Abstract: A fold flat vehicle seat comprises a movable track member slidably engaging a fixed track member. A seat assembly is mounted thereon for longitudinal sliding movement of the seat assembly relative to the fixed track member. A track lock is operatively interconnected between the movable and fixed track members and movable between a locked configuration whereat the movable track member is precluded from moving longitudinally relative to the fixed track member and a released configuration whereat the movable track member is permitted to move longitudinally relative to the fixed track member. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion member mounted on the movable track member and a seatback member mounted on the seat cushion member for forward folding about a seatback pivot axis between a substantially upright occupiable position and a substantially horizontal load supporting position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprises a seat cushion member mountable on the floor and a seatback member having a loadable back surface and a lockable member mounted on the seatback member adjacent the lower extent thereof. The seatback member is movable between a generally upright occupiable configuration in which the loadable back surface is positioned in a generally rearwardly facing, vertical orientation and the lockable member is retained in closely held juxtaposed proximity to a rearward extent of the seat cushion member, and a substantially horizontal load supporting configuration in which the loadable back surface is positioned in a generally horizontal, upwardly facing relation and the lockable member is rearwardly displaced from the closely held juxtaposed proximity.

Abstract: A rotary recliner control mechanism for use in a vehicle seat assembly, which vehicle seat assembly has a seat back member (44). A cam pin (94) is mounted on the link means (76) for driving engagement with the camming shoulder (112), upon forward pivotal movement of the seat back member (44) to cause the rotation of the interlock plate member (100) against the second biasing means (106), when the link member (76) is in the first link position. The cam pin (94) is also mounted on the linkmeans (76) for clearing motion of the camming shoulder (112) when the link member (76) is in the second link position. A connection means (124) is interconnected between the interlock plate (100) member and the track lock releasing means (36) for unlocking the track lock means when the interlock plate member (100) is rotated, under the driving contact of the cam pin (94).

Abstract: A single control handle release mechanism for a vehicle seat hinge has a mounting plate attachable to seat cushion, a sector plate pivotally mounted on the mounting plate for selective pivotal movement about a first lower pivot axis, and a rotational control plate pivotally mounted on the sector plate for selective pivotal movement about a second upper pivot axis and attachable to a seatback. The vehicle seatback is pivotally movable about the first lower pivot axis between a plurality of angular positions and forwardly foldable about the second upper pivot axis between a design position and a forwardly dumped position. The release mechanism comprises a primary latch that pivotally fixes the sector plate with respect to the mounting plate, and a secondary latch that pivotally fixes the rotational control plate with respect to the sector plate. A manually grippable handle effects latched and unlatched configurations of the primary latch.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly (20) attachable to a vehicle floor (21) has a seat back support frame foldable over a seat support frame and at least two seat track assemblies (22, 22') which provide for controlled adjustment of the seat assembly relative to the vehicle floor. An associated recliner mechanism (32) has a single lever acting as a control handle to permit controlled adjustment of the inclination angle of the backrest, to allow for forward dumping of the backrest over the seat support frame (29) and to permit forward downward folding of the seat support frame (29), as part of a parallelogram mechanism, thereby to permit collapsing of the seat support structure toward the vehicle floor (21) and forward dumping of the seat back, thereby to provide more volume for cargo within the vehicle, without the need for removing the seat assembly (20). An E-Z entry mechanism may also be incorporated into the assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle seat system is disclosed, comprising a seat assembly having a cushioned seat structure mounted on two rigid support structures. A front and a rear connector are mounted on each rigid support structure for releasable, securing engagement with respective front and rear anchor members extending across front and rear wells in a vehicle floor, upon entry of the connectors into the wells. Front and rear wheel members are mounted upon each rigid support structure in non-retractable relation thereto, adjacent the respective front and rear connecting members so as to be in operative rolling contact with the floor surface of the vehicle when the connectors are removed from the wells.

Abstract: An infinitely adjustable linear locking assembly for vehicle seats is disclosed which includes a movable elongated element defining a longitudinal axis. First and second roller ball assemblies coaxial with the elongated element are provided, which assemblies have at least two substantially equidistantly spaced apart roller balls surrounding the elongated element. First and second roller ball housings contain the first and second roller ball assemblies, respectively. The housings are coaxial with the elongated element and have internal wedging surfaces for wedging the roller balls between the internal wedging surfaces and the elongated element. A rotatable locking member is provided adjacent to each roller ball assembly, with the locking member being coaxial with the moveable element and rotatable about the elongated element.

Abstract: A safety lock-out mechanism for use in a vehicle seat comprises a drive pin mounted on the seatback for movement between a initial free position and a retained position. A latch pawl is pivotally mounted on the baseplate for pivotal movement from a first position whereat the latch pawl is permitted to move from its latching position to its unlatching position under the urging by the drive pin, upon coincident respective movement of the drive pin from its initial free position to its retained position, at which retained position the drive pin is releasably latched. A blocking cam is pivotally mounted on the baseplate in progressive frictional contact with the latch pawl, for movement from a first position whereat the latch pawl is permitted to move from its latching position to its unlatching position under urging by the drive pin, to a blocking position whereat the latch pawl is retained in its latching position. A spring biases the blocking cam to its blocking position.