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Rotatable automotive seat apparatusRotatable automotive seat apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070164592, Rotatable automotive seat apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to generally automobile technologies, more specifically devices for allowing an automobile passenger seat to rotate so as to facilitate the buckling/unbuckling of children into car seats and/or child safety seats. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] For the safety of children, federal law mandates that children be appropriately restrained in suitable car seats and/or booster seats within the back seats of automobiles. As such, it is frequent for parents and other people transporting children to use such car seats and booster seats within their vehicles. [0003] One major issue that parents face when buckling a child into such a car seat is the fact that the car seat faces forward and the parent is required to crawl within the vehicle and/or lean into the vehicle at an awkward angle in order to properly buckle the child into the car seat. If the parent doing such activities is not physically strong, such a process can often be physically challenging and/or frustrating. Even for individuals which have the physical strength to lift the child into the car seat at the strange angle and lean in to buckle the child, such individuals tend to find the process frustrating. [0004] While throughout the years, child car seats have become increasingly easier to install and use, none of the known child safety seats on the market and/or car seats on the market are known to pivot from a forward facing position to a side facing position so as to allow a parent or other individual to more easily and properly load the child into the car seat. Embodiments of the present invention solve this need. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] One embodiment of the present invention comprises a seat assembly for use in a vehicle. Such a vehicle having a floor portion. The seat being configured for rotation from a forward facing position to a side facing (loading) position. The seat assembly having a seat portion, a pivot portion, a mechanical seat rotator and a center stability track. [0006] The seat portion having a body/frame, this frame having a lower portion located generally adjacent to the vehicle floor portion. This lower portion comprising a geared track configured for cooperating with the mechanical seat rotator for rotating the seat from its forward facing position to its side facing (loading) position. The seat body is further pivotally connected to the vehicle floor portion through use of the pivot portion. This pivot portion for interconnecting the seat portion with the vehicle's floor portion. [0007] The mechanical seat rotator is configured for mechanically rotating the seat at the pivot portion. The rotator is configured for rotating the seat from its forward facing position to its side facing (loading) position. In one such embodiment, the rotator comprises a motor configured for driving at least one gear, this gear configured for cooperation with the seat portion's geared track thereby advancing the track in a generally circular fashion thus causing the rotation of the seat portion. [0008] Such a motor is preferably configured for selectively driving in a first direction whereby the gear track is advanced and the seat is rotated into its side facing (loading) position. The motor also being configured for selectively driving in a second (opposite) direction whereby the gear track is withdrawn and the seat is rotated into its forward facing position. Such an embodiment with thus further includes a control switch or other manner of controlling the operation of the motor and/or for selecting the direction in which the motor travels, whether that be the first direction or the second direction. [0009] It is likewise preferred that the present invention be configured with a stop(s) or other apparatuses for stopping the rotation of the seat portion at a pre-determined degree of rotation (forward facing, side-facing, etc). The inventor of the present invention further envisions that the automobile will be locked out from moving and/or starting when the seat portion is not in its forward facing position. Likewise, the present invention is preferably configured for not rotating when the car is moving or other factors are present (the side door is closed, etc.). [0010] Also provided is a center stability track adjacent to a pivot portion. The center stability track comprising an inner track, a bushing and an outer track. The center stability track for stabilizing the seat portion as it rotates. [0011] Still other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description describing only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive in nature. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 shows a partial perspective environmental view of one embodiment of the present invention shown in its forward facing position. [0013] FIG. 2 shows a second perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the seat portion in its side facing loading position. [0014] FIG. 3 shows a front side view of a second embodiment of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 4 shows a top view of a third embodiment of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 5 shows a side view along the lines denoted in FIG. 4 of the embodiment of FIG. 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0017] While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. [0018] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, shown is one embodiment of the present invention. The present invention is an improved car seat portion 20 for a vehicle 2 which, using a seat rotation device 28, allows the car seat portion 20 to be rotated from a forward facing position (as shown in FIG. 1) to a side facing loading position as shown in FIG. 2. The vehicle 2 having a floor portion 4 below the seat assembly 10. [0019] In these figures, the front passenger seat shows an unmodified assembly, where the seat has a lower portion 24 which connects with the base 14 which is attached to the vehicle's floor portion 4. Such an arrangement is typical for vehicle seats and through such connection the typical utility of forward and rearward sliding are often provided. Continue reading about Rotatable automotive seat apparatus... Full patent description for Rotatable automotive seat apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Rotatable automotive seat apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Rotatable automotive seat apparatus or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Arrangement for accommodating passengers; vehicle for transporting passengers Next Patent Application: Articulating headrest assembly Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Rotatable automotive seat apparatus patent info. 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