Abstract: A seat adjuster control mechanism for an easy entry vehicle seat track having a one position memory. An overcenter cam member is rotatably mounted on a pivotal latch plate pivoted on an upper track member. The latch plate has a detent normally biased into locking engagement with a lower track member by first spring means. Upon the seat being tilted forward a pawl, which pivots about a common axis relative to the latch plate, is rotated against the bias of second spring means and engages the latch for rotation in unison therewith. This results in pawl engaging means on the cam member releasing the pawl causing the cam member pivoted from a first pawl engaging overcenter position to a second overcenter position against the bias of third spring means. In its second overcenter position the cam member maintains the locking detent clear of its locked position enabling the seat assembly to be moved to its forwardmost easy entry and exit position.

Abstract: A switch and valve assembly for inflating or deflating a pair of bladders mounted in the back and seat regions of a vehicle seat. The assembly houses two normally-closed valve assemblies and two normally-open electrical switch assemblies, with two pushbutton-actuated stems adapted to selectively either partially open the valve assemblies by partial depression of the pushbuttons to thereby bleed-off fluid under pressure from respective bladders, or to fully open the valve assemblies while closing the switch assemblies by full depression of the pushbuttons to thereby actuate the pump to provide fluid under pressure to fill the respective bladders as desired for operator riding comfort or support. Pressures in the two bladders may be changed individually or concurrently.

Abstract: Passenger car individual front passenger seat back actuated seat latch release means comprising pivotally connected seat and seat back bracket means, longitudinal track seat adjustment means including manual latch release means, pivoted lever means on the seat bracket means, striker means fixed on the seat back bracket means responsive to forward tilting for actuating the lever means, linkage means from the lever means for actuating said manual latch release means, the striker means including a surface for retaining the lever means in latch release mode during manual return of the seat to rearward position and seat back to upright position.

Abstract: An easy entry vehicle seat latch mechanism compatible with conventional inertia latch, recliner, and horizontal seat adjusting systems. A dual function easy entry latch mechanism is provided which initially unlatches a seat horizontal adjuster and subsequently resiliently holds the seat back in a forwardly tilted easy entry position. The mechanism allows the front seat to be readily traversed fore and aft either by a person standing outside the vehicle or by a rear seat passenger exiting the vehicle when the front seat is unoccupied.

Abstract: A seat backrest having an adjustable lumbar support is provided wherein the cam surface of a rotatable cam of a regulating mechanism, which adjusts the lumbar support, is effectively utilized to facilitate manual adjustment of the lumbar support. Rotation of the cam in a first direction cams a follower away from the axis of rotation of the cam. The follower causes an attached bar to rotate therewith. A lumbar support plate is supported by a cantilevered resilient or rigid element in the form of a leaf spring which is supported by the bar.

Abstract: A latch mechanism (24) disclosed secures a vehicle seat (10) in a seating position and is selectively releasable to permit movement of cushion, back, and auxliary components (14, 16, 18) on a support linkage (20) to a bed position. The latch mechanism includes a first latch (26) having a latched position for securing the cushion and back components (14, 16) in the seating position. A second latch (28) of the mechanism has a latched position for securing the auxiliary component (18) in a vertical seating position at the rear of the back component. A pair of the first latches are preferably provided at opposite lateral sides of the seat with the second latch therebetween and are releasable in coordination therewith by an actuator (30) of the mechanism to permit unlatching that allows the seat movement to the bed position. A laterally extending connector shaft (96) of the actuator coordinates the releasing of the latches and is pivotally moved by a pedal-actuated member through a pair of cams.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat portion, a support frame for the seat portion, a back rest portion and an independently adjustable, front thigh support slidably supported at the front of the seat portion. A pair of spaced slideways define a slide path for the thigh support extending from a fully retracted position to a fully extended position. In a first embodiment of the invention, the slide path is inclined upwardly in a forward direction at an angle which is sufficiently small enough that the sliding friction between the slideways and corresponding slide members of the thigh support prevents the weight of the thighs of a person sitting in a seat from moving the thigh support in a retracting direction. In a second embodiment of the invention, the slide path lies in an upwardly extending curved surface.

Abstract: Insertable armrest frame and mounting structure is designed so that an upholstered, pivotable armrest can be easily attached to an upholstered seat back in such a manner that the mounting elements will be concealed. The mounting and support structure is quite light in weight but very strong due to use of an arm frame member which incorporates at least one strengthening rib portion. The arm frame pivots on one pivot pin anchored to the seat back frame and, in a preferred embodiment, includes a strengthening rib incorporating a cup-shaped portion having a curved flat rim which is slightly resiliently deformed by a flanged retaining nut on a stop pin which is also anchored in the seat back frame. The resilient deformation provides uniform tension which tends to hold the arm in any position to which it is rotated.

Abstract: Insertable armrest frame and mounting structure is designed so that an upholstered, pivotable armrest can be easily attached to an upholstered seat back in such a manner that the mounting elements will be concealed. The mounting and support structure is quite light in weight but very strong due to use of either a channel shaped arm frame member or a molded frame member. The arm frame pivots on one pivot pin anchored to the seat back frame and, in the channel shaped version, includes a strengthening rib incorporating a cup-shaped portion having a curved flat rim which is slightly resiliently deformed by a flanged retaining nut on a stop pin which is also anchored in the seat back frame. The resilient deformation of the rim, which also takes place in the molded arm version, provides uniform tension which tends to hold the arm in any position to which it is rotated.