# US 8,770,646 B2 · Adjustable floating seat

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- Number: US 8,770,646 B2
- Document ID: US8770646B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/251,469
- Filed: 2011-10-03
- Published: 2013-04-04
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2011-10-03
- Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
- Applicants: Johnathan Andrew Line; Kendrick Alden Harper; John W. Jaranson; Michael John Kitti; Daniel Ferretti
- Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line; Kendrick Alden Harper; John W. Jaranson; Michael John Kitti; Daniel Ferretti
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770646B2

## CPC

- B60N 2/02246: {Electric motors therefor}
- B60N 2/06: slidable (B60N2/12 {, B60N2/2209} take precedence)
- B60N 2/0747: {the opening of the cross section being oriented in a direction different from the vertical, e.g. transversal}
- B60N 2/1615: {Parallelogram-like structure}
- B60N 2/165: {Gear wheel driven mechanism}
- B60N 2/305: {the cushion being hinged on the vehicle frame}
- B60N 2/02258: {characterised by the mounting of the electric motor for adjusting the seat}
- B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a support base. A seat is supported on the support base and cantilevered forwardly therefrom. The support base includes a first brace operably connecting the frame with a first slide assembly disposed on a rocker panel of the vehicle. A second brace operably connects the frame with a second slide assembly disposed on a transmission tunnel of the vehicle.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A passenger seat assembly for a vehicle comprising:
a seat operably connected to a seat frame and rotatable between deployed and stowed positions, wherein the seat is rotatable relative to the frame about a first axis;
a forward seat pan pivotally coupled to first and second side seat members about a second axis;
a seatback rotatable relative to the frame about a third axis;
a first brace supporting the frame and movably connected to a vehicle rocker panel; and
a second brace supporting the frame and movably connected to a vehicle transmission tunnel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The passenger seat assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
a first slide assembly connecting the first brace to the vehicle rocker panel and a second slide assembly connecting the second brace to the vehicle transmission tunnel.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The passenger seat assembly of claim 2, wherein a planar portion of the first and second slide assemblies is vertically aligned against the vehicle rocker panel and vehicle transmission tunnel, respectively.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The passenger seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the seat is rotatably and slidably connected to the frame.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The passenger seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second braces each include a vertically-extending web with an upper support flange.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The passenger seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the seatback is disposed substantially directly above the first and second braces.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The passenger seat assembly of claim 1, wherein only the first and second braces support the seat inside the vehicle.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The passenger seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the seat is vertically adjustable between raised and lowered positions.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The passenger seat assembly of claim 5, wherein each vertically-extending web includes an inwardly-extending stop flange.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The passenger seat assembly of claim 9, wherein the first and second side seat members, each having an outwardly-extending engagement flange configured to abut the inwardly-extending stop flange on each vertically-extending web.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The passenger seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the first axis is positioned below and forward relative to the third axis.

### Claim 12

A vehicle seat assembly comprising: a seat operably connected to a seat frame and rotatable relative thereto about a first axis between deployed and stowed positions; a seatback rotatable relative to the frame about a second axis; a first brace supporting the frame and disposed between the seat and a vehicle rocker panel; and a second brace positioned under the seat between sides of the frame and connecting the frame to a vehicle transmission tunnel.