US 12,441,422 B2
Foldable seat with latching mechanism for personal transport device
Nicholas P. Ziraldo, Powell, OH (US); Matthew B. Staal, Torrance, CA (US); Ming Hsein Lee, Taichung (TW); Ding Jong Chou, Taichung (TW); and Sheng Yu Huang, Taichung (TW)
Assigned to HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., Tokyo (JP); and JD COMPONENTS CO., LTD., Taichung (TW)
Filed by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Tokyo (JP); and JD Components Co., Ltd., Taichung (TW)
Filed on Mar. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/187,320.
Prior Publication US 2024/0317341 A1, Sep. 26, 2024
Int. Cl. B62J 1/08 (2006.01); B62J 1/02 (2006.01)
CPC B62J 1/08 (2013.01) [B62J 1/02 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A latching mechanism for a seat assembly comprising:
a pivot mechanism;
a clamp located above the pivot mechanism;
a latch arm attached to the pivot mechanism at a pivot end of the latch arm;
a hooked catch disposed at a catch end of the latch arm opposite the pivot end;
a catch receiver associated with an underside of a seat of the seat assembly, the catch receiver configured to engage with the hooked catch of the latch arm;
a release element that is configured to slide vertically along a track that extends downwards from the underside of the seat;
a pin receiver on the underside of the seat and a barrel pin disposed inside a cavity of a seat post of the seat assembly;
wherein the release element is configured to engage the barrel pin disposed inside the cavity of the seat post;
wherein a tip of the barrel pin fits into the pin receiver;
wherein, when the tip of the barrel pin is removed from the pin receiver, a tilt mechanism that attaches the seat to the seat post is allowed to tilt to fold the seat to one side of the seat post so that a seat surface of the seat is approximately parallel to the seat post; and
wherein, when the clamp is in a locked position, the hooked catch is configured to exert a downward clamping force on the catch receiver to secure the seat in a riding configuration.