# US 2019/0168652 A1 · Vehicle seat latch > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0168652 A1 - Document ID: US20190168652A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/830,183 - Filed: 2017-12-04 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-04 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Mark Caye - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168652A1 ## CPC - B60N 2/919: {Positioning and locking mechanisms (B60N2/16, B60N2/18, B60N2/22, B60N2/225 take precedence)} - B60N 2/3011: {the back-rest being hinged on the cushion, e.g. "portefeuille movement"} - B60N 2/3013: {the back-rest being hinged on the vehicle frame} - B60N 2/305: {the cushion being hinged on the vehicle frame} - B60N 2/366: {characterised by the locking device} - B60N 2002/971: {the locking system being an element distinct from articulation means, retaining the seat or seat part in its folded position, e.g. controlled by a wire} - B60N 2205/35: Seat, bench or back-rests being split laterally in two or more parts - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A vehicle seating assembly latch is provided herein. The vehicle seating assembly latch includes an elongated member fixedly attached to a rear portion of a vehicle seatback. A bracket is disposed on a rear wall of a passenger compartment and includes a striker. The elongated member includes an integrally defined hook portion that retains the elongated member on the striker in an engaged condition. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle seating assembly latch comprising: an elongated member fixedly attached to a rear portion of a seatback; and a bracket disposed on a rear wall of a passenger compartment and including a striker therein, wherein the elongated member includes an integrally defined hook portion that retains the elongated member on the striker in an engaged condition. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle seating assembly latch of claim 1, wherein the seatback is rotatable from a horizontal position to a vertical position and the elongated member and the bracket are engaged in a vertical position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle seating assembly latch of claim 1, further comprising: a plate coupled to a seat frame, wherein the elongated member includes a pair of end portions and each respective end portion partially encompasses a fastener disposed through the plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The vehicle seating assembly latch of claim 1, wherein the elongated member includes a pair of base portions and an intermediate portion disposed between the pair of base portions, the intermediate portion including the integrally defined hook portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The vehicle seating assembly latch of claim 2, wherein the hook portion of the elongated member is disposed at a first distance from a pair of fasteners operably coupled with a pair of end portions of the elongated member in a disengaged condition and a second distance from the fasteners that is varied from the first distance in an engaged condition. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The vehicle seating assembly latch of claim 4, wherein the intermediate portion includes a first portion extending vehicle downward, a second portion extending upwardly from the first portion, a third portion extending downwardly of the second portion, a fourth portion extending vehicle forward, an upwardly extending fifth portion that terminates at a sixth vehicle forward extending portion, a seventh portion extending vehicle rearward, and an eighth portion extending vehicle rearward. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The vehicle seating assembly latch of claim 6, wherein the second portion, the third portion, the fourth portion, the fifth portion, the sixth portion, and the seventh portion define the hook portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The vehicle seating assembly latch of claim 6, wherein the fourth portion, the fifth portion, and the sixth portion define a retaining cavity. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The vehicle seating assembly latch of claim 8, wherein the fourth and the sixth portions define a channel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The vehicle seating assembly latch of claim 1, wherein the bracket includes a base section and a pair of side sections extending therefrom. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vehicle seating assembly latch of claim 10, wherein the pair of side sections each define an elongated slot therein and the striker is disposed within the elongated slot. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The vehicle seating assembly latch of claim 11, further comprising: a pair of washers respectively disposed at each end portion of the striker, each washer having an inner portion having a width that is less than the width of the pair of elongated slots and disposed in the pair of elongated slots. ### Claim 13 A latch for a vehicle seating assembly comprising: an elongated member fixedly attached to a rear portion of a seatback; and a bracket disposed on a rear wall of a passenger compartment and including a striker therein, wherein the elongated member includes an integrally defined hook portion that is disposed at least partially vehicle forward, vehicle rearward, above and below the striker in an engaged condition. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The latch for a vehicle seating assembly of claim 13, wherein the seatback is rotatable from a horizontal position to a vertical position and the elongated member and the bracket are engaged in the vertical position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The latch for a vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the elongated member and striker are coupled in a semipermanent condition once engaged to one another. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The latch for a vehicle seating assembly of claim 13, wherein the hook portion defines a channel and a retaining cavity. ### Claim 17 A vehicle seating assembly comprising: a plate operably coupled with a seatback; an elastically deformable elongated member extending transversely from the plate and coupled to the plate at two end portions of the elongated member; and a bracket disposed on a wall of a passenger compartment and including a striker, wherein the elongated member engages the striker as the seatback is rotated to an upward position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The vehicle seating assembly of claim 17, wherein the elongated member includes a pair of base portions and an intermediate portion disposed between the pair of base portions, the intermediate portion containing an integrally defined hook portion. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The vehicle seating assembly of claim 18, wherein the hook portion defines a channel and a retaining cavity. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The vehicle seating assembly of claim 19, wherein the hook portion of the elongated member is disposed at a first distance from a pair of fasteners operably coupled with a pair of end portions of the elongated member in a disengaged condition and a second distance from the fasteners that is varied from the first distance in an engaged condition.