Vehicle loading floor adjustment system

Abstract

A mechanism for raising at least a portion of a vehicle's load floor in response to the lowering of an adjacent seat to allow for easier loading of the vehicle's cargo area. The mechanism can raise a portion of the load floor when any one or more adjacent seats are lowered, but lowers the load floor only when all adjacent seats are raised. In this manner, the mechanism of the disclosed embodiment raises the load floor to an inclined position so that the load floor gradually rises to the height of any adjacent folding seatbacks, rather than having a stepped height increase at the boundary between the load floor and the seats. This allows cargo to more easily slide over the load floor and onto the seatbacks.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to loading floors and, more particularly, to vehicle loading floor adjustment systems. Summary of the Invention

[0002] Vehicles are often constructed with cargo compartments or areas, such as trunks, that provide storage space. These compartments are typically constructed as open volumes with a flat and rigid loading floor that can support the weight of various stored items. However, flat loading floors often have certain disadvantages. For example, some vehicle designs allow adjacent seats to fold down to increase storage space. When folded down, portions of the seats are often raised relative to the loading floor, creating a step that hinders the ability to slide cargo along the loading floor to the seatbacks.

[0003] Therefore, disclosed herein are systems and methods for a mechanical load floor adjustment mechanism for raising and lowering a load floor in response to seat movement. The mechanism comprises a rotatable element coupled to a linkage mechanism that raises the portion of the load floor closest to the seat. As the seat is raised or lowered, the seat back pivots about an axis generally located between the seat back and the seat cushion. This rotational motion drives the rotatable element, which in turn moves the linkage mechanism, raising or tilting a portion of the load floor to the same or a similar height as the folded seat back. Similarly, raising the seat back lowers the load floor back to its original horizontal configuration.

[0004] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a rotatable element can be positioned proximate to the axis of rotation between the seat back and the seat cushion so that when the seat back is raised or lowered, the seat back engages the rotatable element and rotates it. The linkage is coupled between the rotatable element and a portion of the loading floor. In this manner, the linkage converts the rotational motion of the rotatable element into a linear vertical translation of a portion of the loading floor, thereby raising or lowering the loading floor as the element rotates (i.e., as the seat back is raised or lowered). Thus, this mechanical assembly raises the loading floor to a raised, tilted, or raised configuration when the seat back is lowered, and lowers the loading floor back to its lowered or horizontal configuration when the seat back is raised.

[0005] The mechanism of the disclosed embodiment can also be positioned to engage multiple seats, rather than just one. More specifically, the rotatable element can be positioned between two adjacent seats (such as two rear seats), near its axis of rotation between their seat backs and seat cushions. In this way, the mechanism can be used to raise the loading floor when either seat is lowered, and can also be used to lower the loading floor only when both seats are raised. That is, the mechanism of the disclosed embodiment can be configured to raise the loading floor when any one of the adjacent seats is lowered, and to lower the loading floor only when both (or all) seats are raised. Whenever not all of its seats are raised, the mechanism will maintain the loading floor in its raised or tilted configuration. In this way, whenever any adjacent seat is lowered, the mechanism will maintain the loading floor in its raised or tilted configuration, thereby allowing easier loading of the cargo area without the need to lower both seats.

[0006] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, this is achieved via a rotatable element having a body and two protrusions or extensions extending from the body at different circumferential locations. One element is circumferentially positioned so that when the seat is lowered, a portion of the seat engages one of the protrusions, rotating the element and raising the load floor. Similarly, another element is circumferentially positioned so that when the seat is raised, a portion of the seat engages the other element, rotating the element and lowering the load floor.

[0007] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, both of the aforementioned protrusions extend from the same side of the rotatable element, and two additional protrusions extend from opposite sides of the rotatable element at two different circumferential locations. The two additional extensions are configured so that the axis of rotation of the second seat can engage the rotatable element and raise the loading floor if the loading floor is not already raised, and only lower the loading floor when both seats are raised. To achieve this, one extension on each side of the rotatable element may include a pivotable element having one end that pivots to engage the seat it faces and another end that extends toward the opposing seat. In this configuration, engagement with the opposing seat causes the element to pivot out of engagement with the seat it faces, so that if the opposing seat is already lowered, the seat it faces cannot lower the loading floor. In this way, the mechanism of the present disclosure maintains the loading floor raised when one seat is raised and the other is lowered, and only lowers the loading floor when both seats are raised.

[0008] The mechanisms of the disclosed embodiments can raise the load floor to any position or orientation. In some disclosed embodiments, the linkage mechanism can act against a portion of the load floor closest to its adjacent seat, such that the linkage mechanism raises the load floor to an inclined configuration in which the end closest to the seat is raised relative to the opposite end (e.g., the end closer to the rear of the vehicle).

[0009] In this configuration, the raised end of the loading floor can be raised to any height. For example, the end of the loading floor closest to the adjacent seat can be raised to a height that matches the height of the adjacent seat back when these seats are lowered.

[0010] The mechanism of the disclosed embodiments may further include other components as needed. For example, one or more load limiter springs may be coupled between the seat and the rotatable element to allow the seat to be lowered if, for example, excessive loads prevent the loading floor from being raised. Such load limiter springs may also prevent such excessive loads from damaging the mechanism.

[0011] The linkage mechanism of the disclosed embodiments can be any linkage mechanism capable of raising and lowering the loading floor in response to a rotatable element as described herein. An exemplary linkage mechanism can be a two-rod linkage mechanism, in which one rod is rotatably coupled to the rotatable element and the other rod is coupled to the loading floor, such as via rollers in rolling frictional contact with the loading floor. When the loading floor is raised, the second rod can extend beyond the vertical, for example, forming an acute angle with the first rod, to help maintain the loading floor in a raised position.

[0012] Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure can provide an assembly for adjusting a vehicle load floor in response to movement of vehicle seats, wherein the assembly includes a linkage mechanism coupled between the load floor and the vehicle seats. The linkage mechanism raises a portion of the load floor in response to lowering of one or more of the seats and maintains the load floor raised if at least one of the seats is lowered. The linkage mechanism lowers only the portion of the load floor in response to raising of each seat coupled thereto. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, and wherein:

[0014] Figure 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary system for adjusting a vehicle load floor according to seat position constructed in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 2A is in a raised seat configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 1 A side view of the system;

[0016] Figure 2B is a seat in a lowered configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 1 A side view of the system;

[0017] Figure 3is an isometric bottom view showing additional details of a loading floor adjustment mechanism constructed in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figures 4A-4B is a more detailed isometric view showing additional details of a rotatable element of a loading floor adjustment mechanism constructed in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0019] Figures 5A-5E is a more detailed isometric view illustrating the operation of a loading floor adjustment mechanism constructed in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In one embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a mechanism that raises at least a portion of a vehicle's load floor in response to the lowering of an adjacent seat, allowing for easier loading of the vehicle's cargo area. The mechanism raises a portion of the load floor when any one or more adjacent seats are lowered, but lowers the load floor only when all adjacent seats are raised. In this way, the mechanism of the disclosed embodiment raises the load floor to an inclined position so that the load floor gradually rises to the height of any adjacent folding seatbacks, rather than having a stepped height increase at the boundary between the load floor and the seats. This allows cargo to more easily slide over the load floor and onto the seatbacks.

[0021] Figure 1 is an isometric view of an exemplary system for adjusting a vehicle load floor according to seat position constructed in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 1 The present invention is a superposition of two different configurations of vehicle load floor systems: one configuration is a raised load floor that is raised by lowering one seat, while the other configuration is a lowered load floor that is lowered when both seats are raised. Here, the vehicle load floor system 10 includes a pair of seats 20, 30 coupled to the load floor such that raising and lowering the seats adjusts the height of the load floor. More specifically, lowering either seat 20, 30 raises the load floor to the raised load floor configuration 40, while raising both seats 20, 30 returns the load floor to the lowered load floor configuration 50. Thus, the load floor, when raised to the raised load floor configuration 40, is tilted to provide a gradual increase in height from the lower portion of the load floor to a height similar to the height of the end 60 of seat 30. Thus, unlike vehicles that have a stepped height increase between the load floor and adjacent seats when folded, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a mechanism that tilts the load floor to meet the folding seats by tilting it upwards corresponding to the height of adjacent folded seats. In this way, objects can be more easily slid over the load floor and onto the backrests of the folding seats 20 , 30 , providing easier vehicle loading.

[0022] The load floor can be raised from its lowered load floor configuration 50 (e.g., a flat trunk floor) to its raised load floor configuration 40, wherein the height of the upper end of the raised load floor configuration 40 can be any height. Thus, while in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the raised end of the raised load floor configuration 40 is described as having a height that is substantially the same as the height of the upper surface of the lowered seat 30, any height is contemplated.

[0023] Combine Figures 2A-2B The operation of the mechanism of the disclosed embodiments is further described. Figure 2A is in a raised seat configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 1 A side view of the system. In one configuration, vehicle seat 100 is in its raised position for accommodating a passenger. Consequently, the vehicle cargo area's loading floor 110 is in a horizontal or lowered configuration, providing a flat surface for accommodating items a passenger may wish to store. A mechanism is coupled between seat 100 and loading floor 110, comprising a rotatable element 120 for engaging seat 100, a first arm 130, a second arm 140, and a pivot point 150. One end of first arm 130 is pivotally coupled to rotatable element 120, and the opposite end of first arm 130 is pivotally connected to second arm 140. As shown, one end of second arm 140 is pivotally coupled to second arm 140, while the opposite end of second arm 140 is in frictional contact with the lower surface of loading floor 110. Consequently, second arm 140 is configured to pivot about pivot point 150 in response to movement of first arm 130.

[0024] Figure 2B is a seat in a lowered configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure Figure 1 As described above, lowering the seat 100 is used to raise the loading floor 110 to the tilted configuration so that the loading floor 110 tilts upward to a height at least approximately the height of the upper surface of the seat 100. Figure 2B When folded or lowered downward as in FIG. 1 , the rotation of the seat 100 engages the rotatable element 120 and causes the rotatable element to rotate in a clockwise direction. This clockwise rotational motion is converted into Figure 2B This in turn causes the second arm 140 to pivot about the pivot point 150 to raise the opposite end of the second arm 140 and thereby raise one end of the loading base 110. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, as Figure 2BAs can be seen in FIG, second arm 140 can extend beyond vertical when fully raised. That is, the angle between the first arm 130 and the portion of the second arm 140 that frictionally contacts the loading floor 110 can be acute. Thus, the weight of the loading floor 110 and any overlying stored cargo can act to press the second arm 140 against the lip 115 of the loading floor 110, which can help to more securely maintain the loading floor 110 in its raised configuration.

[0025] Raising the seat 100 generally involves performing the reverse process, rotating the rotatable element 120 in a counterclockwise direction, which translates to Figure 2B This acts to pivot the second arm 140 counterclockwise about the pivot point 150, lowering the opposite end of the second arm or rod 140 and thereby lowering the loading floor 110 back to the loading floor. Figure 2A In this way, folding down the seat 100 can raise one end of the load floor 110 to provide an inclined surface that allows the load floor 110 to gradually rise to the level of the upper surface of the folded seat 100, rather than creating a stepped height increase that can make loading and unloading the vehicle more difficult.

[0026] although Figures 2A-2B One seat is shown, but the disclosed embodiments contemplate raising and lowering the loading floor 110 in accordance with the movement of a plurality of different seats. Specifically, Figures 2A-2B The mechanism may be coupled to more than one seat 100 to raise and lower the load floor in accordance with the folding and unfolding of the plurality of seats 100 . Figure 3is an isometric bottom view showing further details of a loading floor adjustment mechanism constructed in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, which raises and lowers a loading floor 110 in response to the movement of two different seats 100. More specifically, two seats 100 (not shown) can be arranged side by side, such as with a tandem rear seat in a vehicle. A rod 200 can extend through a point about which each seat 100 pivots when raised or lowered, and a rotatable element 120 can be rotatably secured to the rod 200 between the two seats 100. Each seat 100 can have a bracket 230 that connects the seat 100 to the vehicle and provides a pivot point 150. An extension 210 of each seat 100 is connected to the seat 100 to rotate about the rod 200 when the seat 100 is folded or unfolded. In some embodiments, the rod 200 may not rotate, and thus, folding and unfolding of the seat 100 causes the extension 210 to rotate to engage a portion of the rotatable element 120, rotating the element 120 as the seat 100 is lowered or raised, thereby raising or lowering the load floor 110 as described above. One or more rollers 220 may be connected to the end of the second arm 140 and placed in rolling frictional contact with the underside of the load floor 110, such that movement of the second arm 140 raises and lowers the load floor 110 via rolling contact with the rollers 220.

[0027] It is also observed that each seat 100 can actuate its own section of the loading floor 110. That is, with reference to Figures 2A-2B There may be a separate load floor 110 section for each seat 100, and each seat 100 may raise or lower its own load floor 110 section. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, this may be accomplished via a separate load floor adjustment mechanism, such as Figures 2A-2B As shown, a separate load floor adjustment mechanism is coupled to each seat 100 and is configured to adjust its own section of the load floor 110. As shown, each load floor 110 section or segment may be located behind its seat 100.

[0028] The mechanism of the disclosed embodiment can be configured to raise the load floor 110 when either seat 100 is folded, but to lower the load floor 110 only when both seats 100 are deployed. In other words, the mechanism of the disclosed embodiment can keep the load floor 110 raised as long as either seat 100 to which it is coupled is folded. Figures 4A-4Bis a more detailed isometric view showing additional details of the rotatable element of the loading floor adjustment mechanism constructed in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, which allows the loading floor 110 to be raised when either seat 100 is folded, and lowered only when both seats 100 are deployed. More specifically, each extension 210 has two protrusions 300, 310 extending therefrom to engage different circumferential locations of the rotatable element 120. The rotatable element 120 also has two extensions protruding from each of its two sides. Specifically, extensions 400, 410 extend from one side of the rotatable element 120 at different circumferential locations, while extensions 460, 470 extend from the opposite side of the rotatable element 120 at different circumferential locations from each other and at different circumferential locations from the circumferential locations of extensions 460, 470.

[0029] Extensions 400, 460 are positioned to engage protrusions 300, so that lowering either seat 100 causes protrusions 300 to engage the corresponding extensions 400, 460 to rotate rotatable element 120 and raise load floor 110. Extensions 400 and 460 are flanges that are bent to extend in opposite directions to engage different seat extensions 210, but extensions 400, 460 do not necessarily need to be formed by bending. Rather, extensions 400, 460 can be any extension of rotatable element 120 formed and shaped in any manner to engage corresponding protrusions of seat extensions 210.

[0030] Extensions 410 and 470 protrude from opposite surfaces of the rotatable element 120 to support the spring-loaded maneuverable elements 420 and 480, respectively. Figure 4B , the extension 410 extends from the rightmost surface of the rotatable element 120 to support the spring-loaded manipulable element 420 loaded by the spring 445 to maintain the engagement portion 430 in the proper position to engage the protrusion 300 as the protrusion 300 is rotated by raising the seat 100. As described above, this engagement causes the rotatable element 120 to rotate to lower the loading floor 110. However, the manipulable element 420 also has an engagement portion 440 that extends from the rightmost surface of the rotatable element 120 to its leftmost surface (at Figure 4B 10) to engage the protrusion 310 of the opposing seat extension 210. This engagement causes the manipulable element 420 to pivot about its extension 410, which in turn causes the engaging portion 430 to pivot out of the path of the extension 300 it would otherwise engage. Figure 4BThe lowering of the leftmost seat 100 in the view of FIG1 prevents the other seats 100 from engaging with their engagement portions 430, thereby preventing the raising of the rightmost seat 100 from lowering the loading floor 110. In this way, the raised loading floor 110 is only Figure 4B The vehicle will not be lowered when the rightmost seat 100 in the vehicle is raised, but instead will only be lowered when both seats 100 are raised.

[0031] Similarly, in Figure 4B , an extension 470 extends from the leftmost surface of the rotatable element 120 to support a spring-loaded maneuverable element 480 loaded by a spring 455 to maintain an engaging portion 490 in position to engage the protrusion 300 of the extension 210 of the leftmost seat 100. Maneuverable element 480 is similar in shape and function to maneuverable element 420, engaging the protrusion 300 of the leftmost seat 100 when the rightmost seat 100 is raised, and moving out of position to engage the protrusion 300 of the leftmost seat 100 when the rightmost seat 100 is lowered via contact between the engaging portion 500 and the protrusion 310. In this way, lowering of the rightmost seat 100 prevents the leftmost seat 100 from engaging its engaging portion 490, thereby preventing the raising of the leftmost seat 100 from lowering the load floor 110. In this way, the loading floor 110 is raised by engagement of the extensions 400 , 460 with the protrusions 300 when either seat 100 is lowered, but is only lowered when both seats 100 are raised because lowering of either seat 100 pivots the engagement portions 430 , 490 out of engagement with their corresponding seat extensions 210 .

[0032] The mechanism of the disclosed embodiment may include any further components in addition to those described above for providing further functionality. As an example, the rod 200 may include one or more load limiter springs 550 disposed within a housing covering a portion of the rod 200 and coupled to each seat extension 210 or rotatable element 120 to disengage the seat 100 or rotatable element 120 without damaging it if an excessive load on the loading floor 110 prevents the mechanism from raising the loading floor 110. In this way, when a user attempts to lower the seat 100, excessive load on the loading floor 110 is prevented from causing damage to any portion of the mechanism of the disclosed embodiment.

[0033] Figures 5A-5E is a more detailed isometric view illustrating the operation of a loading floor adjustment mechanism constructed in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, Figures 5A-5E The operation of the mechanism of the disclosed embodiment is shown in sequence when raising and lowering the loading floor 110. To simplify the illustration, the operation of a single seat 100 is shown, but the operating principles are applicable to using more than one seat 100 with the mechanism of the disclosed embodiment.

[0034] Figure 5A The mechanism of the disclosed embodiment is shown prior to raising the loading floor 110. Here, the protrusion 300 is coupled to the upright seat 100 and has not yet been rotated to contact the extension 460. Thus, the loading floor 110 is in its lowered or flat position.

[0035] Figure 5B The mechanism of the embodiment of the present disclosure is shown as the seat 100 moves from Figure 5A Here, the seat 100 is partially lowered, causing the protrusion 300 to rotate about its axis of rotation to engage the extension 460. This triggers rotation of the rotatable element 120, causing the linkage 130, 140 to raise the distal end of the second arm 140, which in turn begins to raise the loading floor 110 via frictional contact between the loading floor 110 and the distal end of the second arm 140. Substantially simultaneously, the protrusion 310 rotates to contact the engagement portion 500, pivoting the end 490 out of the path of the extension 300 that can face the leftmost seat 100 (not shown) of the rotatable element 120. Thus, Figure 5B The lowering of the rightmost seat 100 serves to both raise the load floor 110 and prevent another seat 100 (not shown) from lowering the load floor 110 when the rightmost seat 100 is folded.

[0036] exist Figure 5C The seat 100 continues to be lowered until it reaches the folded configuration, resting substantially horizontally with its seat back presenting an upper surface for storage. Both protrusions 300 and 310 rotate the rotatable element 120 until the second arm 140 is fully raised, thereby fully raising the loading floor 110 to a height that generally corresponds to the height of the seat 100's backrest. In this configuration, contact between the engagement portion 500 and the protrusion 310 is maintained, which maintains the end 490 in its pivoted position and prevents further rotation of the seat 100 from lowering the loading floor 110. Furthermore, contact between the protrusion 300 and the extension 460 maintains the second arm 140 in its upright position, and thus maintains the loading floor 110 in its raised or tilted configuration.

[0037] Figure 5D The mechanism of the embodiment of the present disclosure is shown as the seat 100 is in a Figure 5C The process of lowering or raising the folded position is operated. Figure 5DIn the view of FIG, the seat 100 is shown partially, but not yet fully, raised, and the rotatable element 120 has not yet been engaged to lower the load floor 110. As the seat 100 rotates about its axis toward its raised position, the protrusion 300 disengages from the extension 460, and the protrusion 310 also disengages from the engagement portion 500. The rotatable element 120 remains in position because the second arm 140 converts the downward load on the load floor 110 into a rearward force relative to the first arm 130. The protrusion 310 disengages from the engagement portion 500, and the end 490 pivots back into the path of the protrusion 300 of the leftmost seat 100 (not shown), allowing this leftmost seat 100 to engage the end 490 as needed to lower the load floor 110. Therefore, once the rightmost seat 100 is raised, the load floor 110 will remain in its raised configuration. However, subsequently raising the leftmost seat 100 will also lower the load floor 110.

[0038] exist Figure 5E In FIG. 1 , the seats 100 are raised to a point where the extension 600 of the seat extension 210 engages the engagement portion 430, rotating the rotatable element 120 and lowering the load floor 110. Here, the leftmost seat 100 is not engaged with the engagement portion 440, meaning that the leftmost seat 100 is raised. Therefore, the engagement portion 430 remains in place, contacted by the extension 600. In this way, raising both seats 100 serves to lower the load floor 110.

[0039] For purposes of explanation, the foregoing description uses specific terminology to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the specific details are not required to practice the methods and systems of the present disclosure. Therefore, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been provided for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. In light of the above teachings, numerous modifications and variations are possible. For example, the mechanisms of the disclosed embodiments can raise the vehicle load floor to any height, whether corresponding to the upper surface of a folding seat or otherwise. Single or multiple seats can be used with the mechanisms of the disclosed embodiments to manipulate the load floor height based on the movement of any one or more seats. The embodiments are selected and described to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosed methods and systems and various embodiments with various modifications suitable for the particular application contemplated. In addition, different features of the various embodiments disclosed or otherwise may be mixed and matched or otherwise combined to create other embodiments contemplated by the present disclosure. All dimensional values ​​are approximate and are subject to variation.

Claims

1. An assembly for adjusting at least a portion of a loading floor of a vehicle in response to movement of a vehicle seat, the assembly comprising: a rotatable element positioned to engage the vehicle seat, the rotatable element configured to move to a first rotational position when the vehicle seat is lowered and to move to a second rotational position when the vehicle seat is raised; as well as a linkage mechanism coupled between the rotatable element and the portion of the loading floor, the linkage mechanism configured to raise the portion of the loading floor to a raised position as the rotatable element moves to a first rotational position of the rotatable element, and to lower the portion of the loading floor from the raised position to a lowered position as the rotatable element moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position, wherein the rotatable element comprises a body, a first extension projecting from the body at a first circumferential position along the body, and a second extension projecting from the body at a second circumferential position along the body, and Wherein as the vehicle seat is lowered, contact between a portion of the vehicle seat and the first extension moves the rotatable element to a first rotational position of the rotatable element, and as the vehicle seat is raised, contact between a portion of the vehicle seat and the second extension moves the rotatable element to a second rotational position of the rotatable element.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle seat is a first seat, the vehicle further comprising a second seat; and The rotatable element is positioned to engage both the first seat and the second seat, and is configured to move to the first rotated position when either the first seat or the second seat is lowered, and to move to the second rotated position only when both the first seat and the second seat are raised.

3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein: The first extension and the second extension each protrude from a first side of the body; and The rotatable element further includes a third extension protruding from the second side of the body at a third circumferential position along the body; and a fourth extension protruding from the second side of the body at a fourth circumferential position along the body.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein: The vehicle seat is a first seat facing a first side of the body, the vehicle further comprising a second seat facing a second side of the body; the second extension including a first pivotable member having a first end facing the first seat and an opposing second end facing the second seat, engagement of a portion of the second seat with the second end causing the first end of the first pivotable member to pivot out of contact with the portion of the first seat such that raising the first seat does not lower a portion of the loading floor when the second seat is lowered; and The fourth extension includes a second pivotable member having a first end facing the second seat and an opposite second end facing the first seat, engagement of a portion of the first seat with the second end of the second pivotable member pivoting the first end of the second pivotable member out of contact with a portion of the second seat such that raising the second seat does not lower a portion of the loading floor when the first seat is lowered. 5 . The assembly of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the load floor is positioned proximate an upper surface of the vehicle seat in the raised position when the vehicle seat is lowered.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein in the raised position, a first end of the portion of the loading floor is raised relative to an opposing second end of the portion of the loading floor.

7. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the linkage is coupled between the rotatable element and a first end of a portion of the loading floor.

8. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a load limiter spring coupled between the rotatable element and the vehicle seat.

9. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the linkage comprises a first rod and a second rod, the first rod being coupled between the rotatable element and the second rod, the second rod being configured to pivot about a pivot point and having a first end coupled to the first rod and an opposing second end coupled to a portion of the loading base.

10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein in the raised position, the first rod and the second rod have an acute angle therebetween.

11. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the linkage further comprises a roller coupled to the second rod and in rolling frictional contact with a portion of the loading floor.

12. An assembly for adjusting at least a portion of a vehicle's load floor in response to movement of a vehicle seat, the assembly comprising: a linkage mechanism coupled between a loading floor of the vehicle and two seats of the vehicle, the linkage mechanism being configured to raise at least a portion of the loading floor to a raised position in response to lowering one or more of the vehicle seats, to maintain a portion of the loading floor in the raised position when at least one of the vehicle seats is lowered, and to lower at least a portion of the loading floor to a lowered position in response to both of the vehicle seats being raised, The assembly further includes a rotatable element positioned to engage two seats of the vehicle, the rotatable element coupled to the linkage mechanism to move the loading floor between the raised position and the lowered position based on engagement by the two seats of the vehicle, wherein the rotatable element comprises a body, a first extension projecting from the body at a first circumferential position along the body, and a second extension projecting from the body at a second circumferential position along the body, Wherein as one of the vehicle seats is lowered, contact between one of the vehicle seats and the first extension moves the rotatable element to a first rotational position, and as one of the vehicle seats is raised, contact between one of the vehicle seats and the second extension moves the rotatable element to a second rotational position.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein: The first extension and the second extension each protrude from a first side of the body; and The rotatable element further includes a third extension protruding from the second side of the body at a third circumferential position along the body; and a fourth extension protruding from the second side of the body at a fourth circumferential position along the body.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein: The two seats of the vehicle include a first seat facing a first side of the body, and a second seat facing a second side of the body; the second extension including a first pivotable member having a first end facing the first seat and an opposing second end facing the second seat, engagement of a portion of the second seat with the second end causing the first end of the first pivotable member to pivot out of contact with the portion of the first seat such that raising the first seat does not lower a portion of the loading floor when the second seat is lowered; and The fourth extension includes a second pivotable member having a first end facing the second seat and an opposite second end facing the first seat, engagement of a portion of the first seat with the second end of the second pivotable member pivoting the first end of the second pivotable member out of contact with a portion of the second seat such that raising the second seat does not lower a portion of the loading floor when the first seat is lowered.

15. The assembly of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the load floor is positioned proximate an upper surface of a seat of the vehicle in the raised position when the seat of the vehicle is lowered.

Images