Abstract: A seat assembly includes a first member and a second member located proximate to the first member. An adjustment system for adjustably positioning the first and second members of the seat assembly includes at least one positioning mechanism operatively connected to one or more of the first member and the second member and at least one actuator connected to the at least one positioning mechanism. A control assembly including a housing having a control region, one or more guide surfaces extending from the control region and one or more recessed areas cooperating with the one or more guide surfaces. At least one of the guide surfaces or recessed areas cooperates with at least one switch configured to send a first signal to a controller when a user activates the at least one switch. The controller is configured to generate an activation signal to activate the at least one actuator.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back extending along a first axis and coupled to the seat bottom for receiving a vehicle occupant. The seat back includes a seat back frame with at least a first cross-member extending parallel to a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis. The seat assembly further includes a head restraint assembly with a head restraint and at least one head restraint post that supports the head restraint on the seat back. The seat assembly further includes a motor at least partially housed within the first cross-member of the seat back frame and configured to selectively generate an output torque. The seat assembly further includes a drive assembly coupled to the motor and the head restraint assembly to receive the output torque and, in response, translate the head restraint in at least one direction parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a first member and a second member located proximate to the first member. An adjustment system for adjustably positioning the first and second members of the seat assembly includes at least one positioning mechanism operatively connected to one or more of the first member and the second member and at least one actuator connected to the at least one positioning mechanism. A control assembly including a housing having a control region, one or more guide surfaces extending from the control region and one or more recessed areas cooperating with the one or more guide surfaces. At least one of the guide surfaces or recessed areas cooperates with at least one switch configured to send a first signal to a controller when a user activates the at least one switch. The controller is configured to generate an activation signal to activate the at least one actuator.

Abstract: A panel member assembly forming a pocket, and a method for fabricating the panel member assembly is provided. The panel member assembly including a panel including a non-linear slot which may be a generally U-shaped slot, an insert which is inserted into the slot to form the pocket, and a retainer attachable to the panel to retain the insert in the slot. The panel includes one or more attaching features and the retainer includes one or more attaching features to attach the panel and the retainer to each other, thereby retaining the insert in the slot. In a preferred embodiment, the retainer may be heat staked to the panel. The insert may include one or more additional features, such as cording, loops or rickrack to attach the pocket to the panel or the retainer.

Abstract: A mat assembly configured for use with a vehicle includes a mat holder and a mat insert. The mat insert is permeable to contaminants and is made of a spacer fabric which may be a 3D knit fabric. The mat holder is configured to entrap contaminants permeating the mat insert. The mat insert and mat holder are configured such that the mat insert can be detached from and reattached to the mat holder for cleaning. The mat insert has at least one appearance layer which may be a carpet-like material. The mat holder may include a panel, which may be hingedly attached to or detachable from the mat holder, through which entrapped contaminants may be removed. The mat holder may be integral to the vehicle, e.g., an aperture in the floor covering, a liner or an insert, or a cavity in the floor, trunk or cargo area of the vehicle.

Abstract: An adjustable seat assembly for a vehicle includes a frame and a covering. The covering has a first portion and a second portion. A flexure region, having an arched shape, is disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The covering at least partially extends over the frame to the first portion. An adjustment mechanism is operatively connected to the covering, at the first portion. The first portion and the second portion define a linear distance therebetween. The adjustment mechanism is configured to move the first portion relative to the second portion such that the flexure region moves to change the linear distance between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A panel member assembly forming a pocket, and a method for fabricating the panel member assembly is provided. The panel member assembly including a panel including a non-linear slot which may be a generally U-shaped slot, an insert which is inserted into the slot to form the pocket, and a retainer attachable to the panel to retain the insert in the slot. The panel includes one or more attaching features and the retainer includes one or more attaching features to attach the panel and the retainer to each other, thereby retaining the insert in the slot. In a preferred embodiment, the retainer may be heat staked to the panel. The insert may include one or more additional features, such as cording, loops or rickrack to attach the pocket to the panel or the retainer.

Abstract: A mat assembly configured for use with a vehicle includes a mat holder and a mat insert. The mat insert is permeable to contaminants and is made of a spacer fabric which may be a 3D knit fabric. The mat holder is configured to entrap contaminants permeating the mat insert. The mat insert and mat holder are configured such that the mat insert can be detached from and reattached to the mat holder for cleaning. The mat insert has at least one appearance layer which may be a carpet-like material. The mat holder may include a panel, which may be hingedly attached to or detachable from the mat holder, through which entrapped contaminants may be removed. The mat holder may be integral to the vehicle, e.g., an aperture in the floor covering, a liner or an insert, or a cavity in the floor, trunk or cargo area of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a foam cushion, a flexible cover at least partially defining the outer surface of the vehicle seat, and a spacer fabric. The spacer fabric includes a first fabric panel operatively connected to the flexible cover, a second fabric panel operatively connected to the foam cushion, and an interconnecting layer. The interconnecting layer resiliently interconnects the first and second fabric panels.

Abstract: A screen apparatus includes a screen assembly and structure. The structure defines a cavity having an opening to a vehicle passenger compartment. The screen assembly includes a frame and a video screen mounted with respect to the frame. The screen assembly is selectively movable between a retracted position in which the screen is inside the cavity and concealed from view, and a deployed position in which the screen is outside the cavity and visible from the passenger compartment. The screen apparatus is configured such that the movement of the screen assembly between the retracted and deployed positions is restricted to substantially linear translation.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a frame, a flexible cover, and a material that is sufficiently mounted with respect to the flexible cover such that the material resists displacement of at least part of the flexible cover with respect to the frame. The material is characterized by a first state in which the material is characterized by a first rigidity, and a second state in which the material is characterized by a second rigidity that is greater than the first rigidity. Thus, the firmness of the seat is selectively variable by causing the material to change between the first and second states. A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: An adjustable seat assembly for a vehicle includes a frame and a covering. The covering has a first portion and a second portion. A flexure region, having an arched shape, is disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The covering at least partially extends over the frame to the first portion. An adjustment mechanism is operatively connected to the covering, at the first portion. The first portion and the second portion define a linear distance therebetween. The adjustment mechanism is configured to move the first portion relative to the second portion such that the flexure region moves to change the linear distance between the first portion and the second portion.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a foam cushion, a flexible cover at least partially defining the outer surface of the vehicle seat, and a spacer fabric. The spacer fabric includes a first fabric panel operatively connected to the flexible cover, a second fabric panel operatively connected to the foam cushion, and an interconnecting layer. The interconnecting layer resiliently interconnects the first and second fabric panels.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a frame, a flexible cover, and a material that is sufficiently mounted with respect to the flexible cover such that the material resists displacement of at least part of the flexible cover with respect to the frame. The material is characterized by a first state in which the material is characterized by a first rigidity, and a second state in which the material is characterized by a second rigidity that is greater than the first rigidity. Thus, the firmness of the seat is selectively variable by causing the material to change between the first and second states. A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for adjusting the height of a vehicle head restraint includes a top cover, latch assembly, and bottom cover. The top cover is connected to the head restraint. A latch assembly is moveable in a lateral direction relative to a latch post, and a bottom cover connects to the top cover, sandwiching the latch assembly between the top and bottom covers. When the button portion of the latch assembly is actuated, the latch assembly unlatches from the latch post, allowing the height of the head restraint to be adjusted. By directly connecting to the underside of the head restraint, the apparatus is further operative to close out the bottom closeout opening on the underside of the head restraint and provide an aesthetically pleasing finish.