Stowable seat base with latch

Abstract

A stowable seat base includes a frame with a first side member, a second side member, a first cross member coupled to the first side member and the second side member, and a second cross member coupled to the first side member and the second side member. A first leg assembly is hingedly coupled to the first side member and the second side member. A second leg assembly hingedly coupled to the first side member and the second side member. A first d-shaped loop coupled to the first cross member of the frame. A latch assembly is coupled to the second cross member of the frame and is configured to retain a seat on the frame. Other seat bases and coupling mechanisms are also disclosed herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A seat base, comprising:
 a frame comprising:
 a first side member, 
 a second side member, 
 a first cross member coupled to the first side member and the second side member, and 
 a second cross member coupled to the first side member and the second side member; 
   a first leg assembly hingedly coupled to the first side member and the second side member;   a second leg assembly hingedly coupled to the first side member and the second side member;   a first d-shaped loop coupled to the first cross member of the frame; and   a latch assembly coupled to the second cross member of the frame, wherein the latch assembly is configured to retain a seat on the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The seat base of  claim 1 , further comprising a guide protruding from the first side member. 
     
     
         3 . The seat base of  claim 2 , wherein the guide defines a recess. 
     
     
         4 . The seat base of  claim 3 , further comprising a retention pin configured to engage the recess and retain the first leg assembly in a deployed position. 
     
     
         5 . The seat base of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises a perimeter having a quadrilateral geometry. 
     
     
         6 . The seat base of  claim 1 , wherein the latch assembly comprises:
 a latch having a curved section;   an axle coupled to the latch;   an end flange coupled to the axle; and   a mounting flange coupled to the second cross member, wherein the axle passes through the mounting flange.   
     
     
         7 . The seat base of  claim 6 , wherein the axle is configured to rotate relative to the mounting flange. 
     
     
         8 . The seat base of  claim 6 , further comprising a torsion spring coupled to the latch assembly and configured to urge the latch assembly towards a closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The seat base of  claim 6 , further comprising a tab fixedly coupled to the axle with the axle is configured to rotate in response to a force applied to the tab. 
     
     
         10 . A seat base, comprising:
 a frame comprising:
 a first side member, 
 a second side member, 
 a first cross member coupled to the first side member and the second side member, and 
 a second cross member coupled to the first side member and the second side member; 
   a first leg assembly hingedly coupled to the first side member and the second side member;   a second leg assembly hingedly coupled to the first side member and the second side member;   a first retention member coupled to the first cross member of the frame, wherein the first retention member comprises at least one of a loop or an angled bracket; and   a second retention member coupled to the second cross member of the frame, wherein the second retention member comprises at least one of a latch assembly, spring plates, or a bar, wherein the second retention member works in concert with the first retention member to couple a seat to the seat base.   
     
     
         11 . The seat base of  claim 10 , wherein the second retention member comprises spring plates and the first retention member comprises a pair of loops. 
     
     
         12 . The seat base of  claim 11 , wherein the spring plates are configured to receive a bar, pin, or protrusion coupled to a seat, wherein the pair of loops are configured to receive feet coupled to the seat. 
     
     
         13 . The seat base of  claim 10 , wherein the first retention member comprises angled brackets and the second retention member comprises arms coupled to the second cross member and a bar coupled to the arms, wherein the bar and the angled brackets are configured to retain a seat over the seat base. 
     
     
         14 . The seat base of  claim 10 , wherein the second retention member comprises the latch assembly, wherein the latch assembly comprises:
 a latch having a curved section;   an axle coupled to the latch;   an end flange coupled to the axle; and   a mounting flange coupled to the second cross member, wherein the axle passes through the mounting flange.   
     
     
         15 . The seat base of  claim 14 , wherein the axle is configured to rotate relative to the mounting flange. 
     
     
         16 . The seat base of  claim 14 , further comprising a torsion spring coupled to the latch assembly and configured to urge the latch assembly towards a closed position. 
     
     
         17 . The seat base of  claim 14 , further comprising a tab fixedly coupled to the axle with the axle is configured to rotate in response to a force applied to the tab. 
     
     
         18 . A seat base, comprising:
 a frame;   a first leg assembly hingedly coupled to a first end of the frame;   a second leg assembly hingedly coupled to a second end of the frame opposite the first end;   a first retention member coupled to the first end of the frame; and   a second retention member coupled to the second end of the frame, wherein the second retention member comprises at least one of a latch assembly, spring plates, or a bar, wherein the second retention member works in concert with the first retention member to couple a seat to the seat base.   
     
     
         19 . The seat base of  claim 18 , wherein the second retention member comprises spring plates and the first retention member comprises a pair of loops, wherein the spring plates are configured to receive a bar, pin, or protrusion coupled to a seat, wherein the pair of loops are configured to receive feet coupled to the seat. 
     
     
         20 . The seat base of  claim 18 , wherein the first retention member comprises angled brackets coupled to the first end of the frame, wherein the second retention member comprises arms coupled to the second end of the frame and a bar coupled to the arms, wherein the bar and the angled brackets are configured to retain a seat over the seat base.