Abstract: A reversible seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle has an inboard seat riser, an outboard seat riser, a seat cushion, a seat back, a plurality of inboard reversing links, a plurality of outboard reversing links, a plurality of inboard strikers coupled to the inboard seat riser and a plurality of outboard strikers coupled to the outboard seat riser. The seat cushion is coupled to the inboard and outboard seat risers, and extends between a front end and a rear end. The seat back comprises an inboard latch bracket and an outboard latch bracket. The plurality of inboard reversing links extend between an upper end pivotally coupled to the inboard latch bracket and a lower end pivotally coupled to the inboard seat riser, and the plurality of outboard reversing links extend between an upper end pivotally coupled to the outboard latch bracket and a lower end pivotally coupled to the outboard seat riser.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a swivel mechanism for providing rotation of the seat assembly in an automotive vehicle. The swivel mechanism includes a first plate assembly coupled to a second plate assembly at a rolling-element bearing to facilitate axial rotation of one of the first and second plate assemblies relative to the other of the first and second plate assemblies. A lock plate slidably disposed on the second plate assembly selectively engages a lock pin extending from the first plate assembly for movement between a locked position in which the swivel mechanism cannot rotate and an unlocked position in which the swivel mechanism can freely rotate. Actuation of the lock plate between the locked position and the unlocked position actuates movement of a wedge between a cinched position to stabilize the swivel mechanism and an uncinched position to allow unimpeded rotation of the swivel mechanism.

Abstract: A power long rail assembly is attached to a vehicle floor for repositioning vehicle seats in a vehicle between a plurality of seating positions. The power long rail assembly includes a fixed long rail and a power rail drive assembly configured to travel along the fixed long rail. The power rail drive assembly has an upper channel having a driving wheel configured to frictionally and/or meshingly engage with the fixed long rail, a fore/aft motor operatively coupled to the driving wheel, a latch assembly for locking the upper channel to the fixed long rail, and a latch release mechanism having a latch motor operatively coupled to a release plunger for automatically unlocking the latch assembly from the fixed long rail, and a fore/aft button operatively coupled to the fore/aft motor and to the latch motor to selectively activate the fore/aft motor and the latch motor.

Abstract: A long rail assembly for use in a vehicle includes a fixed rail, a movable rail, a power strip, a latch power connector, and a channel power connector. The fixed rail extends longitudinally along a floor of the vehicle. The movable rail is slidably coupled to the fixed rail. The power strip is coupled to the fixed rail. The latch power connector is removably coupled to the movable rail. The channel power connector is fixedly coupled to the movable rail and is in constant sliding contact with the power strip. When the latch power connector is coupled to the movable rail, the latch power connector frictionally engages the channel power connector thereby generating an electrical bridge between the power strip and the latch power connector to provide power to the long rail assembly.

Abstract: A reversible seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle has a seat cushion, a seat back and a bolster. The seat cushion extends between a front end and a rear end. The bolster is operatively coupled to the seat cushion for movement between a deployed position when the seat back is adjacent the rear or front end of the seat cushion and a retracted position when the seat back is between the rear and front ends of the seat cushion to allow the seat back to rotate between a forward-facing seating position and a rearward-facing seating position.

Abstract: An improved head restraint is provided for a reversible seat that is movable between two use positions, namely a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position. The improved head restraint automatically pivots to a fold flat position upon unlocking of the seat, wherein the head restraint is positioned in this fold flat position during reversing seat movement, so as to reduce the seat height and clear the vehicle headliner. The head restraint is cable driven and operably connected to the seat linkages that control movement of the seat cushion and seat back during reversing movement. As such, the seat movement articulates the head restraint so that the head restraint angles forwardly toward the occupant in the forward-facing position and rearwardly toward the occupant in the rearward-facing position, while permitting the head restraint to automatically articulate to the fold flat position during travel of the seat between these two use positions.

Abstract: A long rail assembly for use in a vehicle includes a fixed rail, a movable rail, a power strip, a latch power connector, and a channel power connector. The fixed rail extends longitudinally along a floor of the vehicle. The movable rail is slidably coupled to the fixed rail. The power strip is coupled to the fixed rail. The latch power connector is removably coupled to the movable rail. The channel power connector is fixedly coupled to the movable rail and is in constant sliding contact with the power strip. When the latch power connector is coupled to the movable rail, the latch power connector frictionally engages the channel power connector thereby generating an electrical bridge between the power strip and the latch power connector to provide power to the long rail assembly.

Abstract: A power long rail assembly is attached to a vehicle floor for repositioning vehicle seats in a vehicle between a plurality of seating positions. The power long rail assembly includes a fixed long rail and a power rail drive assembly configured to travel along the fixed long rail. The power rail drive assembly has an upper channel having a driving wheel configured to frictionally and/or meshingly engage with the fixed rail, a fore/aft motor operatively coupled to the driving wheel, a latch assembly for locking the upper channel to the fixed long rail, and a latch release mechanism having a latch motor operatively coupled to a release plunger for automatically unlocking the latch assembly from the fixed long rail, and a fore/aft button operatively coupled to the fore/aft motor and to the latch motor to selectively activate the fore/aft motor and the latch motor.

Abstract: A long rail assembly for use in an automotive vehicle has a long rail, a power rail drive assembly, and a latch assembly. The latch assembly removably couples the vehicle seat to the power rail drive assembly. When the latch assembly is latched, the seat is capable of power sliding adjustment and can be moved along a channel axis to a desired position within the interior of the vehicle. When the latch assembly is unlatched, the entire seat can be removed from the vehicle to provide for added space and variability in the vehicle interior configuration.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a swivel mechanism for providing rotation of the seat assembly in an automotive vehicle. The swivel mechanism includes a first plate assembly coupled to a second plate assembly at a rolling-element bearing to facilitate axial rotation of one of the first and second plate assemblies relative to the other of the first and second plate assemblies. A lock plate slidably disposed on the second plate assembly selectively engages a lock pin extending from the first plate assembly for movement between a locked position in which the swivel mechanism cannot rotate and an unlocked position in which the swivel mechanism can freely rotate. Actuation of the lock plate between the locked position and the unlocked position actuates movement of a wedge between a cinched position to stabilize the swivel mechanism and an uncinched position to allow unimpeded rotation of the swivel mechanism.

Abstract: A long rail assembly attached to a vehicle floor for repositioning vehicle seats in a vehicle between a plurality of seating positions. The long rail assembly includes a fixed long rail having an internal channel, and a power rail drive assembly configured to travel along the channel of the fixed long rail. The power rail drive assembly has a rail main body having a lateral driving wheel configured to frictionally and/or meshingly engage with the fixed rail, an electric motor operatively coupled to the lateral driving wheel, and spring-loaded stability rolling elements attached to the rail main body configured to absorb channel variation as the power rail drive assembly travels along the channel of the long rail.

Abstract: A reversible seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle has a seat cushion, a seat back and a bolster. The seat cushion extends between a front end and a rear end. The bolster is operatively coupled to the seat cushion for movement between a deployed position when the seat back is adjacent the rear or front end of the seat cushion and a retracted position when the seat back is between the rear and front ends of the seat cushion to allow the seat back to rotate between a forward-facing seating position and a rearward-facing seating position.

Abstract: An improved head restraint is provided for a reversible seat that is movable between two use positions, namely a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position. The improved head restraint automatically pivots to a fold flat position upon unlocking of the seat, wherein the head restraint is positioned in this fold flat position during reversing seat movement, so as to reduce the seat height and clear the vehicle headliner. The head restraint is cable driven and operably connected to the seat linkages that control movement of the seat cushion and seat back during reversing movement. As such, the seat movement articulates the head restraint so that the head restraint angles forwardly toward the occupant in the forward-facing position and rearwardly toward the occupant in the rearward-facing position, while permitting the head restraint to automatically articulate to the fold flat position during travel of the seat between these two use positions.

Abstract: A reversible seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle has an inboard seat riser, an outboard seat riser, a seat cushion, a seat back, a plurality of inboard reversing links, a plurality of outboard reversing links, a plurality of inboard strikers coupled to the inboard seat riser and a plurality of outboard strikers coupled to the outboard seat riser. The seat cushion is coupled to the inboard and outboard seat risers, and extends between a front end and a rear end. The seat back comprises an inboard latch bracket and an outboard latch bracket. The plurality of inboard reversing links extend between an upper end pivotally coupled to the inboard latch bracket and a lower end pivotally coupled to the inboard seat riser, and the plurality of outboard reversing links extend between an upper end pivotally coupled to the outboard latch bracket and a lower end pivotally coupled to the outboard seat riser.

Abstract: A multidirectional clock spring assembly with a rotating arbor is disclosed for an automotive seat of the type wherein a seat back thereof may be pivoted between a rearward reclined position and a forward fold flat position overlying a seat cushion thereof. The clock spring provides a biasing force to move the seat back from the reclined position towards an upright position, and further for biasing the clock spring to provide a biasing force to move the seat back from the fold flat position towards the upright position.

Abstract: A multidirectional clock spring assembly with a rotating arbor is disclosed for an automotive seat of the type wherein a seat back thereof may be pivoted between a rearward reclined position and a forward fold flat position overlying a seat cushion thereof. The clock spring provides a biasing force to move the seat back from the reclined position towards an upright position, and further for biasing the clock spring to provide a biasing force to move the seat back from the fold flat position towards the upright position.