Abstract: An automotive seat comprises a seat slide device mounted on a vehicle floor between a side sill and a tunnel portion. The seat slide device includes a movable rail which moves in a given direction along the side sill. A seat cushion frame is mounted on the movable rail to move therewith, and a seatback frame is pivotally connected to the seat cushion frame through paired pivot devices. A reinforcing structure is incorporated with at least one of the seat cushion frame and the paired pivot devices to provide the seat with a tough resistance against a side vehicle collision. The reinforcing structure includes a reinforcing beam secured to two mounting brackets secured by respective flange plates to the side sill and the tunnel portion. In another aspect of the invention, another bracket is secure to the top of the tunnel portion and also secured to the corresponding flange plate of the reinforcing beam.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle, there are arranged abreast first and second seats. Each seat includes a seat cushion, a seatback pivotally connected to the seat cushion, and a power reclining device for pivoting the seatback to a desired angular position. A load transmitting center structure is mounted on the vehicle floor between the first and second seats. A manual switch is used which, when operated, pivots the seatback of the second seat to a desired angular position. At least the second seat has a reinforcing structure installed therein. The reinforcing structure exhibits the maximum performance in cooperation with the load transmitting center structure when the seatback of the second seat is within a given angular range.

Abstract: 1. A seat is mounted on a vehicle floor adjacent a side door. The seat comprises a seat base mounted on the floor and a seat back pivotally connected to the seat base. The seat back includes a seat back frame of metal, a horizontally extending reinforcing rod of metal secured to the seat back frame in such a manner that opposed ends thereof are projected laterally outwardly from two side portions of the seat back frame thereby to provide outwardly and inwardly projected portions, and a cushion pad covering both the seat back frame and the reinforcing rod so that the seat back has outside and inside lateral projections. The outwardly projected portion of the reinforcing rod extends toward the side door in closed condition. An air-bag unit is held by the outwardly projected portion of the reinforcing rod. The air-bag unit includes an air-bag which can be inflated between the seat back and the side door upon a vehicle collision.

Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing contours of a preceding vehicle from road images input by the use of vehicle-mounted cameras is described. The cameras view an object in front of the vehicle having the apparatus thereon and measure a distance to the recognized preceding vehicle. The apparatus includes image input video cameras, A/D converters, image memories, an image processing MPU, a display, an output interface, and a display controller.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle, there are arranged abreast first and second seats. Each seat includes a seat cushion, a seatback pivotally connected to the seat cushion, and a power reclining device for pivoting the seatback to a desired angular position. A load transmitting center structure is mounted on the vehicle floor between the first and second seats. A manual switch is used which, when operated, pivots the seatback of the second seat to a desired angular position. At least the second seat has a reinforcing structure installed therein. The reinforcing structure exhibits the maximum performance in cooperation with the load transmitting center structure when the seatback of the second seat is within a given angular range.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle, a manual shift lever having shift positions including a parking position, and a reclining seat including a seat cushion and a seat back tiltable relative to the seat cushion between an upright position and a reclined position. Two switches are provided for detecting the parking position of the shift lever and the upright position of the reclining seat, respectively. The seat back is prevented from shifting toward the reclined position when the shift lever is not in the parking position. The shift lever is prevented from moving out of the parking position when the seat back is in the reclined position.