Swivel mechanism with dual function bearing plate

A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle, the seat assembly comprising:

• a seat cushion;
• a seat base;
• and
• a swivel mechanism pivotally coupling the seat cushion to the seat base, the swivel mechanism comprising:
• a base plate fixedly coupled to the seat base;
• a swivel plate pivotally coupled to the base plate and fixedly coupled to the seat cushion, the swivel plate including an inner flange extending in a circumferential direction around a central aperture extending through the swivel plate, an outer ring extending in the circumferential direction and spaced radially outward from the inner flange, and an outer flange extending upward from the outer ring;
• a retaining ring including a ring portion extending in the circumferential direction and a leg portion projecting downward from the ring portion through the central aperture in the swivel plate and fixedly coupled to the base plate with the inner flange spaced axially between the ring portion and the base plate;
• and
• a bearing plate including an upper channel extending in the circumferential direction and a J-shaped channel extending in the circumferential direction and spaced radially outward of the upper channel, the J-shaped channel comprising an inner side projecting axially upward from the upper channel, an outer side projecting axially downward and spaced radially outward from the inner side, and a radial portion extending radially between the inner side and the outer side with the outer side fixedly coupled to the base plate;
• wherein the outer ring is spaced axially between the upper channel and the base plate, and the outer flange is spaced radially between the inner side and the outer side and spaced axially between the radial portion and the base plate.