Abstract: A joint structure is for joining a pair of connecting members to each other. One of the connecting members has a lock portion formed so as to protrude from the member, and the other connecting member is provided with a receiving portion into which the lock portion is insertable. The lock portion is inserted into the receiving portion while at least one of the lock and receiving portions is being resiliently flexed. Thereafter, the lock or receiving portion is restored to its initial shape. As a result, the lock and receiving portions are joined to each other. The lock and receiving portions are abutted against each other such that at least one of the lock and receiving portions deforms the other into engagement with one another. As a result, this deformation limits relative movement between the lock and receiving portions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an article (420) having a peripheral portion (422) may include reverse squeezing an initial peripheral portion (22) of an initial article (20) to form a first intermediate article (12) having a first intermediate peripheral portion (122) that is partly thinned, and squeezing the first intermediate peripheral portion (122) of the first intermediate article (120) to form a second intermediate article (220) having a second intermediate peripheral portion (222) that is thickened throughout.

Abstract: A locking devices may include a striker and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may include a base plate having a slot that can receive the striker, a latch rotatably attached to the base plate, a pawl rotatably attached to the base plate, and a cam member rotatably attached to the base plate. The locking mechanism includes a force transmitting path for transmitting a force that urges the locking mechanism in a locking condition to be disengaged from the striker. The force transmitting path passes through the cam member and includes a force interrupting portion positioned therein. The force interrupting portion is arranged and constructed to interrupt the force transmitting path when the force exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: A metal separator 10 for a fuel cell is configured such that, after forming through-holes 11b and 12b on a first separator member 11 and a second separator member 12, rising wall sections 11c and 12c are provided so as to be spaced apart from formed sections 11a and 12a for introducing a gas by a predetermined distance L, the rising wall section 11c of the first separator member 11 is fittingly inserted into the rising wall section 12c of the second separator member 12 for performing a positional alignment therebeween, and then, the rising wall sections 11c and 12c are folded to be caulked, whereby the first separator member 11 and the second separator member 12 are bonded to each other. A positional alignment between the first separator member 11 and the second separator member 12 become facilitative.

Abstract: A seat reclining mechanism for a vehicle seat may includes a plurality of slide pawls each having an outward toothed portion and a side surface, a ratchet having an inward circular toothed portion, and a holder having a plurality of guide portions each of which is formed with a torque receiving portion. The seat reclining mechanism further includes a cam member pushing the slide pawls toward the inward toothed portion of the ratchet, and at least one contact projection formed in the torque receiving wall of the torque receiving portion and projecting toward the slide pawl side surface. The contact projection is arranged and constructed such that it is deformed to eliminate variations among clearances formed between the slide pawls and the torque receiving portions when a torque is exerted between the ratchet and the holder, so that the torque is evenly distributed among the slide pawls.

Abstract: A method for setting a clearance (G) between a sliding member (36) and a guide member (30) may includes the steps of determining the clearance (G), changing the clearance by utilizing a working means, and stopping the working means when the determined clearance (G) reaches a predetermined target clearance (Gt).

Abstract: A vehicle seat may include a seat cushion movably supported on a vehicle floor bracket, a seat back rotatably supported forwardly and rearwardly on the vehicle floor bracket via a seat reclining mechanism, a connecting mechanism interconnecting the seat cushion and seat back, and a supporting mechanism supporting the seat cushion on a vehicle floor. The connecting mechanism is fixedly connected to the seat cushion and is rotatably connected to the seat back. The connecting mechanism is arranged and constructed such that when the seat back is rotated forwardly, the seat cushion can be moved forwardly and downwardly and that when the seat back is rotated rearwardly from its normal position, the seat cushion can be maintained in place and not be moved.

Abstract: A retractable seat to be attached to a floor may include a seat cushion, a seat back rotatably supported on the seat cushion, and a link mechanism for supporting the seat cushion on the floor. The link mechanism includes a front leg and a rear leg that are pivotally connected to the seat cushion and the floor so that the seat can be switched between a use condition and a retracted condition. The front and rear legs respectively have a different link length so as to produce a difference between a rotating range of the front leg and a rotating range of the rear leg. The seat may further include a compensation mechanism for compensating for the difference between the rotating ranges of the front and rear legs within an operating range of the link mechanism.

Abstract: A retractable seat may include a seat cushion, a seat back rotatably supported on the seat cushion, and a link mechanism for supporting the seat cushion on a floor. The link mechanism includes a front leg and a rear leg that are pivotally connected to the seat cushion and the floor so that the seat cushion and the seat back can be switched between a use condition and a retracted condition. The seat may further include a restraint mechanism provided on the floor for preventing the link mechanism from moving when the seat is in a use condition.

Abstract: A vehicle seat 1 includes a seat unit, a lift-up unit and a long-sliding unit. The lift-up unit moves the seat unit between an interior and an exterior of a vehicle via a door opening portion that corresponds to a passenger seat position. The long-sliding unit moves the seat unit between a driver's seat position and the fellow passenger seat position. The lift-up unit moves the seat unit downward when the seat unit is positioned at the driver's seat position, so that the seat unit is located at a suitable position for driving.

Abstract: Combined boards are taught that comprise a second board substrate (12) having a through bore (14) formed therein, a first board substrate (10), and a connector pin (40, 50) received in the through bore (14) of the second board substrate (12). The first and second board substrates overlap such that the through bore (14) of the second board substrate (12) is covered by a first surface (10b) of the first board substrate (10). The connector pin is fusion bonded to a circumferential surface of the through bore (14) and the first surface (10b) of the first board substrate (10).

Abstract: By using a hydraulic forming device 20, a metal plate body 11 is placed on a support section 21b with a hollow section 21a formed on a lower die 21 filled with hydraulic fluid A. Subsequently, a blank holder 23 is lowered to clamp the peripheral edge section of the placed metal plate body 11 with the support section 21b. Then, the upper die 22 is lowered relative to the lower die 21 to pressedly deform the central section of the metal plate body 11 and to compress the hydraulic fluid A to increase the fluid pressure. A rib-like convex section 12 is transferred onto the metal plate body 11 by the increased fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid A and a formed section 22a. Further, the fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid A is kept for a predetermined time. Then, the increased fluid pressure of the hydraulic fluid A is released.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a molded article having a substrate material and skin material may include a first die that receives and supports the substrate material and a second die that receives and supports the skin material. The first die is arranged and constructed to engage the first die. A cutter may be provided on the first molding die. The cutter can be actuated when the second die moves toward the first die in order to partially cut away the substrate material.

Abstract: A seat mounting device for a vehicle seat may include at least two locking mechanisms (20) provided on one of a vehicle seat (40) and a vehicle body, and an engagement member (43) provided on the other of the vehicle seat and the vehicle body. The locking mechanisms (20) are interconnected via an interconnecting member (26, 28). The engagement member (43) is arranged and constructed to be locked by the locking mechanisms (20). The locking mechanisms (20) and the engagement member (43) are arranged and constructed such that the engagement member (43) can be engaged with or removed from the locking mechanisms (20) by moving the vehicle seat (40) in one direction.

Abstract: Seat reclining devices for a vehicle seat may include a first seat reclining mechanism (10) having a first rotational shaft (18) and a second seat reclining mechanism (60) having a second rotational shaft (62). A connector sleeve (34) may interconnect or couple the first and second rotational shafts such that the rotational shafts can be substantially synchronously rotated. A nesting coupling (40) having a clearance (S) is preferably defined between the connector sleeve and one of the first or second rotational shafts (i.e., the inner rotational shaft). An elastic member (50, 50A) may be disposed within the clearance in order to prevent the inner rotational shaft from directly contacting the connector sleeve.

Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a flanged article (21) that comprises a central depressed body (27) and a peripheral flange (23) may include press forming a material (10) in order to form an intermediate flanged article (20) that comprises a central depressed body (26) and a peripheral flange (22). Then, the peripheral flange of the intermediate flanged article may be circumferentially squeezed in order to thicken the peripheral flange due to plastic flow caused by plastic deformation. The press forming step optionally may include forming a toothed portion (24) on an inner surface (22a) of the peripheral flange. The squeezing step optionally may include reshaping the toothed portion. Apparatus (1, 2) for performing each of these method steps are also described.

Abstract: Methods are taught for manufacturing a press molded article (1) that comprises a profiled substrate layer (10) and a foamed layer (20). A substrate material (12) may be press molded with a foamable material (22) under pressure in order to join or attach the foamable material to the substrate material. In addition, a profile may be imparted to the substrate material during the press molding step, thereby forming the profiled substrate layer. After the press molding step has been completed, the foamable material is foamed and expanded, to thereby form the foamed layer. A skin material (32) optionally may be applied to the foamable layer before the press molding step. Optionally, embossed patterns may be imparted to the skin material during the press molding step, thereby forming an embossed skin layer (30) that is attached to the foamed layer.

Abstract: Seat lifting devices disposed between a seat support for supporting a seat cushion and a seat mount for mounting the seat support are taught that comprise a front and rear linking mechanisms movably interconnecting the seat support and the seat mount. These linking mechanisms are arranged and constructed to vertically adjust the seat cushion when operated. The rear linking mechanism comprises a first linking arm that is pivotally connected to the seat mount and the seat support, and a second linking arm that is pivotally connected to the seat support. The second linking arm is provided with a rear slide pin that slidably engages a rear guide slot formed in the seat mount. The rear slide pin is arranged and constructed to engage a plurality of teeth formed in the rear guide slot when a large force is applied to the seat support in a direction to separate the seat support from the seat mount.

Abstract: Seat reclining mechanisms for a vehicle seat may include a first housing (10) having a guide groove (20) that has first and second guide surfaces (24, 25), a second housing (12) having a toothed portion (13), and a pawl (16) slidably received in the guide groove. The pawl has first and second side surfaces (16b, 16c) that respectively correspond to the first and second guide surfaces of the guide groove. The pawl engages the toothed portion (13) of the second housing by sliding from its non-engaging position (C) to its engaging position (A) along the guide groove, thereby preventing the second housing from rotating relative to the first housing. The first side surface of the pawl and the first guide surface of the guide groove are arranged and constructed such that a clearance defined therebetween is changed so as to have an optimal width (S) when the pawl (16) is shifted from the non-engaging position (C) to the engaging position (A).

Abstract: A reclining mechanism for a vehicle seat includes first and second attachment members coupled with each other at their outer peripheries and connected by a hinge pin, a slide pawl slidably mounted within one of the attachment members, and a cam element mounted on the hinge pin in a space between the attachment members. The cam element is engaged with the slide pawl to maintain engagement with the ratchet portion of the attachment member when the hinge pin is retained in a torsion spring load position. This construction permits relative rotation of the attachment members for adjustment of an inclined angle of a backrest. In the reclining mechanism, a thrust member is coupled with one of the attachment members and welded to a frame structure of the back rest allowing the device to be assembled as a unit.