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: 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: Apparatus includes an inner tube affixed to a seatback and an outer tube affixed to an armrest and coaxially mounted over the inner tube. A substrate is affixed to the outer tube and a slave link is pivotally attached to the inner tube with a lock link pivotally attached to the slave link for reciprocal movement. A lock mechanism is movable between a locked position in which the lock mechanism frictionally engages the lock link and an unlocked position in which the lock link is free to slide relative to the lock mechanism. An adjustment lever moves the lock mechanism from the locked position into the unlocked position. A spring biases the lock mechanism into the locked position to hold the lock link and the armrest in a selected position.

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 tubular recliner mechanism including an inner tube having a longitudinally extending row of first apertures formed therethrough and an outer tube having a row of longitudinally spaced apart second apertures extending between ends thereof in a rotationally offset pattern. The outer tube is coaxially positioned around and rotatable relative the inner tube. A pin assembly is carried by the inner tube and includes a plurality of pins extending outwardly through the row of first apertures in the inner tube. The recliner mechanism has a locked position wherein rotation of the outer tube relative to the inner tube is prevented and an unlocked position wherein the outer tube can rotate relative to the inner tube. In the locked position at least one of the plurality of pins extends through an aligned second aperture.

Abstract: Continuous seat adjustment apparatus is used in conjunction with a seating device including a track assembly having an inner track and an outer track longitudinally movable on the inner track. The apparatus includes a pair of opposed jaws mounted on the outer track for pivotal movement between first and second orientations. Each of the jaws defines an opening with the inner track longitudinally extending therethrough. The jaws frictionally engage the inner track in the first orientation to substantially prevent longitudinal movement along the inner track and the jaws release the inner track in the second orientation to allow continuous longitudinal movement along the inner track. A spring device is affixed to the pair of opposed jaws to provide a bias on the jaws tending to move the jaws into the first orientation and an adjustment member is provided for moving the jaws against the spring bias from the first orientation to the second orientation.

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: Continuous seat adjustment apparatus is used in conjunction with a seating device including a track assembly having an inner track and an outer track longitudinally movable on the inner track. The apparatus includes a pair of opposed jaws mounted on the outer track for pivotal movement between first and second orientations. Each of the jaws defines an opening with the inner track longitudinally extending therethrough. The jaws frictionally engage the inner track in the first orientation to substantially prevent longitudinal movement along the inner track and the jaws release the inner track in the second orientation to allow continuous longitudinal movement along the inner track. A spring device is affixed to the pair of opposed jaws to provide a bias on the jaws tending to move the jaws into the first orientation and an adjustment member is provided for moving the jaws against the spring bias from the first orientation to the second orientation.

Abstract: Variable clutching seat recliner apparatus includes a drum coupled to a seat back, a band wrapped about the drum inhibiting rotation thereof, a tightening mechanism coupled to opposed ends of the band such that a force applied to the seat back in either of two opposing directions produces a tension in the band adjacent either end and a corresponding loosening of the band adjacent the other end. The tightening mechanism includes a lever pivotable about a fixed pivot point to convert a portion of the tension to reduce the loosening, and a variable control mechanism positioned proximate the lever for limiting pivotal movement of the lever.

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 recliner mechanism includes a cylindrical element attached to a back portion and a conically shaped element attached to a seat portion. The cylindrical element has an axially extending central opening formed therein defined by a conically tapered inner surface, and the conically shaped element has an outer surface receivable within the central opening. The conically shaped element is movable in an axially inward direction to a locked orientation with the inner surface of the cylindrical element engaging the outer surface of the conically shaped element to inhibiting relative pivotal movement of the back portion and the seat portion. The conically shaped element is also movable in an axially outward direction to an unlocked orientation with the inner surface of the cylindrical element disengaged from the outer surface of the conically shaped element to permitting relative pivotal movement of the back portion and the seat portion.

Abstract: Adjustable support apparatus comprising a support structure including a first seating element and a pivotally attached second seating element each for receiving a selected portion of a body of a user thereon, a rack and pinion adjustment assembly fixed to the support structure for reciprocally adjusting the support structure and a belt and drum adjustment assembly fixed to the support structure for pivotally adjusting the second seating element.

Abstract: A self-tightening mechanism mounted on a seat having a back portion. The self-tightening mechanism including a drum coupled to the back portion, a band wrapped about the drum inhibiting rotation thereof and having a first end and a second end. A tightening mechanism coupled to the first end and the second end such that a force applied to the back portion in either of two opposing directions produces a tension in the band adjacent either one of the first end and the second end and a corresponding loosening of the band adjacent the other end. The tightening mechanism including a lever pivotable about a fixed pivot point to convert a portion of the tension to reduce the loosening.

Abstract: A recliner mechanism includes a cylindrical element attached to a back portion and a conically shaped element attached to a seat portion. The cylindrical element has an axially extending central opening formed therein defined by a conically tapered inner surface, and the conically shaped element has an outer surface receivable within the central opening. The conically shaped element is movable in an axially inward direction to a locked orientation with the inner surface of the cylindrical element engaging the outer surface of the conically shaped element to inhibiting relative pivotal movement of the back portion and the seat portion. The conically shaped element is also movable in an axially outward direction to an unlocked orientation with the inner surface of the cylindrical element disengaged from the outer surface of the conically shaped element to permitting relative pivotal movement of the back portion and the seat portion.

Abstract: Adjustable support apparatus comprising a support structure including a first seating element and a pivotally attached second seating element each for receiving a selected portion of a body of a user thereon, a rack and pinion adjustment assembly fixed to the support structure for reciprocally adjusting the support structure and a belt and drum adjustment assembly fixed to the support structure for pivotally adjusting the second seating element.

Abstract: Variable clutching seat recliner apparatus includes a drum coupled to a seat back, a band wrapped about the drum inhibiting rotation thereof, a tightening mechanism coupled to opposed ends of the band such that a force applied to the seat back in either of two opposing directions produces a tension in the band adjacent either end and a corresponding loosening of the band adjacent the other end. The tightening mechanism includes a lever pivotable about a fixed pivot point to convert a portion of the tension to reduce the loosening, and a variable control mechanism positioned proximate the lever for limiting pivotal movement of the lever.

Abstract: An adjustable seat including a seat frame and a rack mounted to a substrate. First and second pinions are rotatably carried by the frame and meshingly engage the rack for relative movement of the rack. The second pinion is movable between an open position allowing rotation of the pinions, and an engaged position wherein the pinions are mutually engaged with each other and the rack, preventing relative movement of the rack and rotation of the pinions. A cam engages the second pinion for moving it between the open position and the engaged position.