Abstract: A linear recliner assembly in use with a seat having a seat back pivotally engaged relative to a seat bottom. A housing exhibits a communicating interior between a first and second ends. A drive rod is supported in linearly displaceable fashion from the first end and is secured to the seat bottom. The second end pivotally engages the seatback spaced from its pivot point. A rotatable gear located at a fixed lineal position within the housing receives the drive rod in threadably inter-engaged fashion. A trigger mechanism pivotally secured to the housing exhibits a downwardly biased detent communicating through an opening in the housing to seat between succeeding teeth of the gear. A spring supported within the housing contacts the drive rod. Upon release of the detent, a reclining force applied to the seatback results in displacement of the housing against the drive rod to bias the spring.

Abstract: A jig assembly and corresponding method for swage assembling a workpiece having first and second side components and a central component. A first pair of bi-directional traversable platforms are supported in inward and outward reciprocating fashion relative to a central support fixture, and upon which are mounted supporting structures for mounting the workpiece. A pair of engaging jigs are mounted to inner opposing sides of the pair of traversable platforms. Each of the engaging jigs includes a plurality of fingers which are adapted to seat within aperture locations associated with the workpiece side components and to facilitate loading and positioning the workpiece prior to swaging. A pair of opposing and synchronized inward compressing dies simultaneously swage locations associated with opposite edges of the central component which project through apertures defined in the side components.

Abstract: A retractable headrest exhibiting a plate shaped support embedded within a seatback. A scissor linkage includes a plurality of interconnecting and overlapping link arms pivotally secured to the plate support at one end thereof. A spring biased rivet is disposed at an overlapping intermediate location of the link arms for travel along a linear extending channel defined in the support. A carriage connects to the other end of the scissor linkage and is linearly displaceable along the plate support. A headrest support rod is connected to the carriage and extends from the seatback. A spring loaded and rotatable pawl is pivotally supported proximate a base end of the scissor linkage and includes a catch location in engagement with a first pin extending from the support. A first cable extends from a first remote location and connects to the pawl. A second cable extends from a second remote location and connects to the carriage.

Abstract: A transfer assembly incorporated into a part forming operation including a structure exhibiting a generally open interior. A pair of elongated pivotal supports extend in parallel fashion along inner facing sides of the structure and channel the received opposite edges of each part delivered from the part forming operation. A rotary actuating component is mounted at an intermediate end location of the structure between the sides and pivotally interconnects to the end supports via a pair of linkage arms. A proximity trigger switch determines delivery of a part from the out feed location and, upon being activated, actuates the rotary component to separate the side extending supports to release the part for stacking in plural fashion within the open interior, following which reverse actuation of the rotary component pivotally resets the supports for receiving a subsequent part.

Abstract: A pivoting headrest including a pair of upwardly projecting supports associated with a vehicle seatback and terminating in a pair of spaced apart sectors. A headrest bun supporting frame is pivotally secured to the sectors and includes a pair of elongated and side extending structural supports and a lower interconnecting housing. A widthwise extending bar is disposed relative to the housing, opposite extending ends of which engage the sectors at a first upright position and seat within channels in the side supports. The bar is biased in a first engaging direction against the sectors and, upon being displaced in a reverse direction, causes its ends to unseat from the sectors and the bun to rotate about the sectors to a dump position.

Abstract: A deformable washer incorporated into a pivot assembly including a support sector and a rotatable sector pivotally mounted to the support sector by aligning apertures in the sectors which receive a widthwise inserting pin. The washer includes a disk shaped body defining an open interior and such that the body is supported by the pin in a desired sandwiching arrangement between the sectors. Protrusions extend from either or both of first and second annular extending faces of the body exhibiting deformable characteristics such that, a laterally applied compressive force associated with the stacking assembly results in collapse of the protrusions without otherwise affecting the structural integrity of the underlying body and allows for variations in material thickness resulting in a lateral gap at the pivot while reducing instances of lateral play.

Abstract: A recline mechanism incorporated into a rear row seat and including a latch plate fixed to an interior location of the vehicle. A body is supported in displaceable fashion along locations associated with the latch plate and exhibits an outwardly facing striker engaged by a hook component configured into an opposing side location of a pivotal seatback in order to selectively pivotally slave the seatback to the mechanism. A cable release component is supported on the body and operates to actuate a pivot element exhibiting biased fingers likewise supported on the body from a first position in engagement with the latch plate to a second position permitting the seatback to pivot an angular distance within an overall range defined by the latch plate.

Abstract: An incrementally adjustable armrest associated with a seatback having an armrest supported in pivotal fashion to a frame location of the seatback. At least one sector is fixed to the seatback frame and supports a pivotal location associated with the armrest. A plurality of teeth are located along a circumferential edge extending location of the sector corresponding to a range of adjustment associated with the armrest. A plurality of pawls are arranged in a stacked relationship and are pivotally secured to the armrest at a location such that additional teeth associated with the pawls are biased in an engaging direction against the sector. A teethed pattern associated with a selected pawl individually seats within a circumferential location associated with the sector teeth.

Abstract: A multi-position and manually adjustable headrest having a support bracket affixed atop a seat back and exhibiting a plurality of ratchet defined portions. An intermediate and three dimensional shaped component is pivotally secured in a biased fashion to the ratchet defined bracket, the intermediate component exhibiting a pivotally supported and biased locking pawl which, depending upon a pivotal location of the intermediate component, engages a selected ratchet portion of said support bracket. A pair of headrest bun supporting plates are pivotally secured at upper ends to spaced apart sides of the intermediate pivotal component, the supporting plates further exhibiting lower arcuate extending channels through which seats pin supports projecting laterally from opposite sides of the ratchet support bracket and travel along the channels during forward displacement of the bun supporting plates, such as resulting from a manual readjustment force applied to a headrest bun.

Abstract: A latch assembly with a first leg securing to a seat bottom and a second leg pivotally engaged to an upper end of a stanchion mount. A sector is pivotally slaved to the second leg opposing the stanchion and exhibits a bottom shoulder projection separating into first and second surface locations. A pendulum pivotally secures to the stanchion and seats against a first sector location with the seat bottom in a downward position. The seat bottom is rotated in an upward direction, causing a detent lever to pivot out of engagement with a notch location of a supporting frame and travel along an edge extending profile thereof, simultaneous with the sector displacing relative to the pendulum. The detent lever reestablishes seating engagement with a second notch location concurrent with the pendulum pivoting into engagement with a second sector location corresponding to an upwardly rotated position of the seat.

Abstract: A linear latch interconnecting a pivotally adjustable seatback with a frame location of a vehicle interior. A bracket supported housing pivotally secures to a surface of the frame. An elongated member is supported in linearly displaceable fashion to the bracket and exhibits a plurality of spaced apart apertures. A forward extending end of the member connects to the seatback. A coil spring influences seats over the elongated member and biases the same in a first lineal direction away from the housing. A pair of pins are anchored to an inner support member within the housing and which is biased in a first lateral direction to cause the pins to seat through aligning apertures in the elongated member. A cable retracting mechanism displaces the inner support member in a second opposite direction, causing the pins to outwardly displace from the elongated member and to permit adjustment relative to the housing in order to define a range of seatback motion between upright design and rear recline positions.

Abstract: A latch triggering mechanism for actuating a rear interior row seatback dump including a first generally cylinder shaped module mounted within a trunk of a vehicle, the module including a downwardly extending and displaceable bracket. A latch assembly is secured to a package surface separating the trunk from a passenger interior of the vehicle. A release lever associated with the latch extends in abutting contact with the bracket such that, upon actuating the bracket into contact with the lever, the latch disengages a striker associated with a foldable seatback.

Abstract: A combination pivoting armrest and seatback assembly incorporated into a vehicle including a base secured to the vehicle and exhibiting an extending edge profile. A sector is pivotally secured to the base, with a first cam pivotally secured to the sector and contacting a first edge location of the base when the sector is in an upright position. A second cam is also pivotally secured to the sector in inter-engaging fashion with the first cam such that, upon the first cam being rotated out of contact with the base and the sector rotating to a forward dump position, the second cam subsequently contacts a second edge location of the base.

Abstract: A height compensating latch supported upon an underside of a rotatable vehicle seat and including a pair of spaced apart support plates, between which are pivotally supported a hook rotatable between a floor supported striker engaging position and a further position permitting rotation of the seat. A cam is also supported between the plates and triggers actuation of the hook. A pair of pliant and resilient portions are supported within mounting apertures associated with the plate, an open interior of each resilient portion receiving a mounting fastener for securing the plate to the seat and providing a degree of height compensation between the latch and striker. The pliant and resilient portions include a pair of rubberized bushings sandwiched between the support plates, each of the bushings further including an integrally formed grommet supported within first and second aligning pairs of mounting apertures associated with the plates.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a high handle seat latch incorporated into a rotating seatback including a body integrated into the seatback and exhibiting a rear facing hook engaging a package shelf supported striker in an upright design position. A lift handle is supported at an upper end of the body and is accessible from a top of the seatback. A linkage interconnects the handle with the hook and is responsive to upward rotation of the handle to rotate the hook to a striker release and forward dump position. A cable actuates the linkage independent of the lift handle to actuate the hook to the release position.

Abstract: A linear recliner assembly in use with a seat having a seat back pivotally engaged relative to a seat bottom. A housing exhibits a communicating interior between a first and second ends. A drive rod is supported in linearly displaceable fashion from the first end and is secured to the seat bottom. The second end pivotally engages the seatback spaced from its pivot point. A rotatable gear located at a fixed lineal position within the housing receives the drive rod in threadably inter-engaged fashion. A trigger mechanism pivotally secured to the housing exhibits a downwardly biased detent communicating through an opening in the housing to seat between succeeding teeth of the gear. A spring supported within the housing contacts the drive rod. Upon release of the detent, a reclining force applied to the seatback results in displacement of the housing against the drive rod to bias the spring.

Abstract: A linear latch interconnecting a pivoting seatback with a frame location of a vehicle interior. The latch includes a bracket secured to a surface of the frame. An elongated gear rack exhibits upper and lower ratchet defining surfaces and is supported in linearly displaceable fashion to the bracket, a forward extending end of the gear rack connecting to the seatback such that the gear rack is biased in a first lineal direction relative to the bracket. A pair of locking members are pivotally secured to the bracket and are biased in first directions to engage selected teeth associated with the upper and lower ratchet defining surfaces of the gear rack. The locking members are concurrently pivoted out of contact with the gear rack to permit readjustment of the seatback in a second counter-biasing direction, following which they re-engage additional selected teeth associated with gear rack surfaces.

Abstract: A pivoting headrest assembly including a bracket supported upon a seatback frame. A headrest support secures a bun and is pivotally secured to the bracket in a forward biased direction. A sector is pivotally secured to the bracket and to which is attached the headrest support. A release catch is pivotally supported at a further location of the bracket and is biased in a first upward direction so that the catch abuts a projecting pin associated with the sector in an upright design position established by the headrest support. A cable is secured to a support fixed to a side of the bracket and engages the catch at a location offset from its pivot axis relative to the bracket. Upon displacement of the cable, the catch is actuated out of engagement with the sector, resulting in the headrest support pivoting relative to the seatback.

Abstract: A seat assembly including a pair of spaced apart lower sectors, each exhibiting an annular extending inner surface defining first and second aligning apertures, and an upper sector interposed between the spaced apart lower sectors and exhibiting a further annular extending inner surface defining a further aperture positioned between the aligning apertures of the lower sectors and defining a pivot point of the upper sector. A bushing and collar spacer are incorporated into the pivot point to maintain a desired spacing between the upper and lower sectors. A bushing exhibits male and female subassemblies, each further exhibiting an outer annular projecting perimeter lip such that the male bushing is installed through the aligning apertures in the upper and lower sector plates from the exterior side of a first selected lower sector, whereas the female bushing is installed from an exterior side of the other lower sector.

Abstract: A pivoting headrest assembly having a pivotally supported and cable actuated hook secured to fixed bracket. The hook engages a pin associated with a widthwise extending and upwardly biased support secured within a pair of side channels associated with the fixed bracket. Upon triggering the release of the hook, the support is upwardly displaced within the side channels. A pair of end supported pivotal linkages are secured in coaxial fashion with the ends of the displaceable support. Upper ends of the linkages pivotally engage a base plate of an upper pivotally driven headrest bun support offset from a pivotal engagement established between the base plate and upper end of the headrest bracket. The linkages are configured so that upward displacement exerted by the support is converted to the forward dump rotation of the headrest bun support.