Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback and a seat portion supported by a frame assembly. The seat portion includes a carrier assembly and a displaceable platform pivotally coupled thereto for pivoting movement between a use position and a deployed position. A retraction mechanism includes a first bracket operably coupled to the frame assembly, and a second bracket operably coupled to the displaceable platform. The first and second brackets are operably coupled to one another by an actuator, and the second bracket is operable between first and second positions relative to the first bracket. A belt assembly includes a tether member and a belt member. The tether member is coupled between the first and second brackets, and the belt member is operable between a deployed position outside of the seatback, and a stowed position within an interior of the seatback.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat portion having a frame assembly. A routing mechanism includes a plate member that is operably coupled to the frame assembly. The plate member includes a first portion having first and second raised portions spaced-apart from one another to define a channel therebetween. The routing mechanism further includes a connection assembly having upper and lower tabs spaced-apart from one another with a routing column assembly interconnecting the upper and lower tabs. A tether member includes a body portion that is routed through the routing mechanism, in that the body portion of the tether member is received in the channel of the routing mechanism and is wrapped around the routing column assembly and directed in forward direction.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback having an interior portion with a seatback frame disposed therein. A retraction mechanism includes a first bracket operably coupled to the seatback frame. A second bracket is operably coupled to the first bracket by an actuator that is operable between at-rest and actuated positions. A tether member includes a body portion that is operably coupled between the first and second brackets of the retraction mechanism for movement therewith. The tether member moves from a deployed position to a retracted position when the actuator moves from the at-rest position to the actuated position. A belt member is operably coupled to the tether member. The belt member is operable between a deployed position, wherein the belt member is disposed in front of the back support portion of the seatback, and a stowed position, wherein the belt member is received in the interior portion of the seatback.

Abstract: A pet restraint system for a vehicle is provided. The pet restraint system includes a leash configured to connect to a restraint device on a pet, a wearable device comprising one of a collar and a harness configured to be worn on the pet and connected to the leash, a retractor device coupled to the leash and configured to be secured to a support structure on the vehicle, a sensor for detecting an expected condition of the vehicle, and a controller for controlling the retractor to retract or lock the leash based on the determined expected condition of the vehicle.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback and a seat portion supported by a frame assembly. The seat portion includes a carrier assembly and a displaceable platform pivotally coupled thereto for pivoting movement between a use position and a deployed position. A retraction mechanism includes a first bracket operably coupled to the frame assembly, and a second bracket operably coupled to the displaceable platform. The first and second brackets are operably coupled to one another by an actuator, and the second bracket is operable between first and second positions relative to the first bracket. A belt assembly includes a tether member and a belt member. The tether member is coupled between the first and second brackets, and the belt member is operable between a deployed position outside of the seatback, and a stowed position within an interior of the seatback.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat portion having a frame assembly. A routing mechanism includes a plate member that is operably coupled to the frame assembly. The plate member includes a first portion having first and second raised portions spaced-apart from one another to define a channel therebetween. The routing mechanism further includes a connection assembly having upper and lower tabs spaced-apart from one another with a routing column assembly interconnecting the upper and lower tabs. A tether member includes a body portion that is routed through the routing mechanism, in that the body portion of the tether member is received in the channel of the routing mechanism and is wrapped around the routing column assembly and directed in forward direction.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seating assembly includes a conventional common seat back frame, a plurality of forward soft trim carrier assemblies each having a unique configuration, a plurality of corresponding seat back panel and closeout assemblies, and an adapter carrier coupled with the common seat back frame and disposed between the forward soft trim carrier assembly and the corresponding seat back panel and closeout assembly. The adapter carrier includes a composite upper portion and a pair of depending frame attachment brackets coupled with a lower inboard and outboard lateral side of the composite upper portion of the adapter carrier. The pair of depending frame attachment brackets are coupled with a pair of opposed lateral side rails of the common seat back frame. The adapter carrier has a unique configuration corresponding with one of the plurality of forward soft trim carrier assemblies and the seat back panel and closeout assemblies.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback having an interior portion with a seatback frame disposed therein. A retraction mechanism includes a first bracket operably coupled to the seatback frame. A second bracket is operably coupled to the first bracket by an actuator that is operable between at-rest and actuated positions. A tether member includes a body portion that is operably coupled between the first and second brackets of the retraction mechanism for movement therewith. The tether member moves from a deployed position to a retracted position when the actuator moves from the at-rest position to the actuated position. A belt member is operably coupled to the tether member. The belt member is operable between a deployed position, wherein the belt member is disposed in front of the back support portion of the seatback, and a stowed position, wherein the belt member is received in the interior portion of the seatback.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat portion having a frame assembly, a carrier assembly and a displaceable platform operably coupled to the carrier assembly. The displaceable platform is operable between a use position and a deployed position. A retraction mechanism includes a first bracket operably coupled to the frame assembly, and a second bracket operably coupled to the displaceable platform. The first and second brackets are interconnected by an actuator that is operable between at-rest and actuated positions. The second bracket moves from a first position to a second position as the actuator moves from the at-rest position to the actuated position. At least one tether member is operably coupled to the first bracket and includes a body portion interlaced between the first and second brackets of the retraction mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin interior, a support structure within or proximate to the cabin interior, and a deployable assist handle coupled to the support structure. The deployable assist handle includes a handle body, a flexible member coupled to the handle body, a reel configured to receive the flexible member, an actuator operatively coupled to the reel to actuate the reel to extend and retract the flexible member, at least one sensor for sensing a user proximate to the vehicle and generating sensed data based on the sensed user, and a controller determining one or more characteristics of the user from the sensed data and controlling the actuator to actuate the deployable assist handle assembly to adjust a length of the flexible member based on the determined one or more characteristics of the user.

Abstract: A temperature regulating system for interior surfaces of a vehicle includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. An air register assembly is operably coupled to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to direct air to an interior compartment. The air register assembly includes an actuation assembly for adjusting a position of the air register assembly. A target feature having a contact surface is disposed within the interior compartment. A temperature sensor is coupled to the target feature and senses a surface temperature of the contact surface. A controller communicates a notification with temperature information. A remote start device is communicatively coupled with the controller. The controller adjusts the position of the air register assembly to direct air across the contact surface of the target feature in response to a remote start signal from the remote start device.

Abstract: An assist handle assembly for use in an interior of a vehicle is provided. The assist handle assembly includes an assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, a connector configured to secure the assist handle assembly to a structural component in the interior of the vehicle, a proximity sensor assembly coupled to the assist handle for generating a sensed signal indicative of a user gripping the assist handle, and a controller controlling one or more vehicle devices based on the sensed signal.

Abstract: An assembly includes a vehicle seat. The assembly includes an armrest supported by the vehicle seat. The armrest includes an upright portion elongated along an axis and an arm support portion supported by the upright portion. The assembly includes an airbag supported by the arm support portion of the armrest. The airbag inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag includes an upper portion extending upwardly from the arm support portion when the airbag is in the inflated position and a lower portion extending downwardly from the arm support portion when the airbag is in the inflated position. The upper portion is vehicle-inboard of the axis and the lower portion being vehicle-outboard of the axis.

Abstract: A pet restraint system for a vehicle is provided. The pet restraint system includes a leash configured to connect to a restraint device on a pet, a wearable device comprising one of a collar and a harness configured to be worn on the pet and connected to the leash, a retractor device coupled to the leash and configured to be secured to a support structure on the vehicle, a sensor for detecting an expected condition of the vehicle, and a controller for controlling the retractor to retract or lock the leash based on the determined expected condition of the vehicle.

Abstract: An assist handle assembly for use in an interior of a vehicle is provided. The assist handle assembly includes an assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, a connector configured to secure the assist handle assembly to a structural component in the interior of the vehicle, a proximity sensor assembly coupled to the assist handle for generating a sensed signal indicative of a user gripping the assist handle, and a controller controlling one or more vehicle devices based on the sensed signal.

Abstract: A seatback assembly includes a front carrier module having a mounting portion with an inverted U-shaped outer perimeter edge. A plurality of doors includes individual doors that are hingedly coupled to the outer perimeter edge of the front carrier module. Each door of the plurality of doors is operable between open and closed positions. An airbag carrier module includes an inverted U-shaped raceway with an open front portion. The airbag carrier module is operably coupled to the front carrier module, such that the doors of the front carrier module selectively open and close the open front portion of the raceway of the airbag carrier module.

Abstract: A temperature regulating system for interior surfaces of a vehicle includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system. An air register assembly is operably coupled to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to direct air to an interior compartment. The air register assembly includes an actuation assembly for adjusting a position of the air register assembly. A target feature having a contact surface is disposed within the interior compartment. A temperature sensor is coupled to the target feature and senses a surface temperature of the contact surface. A controller communicates a notification with temperature information. A remote start device is communicatively coupled with the controller. The controller adjusts the position of the air register assembly to direct air across the contact surface of the target feature in response to a remote start signal from the remote start device.

Abstract: A seating assembly of a row of seating of a vehicle comprising: (a) a seat including a frame having an inboard side; and (b) an inboard armrest assembly comprising: (i) a lower bracket attached to the inboard side of the frame of the seat; (ii) an upper bracket pivotally coupled to the lower bracket about a pivot axis extending generally forward-to-rearward; and (iii) a cushion unit mounted upon the upper bracket, the upper bracket having an inboard position and, upon application of an outboard force to the upper bracket, an outboard position further outboard than the inboard position, the upper bracket transitioning from the inboard position to the outboard position about the pivot axis. The outboard force moving the cushion unit to the outboard position removes the inboard armrest assembly from projecting into a center aisle of a vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle having a lower seating structure and a raised seatback include a common lower back panel and closeout assembly comprising an intersecting rear vertical plane and an upper horizontal plane. A plurality of interchangeable upper shroud assemblies having a plurality of design configurations that are received and coupled with the intersecting rear vertical plane and upper horizontal plane of the common lower back panel and closeout assembly, depending on a chosen trim level. Each of the plurality of interchangeable upper shroud assemblies has an identical intersecting forward vertical plane and a lower horizontal plane that mount to the intersecting rear vertical plane and upper horizontal plane of the common lower back panel and closeout assembly, thereby allowing interchangeability of the plurality of interchangeable upper shroud assemblies to change an overall configuration of the vehicle seating assembly.

Abstract: A seating assembly of a row of seating of a vehicle comprising: (a) a seat including a frame having an inboard side; and (b) an inboard armrest assembly comprising: (i) a lower bracket attached to the inboard side of the frame of the seat; (ii) an upper bracket pivotally coupled to the lower bracket about a pivot axis extending generally forward-to-rearward; and (iii) a cushion unit mounted upon the upper bracket, the upper bracket having an inboard position and, upon application of an outboard force to the upper bracket, an outboard position further outboard than the inboard position, the upper bracket transitioning from the inboard position to the outboard position about the pivot axis. The outboard force moving the cushion unit to the outboard position removes the inboard armrest assembly from projecting into a center aisle of a vehicle.