A seating arrangement for a vehicle is shown to include a plurality of seats, including at least two front seats, at least two rear seats, and a rear jump seat positioned intermediate the two rear seats. The jump seat comprises a seat back which is positioned rearwardly of the rear seats, and the rear seats are movable laterally between a first position where the rear seats are proximate to each other and generally covering the seat back of the jump seat, and a second position where the rear seats are spaced apart from each other and the seat back of the jump seat is exposed. The arrangement may also include rear seats which are rotatable relative to the seat backs to provide a storage surface.

A recliner heart includes first, second and third locking plates and a pawl. The first locking plate defines a recess. The second locking plate includes a first inner diametrical surface having first teeth formed thereon. The third locking plate is disposed between the first and second locking plates and includes a second inner diametrical surface and an outer diametrical surface. The second inner diametrical surface has a notch formed therein. The outer diametrical surface has second teeth formed thereon. Some of the second teeth are meshingly engaged with some of the first teeth. The pawl is slidably disposed in the recess between a secure position in which the pawl is engaged with the notch of the third locking plate and a release position in which the pawl is disengaged from the notch of the third locking plate.

A recliner heart includes first, second and third locking plates and a pawl. The first locking plate defines a recess. The second locking plate includes a first inner diametrical surface having first teeth formed thereon. The third locking plate is disposed between the first and second locking plates and includes a second inner diametrical surface and an outer diametrical surface. The second inner diametrical surface has a notch formed therein. The outer diametrical surface has second teeth formed thereon. Some of the second teeth are meshingly engaged with some of the first teeth. The pawl is slidably disposed in the recess between a secure position in which the pawl is engaged with the notch of the third locking plate and a release position in which the pawl is disengaged from the notch of the third locking plate.

A seat and seatback linkage mechanism includes: a pipe, a side bracket assembly, a seat, a seatback and driving source. The side bracket assembly includes a first side bracket and a second side bracket, and the pipe is mounted on the first and second side brackets. The seat is disposed between the first and second side brackets and includes a bottom surface, the bottom surface includes two first connecting portions and two second connecting portions, and the first connecting portions are pivotally connected to the first and second side brackets, respectively. The seatback is disposed between the first and second side brackets and connected to the second connecting portions of the seat, so that the seatback and the seat are drivingly connected to each other. The driving source is connected to one end of the seatback that is adjacent to the pipe to drive the driven end to move.

A seat and seatback linkage mechanism includes: a pipe, a side bracket assembly, a seat, a seatback and driving source. The side bracket assembly includes a first side bracket and a second side bracket, and the pipe is mounted on the first and second side brackets. The seat is disposed between the first and second side brackets and includes a bottom surface, the bottom surface includes two first connecting portions and two second connecting portions, and the first connecting portions are pivotally connected to the first and second side brackets, respectively. The seatback is disposed between the first and second side brackets and connected to the second connecting portions of the seat, so that the seatback and the seat are drivingly connected to each other. The driving source is connected to one end of the seatback that is adjacent to the pipe to drive the driven end to move.

A vehicle seating assembly is provided that includes a seat frame movable between a sitting position and a standing position and coupled to a pivot bracket, a cross member extending through the pivot bracket and defining an axis of rotation, and a gear assembly coupled to the pivot bracket. The gear assembly includes a sector bracket rotationally coupled to the cross member, and a pinion gear operable to rotate along the sector bracket from a first position to a second position, thereby moving the seat frame between a sitting position and a standing position. The vehicle seating assembly further includes a locking disk assembly coupled to the pivot bracket such that if the locking disk assembly is in a disengaged position relative to the sector bracket, then the frame is rotatable about the axis of rotation defined by the cross member.

A locking mechanism for a vehicle backrest includes a rotary latch engageable over a locking striker fixed to the vehicle, a detent pawl for locking the movement of the rotary latch in a locking position, and a leaf spring. The leaf spring includes two edges attached to the mechanism in first and second support points, and is placed in the mechanism such that, in the locking position, the striker is pushed by the leaf spring in one point of a contact area defined between first and second ends. The leaf spring further includes a central reinforced area and two exterior non-reinforced areas, wherein the reinforced area has smaller elastic deformation than the non-reinforced areas. A first edge of the reinforced area is placed between the first support point and first end, and a second edge of the reinforced area is placed between the second support point and second end.

A locking mechanism for a vehicle backrest includes a rotary latch engageable over a locking striker fixed to the vehicle, a detent pawl for locking the movement of the rotary latch in a locking position, and a leaf spring. The leaf spring includes two edges attached to the mechanism in first and second support points, and is placed in the mechanism such that, in the locking position, the striker is pushed by the leaf spring in one point of a contact area defined between first and second ends. The leaf spring further includes a central reinforced area and two exterior non-reinforced areas, wherein the reinforced area has smaller elastic deformation than the non-reinforced areas. A first edge of the reinforced area is placed between the first support point and first end, and a second edge of the reinforced area is placed between the second support point and second end.

A locking mechanism for a backrest of a vehicle includes a rotary latch engageable over a locking striker fixed to the vehicle and a detent pawl having a first contact surface configured for contacting against the rotary latch, when the rotary latch rotates with a first pivoting movement, to establish a first locking position wherein the rotary latch is in engagement over the locking striker. The detent pawl includes a second contact surface configured for contacting against the rotary latch, when the rotary latch rotates with an additional pivoting movement further form the first locking position, to establish a second locking position wherein the detent pawl pushes the rotary latch against the striker.

A locking mechanism for a backrest of a vehicle includes a rotary latch engageable over a locking striker fixed to the vehicle and a detent pawl having a first contact surface configured for contacting against the rotary latch, when the rotary latch rotates with a first pivoting movement, to establish a first locking position wherein the rotary latch is in engagement over the locking striker. The detent pawl includes a second contact surface configured for contacting against the rotary latch, when the rotary latch rotates with an additional pivoting movement further form the first locking position, to establish a second locking position wherein the detent pawl pushes the rotary latch against the striker.