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 includes a seat back operatively coupled to a seat cushion and a head restraint operatively coupled to the seat back. A bell-crank is pivotally coupled to the seat back and operatively coupled to the seat cushion and a head restraint latch mechanism. Initial pivotal movement of the seat back from a seating position toward a folded position pivots the bell-crank from a first position actuating the latch mechanism to disengage with the head restraint. Continued pivotal movement of the seat back to the folded position pivots the bell-crank to a second position operably disconnecting the bell-crank and seat cushion. Pivotal movement of the seat back from the folded position to the seating position pivots the bell-crank from the second position to the first position actuating the latch mechanism to a position for engagement with the head restraint upon return of the head restraint to a use position.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat back operatively coupled to a seat cushion. The seat back is pivotally movable between a first seating position and a second folded position. A head restraint is operatively coupled to the seat back for pivotal movement between a use position and a stowed position. A handle assembly includes a handling having a first slot operatively coupled to the head restraint and a second slot operatively coupled to the seat back. Operating the handle actuates the head restraint to move from the use position to the stowed position prior to actuating the seat back to move from the first seating position to the second folded position.

Abstract: A disc recliner includes a fixed plate having a plurality of outer teeth and a movable plate having a plurality of inner teeth meshingly engageable with the outer teeth to allow rolling movement of the movable plate relative to the fixed plate. A pair of wedges defining an eccentric is rotatably mounted between the fixed and movable plates and rotation of the wedges causes the rolling movement of the movable plate. An anchor is disposed between the wedges for rotation therewith. A lock plate is coupled to the anchor and is movable between a locked position engaged with the fixed plate to prevent rotation of the wedges and an unlocked position disengaged with the fixed plate to permit rotation of the wedges. A cam actuates the lock plate from the locked position to the unlocked position and rotates the wedges thereby causing the rolling movement of the movable plate.

Abstract: An armrest is movable between a stowed position disposed within a recess of a seat back and deployed position extending from the recess. A bracket fixedly secured to the seat back includes a slot having an angled portion connected with a vertical portion, which is connected with an arcuate portion. First and second pins extend laterally from a proximal end of the armrest and are pivotally and slidably coupled to the slot. The first pin travels along the angled portion and the second pin travels along the vertical portion in response to pivotal movement of the armrest, thereby lifting the armrest to prevent interference between the proximal end of the armrest and the seat back. The first pin remains at the transition between the angled portion and the vertical portion and the second pin travels along the arcuate portion in response to further pivotal movement of the armrest.

Abstract: An attachment device for securing a trim cover to foam pad. The attachment device includes an elongated attachment component coupled to the trim cover and a base component disposed within the foam pad. The attachment component includes an outwardly protruding barb and a key pad at a distal end thereof. The base component includes a retaining element having a pair of spaced apart fingers defining a gap there between and a keyway at the bottom of the retaining element between the fingers that is adapted for receiving the key. The key of the attachment component is disposed in the keyway of the retaining element and one of the fingers interacts with the barb to prevent removal of the attachment component from the base component.

Abstract: A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle is provided with a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally connected to the seat cushion for pivotal movement between an upright seating position and a forwardly folded dump position. A seat track assembly is fixedly secured to the seat cushion for providing a selective fore and aft sliding adjustment of the seat assembly along a first linear path between a full forward position and a full rearward position. A tip slide mechanism is operatively coupled to the seat track assembly and adapted for mounting the seat assembly to a vehicle floor. The tip slide mechanism provides fore and aft movement of the seat assembly along a second curved path transverse to the first linear path between a seating position and an easy entry position to provide access behind the seat assembly.

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: A recliner assembly includes first and second disc recliners operatively interconnecting a seat back and seat cushion. A coupling mechanism releasably couples the seat back and the second disc recliner. The coupling mechanism couples the seat back and the second disc recliner together and the first and second disc recliners are selectively actuated between a locked condition and an unlocked condition to pivotally adjust the seat back between a plurality of reclined seating positions. The coupling mechanism uncouples the seat back and the second disk recliner and the first disc recliner is actuated to the unlocked condition to pivot the seat back between a selected one of the plurality of reclined seating positions and forwardly folded position.

Abstract: A disc recliner mechanism includes a guide plate having a pair of guides and a tooth plate having an inner radial edge with a plurality of teeth. A pawl mounted between the guide and tooth plates includes a radially inner cam surface and a toothed outer edge. The pawl is guided by the guides between a retracted position disengaged with the tooth plate to allow rotational movement of the tooth plate and an extended position engaged with the tooth plate to prevent rotational movement of the tooth plate. A cam rotatably mounted between the guide and tooth plates includes a radially outer cam profile selectively engaging and cooperating with the cam surface. Rotating the cam in a first direction moves the pawl radially outward with respect to the guide plate to the extended position and applies a rotational moment to the pawl thereby wedging the pawl between the guides.

Abstract: A flipper panel assembly for covering a gap between a seat assembly and a cargo load floor. The seat assembly is movable forward and rearward and includes a pivotal seat back. The flipper panel assembly includes a main panel slidably disposed on the cargo load floor and fixedly secured to the seat assembly. A flipper panel is pivotally coupled to the main panel. The flipper panel assembly translates along the cargo load floor in response to moving the seat assembly forward and rearward. The flipper panel pivots in response to pivotal movement of the seat back.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle includes a seat back and an armrest rotatably coupled to the seat back for movement between a generally vertical, stowed position and a generally horizontal, use position. A guide member is disposed between the armrest and the seat back. The guide member includes a tube having an interior defining thread ridges. A guide pin extends through the tube and interconnects the armrest and seat back. The guide pin includes a helical screw thread portion for rotatably engaging the thread ridges to provide for lateral adjustment of the armrest towards and away from the seat back as the armrest moves between its respective stowed and use position.

Abstract: A light weight alloy part is molded in a mold containing at least one weldable metal insert, so that portions of portions of the alloy part lap portions of the insert to securely lock the weldable insert to the light weight alloy part. The resulting hybrid part is thus both light weight and weldable to other assemblies and sub-assemblies.