Vehicle armrest with automatic retraction

An armrest release mechanism for a seat assembly having a seat back and an armrest, the armrest release mechanism comprising:

• a pivot bush that is adapted to be connected to the seat back of the seat assembly;
• a release bracket that is fixed to the pivot bush;
• an armrest pivot that is supported on the pivot bush for relative rotational movement;
• a release board that is adapted to be fixed to the armrest of the seat assembly and supported on the pivot bush for relative rotational movement between a locked position and an unlocked position, the release board further including a pivot link that is adapted to be moved in response to movement of the seat back;
• and
• an armrest lock that is attached to the release bracket for relative movement, the armrest lock cooperatively attached to the release board such that:
• when the release board is in the locked position, the armrest lock is engaged with the armrest pivot to prevent movement of the armrest pivot relative to the pivot bush, and
• when the release board is in the unlocked position, the armrest lock is not engaged with the armrest pivot.