Folding seat assembly

Abstract

A folding seat assembly to provide easy access to a storage area behind the seat for use particularly in boats or aircraft. The seat assembly allows a seat ( 32 ) to be folded into a seat box ( 1 ) and rides on a pivot pin ( 27 ) within a track aperture ( 26 ). A lock ( 11 ) is provided to secure the seat within the seat box. An upper handle ( 9 ) on the bottom of the seat frame assist the user in lowering the seat to an open use position. A lower handle ( 10 ) allows the seat box to be lifted upward for access to storage and equipment behind the seat. The seat box is supported in the latter position by at least one lifter ( 21 ) attached to a back of the seat box and a support on the boat or aircraft in which the seat assembly is used.

1 . A folding seat assembly comprising: 
 a seat box having a back, a top side, bottom side and two end sides;    a seat capable of being accommodated by the seat box, said seat having a frame;    vertically elongated track rails on each of the two end sides of the seat box, said track rail having a track aperture extending from a bottom seat-closed position to a top seat-opened position;    at least one handle for pulling the seat from the seat box; and    a support means for holding the seat box in an elevated position when access to storage and equipment behind the seat assembly is desired.    
   
   
       2 . The folding seat assembly of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 support arms connecting each side of the seat frame to a top of the track rails.    
   
   
       3 . The folding seat assembly of  claim 1  wherein the support means for holding the seat box in the open elevated position comprises: 
 at least one lifter attached at one end to the seat box and at another end to a support on a structure in which the seat is used.    
   
   
       4 . The folding seat assembly of  claim 2  wherein the support means for holding the seat box in a open elevated position comprises: 
 at least one lifter attached at one end to the seat box and at another end to a support on a structure in which the seat is used.    
   
   
       5 . The folding seat assembly of  claim 3  further comprising a back cushion attached to a top of the seat box.  
   
   
       6 . The folding seat assembly of  claim 4  further comprising a back cushion attached to a top of the seat box.  
   
   
       7 . The folding seat assembly of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 means for securing the seat in a closed position when folded into the seat box.    
   
   
       8 . The folding seat assembly of  claim 1  wherein the means for securing the seat comprises a latch lock on a bottom of the seat frame and a latch keeper on a side of the seat box.  
   
   
       9 . The folding seat assembly of  claim 1  wherein the frame of the seat comprises a front, back, center and two side rails for holding and attaching seat cushions.