Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate vehicle passenger protection during side impact events and, more particularly, to systems and methods which increase the survival space between the vehicle side structure and a vehicle passenger located in the vehicle passenger compartment while maintaining reasonable vehicle structure deceleration levels. The systems and methods enable the seat structure assemblies to move inboard during side impact events by coupling the seat structure assemblies to a deformable cross bar or beam. The embodiments include a deformable cross-car beam that is deformable in one or more locations along its length using changes in geometry and/or changes in material to initiate controlled deformation under a cross-car load due to a side impact event.

Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate vehicle passenger protection during side impact events and, more particularly, to systems and methods which increase the survival space between the vehicle side structure and a vehicle passenger located in the vehicle passenger compartment while maintaining reasonable vehicle structure deceleration levels. The systems and methods enable the seat structure assemblies to move inboard during side impact events by coupling the seat structure assemblies to a deformable cross bar or beam. The embodiments include a deformable cross-car beam that is deformable in one or more locations along its length using changes in geometry and/or changes in material to initiate controlled deformation under a cross-car load due to a side impact event.

Abstract: A trailing rear suspension for a motor vehicle having a twist beam axle coupled at its ends to a pair of trailing arms wherein the twist beam axle raises the shear center of the central portion of its cross-beam above the wheel center of the vehicle. The raising of the shear center is achieved by rotating the cross-beam to orient one leg of its cross-section to be aligned with the top of the trailing arms.

Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate vehicle passenger protection during side impact events and, more particularly, to systems and methods which increase the survival space between the vehicle side structure and a vehicle passenger located in the vehicle passenger compartment while maintaining reasonable vehicle structure deceleration levels. The systems and methods enable the seat structure assemblies to move inboard during side impact events by coupling the seat structure assemblies to a deformable cross bar or beam. The embodiments include a deformable cross-car beam that is deformable in one or more locations along its length using changes in geometry and/or changes in material to initiate controlled deformation under a cross-car load due to a side impact event.

Abstract: A bearing strap assembly includes an elongated strap of flexible material and a plurality of insert bearing buttons affixed to one side of the strap. The inserts extend transversely from the one side of the strap and are spaced apart along the length of the strap. In one use, an inner and an outer circular cylinder are concentrically positioned for relative movement therebetween. The outer cylinder has a plurality of holes extending transversely therethrough from an outside surface to an inside surface and the holes are spaced apart coextensive with the bearing buttons. The elongated strap is engaged about the outside surface of the outer cylinder with the bearing buttons extending through the holes and into engagement with an outer surface of the inner cylinder.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting a seat on a track in a vehicle, the track including inboard and outboard parallel spaced apart track portions with each track portion including a lower track affixed to the vehicle and an upper track at least partially enclosing the lower track and reciprocally movable therealong. The assembly includes a pair of seat mounting plates associated with each inboard and outboard track portion with each pair including parallel spaced apart plates affixed to the seat and formed to partially enclose the associated track portion. A set of load pins is associated with each pair of seat mounting plates and extends between the associated seat mounting plates with one load pin of the set positioned below the lower track and another load pin of the set positioned above the upper track.

Abstract: A truck seat suspension with scissors linkages. Each channel-in-channel scissor arm has a first C-section channel member opening in a first lateral direction, a second C-section channel member opening in the opposite lateral direction, the second C-section channel nesting within the first C-section channel member to provide abutting double flanges at the top and bottom of each scissor arm, and the first and second C-section channels welded to each other adjacent the abutting flanges. Enhanced bending stiffness, torsional properties, lateral stability and mass reduction are obtained compared to solid plate scissor arms.

Abstract: A seat frame recliner mechanism includes a cylindrical element defining an inner surface with gear teeth, a journal contact area, and a notch formed in a radially extending surface. The cylindrical element, including the gear teeth, the journal contact area, and the notch are formed as an integral unit to prevent false latching. A conically shaped element has an outer surface with mating gear teeth and a mating journal contact area. A tab is positioned to be received within the notch for limiting and defining reclining movements. The conically shaped element is movable axially inward into a locked orientation with the gear teeth of the elements engaging for inhibiting relative movement of a back portion and a seat portion, and movable axially outward to an unlocked orientation with the gear teeth of the elements disengaged for permitting relative movement of the back and seat portions.

Abstract: A seat frame recliner mechanism includes a cylindrical element defining an inner surface with gear teeth, a journal contact area, and a notch formed in a radially extending surface. The cylindrical element, including the gear teeth, the journal contact area, and the notch are formed as an integral unit to prevent false latching. A conically shaped element has an outer surface with mating gear teeth and a mating journal contact area. A tab is positioned to be received within the notch for limiting and defining reclining movements. The conically shaped element is movable axially inward into a locked orientation with the gear teeth of the elements engaging for inhibiting relative movement of a back portion and a seat portion, and movable axially outward to an unlocked orientation with the gear teeth of the elements disengaged for permitting relative movement of the back and seat portions.