Seat Flip-Up Cushion Latch

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a "seat flip cushion latch". A latch assembly can be used for a vehicle seat, wherein the latch assembly includes a seat cushion latch coupled to a seat cushion base, and wherein the seat cushion latch includes a support bracket and a pin. The pin can be coupled to at least one elastic element and a pull strap. The latch assembly further includes a latch catch bracket coupled to a support arm, wherein the pin of the seat cushion latch engages the latch catch bracket to secure the seat cushion base.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a latch assembly for a vehicle seat, and more particularly, to a latch assembly adapted to easily attach or remove a seat bottom in a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Known vehicle seat assemblies have various different assemblies or configurations that allow them to move, adjust, insert, or remove in a vehicle. To maximize passenger space and convenience, it may be desirable to have a seat assembly that allows a user to easily lift and remove the seat base to provide additional storage space or related functions in the vehicle.

[0003] Accordingly, there is a need for improved options available to the user to adjust or remove a vehicle seat to maximize space in the vehicle. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a latch assembly for a vehicle seat. The latch assembly includes: a seat cushion latch coupled to a seat cushion base, wherein the seat cushion latch includes a support bracket and a pin, wherein the pin is coupled to at least one elastic element and a pull strap; and a latch catch bracket coupled to a support arm. The pin of the seat cushion latch engages the latch catch bracket to secure the seat cushion base.

[0005] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present invention may include any one or combination of the following features:

[0006] · The elastic element is a spring;

[0007] · The latch catch bracket includes a receiving member to position the pin when the seat cushion base is secured;

[0008] · The latch catch bracket includes an angled edge to assist in guiding and extending the pin of the catch bracket into the receiving member;

[0009] · The support arm is a rear lift seat support bracket;

[0010] · The vehicle seat is a captain seat, a 40 / 60 second row seat, a bench second row seat, a 40 / 60 third row seat, a bench third row seat, or a combination thereof;

[0011] · A pin channel positioned in at least two pin support members of the seat cushion latch;

[0012] · The latch catch bracket includes an angled edge with a rounded peak to assist in guiding and extending the pin of the catch bracket into the receiving member;

[0013] · The seat cushion latch and the seat cushion base are a single molded or injection molded piece that separately couples the pins; and

[0014] · A front hinge member that is coupled to the seat cushion base to rotatably couple the front portion of the vehicle seat.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a latch assembly is provided. The latch assembly includes: a seat cushion latch including a support bracket and a pin, wherein the pin is coupled to at least one elastic element and a pull strap; and a latch catch bracket coupled to a support arm. The pin of the seat cushion latch can reversibly couple the latch catch bracket using the pull strap.

[0016] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present invention may include any one or combination of the following features:

[0017] · The elastic element is a spring;

[0018] · The latch catch bracket includes an angled edge having a rounded peak to assist in guiding and extending the pin of the catch bracket into a receiving member;

[0019] · The support arm is a rear lift seat cushion support bracket; and

[0020] · The latch catch bracket includes a receiving member to position the pin when the seat cushion base is secured.

[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of removing and / or attaching a vehicle seat seat cushion is provided. The method includes pulling the pull strap to retract the pin of the seat cushion latch from the latch catch bracket and lifting the pull strap to remove the seat cushion, or lowering the seat cushion to push the pin against the angled edge of the latch catch bracket to position the pin in the receiving member to attach the seat cushion.

[0022] Embodiments of the third aspect of the present invention may include any one or combination of the following features:

[0023] · When the pin is pushed against the angled edge of the latch catch bracket, sliding the pin through a pin channel positioned in at least two pin support members of the seat cushion latch.

[0024] · When pulling the pull strap, retracting the pin through a pin channel positioned in at least two pin support members of the seat cushion latch.

[0025] · The seat cushion is coupled to the seat cushion base.

[0026] After studying the following specification, claims, and drawings, those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate these and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the accompanying drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a passenger compartment in a vehicle according to one aspect of the present disclosure, showing a number of vehicle seats;

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic view of a vehicle seat according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle seat according to one aspect of the present disclosure, in which the seat bottom is removed;

[0031] Figure 4 is a schematic view of a vehicle seat according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the vehicle seat having a seat cushion base attached to the seat back;

[0032] Figure 5 is according to some aspects of the present disclosure Figure 4 exploded view of the latch assembly provided in;

[0033] Figure 6 is according to some aspects of the present disclosure Figure 5 exploded view of the latch assembly provided in;

[0034] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of a latch lock bracket according to some aspects of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of a seat cushion latch according to some aspects of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 9 is a top view of a latch assembly according to some aspects of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figures 10A to 10C is a set of cross-sectional views of a latch assembly assembled according to some aspects of the present disclosure; and

[0038] Figure 11 is a flow chart of a method for removing and / or attaching a vehicle seat cushion according to some aspects of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0039] For the purposes described herein, the terms "upper", "lower", "right", "left", "rear", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and their derivatives shall refer to as Figure 1An apparatus for orientation. However, it should be understood that unless explicitly stated to the contrary, the apparatus may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences. It should also be understood that the specific apparatus and processes shown in the drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Thus, unless the claims expressly state otherwise, the specific dimensions and other physical characteristics associated with the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0040] As used herein, the term "and / or" when used in listing two or more items means that any one of the listed items may be employed alone or any combination of two or more of the listed items may be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, then the composition may contain: only A; only B; only C; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0041] Reference Figures 1 to 10C , reference numeral 10 generally represents a latch assembly. The latch assembly 10 may be used for a vehicle seat 14, wherein the latch assembly 10 includes a seat cushion latch 18 coupled to a seat cushion base 22, wherein the seat cushion latch 18 includes a support bracket 26 and a pin 30. The pin 30 may be coupled to at least one elastic element 34 and a pull strap 38. The latch assembly 10 further includes a latch catch bracket 42 coupled to a support arm 46, wherein the pin 30 of the seat cushion latch 18 engages the latch catch bracket 42 to secure the seat cushion base 22.

[0042] Reference Figure 1 , a wheeled autonomous vehicle 50 having a passenger compartment 54 is provided. The vehicle 50 is shown as an automobile, but the type of the vehicle 50 is not intended to be limiting, and the vehicle 50 may alternatively be, for example, a minivan, a truck, a commercial vehicle, or any other wheeled motor vehicle. The passenger compartment 54 includes one or more vehicle seats 14. As Figure 1 shown, the latch assembly 10 (as Figure 4 shown) used with the vehicle seat 14 is generally designed to function as a seat cushion latch in an automobile, a pickup truck, or other motor vehicle. Additionally, it is contemplated that the latch assembly 10 may be used with various split seat configurations, including 50 / 50 seat arrangements, 40 / 60 seat arrangements, etc. In some aspects, the vehicle seat 14 is a standalone seat, a 40 / 60 second row seat, a bench second row seat, a 40 / 60 third row seat, a bench third row seat, or a combination thereof.

[0043] Reference Figure 2 , a perspective view of the vehicle seat 14 is provided. The vehicle seat 14 includes a seat back 58 and a seat bottom 62, wherein the seat bottom 62 may include a seat cushion 74. The seat back 58 and the seat bottom 62 may be supported and / or coupled using a seat base member 70. AsFigure 2 As shown, vehicle seat 14 is shown as a 40 / 60 second row seat arrangement.

[0044] Referring Figure 3 , a perspective view of vehicle seat 14 provided in Figure 2 is shown, where seat bottom 62 is detached from seat base member 70 and seat back 58. As shown, seat bottom 62 includes a front hinge member 66 that can be used to couple the front portion 64 of seat bottom 62 to the floor of vehicle 50. The rear portion 68 of seat bottom 62 can be positioned on top of support arm 46 that is coupled to seat base member 70. Additionally, support arm 46 can have a latch lock bracket 42 (as shown in Figure 7 ) and a hook member 78 operatively coupled to its top surface (as shown in Figure 6 ). In some aspects, support arm 46 is a rear lift seat cushion support bracket. As shown in Figure 3 , seat bottom 62 can be rotatably coupled to the floor of vehicle 50 via front hinge member 66. When the rear portion 68 of seat bottom 62 is lifted away from support arm 46 of seat base member 70, the front portion 64 remains coupled to the floor of vehicle 50 via front hinge member 66. Once the rear portion 68 is lifted, front hinge member 66 can be decoupled from the floor and removed from the floor to completely remove seat bottom 62 from vehicle 50.

[0045] Support arm 46 can have a variety of different configurations and can be coupled and / or positioned to a variety of different surfaces depending on the design and application of vehicle seat 14. In some aspects, as shown in Figure 3 , support arm 46 can be coupled to seat base member 70. In other aspects, support arm 46 can be coupled to a floor panel or floor base. In other aspects, support arm 46 can be coupled to the frame of seat 14. The positioning of support arm 46 is not intended to be limiting and can be coupled to any location, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0046] Now referring Figure 4 , latch assembly 10 is shown coupling seat cushion base 22 to seat base member 70 of vehicle seat 14. In some aspects, seat cushion base 22 is used in combination with seat cushion 74 to form seat bottom 62 of vehicle seat 14 (as shown in Figure 2as shown). The seat cushion base 22 can be coupled to the seat cushion 74 using adhesives known in the art and / or by sandwiching the seat cushion base 22 and the seat cushion 74 together using a cover. In some aspects, the seat cushion base 22 can be made of metal or polymeric materials (including thermoplastic or thermoset). As shown, a base opening 76 located near the rear of the seat cushion base 22 is used to mount and position the latch assembly 10. To better view the latch assembly 10, the seat cushion 74 has been removed to show the latch assembly 10 coupled to the seat cushion base 22 and the seat base member 70. In some aspects, the seat cushion latch 18 and the seat cushion base 22 are a single molded or injection molded piece that separately couples the pin 30.

[0047] The number and placement of the latch assemblies 10 can vary depending on the design and positioning of the vehicle seat 14 in the vehicle 50. In some aspects, there can be one latch assembly 10 for a corresponding seat cushion base 22, as Figure 4 shown in the left side portion of the vehicle seat 14 provided. In other aspects, there can be two latch assemblies 10, as Figure 4 shown in the right side portion of the vehicle seat, which are used to couple the seat cushion base 22 and / or the seat cushion 74 to the support bracket 26 of the seat base member 70 ( Figure 6 ). In other aspects, there can be one or more latch assemblies 10 that are used to couple the seat cushion base 22 and / or the seat cushion 74 to the support bracket 26 of the seat base member 70.

[0048] Now referring to Figure 5 , there is provided an exploded view of the latch assembly 10 as Figure 4 shown. As shown, the latch assembly 10 is positioned and coupled along the support arm 46 of the seat base member 70 and around the outer edge of the base opening 76 in the seat cushion base 22 ( Figure 4 ). Once the latch assembly 10 is coupled, the seat cushion base 22 can be additionally supported or rested on the support arm 46 of the seat base member 70.

[0049] Now referring to Figure 6 , there is provided an exploded view of the latch assembly 10 as Figure 5 shown. The latch assembly 10 includes a seat cushion latch 18 that is coupled to the outer edge of the base opening 76 in the seat cushion base 22. The seat cushion latch 18 includes a support bracket 26 and a pin 30 positioned in a receiving member 94 of a hook member 78. The hook member 78 includes a rounded peak 82 and a rear angled edge 90 that are angled to form an angled edge 86, where the angled edge 86 terminates at a rounded point 98 ( Figure 10A)。In some aspects, the latch catch bracket 42 includes a receiving member 94 to position the pin 30 when the seat cushion base 22 is secured. In some aspects, the latch catch bracket 42 includes an angled edge 86 to assist in guiding and extending the pin 30 of the catch bracket 42 into the receiving member 94. As previously described, the latch assembly 10 couples the seat cushion base 22 to the support arm 46. In some aspects, the hook member 78 may include two or more hook member 78 plates, which may be symmetric and mirror images of each other, where the hook member 78 plates are positioned parallel to each other and provide an option for distributing the force generated by the pin 30 positioned in the receiving member 94 of the hook member 78.

[0050] Reference Figure 7 , a latch catch bracket 42 is provided, where the latch catch bracket 42 includes one or more spacers 102 and a hook member 78 having a receiving member 94. The latch catch bracket 42 is coupled to the support arm 46 of the seat base member 70. The one or more spacers 102 may be made of rubber or other types of flexible and / or elastic materials known in the art. The one or more spacers 102 may be used to cushion the coupling surface between the latch catch bracket 42 and the seat cushion latch 18 ( Figure 8 ). The receiving member 94 is shown as a rounded edge cut formed by the inner edge of the hook member 78. In some aspects, the receiving member 94 may include a circular cutout, a rectangular cutout, a rounded edge cutout, or any other type of cutout that can position the pin 30 of the seat cushion latch 18 ( Figure 8 as shown). The combination of the latch catch bracket 42 and the support arm 46 can provide a flat surface on which the seat cushion latch 18 and the corresponding seat cushion base 22 and / or seat cushion 74 can be positioned for support.

[0051] Now refer to Figure 8 , a seat cushion latch 18 is provided. The seat cushion latch 18 includes a pin 30 positioned in a pin support member 106, where the pin 30 is coupled to an elastic member 34. The elastic member 34 couples the pin 30 to an elastic element attachment member 110. Additionally, a pull strap 38 is coupled to the pin 30 to allow a user to extend the pin 30 from the elastic element attachment member 110, such that the seat cushion latch 18 can be removed or decoupled from the latch catch bracket 42 ( Figure 7 ). In some aspects, the pull strap 38 can be of various different lengths and can be made of various different materials depending on the final seat design and the user's reach point. The latch opening 112 is defined by at least three sides of the seat cushion latch 18 and provides space for positioning the hook member 78 ( Figure 7 ) and engaging the pin 30. In some aspects, the elastic element 34 may include a spring, a rubber band, or any other type of elastic material or article known in the art, which can be used to reversibly position the pin 30 in the pin channel 114 ( Figure 9) is defined by the pin support member 106. In some aspects, the elastic element 34 is a spring.

[0052] Depending on the design of the vehicle seat 14 and its positioning in the vehicle 50, the user can access the pull strap 38 in various different configurations. In some aspects, the pull strap 38 can extend from the pin 30 around the rear of the seat bottom 62 and further extend upward between the rear 68 of the seat bottom 62 and the seat back 58, so that the pull strap 38 is clamped between the seat back 58 and the seat bottom 62 for the user to access. In other aspects, the pull strap 38 can extend outward from the pin 30 towards the rear of the vehicle seat 14, so that the user can access the pull strap 38 from a rear position relative to the vehicle seat 14.

[0053] Reference Figure 9 , a top view of the latch assembly 10 is provided. The latch assembly 10 includes a seat cushion latch 18 coupled to a pin 30, and the pin 30 is positioned in a pin channel 114 defined by the surrounding pin support member 106. The hook member 78 forms a receiving member 94 that positions the pin 30 of the seat cushion latch 18 in place. The pull strap 38 is coupled to the pin 30, so that the user can extend the elastic member 34 to cause the pin 30 to extend out along the pin channel 114 to remove the pin 30 from the receiving member 94. When the pin 30 is slid out of the receiving member 94, the user can lift the seat back 58 (see Figure 2 ) upward and lift it away from the seat base member 70 to remove the seat cushion base 22 and / or the seat cushion 74 (as Figure 2 and Figure 4 described). In some aspects, the pin channel 114 is positioned in at least two pin support members 106 of the seat cushion latch 18.

[0054] Reference Figures 10A to 10C , the latch lock bracket 42 is designed to repeatedly install and remove the seat cushion 74 ( Figure 2 ) and the corresponding seat cushion base 22 ( Figure 4 ) from the vehicle seat 14. As shown by the progression from Figures 10A to 10C , the seat cushion 74 is installed on the vehicle seat 14 using the latch assembly 10. Referring to [[ID= , the pin 30 of the seat cushion latch 18 can contact the rounded peak 82 of the latch lock bracket 42 ( ​ ). When a downward force is applied to the seat cushion 74 and / or the seat cushion base 22, the pin 30 can slide downward along the angled edge 86 of the hook member 78, and as the pin 30 slides downward along the pin channel 114 of the pin support member 106, a tensile force is applied to the elastic element 34 ( ​ ). Now referring to 10B, once the pin 30 slides downward along the angled edge 86 of the hook member 78 to reach the rounded point 98, the elastic element 34 extends or stretches to its maximum length. Now referring to ​As the user continues to apply downward force to the seat cushion 74 and / or the seat cushion base 22, the pin 30 flips or rotates on the rounded point 98 and the resilient element 34 can retract the pin 30 into the receiving member 94 of the hook member 78. When the pin 30 is positioned in the receiving member 94 of the hook member 78, the seat cushion 74 is installed and secured for travel. Once the seat cushion 74 is in the installed position, as shown ​ As shown, the seat cushion 74 and / or the seat cushion base 22 can be additionally formed from the seat base member 70 ( ​ ) is supported by the support arm 46.

[0055] refer to ​ , while continuing to refer to ​ , a method 200 of removing and / or attaching a vehicle seat cushion 74 is shown. Starting with a fully assembled vehicle seat 14, the method 200 may begin at step 204, which includes pulling the pull strap 38 to retract the pin 30 of the cushion latch 18 from the latch striker bracket 42.

[0056] Next is step 208: lift the strap 38 to remove the seat cushion 74. ​ As generally outlined and described in detail above, the seat bottom 62 can be rotatably coupled to the floor of the vehicle 50 via the front hinge member 66 when the draw strap 38 is lifted. As the rear portion 68 of the seat bottom 62 is lifted away from the support arms 46 of the seat base member 70, the front portion 64 remains coupled to the floor of the vehicle 50 via the front hinge member 66. Once the rear portion 68 is lifted, the front hinge member 66 can be decoupled from and removed from the floor to completely remove the seat bottom 62 from the vehicle 50.

[0057] Next is step 212 of lowering the seat cushion 74 to push the pin 30 against the angled edge 86 of the latch striker bracket 42 to position the pin 30 in the receiving member 94 to attach the seat cushion 74. ​ As generally outlined and described in FIG, a user can apply a downward force to the seat cushion 74 so that the pin 30 can begin to slide downward along the angled edge 86 of the hook member 78 at the radius peak 82. When the pin 30 flips or rotates on the radius point 98, the resilient element 34 can retract or snap the pin 30 back into the receiving member 94 of the hook member 78. When the pin 30 is positioned in the receiving member 94 of the hook member 78, the seat cushion 74 is installed and secured for travel.

[0058] Next is step 216 , where the user may repeat steps 208 and 212 to repeatedly remove and install the seat cushion 74 onto the vehicle seat 14 .

[0059] It should be understood that the description of the latch assembly 10, which summarizes and teaches the combinations in which the previously discussed elements can be used, applies equally to the method 200 for removing and / or attaching a vehicle seat cushion 74.

[0060] Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the construction of the described devices and other components need not be limited to any particular material. Unless otherwise specified herein, other exemplary embodiments of the devices disclosed herein may be formed from a variety of materials.

[0061] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means that two components (electrical or mechanical) are directly or indirectly connected to each other. Such a connection can be fixed in nature or movable in nature. Such a connection can be achieved with two components (electrical or mechanical), and any additional intermediate members can be integrally formed as a single unit with each other or with the two components. Unless otherwise specified, such a connection can be permanent in nature or can be removable or releasable.

[0062] Equally important, it should be noted that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present creation are described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in the size, dimensions, structure, shape and proportions of various elements, the values of parameters, the mounting arrangements, the use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.), without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter. For example, elements shown as integrally formed can be composed of multiple components, or elements shown as multiple components can be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces can be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structure and / or members or connectors or other elements of the system can be varied, the nature or amount of adjustment positions provided between the elements can be varied. It should be noted that the elements and / or assemblies of the system can be composed of any one of a variety of materials, which provide sufficient strength or durability in any one of a variety of colors, textures and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present creation. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangements of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present creation.

[0063] It should be understood that any of the described processes or steps in the processes can be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present device. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting.

[0064] It should also be understood that changes and modifications can be made to the above structure without departing from the concept of the present invention, and it should also be understood that these concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless the language of these claims states otherwise explicitly.

[0065] The above description is considered only as a description of the illustrated embodiments. Modifications to the device will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the device, which is defined by the following claims interpreted in accordance with the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.

[0066] According to the present invention, there is provided a latch assembly for a vehicle seat, having: a seat cushion latch coupled to a seat cushion base, wherein the seat cushion latch includes a support bracket and a pin, wherein the pin is coupled to at least one elastic element and a pull strap; and a latch catch bracket coupled to a support arm; wherein the pin of the seat cushion latch engages the latch catch bracket to secure the seat cushion base.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the elastic element is a spring.

[0068] According to an embodiment, the latch catch bracket includes a receiving member to position the pin when the seat cushion base is secured.

[0069] According to an embodiment, the latch catch bracket includes an angled edge to assist in guiding and extending the pin of the catch bracket into the receiving member.

[0070] According to an embodiment, the support arm is a rear lift seat support bracket.

[0071] According to an embodiment, the vehicle seat is a standalone seat, a 40 / 60 second row seat, a bench second row seat, a 40 / 60 third row seat, a bench third row seat, or a combination thereof.

[0072] According to an embodiment, the above invention is further characterized in that a pin channel is positioned in at least two pin support members of the seat cushion latch.

[0073] According to an embodiment, the latch catch bracket includes an angled edge having a rounded peak to assist in guiding and extending the pin of the catch bracket into the receiving member.

[0074] According to an embodiment, the seat cushion latch and the seat cushion base are a single molded or injection molded part, wherein the pin is coupled separately.

[0075] According to an embodiment, the above invention is further characterized in that a front hinge member is coupled to the seat cushion base to rotatably couple the front portion of the vehicle seat.

[0076] According to the present invention, a latch assembly is provided, which has: a seat cushion latch including a support bracket and a pin, wherein the pin is coupled to at least one elastic element and a pull strap; and a latch catch bracket coupled to a support arm; wherein the pin of the seat cushion latch can reversibly couple the latch catch bracket using the pull strap.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the elastic element is a spring.

[0078] According to an embodiment, the latch catch bracket includes an angled edge having a rounded peak to assist in guiding and extending the pin of the catch bracket into a receiving member.

[0079] According to an embodiment, the support arm is a rear lift seat cushion support bracket.

[0080] According to an embodiment, the latch catch bracket includes a receiving member to position the pin when the seat cushion base is secured.

[0081] According to the present invention, a method for removing and / or attaching a vehicle seat cushion is provided, the method having the following steps: pulling the pull strap to retract the pin of the seat cushion latch from the latch catch bracket; and lifting the pull strap to remove the seat cushion; or lowering the seat cushion to push the pin against the angled edge of the latch catch bracket to position the pin in the receiving member to attach the seat cushion.

[0082] According to an embodiment, the angled edge includes a rounded peak to guide and extend the pin of the catch bracket into the receiving member.

[0083] According to an embodiment, the above invention is further characterized in that when the pin is pushed against the angled edge of the latch catch bracket, the pin slides through a pin channel positioned in at least two pin support members of the seat cushion latch.

[0084] According to an embodiment, the above invention is further characterized in that when the pull strap is pulled, the pin retracts through a pin channel positioned in at least two pin support members of the seat cushion latch.

[0085] According to an embodiment, the seat cushion is coupled to a seat cushion base.

Claims

1. A latch assembly for a vehicle seat, comprising: A seat cushion latch coupled to a seat cushion base, wherein the seat cushion latch includes a support bracket and a pin, and wherein the pin is coupled to at least one elastic element and a pull strap; And A latch catch bracket coupled to a support arm, wherein the latch catch bracket includes a receiving member to position the pin when the seat cushion base is secured, and wherein the latch catch bracket includes an angled edge to assist in guiding and extending the pin into the receiving member; A pin channel positioned in at least two pin support members of the seat cushion latch; Wherein the pin of the seat cushion latch engages the latch catch bracket to secure the seat cushion base.

2. The latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the elastic element is a spring.

3. The latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the support arm is a rear lift seat cushion support bracket.

4. The latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle seat is a standalone seat, a 40 / 60 second row seat, a bench second row seat, a 40 / 60 third row seat, a bench third row seat, or a combination thereof.

5. The latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the latch catch bracket includes an angled edge with a rounded peak to assist in guiding and extending the pin of the catch bracket into the receiving member.

6. The latch assembly according to claim 1, wherein the seat cushion latch and the seat cushion base are a single molded or injection molded piece that separately couples the pin.

7. The latch assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising: A front hinge member coupled to the seat cushion base to rotatably couple the front portion of the vehicle seat.

8. A method of removing and / or attaching a vehicle seat cushion, the method comprising: Pulling the pull strap to retract the pin of the latch assembly according to claim 1; And Lifting the pull strap to remove the seat cushion; Or Lowering the seat cushion to push the pin against the angled edge of the latch catch bracket to position the pin in the receiving member to attach the seat cushion.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: When the pin is pushed against the angled edge of the latch catch bracket, sliding the pin through a pin channel positioned in at least two pin support members of the seat cushion latch.

10. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: When pulling the pull strap, retracting the pin through a pin channel positioned in at least two pin support members of the seat cushion latch.

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