SEAT ASSEMBLY INCLUDING AN ARMREST WITH A LEVER HANDLE AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME

Seat assemblies and methods for making seat assembly (10) are provided. In one example, a seat assembly (10) includes a seat base (18) and a seat backrest (20). An armrest (22) is disposed adjacent to the seat base (18) and has an upper armrest section (34) that extends towards a forward armrest section (32) for supporting an arm (36) of a seat occupant (38). A lever handle (48) is disposed within a hand-length below the upper armrest section (34) such that the lever handle (48) is accessible to a hand (50) of the seat occupant (38) while at least a portion of the arm (36) of the seat occupant (38) is supported on the upper armrest section (34). A lever arm (64) has a first end (68, 72) coupled to the lever handle (48) and a second end (68, 72) pivotally coupled to a part of the armrest (22) that is disposed below the upper armrest section (34) such that the lever handle (48) moves in an arcuate upward direction (41) when actuated.