US Patent 6877807 Vehicular under-seat compartment mechanism

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.