High latch with droop lock feature for seat back

Abstract

A seat assembly (10) for use in a motor vehicle includes a seat cushion (14) adapted to be coupled to a floor of the vehicle, a seat back (12) pivotally coupled to the seat cushion, a striker bar (28) adapted to be fixedly secured to a support wall in the vehicle, a recliner bracket (42) pivotally coupled to the seat back (12), and a latch assembly (66) pivotally coupled to the recliner bracket (42) and slidably coupled to the striker bar (28). Pivotal movement of the recliner bracket (42) relative to the seat back (12) causes the latch assembly (66) to slide along the striker bar (28) and causes the seat back (12) to pivot relative to the seat cushion (14) between a fully reclined position and a forward comfort position.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 63 / 194,640, filed May 28, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Background Technology 1. Technical Field

[0004] This invention relates to seat assemblies for use in motor vehicles. More particularly, this invention relates to a high-latch assembly for use on a seat assembly having a seat back pivotally connected to a seat cushion, wherein the seat back is selectively movable between an upright reclining position, a forward-leaning comfortable position, a reclining downward position, and a folded flat position covering the seat cushion.

[0005] 2. Description of related technologies

[0006] Motor vehicles typically include one or more seat assemblies with seat cushions and seat backs for supporting passengers above the vehicle floor. In passenger cars or other vehicles, rear seat assemblies are typically fixedly fastened to the vehicle floor and have limited adjustability due to the limited space in the rear compartment of the vehicle. These rear seat assemblies typically include a seat back connected to the seat cushion via a pivot assembly for providing selective pivoting folding of the seat back relative to the seat cushion between a use position and a folded flat position covering the seat cushion, to provide additional storage space in the rear compartment of the vehicle. A reclining assembly is also typically included, operatively connected between the seat back and the seat cushion, to provide selective pivoting adjustment of the seat back between the use position and a reclined position, thereby providing occupant comfort. Alternatively, vehicle rear seat assemblies with seat backs fastened to a fixed bolt on the vehicle via a high latch are also known. The high latch selectively disconnects from the fixed bolt to allow the seat back to rotate from an upright position toward a folded position. When the high latch engages with the fixed striker, certain known seat assemblies are able to selectively move between a use position and a reclined / droopy position.

[0007] However, in passenger cars, the space behind the rear seat assembly is often limited or unavailable, failing to provide sufficient clearance for the seat back to pivot and recline relative to the seat cushion. Furthermore, the range of motion of the seat back is restricted by a high latch connected to a fixed stop pin. Summary of the Invention

[0008] According to one embodiment, a seat assembly for use in a motor vehicle is provided. The seat assembly includes: a seat cushion adapted to be coupled to the floor of the vehicle; a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion; a striker adapted to be fixedly fastened to a support wall in the vehicle; a recliner bracket pivotally coupled to the seat back; and a latching assembly pivotally coupled to the recliner bracket and slidably coupled to the striker, wherein pivoting movement of the recliner bracket relative to the seat back causes the latching assembly to slide along the striker and causes the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion between a fully reclined position and a forward-leaning comfortable position.

[0009] According to another embodiment, a seat assembly for use in a motor vehicle is provided. The seat assembly includes: a seat cushion adapted to be coupled to the floor of the vehicle; an adjuster operatively coupled to the seat cushion to selectively slide the seat cushion between a rear position and a forward position; a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion; a striker adapted to be fixedly fastened to a support wall in the vehicle; a recliner bracket pivotally coupled to the seat back; and a latching assembly pivotally coupled to the recliner bracket and slidably coupled to the striker, wherein pivoting movement of the recliner bracket relative to the seat back causes the latching assembly to slide along the striker and causes the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion between a fully reclined position and a forward comfort position, and wherein sliding the seat cushion between the rear and forward positions causes the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion between a fully reclined position or a forward comfort position and a reclined drooping position.

[0010] According to another embodiment, a high latch is provided for use in a seat assembly in a motor vehicle, wherein the seat assembly has a seat back pivotally connected to a seat cushion. The high latch includes: a recliner A bracket; a recliner B bracket adapted to be fixedly fastened to the seat back; a disc recliner operatively connected between the recliner A bracket and the recliner B bracket to pivotally connect the recliner A bracket to the recliner B bracket, wherein the disc recliner is selectively repositionable between an unlocked state in which the recliner A bracket is pivotally unlocked relative to the recliner B bracket and a locked state in which the recliner A bracket is pivotally locked to the recliner B bracket; and a latch assembly pivotally connected to the recliner A bracket and adapted to be slidably connected to a striker bar fixedly fastened to a support wall in the vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0011] The advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent, as they become more readily understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are described in detail below:

[0012] Figure 1 This is a front perspective view of an automobile seat assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 It comes from Figure 1 Enlarged frontal perspective stereoscopic view of the high latch (part 2) of the seat assembly;

[0014] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A rear-view perspective view of the high latch;

[0015] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the high latch taken along line 4-4;

[0016] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 Exploded view of the high latch;

[0017] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the high latch taken along line 6-6;

[0018] Figure 7 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the high latch taken along line 7-7;

[0019] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A side view of the seat assembly, showing the seat back in a fully reclined position;

[0020] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A side view of the seat assembly, showing the seat back in a forward-facing comfort position;

[0021] Figure 10 yes Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the portion of the high latch that is attached to the lower part of the striker;

[0022] Figure 11 yes Figure 8 A side view of the seat assembly, showing the seat back in a forward comfort position;

[0023] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A side view of the seat assembly, showing the seat back in a reclining, drooping position; and

[0024] Figure 13 yes Figure 12A side view of the seat assembly, showing the seat back in its folded flat position. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figures 1 to 13 The illustration shows a seat assembly 10 for use in a motor vehicle according to an embodiment described herein. Directional references used or shown in the specification, drawings, or claims, such as top, bottom, upper, lower, upward, downward, longitudinal, lateral, left, right, etc., are relative terms used for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Referring to the drawings, throughout the various views, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0026] like Figure 1 As depicted, the seat assembly 10 includes a seat back 12, a seat cushion 14, a seat base 16, and a pair of fore / aft adjusters 18. Figure 1 The illustration shows a seat assembly 10 in a fully reclined position. A seat back 12 is rotatably connected to a seat cushion 14 via opposing free pivots 20. The seat assembly 10 includes a seat back spring 22 operatively connected between the seat back 12 and the seat cushion 14 to bias the seat back 12 about the free pivot 20 in a forward direction (arrow 24). The seat cushion 14 is connected to a seat base 16, which is fixedly fastened to a front / rear adjuster 18. A towel bar 26 is operatively connected to the front / rear adjuster 18 and configured to release a locking mechanism, allowing the seat base 16 to move back and forth along the front / rear adjuster 18.

[0027] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 The seat assembly 10 also includes a striker 28 attached to a support wall 30 behind the seat back 12. The striker 28 is generally U-shaped and includes a vertically elongated striker portion 32 extending between an upper end 34 and a lower end 36. The upper end 34 and the lower end 36 extend in a generally horizontal direction, with the distal end fixedly coupled to the support wall 30. It should be understood that the shape and structure of the striker 28 can vary without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0028] Reference Figures 1 to 5 The seat assembly 10 also includes a high latch 38, which is pivotally connected to the seat back 12 and configured to selectively connect to the strike bar 28. (See reference...) Figure 5 and Figure 6The high latch 38 includes a disc-type recliner 40 mounted to recliner A bracket 42 and recliner B bracket 44 to allow recliner A bracket 42 to rotate relative to recliner B bracket 44. The disc-type recliner 40 includes a guide plate 46, a toothed plate 48, a cam 50, a recliner shaft 52, a recliner pawl (not shown), a recliner release lever 54, and a recliner spring 56. The guide plate 46 is rotatably coupled to the toothed plate 48, the cam 50 is operatively coupled to the recliner pawl, and the recliner pawl (not shown) is operatively coupled to both the guide plate 46 and the toothed plate 48. The cam 50 rotates between a locked state in which the recliner pawl (not shown) prevents rotation of the toothed plate 48 relative to the guide plate 46, and an unlocked state in which the recliner pawl (not shown) allows rotation of the guide plate 46 relative to the toothed plate 48. (See reference...) Figure 6 The recliner shaft 52 is fixedly connected to the cam 50 and fixedly connected to the recliner release lever 54. A recliner spring 56 is operatively connected between the recliner shaft 52 and the guide plate 46 to bias the cam 50 toward the locked state. Rotation of the recliner release lever 54 causes the recliner shaft 52 to rotate, thereby rotating the cam 50 into the unlocked state. When the recliner release lever 54 is released, the recliner spring 56 forces the cam 50 back to the locked state. An exemplary disc recliner 40 is further described in PCT disclosure WO / 2020 / 154590, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0029] The guide plate 46 is installed into the tilter hole 58 near the lower end of the tilter A bracket 42. (See reference...) Figure 6 The toothed plate 48 is installed into the lateral mounting hole 60 in the recliner B bracket 44, which is fixedly connected to the seat back 12. When the disc recliner 40 is in the unlocked state, the recliner A bracket 42 can rotate relative to the recliner B bracket 44. Conversely, when the disc recliner 40 is in the locked state, the recliner A bracket 42 is locked to the recliner B bracket 44 in the rotational direction. (See reference...) Figure 4 A high latching spring 62 is connected between the reclining bracket A 42 and the reclining bracket B 44 to bias the reclining bracket A 42 in the forward direction (arrow 64).

[0030] The high latch 38 also includes a pivoting and sliding latch assembly 66 (hereinafter referred to as the "latch assembly") configured to latch and / or release the high latch 38 to the striker 28. Figure 4 , Figure 5 and Figure 7 As best shown, the latch assembly 66 includes a lower support housing 68 and an upper support housing 70, with the lower support housing 68 and the upper support housing 70 forming an inner passage 72 and an outer passage 74 on opposite sides of the lower support housing 68 and the upper support housing 70. (Refer to...) Figure 7The latch assembly 66 also includes a latch hook 76 pivotally connected at a pivot 78 to the lower support housing 68 for movement between a sliding latched state engaged with the striker 28 and a released latched state released from the striker 28. The latch hook 76 includes a C-groove 80 configured to engage with the striker 28 when the latch assembly 66 latches to it. The latch hook 76 also includes a V-shaped notch having a stop surface 82 projecting at an angle from the engagement surface 84. A latch post 86 protrudes from the underside of the latch hook 76 near its proximal end. A latch spring 88 is operatively connected between the lower support housing 68 and the latch post 86 to orient the latch hook 76 toward the released latched state (i.e., as...). Figure 7 The clockwise bias observed in the diagram. It should be understood that, without departing from the scope of the invention, the latch post 86 and latch spring 88 can be replaced with conventional torsion springs.

[0031] Also in Figure 7 As shown, the latch assembly 66 includes a pawl 90 pivotally coupled at pivot 92 to a lower support housing 68 for releasable engagement with a latch hook 76 to retain the latch hook 76 in a sliding latched state. The pawl 90 has a locking surface 94 located on its proximal end and a cam surface 96 projecting at an angle from the locking surface 94. The locking surface 94 and the cam surface 96 are configured to engage when the latch hook 76 is in a sliding latched state. Figure 7 In the sliding latch state shown, with the pawl 90 in the locked position, it engages with the stop surface 82 and the engagement surface 84, respectively. A pawl post 98 protrudes approximately at a right angle from the upper surface of the pawl 90 near its proximal end. A pawl spring 100 (see [reference]) is operatively connected between the pawl post 98 and the upper support housing 70. Figure 4 ), so that the pawl 90 relative to the pivot 92 is along as Figure 7 The offset is observed to rotate counterclockwise. It should be understood that, without departing from the scope of the invention, the pawl post 98 and the pawl spring 100 can be replaced with conventional torsion springs. A cable post 102 protrudes at approximately a right angle from the upper surface of the pawl 90 near its distal end. As... Figure 4 As shown, the cable post 102 and the pawl post 98 can extend through the opening in the upper support housing 70.

[0032] At cable post 102 and at the top of seat back 12 104 (see Figure 2 A cable extends between the folding flat release handles on the latch 90 for actuating the pawl 90 and releasing it from its locking engagement with the latch hook 76. Actuating the folding flat release handle applies tension to the cable and rotates the pawl 90 to the unlocked position (as shown in the image). Figure 7(as observed in the clockwise direction), which disengages the pawl locking surface 94 from the latch hook stop surface 82 and allows the latch spring 88 to rotate the latch hook 76 to the unlocked state to disengage the latch assembly 66 from the striker 28.

[0033] When tension is released from the cable, the pawl spring 100 rotates the pawl 90 toward the engaged state (counterclockwise), where the pawl cam surface 96 frictionally engages with the latch hook engagement surface 84. However, when the C-groove 80 disengages from the striker 28, the latch spring 88 holds the latch hook 76 in the unlocked state. When the striker 28 contacts the C-groove 80, the striker 28 applies a load to the latch hook 76, causing the latch hook 76 to move along... Figure 7 The counterclockwise rotation observed in the diagram. As the latch hook 76 rotates counterclockwise, the frictional contact between the engaging surface 84 and the cam surface 96 causes the pawl 90 to rotate clockwise until the locking surface 94 and the stop surface 82 engage in frictional contact. The pawl 90 then weds the latch hook 76, which is in a sliding latch state, into the striker 28.

[0034] Reference Figure 5 The high latch 38 includes a latch mounting bracket 106, a latch support bar 108, an inner latch pivot 110, and an outer latch pivot 112 for mounting the latch assembly 66 to the recliner A bracket 42. The latch mounting bracket 106 includes a central portion 114 extending between an upper projection 116 and a lower projection 118. A pivot hole 120 extends laterally through the upper projection 116, and a pair of mounting holes 122 extend laterally through the lower projection 118. The latch support bar 108 is a generally U-shaped bracket having a transverse member 124 extending between the inner projection 126 and the outer projection 128. The inner pivot hole 130 and the outer pivot hole 132 extend laterally through the inner projection 126 and the outer projection 128, respectively. Figure 3 As best shown, the transverse member 124 includes a C-groove 134 providing clearance for the striker 28. For illustrative purposes, in Figure 3 The upper support housing 70 is omitted from the text.

[0035] The inner latch pivot 110 extends through the inner pivot hole 130 in the inner protrusion 126 of the latch support bar 108, through the pivot hole 120 in the upper protrusion 116 of the latch mounting bracket 106, and into the inner passage 72 in the latch assembly 66. The outer latch pivot 112 extends through the outer pivot hole 132 of the latch support bar 108, through the pivot hole 136 near the upper end of the tilter A bracket 42, and into the outer passage 74 in the latch assembly 66.

[0036] The mounting hole 122 in the lower protrusion 118 of the latch mounting bracket 106 is aligned with a pair of mounting holes 138 spaced apart between the pivot hole 136 and the recliner hole 58 in the recliner A bracket 42. The latch mounting bracket 106 is securely connected to the recliner A bracket 42 by mechanical fasteners inserted through the mounting holes 122, 138.

[0037] When the latch assembly 66 is slidably latched to the striker 28, the seat assembly 10 can be adjusted to a fully reclined position by adjusting the high latch 38 according to the occupant's requirements. Figure 1 and Figure 8 Forward Comfort Position Figure 9 and Figure 11 ) and the slanted and drooping position ( Figure 12 The seat assembly 10 can be repositioned between any upright position and a folded flat position, depending on the occupant's request, when the high latch 38 is disconnected from the strike bar 28. Figure 13 Furthermore, the seat assembly 10 can be repositioned from a folded flat position to a fully reclined position according to the occupant's requirements.

[0038] Reference Figure 8 The seat back 12 is initially in a fully reclined position, with the recliner A bracket 42 in an upright rotation position, the disc recliner 40 locked, the recliner release lever 54 unacted, and the fore / rear adjuster 18 locked. The latch assembly 66 and the upper portion of the striker lever 28 are in a sliding latched state. Additionally, the latch assembly 66 is pivotally connected to the recliner A bracket 42 via latch pivots 110, 112 (arrow 140). When the disc recliner 40 is locked, it locks the rotation of the recliner A bracket 42 relative to the seat back 12. Furthermore, the high latch assembly spring 62 spring-biases the recliner A bracket 42 towards the upright rotation position in the forward direction (arrow 64). The seat back 12 is spring-biased forward towards a comfortable forward position relative to the free pivot 20 via the seat back spring 22 (arrow 24). Forward rotation of the seat back 12 is restricted by the high latch 38 because the latch assembly 66 is connected to the strike bar 28 and the disc recliner 40 is locked.

[0039] Reference Figure 9 and Figure 10To move seat assembly 10 from a fully reclined position to a forward-facing comfortable position, the occupant adjusts the high latch 38 by actuating an adjusting lever (not shown) operatively connected to recliner release lever 54. Actuation of the adjusting lever causes recliner release lever 54 to rotate cam 50 to the unlocked position, which unlocks disc recliner 40. When disc recliner 40 is unlocked, recliner A bracket 42 rotates freely relative to seat back 12 (arrows 142, 142'). Figure 9 As depicted, after the disc recliner 40 is in the unlocked state, the forward biasing force of the seat back spring 22 (arrow 24) causes the seat back 12 to rotate forward about the free pivot 20 (arrow 144). The seat back spring force (arrow 24) overcomes the forward biasing force of the recliner spring 56 (arrow 64), thereby causing the recliner A bracket 42 to rotate rearward (arrow 142) and the latch assembly 66 to slide downward along the striker bar 28 (arrow 146) during the forward adjustment of the seat back 12. The latch assembly 66 is pivotally coupled to the recliner A bracket 42 (arrow 140) to ensure that the latch assembly 66 slides downward along the striker bar 28 during the forward adjustment of the seat back 12. The occupant can selectively position the seat back 12 at any angle between a fully reclined position and a forward comfortable position. When the occupant releases the adjustment lever when the seat back 12 is in the desired position, the disc recliner 40 locks the recliner A bracket 42 relative to the seat back 12.

[0040] Reference Figure 11 To move seat assembly 10 from a forward comfortable position to a fully reclined position, the occupant actuates the adjustment lever, causing the recliner release lever 54 to rotate cam 50 to the unlocked position, which unlocks the disc recliner 40. Next, the occupant applies a rearward load (arrow 148) to the seat back 12 when the adjustment lever is actuated and the disc recliner 40 is unlocked. As a non-limiting example, the occupant may use their torso or hands to apply the rearward load (arrow 148) to the seat back 12. The rearward load (arrow 148) overcomes the forward biasing force of the seat back spring 22 (arrow 24) and causes the seat back 12 to rotate rearward about the free pivot 20 (arrow 144').

[0041] The forward biasing force (arrow 64) of the high latch assembly spring 62, pivotally coupled (arrow 140) to the recliner A bracket 42, allows the latch assembly 66 to slide upward (arrow 146') along the striker bar 28 without engaging as the recliner A bracket 42 rotates forward toward the upright rotation position (arrow 142'). Rearward rotation of the seat back 12 (arrow 144') returns the seat assembly 10 to the fully reclined position. Rearward rotation of the seat back 12 (arrow 144') is limited by a hard stop on the recliner A bracket 42 and / or the seat back 12. After the seat back 12 is in the fully upright position, the occupant releases the adjustment lever to reposition the disc recliner 40 to the locked position.

[0042] Reference Figure 12 To move seat assembly 10 from a fully reclined position to a reclined-down position, the occupant pulls the towel bar 26 upward (arrow 150) to unlock the forward / rear adjuster 18. With the forward / rear adjuster 18 unlocked, the occupant slides the seat cushion 14 forward along the forward / rear adjuster 18 (arrow 152) to the desired position. As the seat cushion 14 slides forward, the seat back 12 and recliner A bracket 42 remain fixed relative to each other. The latch assembly 66 slides downward along the strike bar 28 (arrow 146) to allow the seat back 12 to rotate rearward about the free pivot 20 (arrow 144') in response to the forward sliding of the seat cushion 14 (arrow 152). As the latch assembly 66 slides downward along the strike bar 28, the latch assembly 66 pivots relative to the recliner A bracket 42 to prevent engagement during forward adjustment of the seat cushion 14 (arrow 152). When the seat cushion 14 is in the desired position, the occupant releases the towel bar 26 to relock the fore / aft adjuster 18. The occupant can selectively position the seat back 12 at any angle between a fully reclined position and a reclined drooping position.

[0043] To return seat assembly 10 from a reclined position to a fully reclined position, the occupant pulls the towel bar 26 upwards (arrow 150), unlocking the fore / rear adjuster 18. Next, the occupant slides the seat cushion 14 backwards (arrow 152'). The backward movement of the seat cushion 14 (arrow 152') combined with the forward biasing force of the seat back spring 22 (arrow 24) causes the latch assembly 66 to slide upwards along the strike bar 28 (arrow 146') and rotate the seat back 12 about the free pivot 20 in the forward direction (arrow 144). As the latch assembly 66 slides along the strike bar 28, it pivots to prevent engagement with the strike bar 28 during seat back 12 rotation. When seat assembly 10 is in the desired position, the occupant releases the towel bar 26 to lock the fore / rear adjuster 18 in place.

[0044] Reference Figure 13To move seat assembly 10 from an upright position to a folded-flat position, the occupant actuates the fold-flat release handle (not shown), causing latch hook 76 to rotate away from striker 28 to unlock latch assembly 66 from striker 28. After latch assembly 66 is unlocked from striker 28, the forward bias force (arrow 24) of seat back spring 22 begins to rotate seat back 12 forward about free pivot 20 (arrow 144). If the fold-flat function is activated from an incremental position between a forward comfort position or a fully reclined position and a forward comfort position where recliner A bracket 42 is not in an upright rotation position, then when seat back 12 rotates forward beyond a preset seat back angle (e.g., angle 154), disc recliner 40 automatically unlocks. Then, the forward bias force (arrow 64) of high latch assembly spring 62 causes recliner A bracket 42 to rotate forward (arrow 142') to an upright rotation position. The seat back 12 rotates forward until it covers the seat cushion 14. When the seat back 12 rotates to cover the seat cushion 14, the recliner A bracket 42 rotates to an upright rotation position to ensure that the seat assembly 10 is below the flat load base plate line 156.

[0045] To return the seat assembly 10 from a folded flat position to a fully reclined position, the occupant rotates the seat back 12 rearward about the free pivot 20 (arrow 144'). When the seat back 12 is rotated rearward (arrow 144') beyond the exemplary preset seat back angle 154, the disc recliner 40 automatically relocks. When the latch hook 76 of the latch assembly 66 contacts the striker 28, an additional rearward load is applied to the seat back 12 ( Figure 11 Arrow 148 shown causes the latch hook 76 to rotate counterclockwise. Figure 7 (), until the latch hook 76 and the striker 28 are in the sliding latch state.

[0046] As discussed above, the seat assembly 10 of the present invention includes a high latch 38 having a pivoting and sliding latch assembly 66 and a disc recliner 40. When the high latch 38 is engaged with the striker 28, the seat assembly 10 can be repositioned between a fully reclined position, a forward-comfort position, and a reclined-down position. Furthermore, the high latch 38 can be disengaged from the striker 28 to allow the seat assembly 10 to be repositioned from any of the upright positions to a folded-flat position.

[0047] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it should be understood that the terminology used is intended to be descriptive rather than restrictive. In view of the foregoing teachings, many modifications and variations of the invention are possible. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention can be practiced in ways other than those specifically described within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A seat assembly for use in a motor vehicle, the seat assembly comprising: A seat cushion adapted to be attached to the floor of the vehicle; A seat backrest, which is pivotally connected to the seat cushion; A striker pin, the striker pin being adapted to be securely fastened to a support wall in the vehicle; A reclining bracket, the reclining bracket being pivotally connected to the seat back; as well as A latch assembly is pivotally connected to the recliner bracket and slidably connected to the striker bar, wherein pivoting of the recliner bracket relative to the seat back causes the latch assembly to slide along the striker bar and causes the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion between a fully reclined position and a forward-leaning comfortable position.

2. The seat assembly of claim 1, further comprising a disc recliner operatively connected between the recliner bracket and the seat back to pivotally connect the recliner bracket to the seat back, wherein, The disc recliner can selectively reposition itself between an unlocked state in which the recliner bracket can pivot relative to the seat back and a locked state in which the recliner bracket is pivotally locked to the seat back.

3. The seat assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The latch assembly is operable between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein, in the unlocked state, the latch assembly is disengaged from the strike bar to allow the seat back to pivotally move to a folded, flat position covering the seat cushion.

4. The seat assembly of claim 3, further comprising a high latching spring operatively connected between the recliner bracket and the seat back to bias the recliner bracket in a forward direction to an upright position.

5. The seat assembly according to claim 4, wherein, When the seat backrest pivots forward beyond a preset seat backrest angle, the disc recliner automatically unlocks, and the high latch spring pivots the recliner bracket to the upright position.

6. The seat assembly according to claim 5, wherein, The seat cushion can selectively slide between a rear position and a front position, allowing the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion between a fully reclined position or a forward comfortable position and a reclined downward position.

7. The seat assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The seat back is pivotally connected to the seat cushion via a free pivot.

8. A seat assembly for use in a motor vehicle, the seat assembly comprising: A seat cushion adapted to be attached to the floor of the vehicle; An adjuster operatively coupled to the seat cushion to allow the seat cushion to selectively slide between a rear position and a front position; A seat backrest, which is pivotally connected to the seat cushion; A striker pin, the striker pin being adapted to be securely fastened to a support wall in the vehicle; A reclining bracket, the reclining bracket being pivotally connected to the seat back; as well as A latching assembly, pivotally connected to the recliner bracket and slidably connected to the striker. The pivoting motion of the reclining bracket relative to the seat back causes the latch assembly to slide along the striker bar, and causes the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion between a fully reclined position and a forward-leaning comfortable position. The seat cushion is slidable between the rear position and the front position, causing the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion between the fully reclined position or the forward comfortable position and the reclined downward position.

9. The seat assembly of claim 8, further comprising a disc recliner operatively coupled between the recliner bracket and the seat back to pivotally connect the recliner bracket to the seat back, wherein, The disc recliner can selectively reposition itself between an unlocked state in which the recliner bracket can pivot relative to the seat back and a locked state in which the recliner bracket is pivotally locked to the seat back.

10. The seat assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The latch assembly is operable between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein, in the unlocked state, the latch assembly is disengaged from the strike bar to allow the seat back to pivotally move to a folded, flat position covering the seat cushion.

11. The seat assembly of claim 10, further comprising a high latching spring operatively connected between the recliner bracket and the seat back to bias the recliner bracket in a forward direction to an upright position.

12. The seat assembly of claim 11, wherein, When the seat backrest pivots forward beyond a preset seat backrest angle, the disc recliner automatically unlocks, and the high latch spring pivots the recliner bracket to the upright position.

13. The seat assembly of claim 12, wherein, The seat back is pivotally connected to the seat cushion via a free pivot.

14. A high latch for use in a seat assembly in a motor vehicle, wherein, The seat assembly has a seat back pivotally connected to the seat cushion, and the high latch includes: Inclined bracket A; A reclining bracket B, the reclining bracket B being adapted to be securely fastened to the seat back; A disc-type recliner operatively coupled between a recliner A bracket and a recliner B bracket to pivotally connect the recliner A bracket to the recliner B bracket, wherein the disc-type recliner is selectively repositionable between an unlocked state in which the recliner A bracket is pivotable relative to the recliner B bracket and a locked state in which the recliner A bracket is pivotally locked to the recliner B bracket; and A latching assembly, pivotally connected to the recliner A bracket and adapted to be slidably connected to a striker bar, the striker bar being fixedly fastened to a support wall in the vehicle.

15. The high latch according to claim 14, wherein, The latch assembly is operable between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein, in the unlocked state, the latch assembly is disengaged from the striker.

16. The high latch according to claim 15, wherein, The latch assembly includes a latch spring that biases the latch assembly toward the unlocked state.

17. The high latch of claim 16, further comprising a high latch assembly spring operatively connected between the recliner A bracket and the recliner B bracket to bias the recliner A bracket in an upright position.

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