Abstract: A vehicle seat interlock mechanism includes a U-shaped channel member extending along a lower track of a seat and an interlock bracket mounted to a deformable mounting member at an upper track of the seat. The interlock bracket includes a seat belt anchor and a U-shaped channel at a lower end of the bracket. The interlock bracket is movable upwardly and forwardly in response to a seat belt force sufficient to deform the mounting member of the interlock bracket, whereby the two interlock channels engage to limit movement of the seat relative to the floor of the vehicle. The interlock bracket may include a portion extending forwardly over a gear box of a power drive system for the seat, such that the bracket is movable to compress the gear box to further retain the gear mechanism to a rack along the track assembly of the seat.

Abstract: A recliner mechanism for an automotive seat. The recliner mechanism includes a turnbuckle-style adjustment mechanism and a linearly stationary housing. The adjustment mechanism includes a drive screw extending through the housing. In one embodiment, the drive screw includes a conventional spur gear that is engaged with an axially elongated spur gear rotatably supported within the housing. The axes of the two gears are parallel so that the drive screw spur gear can travel axially along the elongated spur gear. The elongated spur gear is operatively connected to a conventional drive assembly. In a second embodiment, the drive screw includes an axially elongated helical gear that is engaged with a conventional worm gear rotatably supported within the housing. The elongated helical gear remains engaged with the worm gear even when the drive screw travels axially within the housing. The worm gear is operatively connected to a conventional drive assembly.

Abstract: An adjustable, automotive vehicle seat track having slidably interfit upper and lower tracks. The upper track is generally cross-shaped and includes a vertical web and a horizontal web. Opposite longitudinal edges of the horizontal web define a pair of inwardly opening, longitudinal channels. A pair of opposed, longitudinal flanges extend outwardly from the bottom edge of the vertical web. The lower track is generally U-shaped in cross section and includes a pair of longitudinal flanges slidably interfitted with the horizontal web channels and a longitudinal channel slidably interfitted with the vertical web flanges. The lower track channel is partially closed around the vertical web flanges to resist separation of the upper track from the lower track.