Abstract: A disc recliner includes a gear plate disposed between fixed and movable plates. The gear and fixed plates are operatively coupled by a pawl that is selectively engaged with the gear plate. An eccentric element is operatively coupled between the gear and movable plates such that inward-facing teeth on the movable plate are meshingly engaged with outward-facing teeth on the gear plate. When the pawl is disengaged from the gear plate, the movable plate rotates with the gear plate relative to the fixed plate to pivot a seat back to a folded position. When the pawl is engaged with the gear plate, rotation of the eccentric element shifts the engagement point between the inward and outward-facing teeth and causes wobbling rotational movement of the movable plate relative to the gear and fixed plates to pivot the seat back between a plurality of reclined seating positions.

Abstract: A disc recliner for a seat assembly includes a guide plate and a tooth plate rotatably coupled to the guide plate. A rotatable shaft moves a pawl between a first position engaging the tooth plate to prevent pivotal movement of the seat back and a second position disengaged with the tooth plate to allow pivotal movement of the seat back. A leaf spring extends between a first end secured to the guide plate and a second end having a convex curve portion engaging a lobe on the shaft. The spring biases the shaft in a first direction to maintain the pawl in the first position. Rotation of the shaft in a second direction moves the pawl from the first position to the second position as the lobe pushes against and rides along the convex curve portion of the spring, thereby controlling an actuation effort of the disc recliner.

Abstract: A seat comprises a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion. A linkage assembly moves the seat between a seating position and a kneeling position lowered rearwardly and downwardly against a floor. The linkage assembly includes a support bracket, a front leg coupled between the seat cushion and the support bracket, a rear leg extending between an upper end pivotally coupled to the seat back and a lower end pivotally coupled to the support bracket, the rear leg pivotally coupled to the rear portion of the seat cushion, and a control link extending between a first end pivotally coupled to the seat back and a second end pivotally coupled to the support bracket for guiding the seat cushion between the seating and kneeling positions in response to pivotal movement of the seat back between the upright and folded positions.

Abstract: A disc recliner for a seat assembly includes a fixed plate secured to a seat cushion and a rotatable plate secured to a seat back. Each of the fixed and rotatable plates has a plurality of teeth, the number of teeth not being equal. A flex spline has a plurality of teeth, the number of teeth being equal to the number of teeth on the fixed plate. A wave generator causes a portion of the teeth on the flex spline to meshingly engage with the teeth on the fixed and rotatable plates. Rotation of the wave generator causes the teeth on the flex spline which meshingly engage with the teeth on the fixed and rotatable plates to change, thereby causing the rotatable plate to rotate relative to the fixed plate, which in turn causes the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat cushion and seat back for pivotal movement between an upright position, a plurality of reclined positions, a fold flat position, and a dumped position. A recliner assembly is coupled between the seat cushion and seat back for actuation between locked and unlocked conditions allowing pivotal movement of the seat back. A seat track is coupled to the seat cushion for actuation between locked and unlocked conditions allowing fore and aft sliding movement of the seat assembly. An easy-entry mechanism is coupled to the recliner assembly and the seat track for actuating the recliner assembly and the seat track to the unlocked conditions and providing movement of the seat assembly to an easy-entry position defined by the seat back pivoted to the dumped position and the seat track sliding the seat assembly to a full-forward position allowing access behind the seat assembly.

Abstract: A seat track assembly includes a latch mechanism operable to allow movement of a movable track relative to a fixed track between a plurality of positions. A memory mechanism is operable between a home position, coupled with the movable track, and a memory position, coupled with the fixed track, to define a selected position. Actuation of the memory mechanism to the memory position unlocks the latch mechanism to allow movement of the movable track in a first direction away from the selected position to an easy-entry position. In response to movement of the movable track in a second direction from the easy-entry position, the memory mechanism blocks the movable track at the selected position, allowing the latch mechanism to lock and the memory mechanism to return to the home position. The latch mechanism operates independently to unlock the latch mechanism when the memory mechanism is in the home position.

Abstract: A seat assembly comprises a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for pivotal movement between an upright seating position and a fold flat position overlying the seat cushion. A support bracket is coupled to the seat cushion for mounting the seat assembly to the floor of a vehicle. A pair of front legs extends between a first end pivotally coupled to the seat cushion and an opposite second end pivotally coupled to the support bracket. A pair of rear legs extends between a first end pivotally coupled to the seat cushion and an opposite second end pivotally coupled to the support bracket. A linkage mechanism is operatively coupled between the front legs and the rear legs for actuating rotation of the seat assembly between a seating position spaced above the vehicle floor and a stow position recessed within below the floor.

Abstract: A seat assembly having a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for pivotal movement between a generally upright seating position and a folded position overlying the seat cushion. A power return mechanism is operatively coupled to the seat back for automatically returning the seat back from the folded position to the seating position. The power return mechanism includes a support bracket for mounting the power return mechanism to the seat assembly, a slider bracket slidably coupled to the support bracket, a cable connected between the seat back and the slider bracket, and a motor and gear assembly for power driving the slider bracket between a home position when the seat back is in the seating position and a full stroke position pulling the cable to pivot the seat back from the folded position to the seating position.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat cushion, a seat back for pivotal movement between an upright position, a plurality of reclined positions, a fold flat position, and a dumped position. A recliner assembly is coupled between the seat cushion and seat back for actuation between locked and unlocked conditions allowing pivotal movement of the seat back. A seat track is coupled to the seat cushion for actuation between locked and unlocked conditions allowing fore and aft sliding movement of the seat assembly. An easy-entry mechanism is coupled to the recliner assembly and the seat track for actuating the recliner assembly and the seat track to the unlocked conditions and providing movement of the seat assembly to an easy-entry position defined by the seat back pivoted to the dumped position and the seat track sliding the seat assembly to a full-forward position allowing access behind the seat assembly.

Abstract: A disc recliner for a seat assembly includes a gear plate disposed between fixed and movable plates. The gear and fixed plates are operatively coupled by a pawl that is selectively engaged with the fixed plate. An eccentric element is coupled between bearing surfaces on the gear and movable plates causing a plurality of inwardly-facing teeth on the movable plate to meshingly engage with a plurality of outwardly-facing teeth on the gear plate at an engagement point. When the pawl is disengaged from the fixed plate, the gear and movable plates rotate together relative to the fixed plate to freely pivot a seat back to a folded position. When the pawl is engaged with the fixed plate, rotation of the eccentric element shifts the engagement point and causes wobbling rotational movement of the movable plate relative to the gear plate to pivot the seat back between reclined seating positions.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a recliner operatively coupled between a seat back and a seat cushion. The recliner is operable between locked and unlocked conditions. Pivoting a recliner handle in a first direction actuates the recliner to the unlocked condition allowing pivotal movement of the seat back between a seating position and fold flat position. Pivoting a walk-in handle in a second direction actuates the recliner to the unlocked condition allowing pivotal movement of the seat back toward an inclined dump position. Pivoting the walk-in handle simultaneously pivots an EZ-entry link from a first position to an intermediate position. With the EZ-entry link in the intermediate position, the pivotal movement of the seat back toward the dump position urges the EZ-entry link from the intermediate position to a second position wherein the EZ-entry link blocks the seat back in the dump position.

Abstract: A seat track assembly for moving a seat assembly includes a fixed track and a movable track. A first slide member is slidably coupled to the movable track and slides between first and second positions. The first slide member slides from the first position to the second position in response to pivoting a seat back to a folded position thereby actuating a latch mechanism to an unlocking position and pivoting a hook lever to a raised position allowing movement of the seat assembly from a comfort range to an easy entry position. The first slide member slides from the second position to the first position in response to the first slide member engaging a rearward stop at a rearward end of the comfort range thereby actuating the latch mechanism to a locking position and pivoting the hook lever to lowered position.

Abstract: A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a seat cushion and a seat back for pivotal movement between an upright seating position and a forwardly dumped position. A recliner mechanism is provided for selectively actuating between a locked and unlocked condition allowing the pivotal movement of the seat back. A seat track assembly provides selective actuation between a locked and unlocked condition allowing fore and aft sliding movement of the seat assembly between a design position and a full forward position. An easy entry memory mechanism is operatively coupled to the recliner mechanism and the seat track assembly for selectively actuating the seat track assembly to the unlocked condition and provide movement of the seat assembly to the full forward position in response to pivotal movement of the seat back to the forwardly dumped position while maintaining memory of the design position.

Abstract: A release mechanism selectively actuates a recliner between a locked condition and an unlocked condition allowing pivotal movement of a seat back between a seating and fold flat position. The release mechanism includes a recliner cam lever operatively coupled to the recliner for actuating the recliner between the locked and unlocked conditions. A recliner handle lever engages the recliner cam lever in a first actuated position to actuate the recliner between the locked and unlocked conditions allowing pivotal movement of the seat back between a seating position and a fold flat position and further engages the recliner cam lever in a second actuated position to release a seat cushion from the floor and allow pivotal movement of the seat cushion between a seating position and tumbled position when the seat back is maintained in the fold flat position.

Abstract: A clock spring assembly includes a first member pivotally coupled to a second member about a pivot axis. The first member defines an inner space and the second member also defines an inner space. At least a portion of the second member is disposed within the inner space of the first member. A support member is disposed within the inner space of the second member and is coupled thereto. A pivot shaft is coaxial with the pivot axis and pivotally couples the first and second members together. A clock spring is disposed within the inner space of the second member and is wound around the support member. The clock spring extends between a first end engaged with the support member and a second end engaged with the first member. The clock spring biases the first member to pivot relative to the second member about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back operatively coupled to a seat cushion for pivotal movement between seating and folded positions. The seat assembly includes an air bladder. An air control system is operatively coupled to the air bladder for automatically inflating and deflating the air bladder in response to pivoting the seat back between the seating and folded positions. The air control system includes a pressure vessel for storing a predetermined volume of air, a fill valve for controlling air flow from the pressure vessel to the air bladder, a first pressure sensor for monitoring air pressure in the air bladder, a pump for filling the pressure vessel with air, a second pressure sensor for monitoring air pressure in the pressure vessel, a control valve for controlling air flow from the pump to the pressure vessel, and a vent valve for venting air from the or bladder.

Abstract: An armrest is pivotally coupled to a seat back for movement between a stowed position and a use position. The armrest comprises a support frame and a cam. A memory mechanism is coupled to the support frame for actuation between an unlocked condition providing selective adjustment of the armrest in the use position and a locked condition for retaining memory of the use position upon pivotal movement of the armrest between the stowed position and use position. The memory mechanism includes an elongated memory bar fixedly secured to the support frame, a guide member slidably coupled to the memory bar, and a wedge plate slidably and pivotally coupled to the memory bar for movement between a slide position to allow sliding movement of the wedge plate along the memory bar and a wedge position for lockingly wedging the memory bar between the wedge plate and the guide member.

Abstract: A seat assembly is provided for supporting in an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly comprises a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for movement between a reclined seating position and a fold flat position. A recliner assembly is coupled between the seat back and the seat cushion to provide pivotal movement of the seat back. A riser assembly is pivotally coupled to the seat cushion and pivotally latched to the floor to allow pivotal movement of the seat cushion between a horizontal seating position and a forwardly upright tumbled position. A release mechanism is coupled between the seat back and the riser assembly for automatically synchronizing actuation of the recliner assembly and the riser assembly to provide movement of the seat assembly to the tumbled position in response to the pivotal movement of the seat back to the fold flat position.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a recliner mechanism operatively coupled between a seat back and seat cushion to allow pivotal movement of the seat back. An easy-entry mechanism includes an easy-entry release lever, a drive link and a sector. Actuating the easy-entry lever in a first direction causes the drive link to pivot into engagement with the sector and simultaneously pivots a recliner release lever to unlock the recliner mechanism. As the seat back pivots forwardly, the drive link moves with the seat back and causes the sector to pivot in a second direction until the sector is blocked and the seat back is in a forwardly dumped position. Alternatively, actuating the recliner release lever in the first direction unlocks the recliner mechanism and the drive link moves with the seat back and passes by the sector as the seat back pivots to a fold flat position overlying the seat cushion.

Abstract: A seat track assembly includes a seat track operable for sliding movement of a seat assembly. A towel bar pivots a drive lever unlocking the seat track and allowing sliding movement of the seat assembly within a range of comfort positions. A stop lever pivots between a lowered position and a raised position. In the lowered position, the stop lever engages a stop bracket secured to the seat track preventing the seat assembly from moving forward of the range of comfort positions. A cam pivots in response to pivotally moving a seat back to a dump position. Pivoting the cam pivots the drive lever unlocking the seat track and pivots the stop lever to the raised position spaced above the stop bracket to allow sliding movement of the seat assembly to an easy-entry position forward of the range of comfort positions.