Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha

Kabushik Kaisha Imasen Denki Seisakusho

Yasuji Morinishi

Shingo Kutomi

Masami Tanaka

Takashi Ogino

Koji Mizuno

Masahiro Tomida

Masatoshi Ushida

To utilize limited space in a vehicle cabin, a vehicular under-seat compartment mechanism includes a hinge mechanism, a compartment and a lock mechanism. The hinge mechanism interconnects a seat-frame and a seat-cushion in such a manner that the seat-cushion is pivotally rotatable with respect to the seat-frame. The compartment is disposed in the under-seat space under the seat and is formed an opening upwardly. The lock mechanism, integrated with the hinge mechanism, locks the seat-cushion at an upright position, at which the seat-cushion is pivotally flipped up about the hinge mechanism so that the compartment is accessible.

Vehicular under-seat compartment mechanism

A removable folding seat is equipped with a first locking member to lock the front lower portion of a seat frame removably to a floor, a second locking member to lock the rear lower portion of the seat frame removably to the floor, and a third locking member to hold the seat in a folding position. The first and third locking members are simultaneously driven by a first lever. The second and third locking members are driven by the common second lever. When the seat is in a seating position, the second lever is allowed to drive the second locking member and inhibited from driving the third locking member. Also, when the seat is in the folding position, the second lever is inhibited from driving the second locking member and allowed to drive the third locking member.

Removable folding seat

Growing community of inventors

Okazaki, Japan

Yasuji Morinishi