# US 11,999,445 B1 · Convertible seating system with ratcheting 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 11,999,445 B1 - Document ID: US11999445B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 17/400,981 - Filed: 2021-08-12 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2020-12-01 - Assignees: Brunswick Corporation - Applicants: Brunswick Corporation - Inventors: Kevin Farrell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11999445B1 ## CPC - B63B 29/04: Furniture peculiar to vessels (floatable furniture B63C9/30) - 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) ## 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 deck portion of the marine vessel. The backrest component includes a backrest cushion support portion and a projecting portion that extends from the backrest cushion support portion. The convertible seating system further includes a seat component that is pivotably coupled to a recessed compartment formed in the deck portion. The seat component includes a seat cushion support portion and a locking portion that extends from the seat cushion support portion. Pivoting the backrest component from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration causes the projecting portion to engage the locking portion and the seat component to pivot such that the seat cushion support portion moves upwardly relative to the deck portion 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 deck portion of the marine vessel, the backrest component comprising a backrest cushion support portion and a projecting portion that extends from the backrest cushion support portion; and a seat component that is pivotably coupled to a recessed compartment formed in the deck portion of the marine vessel, the seat component comprising a seat cushion support portion and a locking portion that extends from the seat cushion support portion; wherein pivoting the backrest component from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration causes the projecting portion of the backrest component to engage the locking portion of the seat component and the seat component to pivot such that the seat cushion support portion moves upwardly relative to the deck portion in the deployed configuration. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The convertible seating system of claim 1, wherein the backrest component further comprises a recess formed between the backrest cushion support portion and the projecting portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The convertible seating system of claim 2, wherein the locking portion of the seat component is located within the recess of the backrest component when the convertible seating system is in the deployed configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The convertible seating system of claim 1, wherein the projecting portion is orthogonal to the backrest cushion support portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The convertible seating system of claim 1, wherein the locking portion is orthogonal to the seat cushion support portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The convertible seating system of claim 1, wherein the backrest component is pivotably coupled to the deck portion using at least one backrest hinge. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The convertible seating system of claim 6, wherein the seat component is pivotably coupled to the recessed compartment using at least one seat component hinge. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The convertible seating system of claim 7, wherein the at least one seat component hinge is coupled to a sidewall of the recessed compartment. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The convertible seating system of claim 1, wherein the backrest component is level with the deck portion in the stowed configuration. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The convertible seating system of claim 1, wherein pivoting the backrest component from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration comprises rotating the backrest component more than 90 degrees. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The convertible seating system of claim 10, wherein the engagement between the projecting portion of the backrest component and the locking portion of the seat component causes the seat component to rotate less than 90 degrees from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration. ### Claim 12 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 recessed compartment comprising a plurality of sidewalls formed in a deck portion of the marine vessel; a seat component that is pivotably coupled to one of the plurality of sidewalls; a deck component that is located above at least a portion of the recessed compartment; and a backrest component that is pivotably coupled to the deck component; wherein pivoting the backrest component relative to the deck component from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration engages the seat component to cause the seat component to pivot. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The convertible seating system of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the backrest component is level with the deck portion and the deck component in the stowed configuration. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The convertible seating system of claim 12, wherein the seat component is pivotably coupled to the one of the plurality of sidewalls using at least one seat component hinge. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The convertible seating system of claim 12, wherein the backrest component is pivotably coupled to the deck component using at least one backrest component hinge. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The convertible seating system of claim 12, wherein the backrest component comprises a backrest cushion support portion and a projecting portion that extends orthogonally from the backrest cushion support portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The convertible seating system of claim 16, wherein the seat component comprises a seat cushion support portion and a locking portion that extends orthogonally from the seat cushion support portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The convertible seating system of claim 17, wherein the locking portion of the seat component slides along the projecting portion of the backrest component as the convertible seating system moves from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The convertible seating system of claim 18, wherein the backrest component further comprises a recess formed between the backrest cushion support portion and the projecting portion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The convertible seating system of claim 19, wherein the locking portion of the seat component is located within the recess of the backrest component when the convertible seating system is in the deployed configuration.