阅读说明：本技术 用于车辆座椅底部的紧固装置 (Fastening device for a vehicle seat bottom ) 是由 巴特洛米耶·萨塔涅特 于 2019-06-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：车辆座椅底部包括座垫支承盘,座垫支承盘包括第一臂和第二臂,第一臂和第二臂分别通过一对紧固装置-第一紧固装置和第二紧固装置联接至座椅底部支承框架的第一侧向支架和第二侧向支架,第一紧固装置和第二紧固装置从第一侧向支架和第二侧向支架在相反的横向方向上延伸。座垫支承盘的臂中的每个均在其远端处包括延伸至槽的倾斜部分。紧固装置中的每个均包括终止于头部的横向颈部。在组装时,第一紧固装置和第二紧固装置的头部通过座垫支承盘的第一臂和第二臂中的槽扣合,以及第一紧固装置和第二紧固装置的颈部的倒角表面引导座垫支承盘围绕由第一紧固装置和第二紧固装置的颈部限定的枢转轴线旋转。(The vehicle seat bottom includes a seat cushion support pan including first and second arms coupled to first and second lateral brackets of the seat bottom support frame by a pair of fastening devices, first and second fastening devices, respectively, extending in opposite lateral directions from the first and second lateral brackets. Each of the arms of the cushion-supporting pan includes at its distal end an inclined portion extending to the slot. Each of the fastening devices includes a transverse neck portion terminating in a head portion. When assembled, the heads of the first and second fastening means snap through the slots in the first and second arms of the seat support disc, and the chamfered surfaces of the necks of the first and second fastening means guide the seat support disc to rotate about a pivot axis defined by the necks of the first and second fastening means.)

1. A vehicle seat bottom comprising:

a seat bottom support frame defining an interior cavity and including a pair of first and second lateral brackets each having a front end, a rear end, and a side wall extending between the front and rear ends, and a transverse support beam extending between the first and second lateral brackets;

a pair of first and second fastening devices located between the front and rear ends of the first and second lateral brackets and extending in opposite lateral directions from the side walls of the first and second lateral brackets, respectively, toward the interior cavity, each of the first and second fastening devices including a lateral neck extending away from one of the side walls toward the interior cavity and terminating in a head extending upwardly from the neck and defining an inclined surface; and

a seat support tray including a closed end and an open end defined by a pair of first and second arms terminating in a transverse bend, each of the first and second arms including a ramped portion at a distal end thereof extending to a slot, wherein each of the ramped portions defines an engagement surface,

wherein the first and second arms of the seat cushion supporting pan are connected to the first and second lateral brackets by the first and second fastening means, respectively, and

wherein, when assembled, the heads of the first and second fastening means snap through the slots in the first and second arms of the seat support disc and the chamfered surfaces of the necks of the first and second fastening means engage the opposing inner surfaces of the slots of the first and second arms, thereby guiding the seat support disc to rotate about a pivot axis defined by the necks of the first and second fastening means.

2. A vehicle seat bottom as set forth in claim 1 wherein the neck and head portions of the first and second fastening devices limit movement of the seat cushion support pan relative to the seat bottom support frame.

3. The vehicle seat bottom of claim 1 wherein the heads of the first and second fastening devices each include a plurality of reinforcing ribs along their inclined surfaces.

4. The vehicle seat bottom of claim 1 further comprising first and second mounting members mounted to the first and second lateral brackets of the seat bottom support frame between front and rear ends of the first and second lateral brackets, respectively, each of the first and second mounting members including a saddle and a gate pivotably connected to the saddle, wherein each of the first and second fastening devices is defined by a portion of one of the saddles and a portion of one of the gates.

5. The vehicle seat bottom of claim 4 wherein each saddle includes a seat portion extending along an upper surface of one of the lateral supports and a flap portion extending from the seat portion and extending along an inner surface of the lateral support, and wherein each gate includes a cantilever portion having an engagement finger and a check portion.

6. The vehicle seat bottom of claim 5 wherein the flap portion of each saddle includes a hole, a lug, and a protrusion, and wherein the lug extends from an upper end of the hole and the protrusion extends in a downward direction from a lower end of the lug.

7. The vehicle seat bottom of claim 6 wherein after the first and second mounting members are seated on the first and second lateral brackets of the seat bottom support frame, the first and second mounting members are coupled to the first and second mounting members, respectively, by: pivoting the gate toward the flap portion of the saddle such that the cantilever portion passes through the hole in the flap portion of the saddle and the engagement finger of the cantilever portion engages the tab extending from the lug to lock the gate in a position adjacent the saddle.

8. The vehicle seat bottom of claim 7 wherein each of the first and second fastening devices is defined by one of the lugs and a respective one of the cantilevered portions.

9. The vehicle seat bottom of claim 7, wherein each of the side walls includes an opening having a depending hook between forward and rearward ends of the first and second lateral brackets, and wherein the flap portion of each of the saddles is at least partially supported by an upper surface of the depending hook.

10. The vehicle seat bottom of claim 9, wherein when the first and second mounting members are coupled to the first and second lateral brackets by pivoting the gate toward the flap portion of the saddle, each of the cantilevered portions passes through one of the openings in the side wall before passing through one of the holes in the flap portion of the saddle.

11. The vehicle seat bottom of claim 1 further comprising a seat base adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body, and wherein the seat bottom support frame is supported by the seat base.

12. The vehicle seat bottom of claim 11 wherein the seat base includes seat rails that accommodate sliding movement of the seat bottom support frame relative to the vehicle body.

13. A vehicle seat bottom as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a pad overlying said seat cushion support pan.

14. A method of assembling the vehicle seat bottom of claim 1, comprising:

(a) positioning a seat cushion support pan in a vertical position adjacent a seat bottom support frame such that slots in first and second arms of the seat cushion support pan are vertically aligned with heads of first and second fastening devices, respectively;

(b) moving the seat cushion support pan in a downward direction such that the engagement surfaces of the inclined portions of the first and second arms contact and slide on the inclined surfaces of the heads of the first and second fastening devices and the distal ends of the first and second arms are deflected toward each other;

(c) continuing to move the seat support pan in a downward direction until the heads of the first and second fastening devices are vertically and horizontally aligned with and snap into engagement with the slots in the first and second arms of the seat support pan, respectively; then the

(d) Rotating the cushion-supporting pan about a pivot axis defined by the neck portions of the first and second fastening means until the cushion-supporting pan is oriented in a horizontal position,

wherein during steps (b) and (c) the angled portions of the first and second arms support the heads of the first and second fastening devices and guide the slots in the first and second arms into vertical alignment with the heads of the first and second arms; and

wherein during steps (b) and (c) the inclined surfaces of the heads of the first and second fastening means deflect the inclined portions of the first and second arms towards the interior cavity and towards each other as the seat cushion support disc moves downwardly.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a vehicle seat, in particular to a vehicle seat bottom comprising fastening means for coupling a seat cushion support disc to a seat bottom support frame of the vehicle seat bottom.

Background

Vehicle seats typically include a seat base adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body floor, a seat bottom supported by the seat base, and a seat back coupled to and extending upwardly from the seat base. The seat bottom may include a support frame, a seat pan pivotally coupled to the support frame, and one or more layers of padding, foam, or other cushioning covering the support frame and the seat pan. It may be desirable for various components of a vehicle seat to maintain their structural integrity and interconnectivity in the event of an impact to the vehicle seat.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a vehicle seat bottom includes a seat bottom support frame and a seat cushion support pan coupled to the seat bottom support frame by a pair of fastening devices, a first fastening device and a second fastening device. The seat bottom support frame defines an interior cavity and includes a pair of lateral brackets-a first lateral bracket and a second lateral bracket and a transverse support beam extending between the first lateral bracket and the second lateral bracket. Each of the first and second lateral brackets of the seat bottom support frame has a front end, a rear end, and a sidewall extending between the front and rear ends thereof. The pair of first and second fastening means are located between the front and rear ends of the first and second lateral brackets and extend in opposite lateral directions from the side walls of the first and second lateral brackets, respectively, towards the interior cavity. Each of the first and second fastening means comprises a transverse neck portion terminating in a head portion. Each of the transverse necks extends away from one of the side walls toward the interior cavity, and each of the heads extends upwardly from its associated neck and defines an inclined surface. The seat support tray includes a closed end and an open end defined by a pair of arms, a first arm and a second arm, the first and second arms terminating in a transverse bend. Each of the first and second arms includes an angled portion at a distal end thereof extending to the slot, wherein each of the angled portions defines an engagement surface. The first and second arms of the seat cushion support pan are coupled to the first and second lateral brackets by first and second fastening devices, respectively. When assembled, the heads of the first and second fastening means snap through the slots in the first and second arms of the seat support tray. In addition, when assembled, the chamfered surfaces of the neck portions of the first and second fastening means engage opposing inner surfaces of the slots in the first and second arms, thereby guiding rotation of the seat cushion support disc about a pivot axis defined by the neck portions of the first and second fastening means.

In some embodiments, the neck and head portions of the first and second fastening devices limit movement of the seat cushion support pan relative to the seat bottom support frame.

In some embodiments, the head of the first and second fastening means each comprise a plurality of reinforcing ribs along its inclined surface.

In some embodiments, the vehicle seat bottom includes first and second mounting members mounted on first and second lateral brackets, respectively, of the seat bottom support frame between front and rear ends of the first and second lateral brackets. Each of the first and second mounting members may include a saddle and a door pivotably coupled to the saddle. Each of the first and second fastening means may be defined by a portion of one of the saddles and a portion of one of the gates.

In some embodiments, each saddle of the first and second mounting members may include a seating portion and a flap portion extending from the seating portion. The seating portion may extend along an upper surface of one of the lateral supports and the flap portion may extend along an inner surface of the lateral support. Each gate may include a backstop and a cantilever portion having an engagement finger.

In some embodiments, the flap portion of each saddle may include a hole, a lug, and a protrusion, wherein each lug extends from an upper end of one of the holes, and each protrusion extends in a downward direction from a lower end of one of the lugs.

In some embodiments, after the first and second mounting members are seated on the first and second lateral brackets of the seat bottom support frame, the first and second mounting members may be coupled to the first and second lateral brackets, respectively, by: the gate is pivoted toward the flap portion of the saddle such that the cantilever portion passes through the hole in the flap portion of the saddle and the engagement finger of the cantilever portion engages the protrusion extending from the lug to lock the gate in a position proximate the saddle. Each of the first and second fastening means may be defined by one of the lugs and a respective one of the cantilevered portions.

In some embodiments, each of the side walls may include an opening having a depending hook between forward and aft ends of the first and second lateral supports, and the flap portion of each of the saddles may be at least partially supported by an upper surface of the hook.

In some embodiments, when the first and second mounting members are coupled to the first and second lateral brackets by pivoting the gate toward the flap portion of the saddle, each of the cantilevered portions may pass through one of the openings in the side wall before passing through one of the holes in the flap portion of the saddle.

In some embodiments, the vehicle seat bottom includes a seat base adapted to be mounted to a vehicle body. The seat bottom support frame may be supported by the seat base.

In some embodiments, the seat base may include seat rails that accommodate sliding movement of the seat bottom support frame relative to the vehicle body.

In some embodiments, the vehicle seat bottom includes a cushion covering the seat cushion support pan.

According to one or more embodiments, a method of assembling a vehicle seat bottom may include a plurality of steps. In step (a), the seat cushion support pan may be positioned in an upright position adjacent the seat bottom support frame such that the slots in the first and second arms of the seat cushion support pan are vertically aligned with the heads of the first and second fastening devices, respectively. In step (b), the seat cushion support tray may be moved downward such that the engagement surfaces of the inclined portions of the first and second arms contact and slide on the inclined surfaces of the heads of the first and second fastening devices, and the distal ends of the first and second arms are deflected toward each other. In step (c), the movement of the seat support pan may continue in a downward direction until the heads of the first and second fastening devices are vertically and horizontally aligned with and snap-fit through the slots in the first and second arms of the seat support pan, respectively. Thereafter, in step (d), the seat cushion support disk may be rotated about a pivot axis defined by the neck portions of the first and second fastening means until the seat cushion support disk is oriented in a horizontal position. During steps (b) and (c), the angled portions of the first and second arms may support the heads of the first and second fastening devices and guide the slots in the first and second arms into vertical alignment with the heads of the first and second fastening devices. Additionally, during steps (b) and (c), the angled surfaces of the heads of the first and second fastening devices may deflect the angled portions of the first and second arms toward the interior cavity and toward each other as the seat support tray moves downward.

The various aspects, embodiments, examples, features and alternatives set forth in the preceding paragraphs, claims and/or in the following description and drawings may be employed independently or in any combination thereof. For example, features disclosed in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments without the incompatibility of the features.

Drawings

Exemplary embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a vehicle seat bottom including a seat bottom support frame defining an interior cavity and a pair of fastening devices defined by a pair of mounting members-a first mounting member and a second mounting member-a first fastening device and a second fastening device for coupling a seat cushion support pan to the seat bottom support frame;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first lateral bracket of the seat bottom support frame of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the interior of the first lateral brace of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first mounting member of FIG. 1, including a saddle and a door pivotably coupled to the saddle;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first mounting member of FIG. 3 mounted to the first lateral bracket of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first mounting member and first lateral bracket of FIG. 4, with the gate locked in a position adjacent the saddle, portions of the gate and portions of the saddle defining a first fastening means;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the first mounting member and first lateral bracket of FIG. 5, the distal end of the first arm of the seat support tray of FIG. 1 being oriented in an upright position and including an angled portion extending into a slot, wherein the slot in the first arm of the seat support tray is vertically aligned with the head of the first fastening device;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are partial cross-sectional views of the first lateral bracket of FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6, illustrating movement of the distal end of the first arm of the seat cushion support pan as the angled portion of the arm slides over the head of the first fastening device and deflects toward the interior cavity defined by the seat bottom support frame of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the first lateral support of FIG. 7 after the head of the first fastening device has been snapped into place through the slot in the distal end of the first arm of the seat support pan;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the first lateral bracket, the first fastening device and the distal end of the first arm of the seat support pan taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the first lateral bracket, the first fastening device and the distal end of the first arm of the seat support pan of FIG. 10 during rotation of the seat support pan about the pivot axis defined by the head of the first fastening device;

fig. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view 11 of the distal end of the first arm of the seat support tray of fig. 11; and

fig. 13 is a perspective view of the first lateral bracket, the first fastening device and the distal end of the first arm of the seat support tray of fig. 11 after the seat support tray has been rotated from a vertical position to a horizontal position.

Detailed Description

The vehicle seat bottom described below includes a pair of fastening devices-a first fastening device and a second fastening device that couple the first and second arms of the seat cushion support pan to the first and second lateral brackets of the seat bottom support frame, respectively. The first and second fastening devices each include a transverse neck portion terminating in a head portion and are mounted on first and second lateral brackets, respectively, of the seat bottom support frame between front and rear ends of the first and second lateral brackets. Coupling the first and second arms of the seat support pan to the first and second lateral brackets includes a first stage and a second stage, wherein in the first stage, the seat support pan is oriented in an upright position; in a second stage, the seat cushion support pan is moved to a horizontal position by rotating the seat cushion support pan about a pivot axis defined by the transverse necks of the first and second fastening means. During the first stage, the first and second arms of the seat cushion support pan are vertically aligned with the first and second fastening devices, respectively, and moved in a downward direction such that the distal ends of the first and second arms contact and slide over the inclined surfaces of the heads of the first and second fastening devices and deflect toward each other until the heads of the first and second fastening devices are aligned with and snap into engagement with the slots in the distal ends of the first and second arms of the seat cushion support pan, respectively. The chamfered surfaces of the neck portions of the first and second fastening means may engage opposing inner surfaces of the slots in the arms of the cushion support pan to help guide the cushion support pan to rotate about the pivot axis during the second stage. The first and second fastening means are effective to maintain the seat cushion support pan in a horizontal position and prevent the first and second arms of the seat cushion support pan from being decoupled from the first and second lateral brackets of the seat bottom support frame in the event of a rear impact.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary vehicle seat bottom 10 adapted for installation in a vehicle cabin (not shown). In use, the vehicle seat bottom 10 supports a majority of the weight of a seat occupant and includes a seat bottom 12, a seat bottom support frame 14, a seat cushion support pan 16, and a pair of mounting members, a first mounting member 18 and a second mounting member 20, the first and second mounting members 18 and 20 being mounted on opposite first and second sides (or left and right sides) of the seat bottom support frame 14. The first and second mounting members 18, 20 define first and second fastening means (not shown), respectively. The forward (F) and rearward (R) directions are specified in fig. 1 and may be referred to as horizontal directions. The upward (U) and downward (D) directions may be referred to as vertical directions, and the left (L) and right (R) directions may be referred to as lateral directions. These directions are with respect to the seat bottom 10 and are not necessarily the vehicle on which the seat bottom 10 is mounted.

The seat base 12 is adapted to be mounted to a floor 24 of a vehicle body (not shown) and may include upper and lower rails 26, 28. The lower rail 28 may be fixed to the floor 24 of the vehicle body. And the upper track 26 may be slidably coupled to the lower track 28 to allow the upper track 26 (and the seat bottom support frame 14) to move forward and rearward relative to the floor 24 of the vehicle body.

The seat bottom support frame 14 is supported by the seat base 12 and may be coupled to the seat base 12 by one or more connecting members 30, which connecting members 30 may allow the seat bottom support frame 14 to move up and down relative to the floor 24 of the vehicle body. The seat bottom support frame 14 includes a front end 32, a rear end 34, a pair of side brackets, a first side bracket 36 and a second side bracket 38, and a pair of transverse support beams, a front transverse support beam 40 and a rear transverse support beam 42. The first and second side brackets 36, 38 and the front and rear transverse support beams 40, 42 collectively define an interior cavity 44. The seat bottom support frame 14, including the lateral brackets 36, 38 and the transverse support beams 40, 42, may be formed from a metallic material, such as a steel alloy. For example, each of the lateral brackets 36, 38 may be formed from stamped sheet metal.

The seat cushion support pan 16 is configured to be attached to first and second lateral brackets 36, 38 of the seat bottom support frame 14 via first and second fastening devices 22, and when assembled, the seat cushion support pan 16 is configured to be oriented in a substantially horizontal position and adapted to support an overlying seat cushion (not shown). The seat support pan 16 includes a closed end 46 and an open end 48, the open end 48 being defined by a pair of arms, a first arm 50 and a second arm 52, the first arm 50 and the second arm 52 terminating at a transverse bend 54. Each of the first and second arms 50, 52 includes a ramped portion 56 at a distal end 58 thereof, defining an inner surface 60 and an opposing outer engagement surface 62. As best shown in fig. 5, each of the angled portions 56 extends from the distal end 58 of its associated arm 50, 52 to a slot 64 having an opposed inner surface 66. The seat support tray 16 may be formed from a metallic material such as a steel alloy.

Fig. 2-13 and the accompanying description relate specifically to the first lateral bracket 36 of the seat bottom support frame 14, the first arm 50 of the cushion support pan 16, and the first mounting member 18 mounted on the first lateral bracket 36, all of which are located on the left side of the vehicle seat bottom 10. Due to the symmetrical nature of the first and second lateral brackets 36, 38, the first and second arms 50, 52, and the first and second mounting members 18, 20, the following description applies equally and relatively to the second lateral bracket 38, the second arm 52, and the second mounting member 20 located on the right side of the vehicle seat bottom 10.

As best shown in fig. 2 and 4, the first lateral bracket 36 includes a sidewall 68 extending between the front end 32 and the rear end 34 of the seat bottom support frame 14 and a platform 70 extending away from the interior cavity 44 at an upper end 72 thereof. The side wall 68 includes an opening 74 between the front end 32 and the rear end 34 of the seat bottom support frame 14, the opening 74 having a depending hook 76. In assembly, the opening 74 and the depending hook 76 may help guide placement of the first mounting member 18 on the first lateral bracket 36.

Referring now to fig. 3 and 4, the first mounting member 18 is adapted to be mounted to the first lateral bracket 36 of the seat bottom support frame 14 and includes a saddle 78 and a door 80 pivotally coupled to the saddle 78 at an attachment joint 82. Saddle 78 includes a seating portion 84 and a flap portion 86. When the first mounting member 18 is positioned on the first lateral bracket 36, the seating portion 84 extends along an upper surface 88 of the platform 70, and the flap portion 86 extends from the seating portion 84 in a downward direction along an inner surface 90 of the sidewall 86. The flap portion 86 of the saddle 78 includes a hole 92, a lug 94 extending from an upper end 96 of the hole 92, and a pair of tangs 95. The lug 94 includes a base portion 98 and depending portions 100 extending in upward and downward directions from the base portion 98. A projection 102 extends downwardly from a lower end 104 of the overhang portion 100 of the lug 94. The gate portion 80 includes a backstop 106 and a cantilever portion 108, the cantilever portion 108 having a base 110, an overhang portion 112, and an engagement finger 114 at a distal end of the overhang portion 112 of the cantilever portion 108. The first mounting member 18, including the saddle 78 and the gate 80, may be made of a polymeric material, such as acetal or polyolefin. Of course, metals or other non-polymeric materials may also be suitable for making the first mounting member 18.

As best shown in fig. 4 and 5, after positioning the first mounting member 18 on the first lateral bracket 36, the first mounting member 18 is coupled to the first lateral bracket 36 by pivoting the gate 80 toward the flap portion 86 of the saddle 78 such that the check 106 engages the outer surface 116 of the sidewall 68 and the cantilever 108 passes through the opening 74 in the sidewall 68 and through the hole 92 in the flap portion 86 of the saddle 78. At the same time, the tang 95 extending from the flap portion 86 snaps around the backstop 106 of the gate 80. In addition, the engagement fingers 114 of the cantilevered portion 108 of the gate 80 engage the projections 102 extending from the ears 94 of the flap portion 86 of the saddle 78 and lock the gate 80 in position adjacent the saddle 78.

The first fastening device 22 extends in a transverse direction away from the inner surface 90 of the sidewall 68 toward the interior cavity 44 and is defined by portions of the saddle 78 and portions of the portal 80. More specifically, a first portion of the first fastening device 22 is defined by the lug 94 of the flap portion 86 of the saddle 78 and a second portion of the first fastening device 22 is defined by the cantilevered portion 108 of the gate 80. As best shown in fig. 4 and 5, when assembled, the base portion 98 of the lug 94 and the base portion 110 of the cantilevered portion 108 come together to define a transverse neck 118 of the first fastening device 22. At the same time, the overhang portion 100 of the lug 94 and the overhang portion 112 of the cantilevered portion 108 come together to define a head 120 of the first fastening device 22. The head 120 is sized to be received within the slot 64 in the arm 50 and includes an upper catch 122 and a lower catch 126, the upper catch 122 extending upwardly from the neck 118 and defining an inclined surface 124. A lower catch 126 extends downwardly from the neck 118. The upper latch 122 may include a plurality of strengthening ribs 128 along its angled surface 124.

The transverse neck portions 118 of the first and second fastening devices 22, 22 are aligned with one another and define a pivot axis a (fig. 1) about which the cushion-supporting pan 16 rotates during assembly of the cushion-supporting pan 16 on the seat bottom support frame 14. As best shown in fig. 5 and 12, the transverse neck 118 of the first fastening device 22 includes a first chamfered surface 130 at an upper end 132 thereof and a second chamfered surface 134 at a lower end 136 thereof. As described below, the first and second chamfered surfaces 130, 134 of the transverse neck 118 engage the opposing inner surfaces 66 of the slot 64 and guide the cushion-supporting pan 16 for rotation about the pivot axis a during assembly of the cushion-supporting pan 16 on the seat bottom support frame 14.

In fig. 3 to 13, the first fastening means 22 and the second fastening means 22 are defined by the first mounting member 18 and the second mounting member 20. In this way, the first and second fastening devices 22, 22 along with the second and second mounting members 18, 20 are mounted to the first and second lateral brackets 36, 38 by virtue of their physical relationship. However, in other embodiments, the first and second fastening devices 22, 22 may be defined separately from the first and second mounting members 18, 20. In this case, the first and second fastening devices 22, 22 may be mounted to the first and second lateral brackets 36, 38 by other attachment features.

Referring now to fig. 6-10, after the first fastening device 22 is installed on the first lateral bracket 36 (and the second fastening device is installed on the second lateral bracket 38), the seat support tray 16 is oriented in an upright position (fig. 1). Additionally, as best shown in fig. 1 and 6, the distal ends 58 of the first and second arms 50, 52 of the seat support tray 16 are adjacent to and vertically aligned with the first and second fastening devices 22, respectively. Thereafter, the first arm 50 (and the second arm 52) of the cushion-supporting pan 16 is moved in a downward direction such that at the distal end 58 of the arm 50, the outer engagement surface 62 (fig. 1) of the inclined portion 56 contacts the inclined surface 124 of the head 120 of the first fastening device 22 and slides over the inclined surface 124 of the head 120 of the first fastening device 22. The angled portion 56 of the arm 50 is adapted to support the head 120 of the first fastening device 22 and guide movement of the arm 50 in a downward direction such that the slot 64 in the arm 50 remains vertically aligned with the head 120 of the first fastening device 22. At the same time, the angled surface 124 of the head 120 of the first fastening device 22 is configured to deflect the angled portion 56 of the arm 50 away from the sidewall 68 of the first lateral support 36 toward the interior cavity 44. Thus, as best shown in fig. 7 and 8, as the first and second arms 50, 52 of the seat support pan 16 move downwardly, the distal ends 58 of each of the first and second arms 50, 52 deflect toward each other in opposite lateral directions toward the interior cavity 44. Further downward movement of the arm 50 (and the arm 52) causes the angled portion 56 of the arm 50 to deflect further toward the interior cavity 44 until the head 120 of the first fastening device 22 is vertically and horizontally aligned with the slot 62 in the arm 50 and snaps through the slot 62 in the arm 50, as shown in fig. 9 and 10.

Referring now to fig. 11 to 13, once the head 120 of the first fastening means 22 is snapped through the slot 62 in the arm 50 of the cushion support pan 16, the cushion support pan 16 is moved to a horizontal position (fig. 13) by rotating the cushion support pan 16 about the pivot axis a. The first and second chamfered surfaces 130, 134 of the transverse neck 118 engage the inner surface 66 of the slot 64 and guide the rotation of the cushion-supporting disk 16 about the pivot axis a during rotation of the cushion-supporting disk 16. In the horizontal position, the closed end 46 of the seat cushion support pan 16 may rest against the front end 32 of the seat bottom support frame 14 or another component of the seat bottom 10. After the seat pan 16 is rotated to the horizontal position, the upper and lower latches 122, 126 of the head 120, and the neck 118 limit the movement of the seat pan 16 relative to the seat bottom in both the horizontal and vertical directions. Additionally, because the distal ends 58 of the arms 50, 52 are disposed between the first and second lateral brackets 36, 38, lateral movement of the seat cushion support pan 16 relative to the seat bottom support frame 14 is limited and/or prevented.

The vehicle seat bottom 10 may include other components not explicitly shown in the figures, such as an overlying seat cushion and/or a decorative trim cover. Additionally, in practice, a vehicle seat back may be coupled to the vehicle seat bottom 10 to form a vehicle seat.

It is to be understood that the foregoing is a description of one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein, but is only limited by the following claims. Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments as well as various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

As used in this specification and claims, the terms "for example", "for instance", "such as" and "etc", and the verbs "comprising", "having", "including" and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a list of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the list is not to be considered as excluding other, additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires a different interpretation.