# US 12,109,918 B2 · Integrated accessibility storage system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,109,918 B2 - Document ID: US12109918B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/954,645 - Filed: 2022-09-28 - Published: 2024-04-04 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2022-09-28 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Inventors: Patrick Minjeur; David M. Aller; Christopher Stephen Flemming; Lisa M. Simms; John Joseph Katona; Owen Rauch; Siddhant Kansal; Zachariah Smith; Paul W. Alexander - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12109918B2 ## CPC - B60N 2/206: {to a position in which it can be used as a support for objects, e.g. as a tray} - B60N 2/02246: {Electric motors therefor} - B60R 7/043: {mounted on or under a seat} - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A vehicle seat and storage system includes a vehicle seat having a seat base and a seat back extending from the seat base. A storage apparatus is connected to the seat back and is movable from a stowed position against the seat back to an extended position away from the seat back. The storage apparatus is configured to position and secure one or more cargo items. A seat motor is operably connected to the seat. The seat motor is configured to move the seat back from a first position extending upward from the seat base to a second position where the seat back is disposed flat against the seat base. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle seat assembly, comprising: a seat base; a seat back extending from the seat base; and a storage apparatus connected to the seat back, the storage apparatus movable from a stowed position against the seat back to an extended position away from the seat back, the storage apparatus configured to position and secure one or more cargo items; wherein the storage apparatus includes: an arm connected to the seat back at a first arm end and a second arm end, the arm pivotably connected to the seat back to move from the stowed position to the extended position; and a latch to secure the arm in the stowed position; wherein the one or more cargo items includes one or more wheels, the arm including an arm groove and an arm strap configured to position and secure the one or more wheels. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, further comprising an arm spring element to bias the arm toward the extended position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the arm includes one or more features to position and retain one or more cargo items at the arm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, further comprising a seat motor configured to move the seat back from a first position extending upward from the seat base to a second position where the seat back is disposed flat against the seat base. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The vehicle seat of assembly claim 4, wherein the seat motor is activated via a button on the seat. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the seat base is movable from a horizontal position to a vertical position via rotation of the seat base about a seat pivot. ### Claim 7 A vehicle seat and storage system, comprising: a vehicle seat including: a seat base; and a seat back extending from the seat base; a storage apparatus connected to the seat back, the storage apparatus movable from a stowed position against the seat back to an extended position away from the seat back, the storage apparatus configured to position and secure one or more cargo items; and a seat motor operably connected to the seat, the seat motor configured to move the seat back from a first position extending upward from the seat base to a second position where the seat back is disposed flat against the seat base; wherein the storage apparatus includes: an arm connected to the seat back at a first arm end and a second arm end, the arm pivotably connected to the seat back to move from the stowed position to the extended position; and a latch to secure the arm in the stowed position; wherein the one or more cargo items includes one or more wheels, the arm including an arm groove and an arm strap configured to position and secure the one or more wheels. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The vehicle seat and storage system of claim 7, further comprising a controller operably connected to the vehicle seat and the seat motor, the controller configured to determine if use of the storage system is needed, and commands movement of the seat back from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The vehicle seat and storage system of claim 8, wherein the determination is made via communication between the controller and one of a key fob or a smart phone application. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The vehicle seat and storage system of claim 7, further comprising an arm spring element to bias the arm toward the extended position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The vehicle seat and storage system of claim 7, wherein the arm includes one or more features to position and retain one or more cargo items at the arm. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The vehicle seat and storage system of claim 7, wherein the seat base is movable from a horizontal position to a vertical position via rotation of the seat base about a seat pivot. ### Claim 13 A method of operating a vehicle seat and storage apparatus, comprising: determining a whether a vehicle operator requires use of the storage apparatus, the storage apparatus including: an arm connected to the seat back of a vehicle seat at a first arm end and a second arm end, the arm pivotably connected to the seat back to move from a stowed position against the seat back to an extended position away from the seat back; and a latch to secure the arm in the stowed position; moving the seat to a first position where the seat back is moved forward a selected amount; releasing the latch to move the arm to the extended position; securing one or more cargo items to the arm; moving the seat to a second position where the seat back is folded against the seat base; and moving the seat to a third position where the seat base is moved from a horizontal orientation in the vehicle to a vertical orientation in the vehicle by rotating the seat about a seat pivot; wherein the one or more cargo items includes one or more wheels, the arm including an arm groove and an arm strap configured to position and secure the one or more wheels. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising securing one or more additional cargo items to one of a seat frame or the seat base when the seat base is in the vertical orientation. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, further comprising releasing a forward latch to move the seat base to the vertical orientation. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the arm moves to the extended position via a spring force. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the seat base is moved to the vertical orientation via a spring force. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the seat back is moved to the first position and the second position via operation of a seat motor.