Abstract: An interchangeable passenger seat for a vehicle having a seat-mounting surface includes a base frame having at least one end member attachable to the seat-mounting surface of the vehicle, and at least one cross-member extending generally perpendicularly from the end member. At least one back frame is removably attachable to the base frame. An adaptor bracket is disposed around the cross-member. The adaptor bracket has a plurality of locating structure along the length of the adaptor bracket for selectively locating and attaching components of passenger restraint systems.

Abstract: A method of attaching a seat cushion to a seat frame includes the steps of providing a spring latch having a spring portion and a brace portion, engaging a spring leg of the spring portion with the seat frame, attaching a cushion engaging leg of the brace portion to the seat cushion, and receiving a brace leg of the brace portion into a lock formation on a locking leg of the spring portion.

Abstract: A method and an attachment clamp for attaching a seat belt to a seat frame of a bus seat are provided. The attachment clamp includes at least one upper arm having at least one slot disposed through the at least one upper arm. The attachment clamp includes at least one lower arm that is received within the at least one slot of the at least one upper arm. A receiving channel is defined by the at least one upper arm and the at least one lower arm. The receiving channel is configured to receive the seat frame. The upper arm and the lower arm are pivotable with respect to each other and are fastenable to each other.

Abstract: An interchangeable passenger seat for a vehicle having a seat-mounting surface includes a base frame having at least one end member attachable to the seat-mounting surface of the vehicle, and at least one cross-member extending generally perpendicularly from the end member. At least one back frame is removably attachable to the base frame. An adaptor bracket is disposed around the cross-member. The adaptor bracket has a plurality of locating structure along the length of the adaptor bracket for selectively locating and attaching components of passenger restraint systems.

Abstract: Provided are a retractor attachment clamp and a method for attaching a seat belt retractor to a seat frame of a bus seat includes at least one upper arm having at least one slot disposed through the at least one upper arm. At least one lower arm has a tab that is received within the at least one slot, the at least one lower arm having at least two generally parallel wing portions configured to receive a spindle of the seat belt retractor therebetween. The retractor attachment clamp includes a receiving channel that is defined by the at least one upper arm and the at least one lower arm. The receiving channel is configured to receive the seat frame. The upper arm and the lower arm are pivotable with respect to each other and are fastenable to each other.

Abstract: The present disclosure sets forth a composite headlight assembly which increases the visibility and sight afforded to the driver of a vocational truck using such a composite lighting assembly. A composite lighting assembly includes a low beam light and a high beam light, as well as a turn signal and a parking light within one composite housing. As the overall size of the housing is limited by the size of the grill of the vehicle, the present disclosure increases the visibility and sight afforded to the driver by taking advantage of the untapped space within known composite headlight assemblies. More specifically, the turn signal and parking light may include a downwardly depending trapezoidal appendage increasing the overall area of the turn signal and parking light by at least ten percent.

Abstract: A method and an attachment clamp for attaching a seat belt to a seat frame of a bus seat are provided. The attachment clamp includes at least one upper arm having at least one slot disposed through the at least one upper arm. The attachment clamp includes at least one lower arm that is received within the at least one slot of the at least one upper arm. A receiving channel is defined by the at least one upper arm and the at least one lower arm. The receiving channel is configured to receive the seat frame. The upper arm and the lower arm are pivotable with respect to each other and are fastenable to each other.

Abstract: A method of attaching a seat cushion to a seat frame includes the steps of providing a spring latch having a spring portion and a brace portion, engaging a spring leg of the spring portion with the seat frame, attaching a cushion engaging leg of the brace portion to the seat cushion, and receiving a brace leg of the brace portion into a lock formation on a locking leg of the spring portion.

Abstract: A clamp for attaching a leg of a seat back sub-frame to a lower sub-frame of a bus seat includes a generally U-shaped body defining a receiving channel generally corresponding in shape to the leg to be received by the body, the body having a web, a first flange and a second flange extending from the web, where the first flange and the second flange are generally parallel. The clamp includes bolt holes some of which are positioned a distance from the web less than and some are greater than width of a rear surface of the leg.

Abstract: The present disclosure sets forth a composite headlight assembly which increases the visibility and sight afforded to the driver of a vocational truck using such a composite lighting assembly. A composite lighting assembly includes a low beam light and a high beam light, as well as a turn signal and a parking light within one composite housing. As the overall size of the housing is limited by the size of the grill of the vehicle, the present disclosure increases the visibility and sight afforded to the driver by taking advantage of the untapped space within known composite headlight assemblies. More specifically, the turn signal and parking light may include a downwardly depending trapezoidal appendage increasing the overall area of the turn signal and parking light by at least ten percent.

Abstract: A modular seat frame for a school bus seat includes riser assemblies for supporting the seat fabricated from a moldable material reinforced locally by attachment and reinforcement members.

Abstract: A modified seat frame incorporates a wall riser having an integrated mounting flange to reduce welding operations and to reduce the number of parts required to build and install a modular school bus seat.

Abstract: A modular seat frame for a school bus seat based on a minimized number of components and allowing for different orders of assembly.

Abstract: A modified seat frame provides a seat back and lower frame on which the seat back may be mounted. The lower frame includes risers with support necks for receiving the seat frame.

Abstract: A modified seat frame provides a seat back frame mounting reinforcement which can be conveniently varied in length and strength to vary the allowed degree of deflection and energy absorption provided by the seat back upon rear impact.

Abstract: The invention involves a seat system with a movable and immovable portions that may be maintained and still operate during transients as required under the federal regulations. There is a quick release serviceability latch for a school bus passenger seat with integrated restraints. The inner and outer seat backs must be quickly detached from one another to facilitate repair or replacement of damaged seat components. A movable plunger is rigidly attached to the inner seat back frame. Another bracket with hole to accept the plunger is rigidly attached to the back pan of the outer back. The attachment of inner to outer seat backs must be strong enough so that they can't be pulled apart by hand but at the same time be detachable in the event of a crash. A tab that engages the plunger separates upon a rapid deceleration event.

Abstract: A transmission 16 and gearshift communication sub-system that includes a gearshift 90, a transmission and transmission controller 16, and a common data bus 18. The gearshift 90 communicates with the transmission controller 16 to change gears or mode of operation of the transmission for automatic transmissions over the common data bus. Such communication is by a standard communication protocol that may be the SAE J1939 protocol. Vehicle control system 10 comprises an electrical system controller (ESC) 30, which is the primary component of a vehicle electronic control system. ESC 30 manages a number of vocational controllers disposed on a vehicle 13 and executes a load management program which oversees the total load imposed on the vehicle electrical system and power train by various accessories installed on the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of operating a retarder control system for a drivetrain retarder such as an engine compression brake of a heavy-duty truck vehicle is disclosed. The method of operation includes three novel subsets each of which controls the operational state and the resistance level at which the drivetrain retarder is operated dependent at least partially upon one or more factors including speeds of one or more drivetrain components, vehicle speed, rotational speed of one or more undriven wheels, position of a brake control member, elapsed time of activation of a brake control member and/or elapsed time from a change in a selected resistance level at which the retarder control system is commanded to effect operation of the drivetrain retarder.