Vehicular seat assembly

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicular seat assembly that may be configured in four different arrangements to accommodate an adult in its first position, a youth in its second position, a toddler in its third position, and infant in its fourth position. When configured to seat an infant, the infant is retrained using a restraint system that is integral to the seat assembly, and when configured to seat a toddler, the toddler is restrained by a separate and distinct restraint system that is also integral to the seat assembly.

1 . A seat assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: 
 a seat;    a supplemental seat;    a supplemental backrest; and    a backrest, said backrest defining a centrally disposed receptacle sized to receive said supplemental seat and said supplemental backrest;    wherein 
 said supplemental seat includes a first end portion and an opposing second end portion, said first end portion being pivotally interconnected to said backrest so as to be pivotable from a closed position wherein the supplemental seat is retained within the receptacle of said backrest to an open position wherein the supplemental seat rests on said seat and  
 said supplemental backrest assembly is moveably connected to said backrest within said receptacle and is coordinated with said supplemental seat such that said supplemental backrest moves forward when said supplemental seat is moved from its closed position to its open position.  
   
   
   
       2 . A seat assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein: 
 said supplemental seat includes a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion of said supplemental seat being pivotally interconnected to the lower portion of said supplemental seat so as to be pivotable from a closed position wherein said upper portion is adjacent to said lower portion and an open position wherein said upper portion extends from said lower portion at an obtuse angle.    
   
   
       3 . A seat assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein: 
 said lower portion of said supplemental seat has a seating surface contoured to support an infant's legs and buttocks; and    said upper portion of said supplemental seat is adapted to support the back and head of an infant sitting on the seating surface of the lower portion of said supplemental seat when the upper portion of said supplemental seat is in its open position.    
   
   
       4 . A seat assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said coordination in movement between said supplemental seat and said supplemental backrest is achieved with a mechanical linkage.  
   
   
       5 . A seat assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said coordination in movement between said supplemental seat and said supplemental backrest is achieved with at least one electromechanical drive mechanism to pivot said supplemental seat and to move said supplemental backrest.  
   
   
       6 . A seat assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said coordination in movement between said supplemental seat and said supplemental backrest is achieved with at least one hydraulic drive mechanism to pivot said supplemental seat and to move said supplemental backrest.  
   
   
       7 . A seat assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said coordination in movement between said supplemental seat and said supplemental backrest is achieved with at least one pneumatic drive mechanism to pivot said supplemental seat and to move said supplemental backrest.  
   
   
       8 . A seat assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said back rest further includes 
 a back supporting surface and    a toddler armrest, said toddler armrest being pivotable from a closed position wherein a first side of said toddler armrest forms a portion of said back supporting surface to an open position and wherein said toddler armrest extends generally horizontally from said backrest and is spaced above said seat.    
   
   
       9 . A seat assembly for a motor vehicle comprising: 
 a seat having a front edge portion and a rear edge portion;    a backrest surface, said backrest surface including a portion of a backrest that extends generally upward from the rear edge of said seat;    a supplemental seat, said supplemental seat 
 having a first end portion and a second end portion and being pivotally interconnected with said backrest wherein said supplemental seat is contained in a receptacle defined by said backrest when said supplemental seat is in a closed position and wherein said supplemental seat rests on said seat when said supplemental seat is in an open position and  
 including a lower portion and an upper portion, the upper portion of said supplemental seat being pivotally interconnected to the lower portion of said supplemental seat so as to be pivotable from a closed position wherein said upper portion is adjacent to said lower portion and an open position wherein said upper portion extends from said lower portion at an obtuse angle;  
   a toddler armrest, said toddler armrest being generally U-shaped and being pivotally connected to said backrest at the open end portions of the U such that said toddler armrest forms a peripheral portion of said back support surface when said toddler armrest is in its closed position and such that said toddler armrest extends generally horizontally from said backrest when it is in its open position; and 
 a supplemental backrest, said supplemental backrest being moveably connected to said backrest within said receptacle and being coordinated with said supplemental seat such that said supplemental backrest moves forward when said supplemental seat is moved from its closed position to its open position.  
   
   
   
       10 . The seat assembly of  claim 9  further comprising an infant restraint system and a separate and distinct toddler restraint system.  
   
   
       11 . The seat assembly of  claim 10  wherein said toddler restraint system further comprises: 
 a pair of retractable belts connected to at least one locking tongue and    a buckle for receiving said at least one locking tongue connected to the second end portion of said supplemental seat.    
   
   
       12 . The seat assembly of  claim 10  wherein said infant restraint system further comprises: 
 a first component of said infant restraint system attached to the upper portion of said supplemental seat and a second component of said infant restraint system attached to the lower portion of said supplemental seat wherein the first component of said infant restraint system is releasably connectable to the second component of said infant restraint system when said upper portion of said supplemental seat is in its open position such that an infant can be restrained in the supplemental seat.    
   
   
       13 . The seat assembly of  claim 12  wherein the first and second components of the infant restraint system are encapsulated within said supplemental seat when the upper portion of said supplemental seat is in its closed position.  
   
   
       14 . The seat assembly of  claim 9  wherein said supplemental seat is detachable from said backrest and removable from said motor vehicle.