Seat assembly for an automobile

Claim 1

A seat assembly for an automobile providing means for rearward adjustment to a plurality of inclined positions including horizontal and means for forwardly folding the seat assembly, the seat assembly comprising: (a) a seat swingable about a transverse axis; (b) a seat back; (c) first bracket means, including a plurality of locking recesses, secured to said seat; (d) second bracket means secured to said seat back; (e) counter bracket means; (f) releasing means; (g) actuating lever means; (h) a first pivot pin pivotally connecting one end of said counter bracket means to said first bracket means, said first pivot pin passing through openings in said releasing means and said actuating lever means; (i) a second pivot pin pivotally connecting the other end of said counter bracket means to said second bracket means; (j) first locking means for releasably locking said counter bracket means to said first bracket means preventing movement relative to each other comprising: (1) a latch means disposed between said counter bracket means and said second bracket means; and (2) a first locking pin secured to said latch means and received in a slot in said counter bracket means and adapted to selectively engage the plurality of locking recesses in said first bracket means; (k) second locking means for releasably locking said counter bracket means to said second bracket means preventing movement relative to each other, comprising: (1) a second locking pin secured to said counter bracket means and adapted to engage a locking recess in said latch means; and (2) means for biasing said latch means in a direction for engaging said second locking pin with said locking recess, said second locking means being released by said releasing means when said first locking means has been released and when said second bracket means has been pivotally moved with respect to said first bracket means in a direction to place the seat back over the seat; and (l) guide means for guiding a portion of said counter bracket means in such a manner that the point of connection between said first bracket means and counter bracket means is moved when said seat back is moved to a horizontal position so that said seat is moved to a horizontal position to provide a bed together with said seat back.