Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a structural seat back to accommodate the seat belt loads applied to the seat back by the belt system which is carried by the seat assembly. The seat back includes a reinforced beam along one side of the seat back frame to accommodate these loads with a recliner mechanism along the same side of the seat assembly and engaging the reinforced member to resist forward rotation of the seat back caused by seat belt loads applied thereto. The seat assembly while being reinforced to accommodate the seat belt loads is configured to be as similar to conventional seat assemblies as possible to minimize the need to redesign the non-structural components of the seat assembly. In addition, the seat assembly includes many features found in current production seat assemblies such as a fore and aft adjuster, an adjustable lumbar support, a seat cushion lift and a seat back recliner.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a passenger car including an integral child seat assembly. The frame of the seat back carries seat belt loading from the child seat restraint system receiving the load directly from the seat belts and transferring a load efficiently to the floor pan and rear shelf of the motor vehicle to provide a short load path requiring a minimal number of components.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a structural seat back to accommodate the seat belt loads applied to the seat back by a belt system which is carried by the seat assembly. The seat back includes a reinforced beam along one side to accommodate these loads with a recliner mechanism along the same side of the seat assembly coupled to the reinforced member to resist forward rotation of the seat back caused by seat belt loads applied thereto. The seat assembly is configured to be as similar to conventional seat assemblies as possible to minimize the need to redesign the non-structural components of the seat assembly. The seat assembly includes many features found in current production seat assemblies such as a fore and aft adjuster, an adjustable lumbar support, a seat cushion lift mechanism and a seat back recliner. The seat belt loads have been efficiently managed to avoiding adding unnecessary structure and weight.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with an extendable front panel is provided to increase the effective length of a vehicle seat cushion. The panel is deployed from a stowed position to a forwardly extending position in response to a predetermined deceleration occurring during a front impact collision of the vehicle. By extending the effective length of the seat cushion, a seat occupant will be prevented from falling to the vehicle floor forward of the seat cushion where additional injuries can be incurred.

Abstract: A mechanical lumbar support having an adjustment mechanism with a cam for effecting adjustment of the lumbar support member position. The cam is coupled to the lumbar support member through a linkage which enables the cam and actuating knob to be located at the optimum position for reaching and operating by a seat occupant, independent of the location of the lumbar support mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is disclosed containing an integrated child seat having a child seat cushion and headrest stored within the seat back of the seat assembly. The child seat is deployed by raising the child seat headrest from an upper portion of the seat back and rotating the child seat cushion from the seat back forward to a generally horizontal use position overlying the adult seat cushion. The seat assembly of the present invention includes a floating pivot axis for the child seat cushion to enable the seat cushion attaching hardware to be placed rearward from the face of the seat back to improve adult seating comfort. The buckle for the child seat restraint system is pivotally mounted directly to the child seat cushion enabling a user to easily insert a latch plate of the restraint system into the buckle with one hand freeing the other hand for restraining the child.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a rotating seat back panel having an integral child seat. An interlock is provided between the child seat latches and the latches for the rotating seat back panel to prevent deployment of the child seat when the seat back panel is unlatched and also to prevent unlatching of the seat back panel when the child seat is deployed. This ensures that the child seat can not be used unless the seat back panel is properly latched providing the load path for the child seat shoulder belts from the child seat to the vehicle structure.

Abstract: A one piece plastic molded hollow armature is shown for a vehicle seat headrest which is formed with two halves. Each half is formed with a wall having a concave inner surface and corresponding convex outer surface and a peripheral edge. At a linear portion of the edges of each half, the halves are joined together by a flexible web forming a hinge. The two halves are rotated about a flexible web to close the armature upon a headrest support post and are sealed together in the closed position. Afterwhich, a foam padding is molded around the armature through a pour in place molding operation and covered with an upholstery member. A plurality of posts extend from one armature half through apertures in the other half. Once the armature is closed, it is permanently sealed by heat staking the posts to form enlarged rivet heads.

Abstract: A door pull for a vehicle door assembly in the form of a rigid strap attached to the door frame and spanning a recess in the door frame. A interior trim panel covers the door pull and an opening in the trim panel adjacent to the door pull provides access for an occupant to reach into the recess behind the door pull to pull the door closed. A door latch release handle can be placed in the recess behind the door pull strap at one end of the recess which is operated by the occupant reaching into the recess and pulling the latch release handle to open the door. No additional trim pieces and attaching hardware are needed to surround the door pull.