Abstract: A cover member for a vehicle seat component in which the opening the cover member is closed by the use of a cable tie having integral fastening features. The cable tie and a portion of the cover member material is gathered around a protruding frame member of the seat component, providing a secure, yet neat appearing closure for the cover member.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a linear actuator is disclosed in which the actuator is used to adjust the relative position of two relatively movable components of the seat assembly. The actuator includes a first part attached to one of the seat assembly components in the form of a lead screw with an external helical screw thread. A second part of the actuator, attached to the other seat component, includes a housing containing a spin nut threaded onto the lead screw. The second part further includes means for engaging the spin nut to prevent it from rotating along the lead screw and means for selectively releasing the spin nut to permit rotation about the lead screw and thereby relative movement of the actuator second part relative to the first part. A cam is mounted to the actuator second part to selectively engage and release the spin nut.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a structural seat back to accommodate the seat belt loads applied to the seat back by a belt system which is carried by the seat assembly. The seat back includes a reinforced beam along one side to accommodate these loads with a recliner mechanism along the same side of the seat assembly coupled to the reinforced member to resist forward rotation of the seat back caused by seat belt loads applied thereto. The seat assembly is configured to be as similar to conventional seat assemblies as possible to minimize the need to redesign the non-structural components of the seat assembly. The seat assembly includes many features found in current production seat assemblies such as a fore and aft adjuster, an adjustable lumbar support, a seat cushion lift mechanism and a seat back recliner. The seat belt loads have been efficiently managed to avoiding adding unnecessary structure and weight.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a linear actuator is disclosed in which the actuator is used to adjust the relative position of two relatively movable components of the seat assembly. The actuator includes a first part attached to one of the seat assembly components in the form of a lead screw with an external helical screw thread. A second part of the actuator is attached to the other seat component that is relatively movable and includes a housing containing a spin nut threaded onto the lead screw. The second part further includes means for axially capturing the spin nut to prevent the spin nut from rotating along the lead screw and means for selectively releasing the spin nut from its axial capture to permit rotation about the lead screw and thereby relative movement of the actuator second part relative to the first part. A cam is mounted to the second part to selectively engage and release the spin nut from its axial capture.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with an extendable front panel is provided to increase the effective length of a vehicle seat cushion. The panel is deployed from a stowed position to a forwardly extending position in response to a predetermined deceleration occurring during a front impact collision of the vehicle. By extending the effective length of the seat cushion, a seat occupant will be prevented from falling to the vehicle floor forward of the seat cushion where additional injuries can be incurred.

Abstract: A seat back for a motor vehicle having a seat back panel that is forwardly rotated from an upright position to a generally horizontal position to enlarge the cargo carrying capacity of the vehicle by joining the trunk space rearward of the seat assembly with the seating area. The seat back panel is further equipped with an integral child seat assembly containing a restraint means for a child seat occupant including at least one belt attached to the vehicle structure rearward of the seat back at the upper end thereof. The belt is releasably attached to the vehicle structure and, to avoid use of the child seat assembly with the belt released from the vehicle structure, a lock-out mechanism is provided to prevent return of the seat back panel to its upright use position without first resecuring the belt to the vehicle structure.

Abstract: A method of seam location using a vacuum in which a laminate structure is formed having a cover member with a backing material bonded thereto. The cover member is comprised of multiple pieces joined together forming seams which are bound by a non-permeable binding. The cover member is placed on a holding tool and held in place by a vacuum applied to the area of the seams whereby the non-permeable binding is drawn against the holding tool, holding the cover member in place while a backing material is bonded thereto.

Abstract: A seat assembly with an integrated seat cushion and seat track frame in which the lateral seat cushion suspension load is transferred from the seat cushion frame to the seat track frame enabling a seat cushion frame to be constructed without a rear cross member. As a result, the weight of the seat cushion frame is reduced, without sacrificing the structural integrity of the seat assembly frame.

Abstract: A mechanical lumbar support having an adjustment mechanism with a cam for effecting adjustment of the lumbar support member position. The cam is coupled to the lumbar support member through a linkage which enables the cam and actuating knob to be located at the optimum position for reaching and operating by a seat occupant, independent of the location of the lumbar support mechanism.

Abstract: A seat assembly in which the seat back includes an integral child seat. The child seat is formed by a single panel rotatably mounted in the seat back and rotatable to a forward use position in which the top of the panel has a rear portion for seating of the buttocks of a child seat occupant thereon and a front portion forming a footrest for the child occupant. The child seat is deployed solely by rotating the panel from its stowed position within the seat back to the forwardly extending use position. The seat belt restraint system for the child seat includes a retractor mounted within the child seat panel. An optional rotating member can also be mounted in the front face of the panel forming a arm rest, cup holder or storage bin for use by adult occupants when the child seat is not deployed.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is disclosed which includes an integral child seat that can be deployed for use in seating a child or maintained in a stowed position enabling the seat to be occupied by an adult. The seat assembly includes a pair of panels movably mounted to the seat back. When the side panels are moved outwardly, they extend forwardly from the seat back forming side bolsters for the child seat. Troughs are revealed adjacent to the side bolsters which contain the shoulder belts of the child restraint system. The child seat back cushion is disposed between the two troughs and is comprised of the same seat back surface as used by an adult when seated in the seat assembly. As a result of using the same seat back surface for both the child seat and an adult, the seating comfort of the adult seat back is maintained at the same level as with a conventional seat assembly not having an integral child seat.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is disclosed containing an integrated child seat having a child seat cushion and headrest stored within the seat back of the seat assembly. The child seat is deployed by raising the child seat headrest from an upper portion of the seat back and rotating the child seat cushion from the seat back forward to a generally horizontal use position overlying the adult seat cushion. The seat assembly of the present invention includes a floating pivot axis for the child seat cushion to enable the seat cushion attaching hardware to be placed rearward from the face of the seat back to improve adult seating comfort. The buckle for the child seat restraint system is pivotally mounted directly to the child seat cushion enabling a user to easily insert a latch plate of the restraint system into the buckle with one hand freeing the other hand for restraining the child.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a rotating seat back panel having an integral child seat. An interlock is provided between the child seat latches and the latches for the rotating seat back panel to prevent deployment of the child seat when the seat back panel is unlatched and also to prevent unlatching of the seat back panel when the child seat is deployed. This ensures that the child seat can not be used unless the seat back panel is properly latched providing the load path for the child seat shoulder belts from the child seat to the vehicle structure.

Abstract: A linear seat rack recliner is disclosed having a lead screw mounted to a seat frame for rotation about its axis and a drive nut carried by the seat back frame movable along the lead screw upon rotation of the screw. A locking gear/thrust disk is fixed to the lead screw with a cam actuated locking pawl engageable with the gear to lock the gear in lead screw in position. The lead screw is also mounted for axial movement upon high loading with one face of the lock gear/thrust disk engaging a fixed wall surface to frictionally lock the gear and lead screw from rotation.

Abstract: A servo stretch assembly for blow molding hollow injection molded preforms in which the stretch rod is driven by a servo motor that is electronically controlled to produce a precise and repeatable stretch stroke and stretch profile.

Abstract: A one piece plastic molded hollow armature is shown for a vehicle seat headrest which is formed with two halves. Each half is formed with a wall having a concave inner surface and corresponding convex outer surface and a peripheral edge. At a linear portion of the edges of each half, the halves are joined together by a flexible web forming a hinge. The two halves are rotated about a flexible web to close the armature upon a headrest support post and are sealed together in the closed position. Afterwhich, a foam padding is molded around the armature through a pour in place molding operation and covered with an upholstery member. A plurality of posts extend from one armature half through apertures in the other half. Once the armature is closed, it is permanently sealed by heat staking the posts to form enlarged rivet heads.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a portion of a vehicle seat assembly utilizing a stylized forming tool and bonding a seat cover to a foam seat bun having a predetermined surface contour. The seat cover is positioned exterior side down on the stylized forming tool. A film of air impermeable material is then placed over the seat cover and a vacuum is applied between the impermeable material and the forming tool so as to draw the seat cover down into substantial conformity with style lines on the upper surface of the forming tool. The impermeable material is then removed and an adhesive coated foam seat bun is positioned and compressed against the seat cover on the forming tool. Once the seat cover and the seat bun are bonded together by the adhesive, the seat assembly is removed from the forming tool. The outer edges of the seat covers are then fastened together or to the underside of the seat bun so as to complete the assembly of the seat portion.

Abstract: A seat cushion frame for a vehicle seat assembly which is comprised of a metal reinforcing sheet insert molded into a plastic resin. By insert molding a reinforcing material into a low weight and strength plastic resin, a strength comparable to a high strength engineered plastic resin seat cushion frame and a stamped steel seat cushion frame can be achieved. However, the insert molded composite has the weight reduction advantages of the high strength engineered resin seat cushion frame at a cost comparable to a stamp steel seat cushion frame.

Abstract: A plastic container having an improved base structure. The base structure generally includes an inwardly domed inner wall having panels formed therein. The panels are inclined relative to the remainder of the inner wall and, at the juncture, form inwardly directed corners that provide increased stiffness and structural integrity to the base structure allowing use of the container with low carbonation beverages. The panels are also integrally formed with a lower end of an outer wall which defines a line of contact extending continuous around the base structure. This simplified base structure makes the container more cost efficient to produce and also allows it to be used with non-carbonated beverages.

Abstract: A seat assembly with an irreversible pawl adjusting latch mechanism in which a pawl with a plurality of teeth for insertion into apertures in a latch plate is provided with a portion of the teeth having edge surfaces inclined relative to the latch plate apertures so that upon insertion a wedge fit of the teeth into the apertures is provided to eliminate backlash in the latch mechanism. The pawl also includes a locking tooth having edge surfaces parallel to the latch plate apertures which, upon contact with the edges of the latch plate apertures prevent disengagement of the pawl from the latch plate due to fore and art loading on the seat assembly.