# US 11,897,587 B1 · Convertible seating system with raised seating surface for marine vessels > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,897,587 B1 - Document ID: US11897587B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 17/400,971 - Filed: 2021-08-12 - Granted: 2024-02-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-12-01 - Assignees: Brunswick Corporation - Applicants: Brunswick Corporation - Inventors: Kevin Farrell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11897587B1 ## CPC - B63B 29/04: Furniture peculiar to vessels (floatable furniture B63C9/30) - B60N 2/30: Non-dismountable {or dismountable} seats storable in a non-use position, e.g. foldable spare seats - B60N 2/3013: {the back-rest being hinged on the vehicle frame} - B60N 2/305: {the cushion being hinged on the vehicle frame} - B60N 2/7005: {detachable} - B63B 2029/043: {Seats; Arrangements thereof on vessels} - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A convertible seating system for a marine vessel that is movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration is provided. The convertible seating system includes a backrest component that is pivotably coupled to a recessed compartment formed in a deck portion of the marine vessel, and a seat component that is pivotably coupled to the recessed compartment. The seat component is flush with the deck portion when the convertible seating system is in the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration. The seat component further pivots upwardly from the deck portion to permit the backrest component to pivot upwardly from inside the recessed compartment in the stowed configuration to outside the recessed component in the deployed configuration. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A convertible seating system for a marine vessel that is movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, the convertible seating system comprising: a backrest component that is pivotably coupled to a recessed compartment formed in a deck portion of the marine vessel, wherein the backrest component is located inside the recessed compartment when the convertible seating system is in the stowed configuration and outside the recessed compartment when the convertible seating system is in the deployed configuration; and a seat component that is pivotably coupled to the recessed compartment, wherein the seat component is flush with the deck portion when the convertible seating system is in the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration; wherein the seat component pivots upwardly from the deck portion to permit the backrest component to pivot upwardly from inside the recessed compartment in the stowed configuration to outside the recessed compartment in the deployed configuration. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The convertible seating system of claim 1, wherein the seat component pivots upwardly from the deck portion in a first direction to permit the backrest component to pivot upwardly in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The convertible seating system of claim 1, wherein the backrest component is pivotably coupled to a rear wall of the recessed compartment and wherein the seat component is pivotably coupled proximate a front end of the recessed compartment opposite the rear wall. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The convertible seating system of claim 1, further comprising a backrest biasing device configured to assist in pivoting the backrest component from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The convertible seating system of claim 4, wherein the backrest biasing device is a gas spring. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The convertible seating system of claim 4, wherein the backrest biasing device is a tether coupled to the seat component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The convertible seating system of claim 1, further comprising a seat biasing device configured to assist in pivoting the seat component from the stowed configuration to a transitional configuration in which the seat component is pivoted upwardly from the deck portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The convertible seating system of claim 7, wherein the seat biasing device is a gas spring. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The convertible seating system of claim 1, wherein the seat component is retained in the stowed configuration using a cam latch. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The convertible seating system of claim 1, further comprising a seat cushion that is detachably coupled to the seat component. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The convertible seating system of claim 10, further comprising a backrest stop component coupled to a sidewall of the recessed compartment, wherein the backrest stop component is configured to arrest rotation of the backrest component beyond the stowed configuration. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The convertible seating system of claim 11, wherein the seat cushion is configured to be stowed beneath the backrest component in the recessed compartment when the convertible seating system is in the stowed configuration. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The convertible seating system of claim 1, further comprising a backrest cushion that is fixedly coupled to the backrest component. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The convertible seating system of claim 13, wherein the backrest cushion is coupled to a seat cushion using a fabric hinge. ### Claim 15 A convertible seating system for a marine vessel that is movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, the convertible seating system comprising: a seat component that is pivotably coupled to a first end of a recessed compartment formed in a deck portion of the marine vessel; a backrest component that is pivotably coupled to a second end of the recessed compartment, wherein the second end is opposite the first end; wherein moving the convertible seating system from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration comprises pivoting the seat component upwardly from the deck portion in a first direction to permit the backrest component to pivot upwardly in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The convertible seating system of claim 13, further comprising a first gas spring and a second gas spring, wherein the first gas spring is configured to assist in pivoting the seat component in the first direction and the second gas spring is configured to assist in pivoting the backrest component in the second direction. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The convertible seating system of claim 13, wherein the seat component is retained in the stowed configuration using a cam latch. ### Claim 18 A method of converting a seating system for a marine vessel between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the method comprises: pivoting a seat component upwardly in a first direction from a seat stowed position in which the seat component is flush with a deck portion of the marine vessel, wherein pivoting the seat component upwardly permits a backrest biasing component to assist in pivoting a backrest component upwardly in a second direction from a backrest stowed position within a recessed compartment formed in the deck portion; and pivoting the seat component downwardly to the stowed position. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the backrest biasing component comprises a gas spring. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the backrest biasing component comprises a tether coupled to the seat component.