEENEN, MATT, MR.
To: BUILTRIGHT INDUSTRIES LLC
Reel/Frame 066498/0731 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 16137747 · Sep 21, 2018
Provisional Application 62561774 · Sep 22, 2017
Related Publication 20220355721A1 · Nov 10, 2022