Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a frame and a seat that includes a cushion and a cushion cover. The seat defines a handle slot. A retractable handle is disposed in the handle slot and is operable between a retracted position and a deployed position. The retractable handle includes an elongate flexible body having first and second ends fixedly coupled with the frame, and first and second stretchable members operably coupled with the first and second ends, respectively, and configured to draw down a portion of the elongate flexible body. A graspable webbing is disposed between the first and second stretchable members, wherein the graspable webbing is configured to be grabbed by a user and drawn away from the frame which stretches the first and second stretchable members.

Abstract: A seat assembly forms a substantially horizontal plane for an exposed surface of each of a lower seat cushion and a seatback cushion of a seatback. The seat assembly comprises a lifter mechanism for a rearward edge of the lower seat cushion. The lifter mechanism further comprises a main lift arm coupled to the edge, a slotted support arm having a distal end thereof pivotally coupled to a distal end of the main lift arm, a linkage arm pivotably coupled with the main lift arm and a slot in the slotted support arm, and a translational arm coupled with the linkage arm. The rearward edge of the lower seat cushion is raised by the translational arm being displaced to a fully displaced position to thereby raise a distal end of the linkage arm and the lift arm.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a bolster section for a seating assembly of a vehicle comprising: presenting a first metallic support element that includes a tubular portion; and overmolding the tubular portion of the first metallic support element with foam. The tubular portion of the first metallic support element is bent to a predetermined shape before overmolding the tubular portion of the first metallic support element with foam. A second layer of foam can be applied over the foam overmolded over the tubular portion of the first metallic support element. The second layer of foam can be a different type of foam than the foam overmolded over the tubular portion of the first metallic support element. A first end of the tubular portion can be flattened and an aperture formed therein, to allow the bolster section to be attached to a structural support of a seating assembly of a vehicle.

Abstract: A trim cover for a seat assembly includes a front trim cover having first and second sides with first zipper portions disposed on the first and second sides. First and second intermediate strips include first and second ends. The first ends of the intermediate strips include second zipper portions that releasably couple to the first zipper portions of the front trim cover. A rigid back panel includes first and second sides that are operably coupled to the second ends of the first and second intermediate strips. The back panel is coupled to the front trim cover through the intermediate strips. The back panel is a rigid self-supporting member that is pierceable along an edge portion thereof, such that the second ends of the intermediate strips are stitched to the back panel in assembly.

Abstract: A seatback for a seating assembly of a vehicle comprising: a top portion; a headrest extending above the top portion; and a first shoulder belt guide disposed adjacent the top portion, fastened to the seatback, and configured to accept and retain a first shoulder belt of an occupant restraint assembly. The seatback further comprises a boss receiver and the first shoulder belt guide includes a first boss. The first boss is disposed within the boss receiver. A fastener can be disposed through the boss receiver and into the boss of the first shoulder belt guide disposed in the boss receiver to fasten the first shoulder belt guide to the seatback. The first shoulder belt guide is disposed adjacent the top portion to a first side of a midline of the seatback. A second shoulder belt guide can be disposed adjacent the top portion to a second side of the midline.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a folding vehicle seat includes upper and lower arms pivotally coupled to one another between open and closed positions. The lower arm is fixedly coupled to a support surface, such as a vehicle body, and the upper arm is fixedly coupled to a lower surface of a seat pan. A retaining bar is disposed on the lower arm and outwardly extends therefrom. An outwardly opening clip member is disposed on the upper arm. The clip member releasably receives the retaining bar of the lower arm when the upper and lower arms are in the closed position to retain the vehicle seat in a folded down use position.

Abstract: A seating assembly comprises a lower seating assembly having a lower surface displaced above a floor pan, a mounting bracket operably coupling a forward edge of the lower seating assembly to the floor pan, and a storage bin comprising a horizontally disposed frame member disposed between the lower surface and the floor pan, wherein the storage bin, the floor pan, and the lower surface define an enclosure below the lower seating assembly.

Abstract: A seating assembly includes a seat and a seatback. The seatback is operably coupled with the seat. A back panel is disposed on a backside of the seat and includes a metal insert. An injection molded polymeric panel is formed around the metal insert. The metal insert is retained by the polymeric panel by a ribbon style mechanical lock. Peripheral attachment features are disposed about an outer perimeter of the back panel for securing the back panel with a frame of the seatback.

Abstract: A seating assembly includes a seat operable between a lateral use position and a vertical storage position. A mattress is disposed below the seat when the seat is in the lateral use position and held in place by securing features. The mattress is operable between an inflated condition and a deflated condition.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback frame. A bolster insert is positioned on a side bolster of the seatback frame. A foam layer is positioned over the seatback frame. A trim cover is positioned over the foam layer. The foam layer and the trim cover are contoured to expose the bolster insert.

Abstract: A folding seat assembly for e vehicle includes a folding seat pan that is pivotally mounted to a support surface and includes a mounting aperture disposed therethrough. A seatback is coupled to the support surface and includes an outwardly extending bracket with an upwardly extending engagement feature disposed thereon. An engagement member having a frame portion disposed on a lower surface of the seat pan and first and second sidewalls upwardly extending through the mounting aperture, the sidewalls including opposed inwardly extending tabs for receiving the engagement feature therebetween when the seat pan is in a use position.

Abstract: A seating assembly includes a seatback. A seat includes a top side that defines a seating surface and a bottom side that includes an attachment interface. The seat is operably coupled with the seatback and is rotatable between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation. A closeable pocket is removably coupled with the attachment interface of the seat. The closeable pocket includes a zipper. A handle operably disengages a latching mechanism of the seat and is disposed above the closeable pocket. The handle includes a peripheral bezel with a light source, which is a light emitting diode, configured to illuminate the closeable pocket and a cargo space disposed below the seat.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat and a seatback. A retainer assembly is positioned in a rearward portion of the seatback. The retainer assembly includes a recess and a bezel positioned about a perimeter of the recess. A hanger is pivotably coupled to a lower portion of the recess. The hanger engages with an upper portion of the recess when in a stowed position. When in the stowed position the hanger defines an aperture between an inside surface of the hanger and a rear surface of the bezel. The aperture is of sufficient dimensions to prevent crushing an article that is supported by the hanger when the hanger is in the stowed position.

Abstract: A seatback for a vehicle comprises a midline. A first upper seatbelt webbing contact portion is disposed to a first side of the midline. A first seatbelt webbing retaining member is disposed to the first side. The first seatbelt webbing retaining member has a medial end, a lateral end further away from the midline than the medial end, and a middle portion between the medial end and the lateral end. Either the medial end or the lateral end of the first seatbelt webbing retaining member is affixed to the seatback and the other of the medial end or the lateral end is releasably coupled to the seatback. The middle portion is disposed above the first upper seatbelt webbing contact portion forming a gap configured to retain a first webbing section of a seatbelt assembly.

Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a seat operable between a lateral use position and a vertical storage position. A mattress is disposed below the seat when the seat is in the lateral use position and held in place by securing features. The mattress is operable between a deployed condition and a stowed condition. A fluid duct is disposed below a forward seat and in fluid communication with an HVAC system of the vehicle. The fluid duct is configured to move air into the mattress to affect the deployed condition of the mattress.

Abstract: A seating assembly includes a seat operable between a lateral use position and a vertical storage position. A mattress is disposed below the seat when the seat is in the lateral use position and held in place by securing features. The mattress is operable between an inflated condition and a deflated condition.

Abstract: A seating assembly includes a seat and a seatback. The seatback is operably coupled with the seat. A back panel is disposed on a backside of the seat and includes a metal insert. An injection molded polymeric panel is formed around the metal insert. The metal insert is retained by the polymeric panel by a ribbon style mechanical lock. Peripheral attachment features are disposed about an outer perimeter of the back panel for securing the back panel with a frame of the seatback.

Abstract: A seating assembly includes a seatback. A seat includes a top side that defines a seating surface and a bottom side that includes an attachment interface. The seat is operably coupled with the seatback and is rotatable between a horizontal orientation and a vertical orientation. A closeable pocket is removably coupled with the attachment interface of the seat. The closeable pocket includes a zipper. A handle operably disengages a latching mechanism of the seat and is disposed above the closeable pocket. The handle includes a peripheral bezel with a light source, which is a light emitting diode, configured to illuminate the closeable pocket and a cargo space disposed below the seat.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback having a seatback frame. A bolster insert is positioned on a left side bolster and a right side bolster of the seatback frame. A foam layer is positioned between the seatback frame and a trim cover. The foam layer and the trim cover are contoured to expose the bolster inserts when the vehicle seating assembly is fully assembled. A slip cover has a front-central portion that includes an abrasion resistant material.

Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle comprises: a cushion comprising an outer edge and a plurality of snap-fit-fasteners; and a carrier comprising an outer edge surface and a plurality of snap-fit receivers near the outer edge surface of the carrier arranged to receive the plurality of snap-fit fasteners; wherein the plurality of snap-fit receivers have received and are retaining the plurality of snap-fit fasteners such that the cushion is interconnected with the carrier; and wherein the plurality of snap-fit fasteners and plurality of receivers are arranged to prevent the edge of the cushion from rolling up. The cushion further comprises a lip having an inward facing surface; wherein the cushion at least partially surrounds the carrier with at least a portion of the inward facing surface of the lip facing the outer edge surface of the carrier.