Reclining forward folding seat

Claim 2

A seat assembly comprising: a cushion frame, a back frame, said control means including first link means pivotally connected to said back frame through a first pivotal connection to define a reclining axis about which said back frame reclines and pivotally connected to said cushion frame through a second pivotal connection to define a forward folding axis about which said back frame pivots forwardly relative to said cushion frame, and means engageable with said first link means for automatically preventing said first link means from pivoting about said reclining axis during forward folding movement of said back frame from said upright seat-forming position until said back frame returns to said upright position and for automatically preventing said first link means from pivoting about said forward folding axis during reclining movement of said back frame from said upright seat-forming position until said back frame returns to said upright position.

Claim 3

An assembly as set forth in claim 1 including positioning means for positioning said back frame in any one of various reclined positions.

Claim 4

An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said last-mentioned means includes first stop means for limiting reclining movement of said back frame.

Claim 5

An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said last-mentioned means includes second stop means for limiting folding movement of said back frame.

Claim 6

An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control means includes second link means operable with said back frame and said first link means for allowing reclining movement of said back frame by allowing said back frame to pivot relative to said first link means while preventing movement of said first link means about said folding axis and for allowing folding movement of said back frame by allowing said first link means to pivot relative to said cushion frame about said folding axis while preventing said back frame from pivoting relative to said first link means.

Claim 7

An assembly as set forth in claim 5 including first stop means operable between said first and second link means and said back frame for limiting reclining movement of said back frame at said upright seat-forming position and at a fully reclined position.

Claim 8

An assembly as set forth in claim 6 including second stop means operable between said first and second link means and said back frame for limiting folding movement of said back frame at said upright seat-forming position and at a fully forwardly folded position.

Claim 9

A seat assembly comprising: a cushion frame, a back frame, control means operatively interconnecting said frames for allowing said back frame to recline from an upright seat-forming position while preventing forward folding movement thereof and for allowing forward folding movement of said back frame from said upright seat-forming position while preventing reclining movement thereof, said control means including at least one first pivotal connection for defining a reclining axis about which said back frame reclines relative to said cushion frame and at least one second pivotal connection for definiNg a forward folding axis about which said back frame pivots forwardly relative to said cushion frame to accomplish said forward folding movement, first link means pivotally connected to said cushion frame on said folding axis through said second pivotal connection and pivotally connected to said back frame so that said back frame may pivot relative thereto about said reclining axis, second link means operably with said back frame and said first link means for allowing reclining movement of said back frame by allowing said back frame to pivot relative to said first link means while preventing movement of said first link means about said folding axis and for allowing folding movement of said back frame by allowing said first link means to pivot relative to said cushion frame about said folding axis while preventing said back frame from pivoting relative to said first link means, said second link means being pivotally connected adjacent a first end thereof to said cushion frame for pivotal movement relative thereto about said reclining axis.

Claim 10

A seat assembly comprising: a cushion frame, a back frame, control means operatively interconnecting said frames for allowing said back frame to recline from an upright seat-forming position while preventing forward folding movement thereof and for allowing forward folding movement of said back frame from said upright seat-forming position while preventing reclining movement thereof, said control means including at least one first pivotal connection for defining a reclining axis about which said back frame reclines relative to said cushion frame and at least one second pivotal connection for definiNg a forward folding axis about which said back frame pivots forwardly relative to said cushion frame to accomplish said forward folding movement, first link means pivotally connected to said cushion frame on said folding axis through said second pivotal connection and pivotally connected to said back frame so that said back frame may pivot relative thereto about said reclining axis, second link means operably with said back frame and said first link means for allowing reclining movement of said back frame by allowing said back frame to pivot relative to said first link means while preventing movement of said first link means about said folding axis and for allowing folding movement of said back frame by allowing said first link means to pivot relative to said cushion frame about said folding axis while preventing said back frame from pivoting relative to said first link means, said second link means being pivotally connected adjacent a first end thereof to said cushion frame for pivotal movement relative thereto about said reclining axis.

Claim 11

An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said second link means has a second end and has at least one generally arcuate extremity between the ends thereof, said back frame includes an arcuate section having the same radius as said arcuate extremity of said second link means, said second link means and said arcuate section being generally coextensive in said upright seat-forming position, first flange means extending from said second link means for coacting with said arcuate section so that said second link means pivots about said reclining axis with said back frame at least in one direction to control the reclined position of said back frame.

Claim 12

An assembly as set forth in claim 9 including positioning means interconnecting said cushion frame and said second end of said second link means to control the pivotal movement of said second link means about said reclining axis for positioning said back frame in any one of various reclined positions.

Claim 13

An assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said second link means and said arcuate section are disposed in an arc about said first mentioned pivotal connection so that said arcuate section may move relative to said second link means by pivoting in said arc about said first-mentioned pivotal connection to allow forwardly folding movement of said back frame.

Claim 14

An assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said control means includes first stop means operable between said first and second link means and said back frame for limiting reclining movement of said back frame at said upright seat-forming position and at a fully reclined position.

Claim 15

An assembly as set forth in claim 12 wherein said control means includes second stop means operable between said first and second link means and said back frame for limiting folding movement of said back frame at said upright seat-forming position and at a fully forwardly folded position.

Claim 16

An assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein said first link means includes a first segment which is disposed in an arc about said first-mentioned pivotal connection and is generally coextensive with said arcuate section and said second link means when in said upright seat forming position.

Claim 17

An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said control means operatively interconnects said back frame and said cushion frame adjacent one side of said seat assembly and a single pivotal connection interconnects said back frame and said cushion frame adjacent the opposite side of said seat assembly so that said reclining axis and said folding axis intersect at said single pivotal connection.

Claim 18

An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said control means operatively interconnects said back frame and said cushion frame adjacent opposite sides of said seat assembly so that said reclining axis and said folding axis are generally parallel to one another.

Claim 19

An assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein said control means is disposed inwardly of the sides of said cushion frame.

Claim 20

An assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein each of said second link means, said arcuate section and said first segment has respective front and rear edges with said front edges being closer to said folding axis than said rear edges.

Claim 21

An assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said second stop means includes a stop tab extending from said rear edge of said first segment of said first link means for coacting with said rear edge of said arcuate section of said back frame and a portion of said back frame offset from one of said edges of said arcuate section and a first tab extending from one edge of said second link means for engaging the offset portion to limit folding movement in said upright seat-forming position as said back frame is pivoted from said forward folded position toward said upright seat-forming position and to support said back frame.

Claim 22

An assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein said first flange means includes a second tab extending from said front edge of said second link means to coact with said front edge of said arcuate section of said back frame whereby said arcuate section and said second link means pivot together during reclining movement of said back frame toward said fully reclined position.

Claim 23

An assembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein said first link means includes a second segment extending from one end of said first segment to said first-mentioned pivotal connection.

Claim 24

An assembly as set forth in claim 21 wherein said second stop means includes an extension of one of said first and second tabs for engaging said second segment of said first link means to prevent further folding movement of said back frame when the latter reaches said fully forwardly folded position.

Claim 25

An assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein said first stop means includes said first flange means and a first offset portion of said second segment of said first link means which coacts with said second tab to prevent further reclining movement of said back frame when the latter reaches said fully reclined position.

Claim 26

An assembly as set forth in claim 23 including a second offset portion in said second segment of said first link means for coacting with said second link means to prevent forward folding movement during reclining movement of said back frame and to prevent reclining movement during forward folding movement of said back frame.

Claim 27

An assembly as set forth in claim 24 wherein said control means operatively interconnects said back frame and said cushion frame adjacent one side of said seat assembly and a single pivotal connection interconnects said back frame and said cushion frame adjacent the opposite side of said seat assembly so that said reclining axis and said folding axis intersect at said single pivotal connection.

Claim 28

An assembly as set forth in claim 25 wherein said first tab extends from said rear edge of said second link means.

Claim 29

An assembly as set forth in claim 26 wherein said extension is part of said second tab on said front edge of said second link means.

Claim 30

An assembly as set forth in claim 27 wherein said first flange means includes a third tab extending from said rear edge of said second link means for coacting with said rear edge of said arcuate section of said back frame.

Claim 31

An assembly as set forth in claim 28 wherein said second offset portion of said second segment of said first link means comprises a fourth tab extending therefrom for coacting with the extremity of said first tab extending from said second link means during reclining movement and for coacting with said second tab of said second link means during forward folding movement.

Claim 32

An assembly as set forth in claim 29 wherein said first offset portion of said second segment of said first link means comprises a projection extending transversely from said fourth tab for coacting with said second tab of said second link means when said back frame reaches said fully reclined position.

Claim 33

An assemBly as set forth in claim 24 wherein said control means operatively interconnects said back frame and said cushion frame adjacent opposite sides of said seat assembly so that said reclining axis and said folding axis are generally parallel to one another.

Claim 34

An assembly as set forth in claim 31 wherein said first tab extends from said front edge of said second link means and is juxtaposed to said second tab.

Claim 35

An assembly as set forth in claim 32 wherein said extension is part of said first tab on said front edge of said second link means.

Claim 36

An assembly as set forth in claim 33 wherein said second offset portion of said second segment of said first link means comprises a jog therealong so that the portions of said second segment on opposite sides of said jog are in different planes whereby said jog coacts with said second end of said second link means during reclining movement and coacts with said second tab of said second link means during folding movement.

Claim 37

An assembly as set forth in claim 34 wherein said first offset portion of said second segment of said first link means comprises a hook for coacting with said second tab of said second link means when said back frame reaches said fully reclined position.

Claim 38

An assembly as set forth in claim 35 operatively interconnecting said back frame and said cushion frame adjacent one side of the seat assembly and including only a similar first link means and arcuate section of said back frame for interconnecting said back frame and said cushion frame on the opposite side of said seat assembly.