Inertia lock for stowing a seat cushion in a folding seat style

Abstract

Seat assembly (20) for a motor vehicle (6), comprising: a seat carrier bracket (28); a lower seat cushion (22) comprising a frame assembly (24) pivotally attached to the seat support bracket (28) at a rear section (23) thereof, wherein the lower seat cushion (22) is pivotable between a lowered operating position and a raised stowed position; a stop surface (48) which is provided on the seat support bracket (28); a latch (52) pivotally mounted on the frame assembly (24) of the lower seat cushion (22), the latch (52) having a bearing surface (60) adapted to engage against the stop surface (48), and an unlocked state wherein the bearing surface (60) of the latch (52) can move relative to the stop surface (48), and a locked state wherein the bearing surface (60) of the latch (52) is held in engagement against the stop surface (48) when the lower seat cushion (22) is in the raised stowed position; and an inertial element (76) which is pivotally and operatively coupled to the frame assembly (24) of the lower seat cushion (22) and operatively coupled to the latch (52), wherein the inertial element (76) has a first rotational position corresponding to the unlocked state of the latch (52) and allows movement of the lower seat cushion (22) from the raised stowed position to the lowered operating position, and a second rotational position corresponding to the locked state of the latch (52) and prevents movement of the lower seat cushion (22) from the raised stowed position to the lowered operating position, wherein the inertial element (76) moves from the first position to the second position upon a predetermined deceleration of the motor vehicle (6).

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a device and method for using a motor vehicle seat assembly with a lower seat cushion in a folding seat style that can be raised into a raised stowed position, and in particular to an inertial locking element for preventing the movement of the lower seat cushion in a folding seat style in the raised stowed position in the event of a sudden braking of the motor vehicle. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Motor vehicles are frequently equipped with lower seat cushions in the so-called "folding seat" style, particularly when used in rear seating positions in small and medium-sized trucks. Such lower seat cushions can be held in the lowered operating position by gravity and a spring-loaded locking lug. When the lower seat cushion is pushed upwards into a "folding" or raised stowed position, it is held in place by a latch and a manual handle release. A latch is desirable to hold the cushion in the raised position during a sudden braking event, where the vehicle may be subjected to deceleration loads of 2 to 10 G in the forward direction. However, the handle release is costly, prone to damage, and sometimes inconvenient.

[0003] Prior art EP 0 978 414 A2 describes a seat assembly comprising a seat support bracket, a locking bar, and an inertial element.

[0004] US 4 118 067 A1 describes a seat assembly comprising a seat support bracket, a latch, and an inertial element.

[0005] In DE 10 2016 104 902 A1 an inertial locking arrangement for an armrest is described, comprising a seat assembly, a bolt and an inertial element.

[0006] Furthermore, US 9 352 672 B2 describes a seat assembly with a seat support bracket, a latch and an inertial element.

[0007] The object of the invention is to provide a seat assembly and a method wherein an unwanted movement of the lower seat cushion in the folding seat style in the raised stowed position is prevented without the need for a manually operated handle release.

[0008] The problem is solved by a seat assembly and by a method having the features of claims 1, 11 and 16. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a motor vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat support bracket, a lower seat cushion comprising a frame assembly pivotally mounted at a rear section thereof on a seat support bracket, wherein the lower seat cushion is pivotable between a lowered operating position and a raised stowed position, a stop surface provided on the seat support bracket, and a latch pivotally provided on the frame assembly of the lower seat cushion, wherein the latch has a bearing surface adapted to engage in abutment against the stop surface, and an unlocked state wherein the bearing surface of the latch can move relative to the stop surface, and a locked state wherein the bearing surface of the latch is held in engagement in abutment against the stop surface when the lower seat cushion is in the raised stowed position.An inertial element is pivotally coupled to the frame assembly of the lower seat cushion and to the locking mechanism. The inertial element has a first rotational position, corresponding to the unlocked state of the locking mechanism, which allows movement of the lower seat cushion from the raised stowed position to the lowered operating position, and a second rotational position, corresponding to the locked state of the locking mechanism, which prevents movement of the lower seat cushion from the raised stowed position to the lowered operating position. The inertial element moves from the first position to the second position when the motor vehicle decelerates under a predetermined braking force.

[0010] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a seat assembly comprises a seat support bracket comprising a stop surface, a seat cushion comprising a frame assembly pivotally attached to the seat support bracket at a rear section thereof, a latch pivotally attached to the frame assembly of the seat cushion in a raised stowed position and having a locked state in which a bearing surface of the latch is held against the stop surface, and a pivoting inertial element which brings the latch into the locked state at a predetermined deceleration.

[0011] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for holding a lower seat cushion of a motor vehicle in a raised, stowed position during a predetermined deceleration of the motor vehicle is disclosed, wherein the lower seat cushion comprises a frame assembly and a cushion assembly connected to the frame assembly, the frame assembly being pivotably mounted on a seat support bracket, and the lower seat cushion being pivotable between a lowered operating position and the raised, stowed position. The method comprises the steps of pivotally mounting a latch on the frame assembly of the lower seat cushion, wherein the latch has an unlocked state, in which a bearing surface of the latch can move relative to a stop surface on the seat support bracket, and a locked state, in which the bearing surface of the latch is held against the stop surface on the seat support bracket.Pivoting attachment of an inertial element to the frame assembly of the lower seat cushion, wherein the inertial element has a first position corresponding to the unlocked state of the latch and permits movement of the lower seat cushion between the raised stowed position and the lowered deployment position, and a second position corresponding to the locked state of the latch and prevents movement of the lower seat cushion from the raised stowed position to the lowered deployment position, and movement of the inertial element from the first position to the second position during the predetermined deceleration of the motor vehicle.

[0012] These and other aspects, tasks and features of the present invention will become clear and understandable to those skilled in the art after considering the following description, claims and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] They show: Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle whose passenger side doors have been removed, showing a motor vehicle seat assembly equipped with a lower seat cushion in the so-called “folding seat style”, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. Figure 2 is a perspective front view of the right frame assembly and seat support bracket of the motor vehicle seat assembly. Fig. 1 in the lowered deployment position; Fig. 3 is a side view of the right frame assembly and seat support bracket of the motor vehicle seat assembly made of Fig. 1 in the lowered deployment position; Fig. 4 is a side view of the right frame assembly and seat support bracket of the motor vehicle seat assembly made of Fig. 1 in the raised stowed position; Fig. Figure 5 is a perspective front view of the upper extension arm of the bolt and the inertial element in the first rotation position of the motor vehicle seat assembly. Fig. 1 in the raised stowed position; Fig. Figure 6 is a side view of the inertial element in the first rotational position, while the motor vehicle seat assembly is made of Fig. 1. is moved normally from the raised stowed position; and Fig. Figure 7 is a side view of the inertial element in the second rotational position, while the motor vehicle seat assembly is made of Fig. 1 is subject to a sudden braking event. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS

[0014] For the purposes of this description, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “rear”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “inner”, “outer” and derivatives thereof refer to the invention in the orientation shown. Fig. 1. However, it is understood that the invention can take various alternative configurations unless otherwise stated. It is also understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following description are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the accompanying claims. Specific dimensions and other physical properties relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are therefore not considered limiting unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0015] Referring to Fig. Reference numeral 10 generally denotes one or more motor vehicle seat assemblies for a motor vehicle 6, which are installed in a passenger compartment 8 of the motor vehicle 6. As is typical, the seat assembly 10 comprises a lower seat assembly 12 and an upwardly extending backrest assembly 14. The backrest assembly 14 preferably carries a headrest 16. In the case of the front seating positions FP, the upwardly extending backrest assembly 14 can be pivotally coupled to the lower seat assembly 12, such that the upwardly extending backrest assembly 14 can be moved between an upright position and a folded-down position relative to the lower seat assembly 12.The headrest 16 is operatively and preferably slidably connected to the backrest assembly 14 and is also positioned in different positions and heights relative to the upwardly extending backrest assembly 14 to support the head and neck of a driver or passenger.

[0016] In the case of rear seating positions RP, the configuration of seat assembly 10 can employ seat assemblies that include a lower seat assembly 20 in a so-called "folding seat style". This is particularly relevant when applied to rear seating positions RP in small and medium-sized trucks. The lower seat assembly 20 in the "folding seat style" comprises a lower seat cushion 22 with a frame assembly 24 and a cushion assembly 26 connected to the frame assembly 24. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the lower seat assembly 20 in "folding seat style" also includes a seat support bracket 28, wherein the lower seat cushion 22 is pivotally attached to a rear section 23 of the seat support bracket 28 and can be pivoted between a lowered operating position and a raised stowed position by means of a pivot pin P, as shown in Figure 2. Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows that the seat support bracket 28 has a front foot 30 and a rear foot 32, each adapted for installation on a floor plate 34 of the motor vehicle 6. The seat support bracket 28 can also optionally be provided with an upper pivot pin P' to which the upwardly extending backrest assembly 14 can be pivotably attached to the seat assembly 10.

[0017] It should be noted that the frame assembly 24 and seat support bracket 28 are made of Fig. 2 are adapted for use on the right side of the lower seat assembly 20 and that a corresponding frame assembly 24 and seat support bracket 28 may be provided on the opposite left side of the motor vehicle seat assembly 100 (not shown).

[0018] The remaining features of the frame assembly 24 and seat support bracket 28, which are described below, can also be provided on the opposite side of the seat assembly 10, but are preferably omitted for reasons of weight and cost.

[0019] Preferably, the seat support bracket 28 is provided with a semicircular slot 36 extending approximately 90° and defining the arc of movement of a frame assembly guide pin 38 which is received in the semicircular slot 36. When the lower seat cushion 22 is in the lower insertion position, the frame assembly guide pin 38 is in contact with an upper end 40 of the semicircular slot 36, so that the lower seat assembly 20 can present a normal seat, with the lower seat cushion 22 extending horizontally on which an occupant can be carried, as shown in Fig. Figure 3 shows that when the lower seat cushion 22 is in the raised stowed position, the frame assembly guide pin 38 is in contact with a lower end 42 of the semicircular slot 36, with the lower seat cushion 22 extending vertically upwards, as shown in Figure 3. Fig. 4 shown. With the lower seat cushion 22 in the raised stowed position, additional floor space and additional room in the passenger compartment 8 can be obtained, as shown in Fig. 1 shown.

[0020] According to the present disclosure, a stop plate 44 is preferably attached to the seat support bracket 28 near the pivot pin P and is preferably provided with a convex curved upper section 46 that defines a stop surface 48 near a front end 50 of the stop plate 44. Likewise, a latch 52 is preferably pivotally attached to the frame assembly 24 of the lower seat cushion 22 by means of a pivot pin P''. Preferably, the latch 52 has an upper extension arm 54 and a lower lowering arm 56, wherein the lower lowering arm 56 has a convex curved lower section 58 that defines a bearing surface 60.To protect the rotation of the bolt 52 from obstruction and / or blockage, the bolt 52 is preferably arranged to rotate between the frame assembly 24 and an outer support 62 which extends over the bolt (except for the upper extension arm 54), the front end of the stop plate 44 and the pivot pin P'' and substantially superimposes them, as best shown in . Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 can be seen.

[0021] The bolt 52 preferably further comprises a bolt torsion spring 64, which is mounted around the pivot pin P'' of the bolt. The bolt torsion spring 64 is connected to a first leg 66, which is operatively coupled to the upper extension arm 54 of the bolt 52 and forces the bolt 52 counterclockwise, as shown in Fig. shown in Figures 3-7, and provided with a second leg 68, which is held back by a stop 70 on the outer bracket 62. When the lower seat cushion 22 is in the lowered operating position, the locking bolt torsion spring 64 presses a spring-loaded detent 72 on the lower lowering arm 56 of the bolt 52 against a spring-loaded detent 74 at the front end 50 of the stop plate 44. In addition to gravity, the lower seat cushion 22 is thereby actively held in the lowered operating position, as shown in Figure 3-7. Fig. 3 shown.

[0022] When the lower seat cushion 22 is in the raised stowed position, the torsion spring 64 similarly presses the bearing surface 60 of the lower drop arm 56 of the bolt 52 against the stop surface 48 of the stop plate 44 to elastically hold the lower seat cushion 22 in the raised stowed position. The lower seat cushion 22 is thus held in the raised stowed position by the bearing surface 60 provided on the bolt 52, which engages with the stop surface 48 on the stop plate 44, as shown in Fig. 4 shown.

[0023] With lower seat cushions in the "folding seat style" of the prior art, after arranging the lower seat cushion 22 in the raised, stowed, or "folded" position, it was necessary to manually actuate a handle release (not shown) that is operatively coupled to the latch 52 in order to overcome the latch torsion spring 64 and thereby release the latch 52, allowing the lower seat cushion 22 to be rotated into the lowered operating position. However, such a handle release proved to be costly and prone to damage. Furthermore, operating the manually actuated handle release could sometimes be cumbersome.However, the absence of the ability to retain the lower seat cushion 22 in the raised stowed position may cause the lower seat cushion 22 to rotate in an undesirable manner from the raised stowed position to the lower operating position if the motor vehicle 6 is subjected to sudden braking loads of 2 to 10 G in the forward direction.

[0024] According to the present disclosure, and in connection with the fact that the lower seat cushion 22 is held in the raised stowed position, the lower seat cushion 22 can be returned to the lowered operating position without the need for manual release of a handle. The latch 52 accordingly has an unlocked state, in which the bearing surface 60 of the latch can move relative to the stop surface 48 of the stop plate 44, and a locked state, in which the bearing surface 60 of the latch 52 is held in engagement with the stop surface 48 of the stop plate 44 when the lower seat cushion 22 is in the raised stowed position.

[0025] For this reason, an inertial element 76 is provided, which is pivotally connected via a pivot pin P''' and operatively coupled to the frame assembly 24 of the lower seat cushion 22 and operatively coupled to the bar 52. The inertial element 76 is preferably attached at a first end 78 to the outer support 62, as shown in Fig. 5 shown, and comprises an L-shaped slot 80 at an opposite second end 82 of the inertial member 76. The L-shaped slot 80 is provided with a displacement slot section 84, which is oriented substantially in accordance with the pivot pin P''' of the inertial member 76, and a stop slot section 86, which is oriented substantially orthogonally to the displacement slot section 84.

[0026] The inertial member 76 preferably includes an inertial torsion spring 88, which is mounted around the pivot pin P''' of the inertial member 76. The inertial torsion spring 88 is similarly provided with a first leg 90, which is operatively coupled to the inertial member 76 and forces the inertial member 76 into a first rotational position when the lower seat cushion 22 is in the raised, stowed position. The inertial torsion spring 88 also includes a second leg 92, which is operatively coupled to the lower seat cushion 22 via a stop 94 attached to the outer bracket 62, which in turn is attached to the frame assembly 24.

[0027] The upper extension arm 54 of the latch 52 preferably comprises a latch pin 96, which is slidably received in the L-shaped slot 80. The latch pin 96 normally moves within the displacement slot section 84 of the L-shaped slot 80 when the lower seat cushion 22 rotates between the lowered operating position and the raised stowed position, and the latch 52 rotates clockwise when the convex curved bearing surface 60 of the lower extension arm 56 of the latch 52 moves relative to the convex curved stop surface 48 of the stop plate 44. The latch pin 96 moves within the stop slot section 86 only in the event of a sudden deceleration of the motor vehicle 6, as further discussed below.

[0028] The inertial element 76 thus has a first rotational position, as shown in Fig. Figure 4 shows the unlocked state of the latch 52, which allows movement of the latch pin 96 in the displacement slot section 84 of the L-shaped slot 80, thereby allowing movement of the lower seat cushion 22 between the raised stowed position and the lowered deployment position. The inertial element 76 thus also has a second rotation position, as shown in Fig. 7, which corresponds to the locked state of the bolt 52, wherein the bolt pin 96 moves along the stop slot section 86 of the L-shaped slot 80 and thereby prevents movement of the lower seat cushion 22 from the raised stowed position into the lowered operating position.

[0029] During operation, the spring-loaded detent lugs 72, 74 of both the lower arm 56 of the latch 52 and the front end 50 of the stop plate 44 hold the lower seat cushion 22 in position when the lower seat cushion 22 is in the lowered operating position. When and while the lower seat cushion 22 is raised into its stowed position, the operator must apply a clockwise force F against the thrust of the latch torsion spring 64 to rotate the lower seat cushion 22 and the attached latch 52 clockwise around the pivot pin P''. As the latch 52 rotates clockwise, the spring-loaded detent lug 72 on the lower arm 56 of the latch 52 is rotated away from and released from the spring-loaded detent lug 74 on the front end 50 of the stop plate 44.

[0030] As the lower seat cushion 22 continues to rotate upwards, the convex curved bearing surface 60 of the lower drop arm 56 of the bolt 52 engages in sliding and rotational engagement with the convex curved stop surface 48 of the stop plate 44. The bolt 52 rotates clockwise, and the bolt pin 96 slides outwards in the displacement slot section 84 of the L-shaped slot 80, while simultaneously the lower drop arm 56 of the bolt 52 is forced counterclockwise by the bolt torsion spring 64. When the lower seat cushion 22 essentially reaches the vertical position, the bearing surface 60 of the lower drop arm 56 of the bolt rotates into a bearing and engagement position relative to the stop surface 48 of the stop plate 44.Preferably, the frame assembly guide pin 38 in the semicircular slot 36 allows the lower seat cushion 22 to rotate slightly beyond the center, such that the locking torsion spring 64 can rotate the locking bar 52 completely counterclockwise to provide full engagement of the bearing surface 60 with the stop surface 48.

[0031] According to the present disclosure, the lower seat cushion 22 can be held in and released from the raised stowed position without the need for manual actuation of a handle release. That is, once the lower seat cushion 22 is in the raised stowed position, it is generally prevented from rotating counterclockwise into the lowered operating position by the pressure of the locking torsion spring 64 on the upper extended arm 54 of the locking bar 52, thereby exerting a sufficient force against the interface of the bearing surface 60 of the lower lowering arm 56 of the locking bar 52 and the stop surface 48 of the stop plate 44 to hold the lower seat cushion 22 in its position under normal conditions.However, the lower seat cushion 22 can be moved easily if an operator – again against the pressure of the locking spring 64 – exerts a counterclockwise force F' on the lower seat cushion 22 to rotate the bolt 52 counterclockwise around the pivot pin P''. As the lower seat cushion 22 moves downwards counterclockwise and the bolt 52 rotates clockwise relative to the lower seat cushion 22, the bearing surface 60 of the lower drop arm 56 of the bolt 52 shifts and rotates relative to the stop surface 48 of the stop plate 44, while the locking pin 96 shifts outwards again in the displacement slot section 84 of the L-shaped slot 80.

[0032] In both directions of rotation of the lower seat cushion 22, the locking pin 96 is thus displaced in the displacement slot section 84 of the L-shaped slot 80 when the lower seat cushion 22 is pivoted between the lowered insertion position and the raised stowed position, while the bearing surface 60 of the locking bolt 52 moves relative to the stop surface 48 of the stop plate 44. The inertia element 76 is held in the first rotational position by the pressure of the inertia element torsion spring 88 to facilitate the movement of the locking pin 96 in the displacement slot 84.

[0033] However, if the motor vehicle 6 experiences a sudden deceleration exceeding a predetermined deceleration, the mass of the inertial element 76 rotates the inertial element 76 forward and counterclockwise against the force exerted by the inertial element torsion spring 88, from the first rotational position, corresponding to the unlocked state of the bolt, to the second rotational position, corresponding to the locked state of the bolt. As a result of this forward rotation of the inertial element 76, the locking pin 96 on the upper extension arm 54 of the bolt 52 enters the stop slot section 86 of the L-shaped slot 80 and is displaced therein, which restricts further movement of the bolt 52 and, due to the interaction of the bearing surface 60 and the stop surface 48, prevents movement of the lower seat cushion 22 from the raised stowed position to the lowered deployment position.After the end of the sudden braking event, the inertial torsion spring 88 brings the inertial member 76 into the first rotational position, which retracts the locking pin 96 on the upper extension arm 54 of the bolt 52 from the stop slot section 86 of the L-shaped slot 80, thereby allowing movement of the lower seat cushion 22 from the raised stowed position to the lowered operating position.

[0034] According to the present disclosure, the inertial element 76 therefore moves from the first rotational position to the second rotational position in the event of a sudden deceleration of the motor vehicle 6, preferably in the case that the deceleration of the motor vehicle 6 exceeds the predetermined deceleration, for example, if the deceleration exceeds 2Gs. However, it should be noted that, according to the present disclosure, the degree of sudden deceleration can be easily changed by changing the mass of the inertial element 76, the number of springs of the inertial element torsion spring 88, and the friction provided at the interface between the inertial element 76 and the frame assembly 24 at the pivot pin P'''.

[0035] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all its forms: coupling, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the direct or indirect connection of two components (electrical or mechanical). Such a connection may be stationary or movable. Such a connection may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any further intermediate elements formed integrally as a single, one-piece body with each other or with the two components. Such a connection may be permanent or removable or detachable, unless otherwise specified.

[0036] In the context of this revelation, the term “interacting” generally means that one component functions in relation to another component, even if other components are positioned between the first and second components, and the term “interacting” defines a functional relationship between components.

Claims

[1] Seat assembly (20) for a motor vehicle (6), comprising: a seat carrier bracket (28); a lower seat cushion (22) comprising a frame assembly (24) pivotally attached to the seat support bracket (28) at a rear section (23) thereof, wherein the lower seat cushion (22) is pivotable between a lowered operating position and a raised stowed position; a stop surface (48) which is provided on the seat support bracket (28); a latch (52) pivotally mounted on the frame assembly (24) of the lower seat cushion (22), the latch (52) having a bearing surface (60) adapted to engage against the stop surface (48), and an unlocked state wherein the bearing surface (60) of the latch (52) can move relative to the stop surface (48), and a locked state wherein the bearing surface (60) of the latch (52) is held in engagement against the stop surface (48) when the lower seat cushion (22) is in the raised stowed position; and an inertial element (76) which is pivotally and operatively coupled to the frame assembly (24) of the lower seat cushion (22) and operatively coupled to the latch (52), wherein the inertial element (76) has a first rotational position corresponding to the unlocked state of the latch (52) and allows movement of the lower seat cushion (22) from the raised stowed position to the lowered operating position, and a second rotational position corresponding to the locked state of the latch (52) and prevents movement of the lower seat cushion (22) from the raised stowed position to the lowered operating position, wherein the inertial element (76) moves from the first position to the second position upon a predetermined deceleration of the motor vehicle (6). [2] Motor vehicle seat assembly (20) according to claim 1, wherein the latch (52) has an upper extension arm (54) and a lower lowering arm (56), wherein the lower lowering arm (56) has a curved lower section (58) defining the bearing surface (60), and the seat support bracket (28) comprises a curved upper section (46) defining the stop surface (48). [3] Motor vehicle seat assembly (20) according to claim 2, wherein the upper extension arm (54) of the latch (52) comprises a latch pin (96) and the inertial member (76) comprises a slot (80) in which the latch pin (96) is slidably received. [4] Motor vehicle seat assembly (20) according to claim 3, wherein the slot (80) has an L-shaped slot (80) with a displacement slot section (84) which is substantially aligned in accordance with a pivot pin (P''') of the inertial member (76) and a stop slot section (86) which is substantially orthogonal to the displacement slot section (84). [5] Motor vehicle seat assembly (20) according to claim 4, wherein the locking pin (96) is displaced in the displacement slot section (84) of the L-shaped slot (80) when the lower seat cushion (22) is pivoted between the lowered insertion position and the raised stowed position, while the bearing surface (60) of the locking pin (52) moves relative to the stop surface (48). [6] Motor vehicle seat assembly (20) according to claim 5, wherein the latch (52) further comprises an elastic element which presses the lower drop arm (56) of the latch (52) against the stop surface (48) in order to hold the lower seat cushion (22) elastically in the raised stowed position. [7] Motor vehicle seat assembly (20) according to claim 6, wherein the elastic element comprises a torsion spring (64) which is mounted around a pivot pin (P'') of the bolt (52) which is attached to the lower seat cushion (22), wherein the torsion spring (64) has a first leg (66) which is operatively coupled to the upper extension arm (54) of the bolt (52) and a second leg (68) which is operatively coupled to the lower seat cushion (22). [8] Motor vehicle seat assembly (20) according to claim 1, wherein the inertial member (76) further comprises an elastic element which forces the inertial member (76) into the first rotational position when the lower seat cushion (22) is in the raised stowed position. [9] Motor vehicle seat assembly (20) according to claim 8, wherein the elastic element comprises an inertial torsion spring (88) which is mounted around a pivot pin (P''') of the inertial member (76) which is attached to the lower seat cushion (22), wherein the inertial torsion spring (88) has a first leg (66) which is operatively coupled to the inertial member (76) and a second leg (68) which is operatively coupled to the lower seat cushion (22). [10] Motor vehicle seat assembly (20) according to claim 1, wherein the inertial member (76) moves from the first position to the second position when the predetermined deceleration of the motor vehicle (6) exceeds 2Gs. [11] Seat assembly (20), comprising: a seat support bracket (28) comprising a stop surface (48); a seat cushion (22) comprising a frame assembly (24) which is pivotally attached to the seat support bracket (28) at a rear section (23) thereof; a latch (52) which is pivotally attached to the frame assembly (24) of the seat cushion (22) in a raised stowed position and has a locked state which holds a bearing surface (60) of the latch (52) in contact with the stop surface (48); and a pivoting inertial element (76) that brings the bolt (52) into the locked state at a predetermined deceleration. [12] Seat assembly (20) according to claim 11, wherein the seat cushion (22) comprises a cushion assembly (26) which is connected to the frame assembly (24), and the seat cushion (22) is pivotable between a lowered operating position and a raised stowed position. [13] Seat assembly (20) according to claim 12, further comprising a stop plate (44) which is operatively coupled to the seat support bracket (28), wherein the stop plate (44) comprises a curved upper section (46) which defines the stop surface (48), wherein the bolt (52) comprises an upper extension arm and (54) a lower drop arm (56), wherein the upper extension arm (54) of the bolt (52) comprises a bolt pin (96) and the lower drop arm (56) comprises a curved lower section (58) that defines the bearing surface (60), and the inertial member (76) comprises an L-shaped slot (80) in which the locking pin (96) is slidably received, the L-shaped slot (80) further comprising a displacement slot section (84) which is substantially aligned in accordance with a pivot pin (P''') of the inertial member (76), and a stop slot section (86) which is substantially orthogonal to the displacement slot section (84), such that the locking pin (96) is displaced in the displacement slot section (84) of the slot (80) when the lower seat cushion (22) pivots between the lowered operating position and the raised stowed position, while during the predetermined deceleration the bearing surface (60) of the bolt (52) moves relative to the stop surface (48) of the stop plate (44) and the locking pin (96) is displaced in the stop slot section (86). [14] Seat assembly (20) according to claim 13, wherein the latch (52) further comprises a latch torsion spring (64) which is mounted around a pivot pin (P") of the latch (52), wherein the latch torsion spring (64) has a first leg (66) which is operatively coupled to the extension arm section of the latch (52) and presses the lower drop arm (56) of the latch (52) against the stop surface (48) of the stop plate (44) in order to elastically hold the lower seat cushion (22) in the raised stowed position, and a second leg (68) which is operatively coupled to the lower seat cushion (22). [15] Seat assembly (20) according to claim 14, wherein the inertial member (76) further comprises an inertial member torsion spring (88) which is mounted around a pivot pin (P''') of the inertial member (76), wherein the inertial member torsion spring (88) has a first leg (66) which is operatively coupled to the inertial member (76) and forces the inertial member (76) into an unlocked state when the lower seat cushion (22) is in the raised stowed position, and a second leg (68) which is operatively coupled to the lower seat cushion (22). [16] Method for holding a lower seat cushion (22) of a motor vehicle (6) in a raised stowed position during a predetermined sudden braking of the motor vehicle (6), wherein the lower seat cushion (22) comprises a frame assembly (24) and a cushion assembly (26) connected to the frame assembly (24), wherein the frame assembly (24) is pivotably attached at a rear section (23) thereof to a seat support bracket (28) and the lower seat cushion (22) is pivotable between a lowered operating position and the raised stowed position, the method comprising the following steps: pivoting attachment of a latch (52) to the frame assembly (24) of the lower seat cushion (22), wherein the latch (52) has an unlocked state, wherein a bearing surface (60) of the latch (52) can move relative to a stop surface (48) on the seat support bracket (28), and a locked state, wherein the bearing surface (60) of the latch (52) is held in contact with the stop surface (48) on the seat support bracket (28); pivoting attachment of an inertial element (76) to the frame assembly (24) of the lower seat cushion (22), wherein the inertial element (76) has a first rotational position corresponding to the unlocked state of the latch (52) and permits movement of the lower seat cushion (22) between the raised stowed position and the lowered deployment position, and a second rotational position corresponding to the locked state of the latch (52) and prevents movement of the lower seat cushion (22) from the raised stowed position to the lowered deployment position; and Moving the inertial element (76) from the first rotational position to the second rotational position during the specified deceleration of the motor vehicle (6). [17] Method according to claim 16, wherein the latch (52) has an upper extension arm (54) and a lower lowering arm (56), wherein the lower lowering arm (56) has a curved lower section (58) defining the bearing surface (60), and the seat support bracket (28) further comprises a stop plate (44) attached thereto, wherein the stop plate (44) comprises a curved upper section (46) defining the stop surface (48). [18] The method of claim 17, further comprising the following step: Attaching a locking torsion spring (64) around a pivot pin (P") of the bolt (52), wherein the locking torsion spring (64) comprises a first leg (66) which is operatively coupled to the extension arm section of the bolt (52) and forces the lower drop arm (56) of the bolt (52) against the stop surface (48) of the stop plate (44) in order to elastically hold the lower seat cushion (22) in the raised stowed position, and a second leg (68) which is operatively coupled to the lower seat cushion (22). [19] The method of claim 18, further comprising the following step: Attaching an inertial torsion spring (88) around a pivot pin (P''') of the inertial member (76), wherein the inertial torsion spring (88) comprises a first leg (66) which is operatively coupled to the inertial member (76) and forces the inertial member (76) into the first rotational position when the lower seat cushion (22) is in the raised stowed position, and a second leg (68) which is operatively coupled to the lower seat cushion (22). [20] The method of claim 19, further comprising the following steps: Providing the upper extension arm (54) of the bolt (52) with a bolt pin (96); Providing the inertial member (76) with an L-shaped slot (80) in which the locking pin (96) is slidably received, wherein the L-shaped slot (80) further comprises a displacement slot section (84) which is substantially aligned in accordance with a pivot pin (P''') of the inertial member (76) and a stop slot section (86) which is substantially orthogonal to the displacement slot section (84); Displacement of the locking pin (96) in the displacement slot section (84) of the L-shaped slot (80) when the lower seat cushion (22) pivots between the lowered insertion position and the raised stowed position, while the bearing surface (60) of the locking bolt (52) moves relative to the stop surface (48) of the stop plate (44); and Displacement of the locking pin (96) in the stop slot section (86) of the L-shaped slot (80) during the specified deceleration of the motor vehicle (6).

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