Abstract: An axial drive mechanism consisting of a worm gear, a first planetary gear system having a carrier, helical planet gears in meshing engagement with the worm gear and mounted on the carrier, and a ring gear on the carrier. An electric motor can be used to drive the worm gear and a second planetary gear system can be arranged in a coaxial relation with the first system to achieve a desired gear reduction while retaining the axial arrangement of the drive. The second planetary gear system has planet spur gears arranged about and in meshing engagement with the first ring gear and a secondary ring gear encircling the planet spur gears. The second planetary gear system includes a carrier on which the planet spur gears are mounted and an output pinion gear formed integral with the last mentioned carrier. The stationary ring gear is conveniently formed as a part of the housing for the electric motor.

Abstract: A window regulator mechanism comprising an elongated track of generally rectangular channel shape and an elongated rack slidably supported and confined in the track. The track is provided on one side with a continuous slot located opposite the rack teeth to enable a drive pinion to extend through the slot into driving engagement with the rack. A separate connector is assembled with one end of the rack and retained in an assembly relation with the rack by the track structure to thereby enable attachment of the rack to the structure that moves the window between raised and lowered positions.

Abstract: A recliner for an automotive vehicle seat comprising a seat mount, an adjustable seat back bracket pivoted to said seat mount and having a substantially flat end portion provided with a sector having an arcuate series of straight spur teeth concentric to the pivot axis between said mount and bracket, and a tilted worm carried by said mount having a helically threaded portion in mesh with the teeth of said sector, the worm being tilted an angle to correspond to the helix angle of its thread.

Abstract: The invention relates to a window regulator comprising a generally flat tape having sufficient flexibility to follow a curved path of substantial radius but being sufficiently rigid to transmit in compression, when guided in a functionally rigid track, sufficient force to regulate a vehicle window, said tape having at one side a series of transversely extending substantially rack shaped teeth, the ends of said teeth being spaced from the edges of said tape to leave flat side guide portions, and a functionally rigid but bendable track comprising a channel having reversely bent guide flanges spaced to receive the toothed portion of said rack.A drive pinion is in mesh with the rack teeth, and preferably the track is curved to present a concavity to the drive pinion.

Abstract: The seat back for a bench vehicle seat is mounted for movement with an adjustable sector between an upright or dress-up position and a full reclining position, and may be positively locked in any intermediate position of adjustment. In addition, the seat back is releasably pivoted to the sector, and is automatically released for forward pivotal movement to a horizontal position when the sector is pivoted forwardly to a limiting position.

Abstract: A six-way vehicle seat having means providing for fore and aft adjustment, vertical adjustment with tilting, and a recliner back with full adjustment.

Abstract: A window regulator comprises a stiff but bendable elongated guide of general C-shape having inturned retainer flanges, and a flexible tape of a cross-section conforming to the interior of said guide, and slidably retained therein by the flanges. The bottom wall of the guide preferably has a channel therein contributing to its stiffness and providing spaces for fasteners for installing the guide or mounting structure thereon. The portion of the tape exposed between the edges of the flanges is formed with rack teeth for driven engagement with a drive pinion preferably mounted on the guide. A housing for the drive pinion has a connector for connecting to one end of the tape, and the end portion of the tape beyond the guide is thus formed into an expandable loop. In order to avoid subjecting the guide to large stresses due to tape tension, a relatively large gear carried by the guide engages the tape at a major bend of the guide. A spring is connected to the gear to act in window-raising direction.

Abstract: Window glass regulator for automotive vehicles comprising a guide plate having curved, parallel guide slots inclined from the vertical, a generally vertical guide rail fixed to said plate, a glider plate slidable along said guide rail, the glide plate having generally horizontal guide slots, a window glass having a pair of laterally extending guides adjacent its lower edge extending through the guide slots in both of the guide plate and glider plate to determine an irregular upward path of movement for the window glass and means for raising and lowering the glide plate.

Abstract: The window glass closure for a vehicle window opening occupies a closed position in which its outer surface is substantially flush with the exterior surface of the door or other body portion in which the opening is provided. This is accomplished by guiding the upper edge of the window along a path inclined slightly outwardly of the vehicle as the window completes its upward movement from its lowered open position. It further comprises guiding the lower edge of the window along a path which is inclined substantially outwardly from the vertical as the window reaches upper position. Preferably this is effected by a generally vertical main guide track which receives a follower carried adjacent the upper edge of the window constrained to follow the main guide track. An abruptly inclined diversion track is connected with the main guide track which receives a follower carried adjacent the lower edge of the window and is adapted to depart from the main track and to enter the inclined diversion track portion.

Abstract: A power seat recliner, comprising a transmission housing, a motor rigidly fixed directly to and supported by the transmission housing and having an output shaft extending directly into said housing, a seat back mounting pivoted to said housing and including an arm having a sector gear thereon, transmission gearing in said housing, and resilient drive means connecting the motor output shaft to said gearing. The motor axis is located such as to position the worm on its output shaft at a space-conserving location within the transmission housing.

Abstract: A six-way vehicle seat construction adapted to adjust the seat vertically, horizontally, and tilting in opposite directions about a transverse axis. The adjustments are effected or controlled by forces applied to the vehicle seat by an occupant, and are permitted by disengaging latch means which permits selective tilting of the seat by raising or lowering the front or rear edges of the seat in a pivoting motion about transverse axes adjacent the rear or front seat edges, respectively. Rearward tilting, resulting from raising the front edge or lowering the rear edge by the seat occupant, is facilitated by forces applied to the seat back. Counter-balance means apply forces tending to tilt the seat forwardly.

Abstract: A regulator for the window glass of a motor vehicle comprising a guide bracket, means for moving the guide bracket generally vertically between raised and lowered position and a floating bracket pivotally connected to a guide bracket about a generally horizontal axis extending longitudinally of the vehicle and adjacent the lower edge portion of the glass to provide for changing orientation of the glass about the aforesaid axis as the glass is raised and lowered.

Abstract: A 6-way seat adjuster for motor vehicles in which a three armature motor is mounted on a slidable seat frame and has connections to front and rear lift devices on the frame and a horizontal adjuster. The motor is mounted on a transmission housing in which is located an integral spacer and bearing unit formed of a rigid low friction polymer. Each armature shaft of the motor has an integral primary driving worm adjacent its outer end, and each primary worm is in mesh with a primary worm gear. The primary worm gears are fixed to drive shafts to each of which is fixed a secondary driving worm in mesh with a secondary worm gear fixedly connected to a pinion. Two of the pinions are in mesh with toothed sectors provided on pivoted lift levers connected respectively to the front and rear edges of a vehicle seat. The third secondary worm gear is fixed to a drive shaft having a pinion fixedly connected thereto which cooperates with a stationary rack for moving the frame horizontally.

Abstract: An adjustable automotive vehicle seat has independent front and rear edge adjusting and supporting means to provide for vertical adjustment of the seat between raised and lowered positions, and for tilt adjustment of the seat between an untilted position and a forwardly tilted position while preventing rearward tilting of the seat. A first control member is operable to provide only downward movement of the front edge of the seat, while a second control member is operable to provide only upward movement of the rear edge of the seat. A third control member is operable to provide either upward or downward movement of both front and rear edges simultaneously. Preferably the adjusting and support means comprises separate motors and the control members are switch operators.

Abstract: A vehicle seat including a recliner and inertia latch, in which the inertia latch is normally in latching position but upon initial limited forward movement of a seat portion it is permitted to move to release position. In the event of deceleration, the latch remains in latching position and prevents forward movement of the seat. The seat frame is of relatively light construction and means are provided which avoid interference with structure interposed on the axis of the pivot connection of the seat back to the seat, insuring simultaneous identical latch actuation at opposite sides of the seat.

Abstract: A three-position actuator comprising a casing having a diaphragm dividing the casing into separate pressure chambers, an actuating rod connected to said diaphragm and resilient means urging said diaphragm in one direction. One of the resilient means comprise a movable spring seat with a compression spring interposed between the seat and a plate connected to the diaphragm. The seat and plate are in turn interconnected by a single flat connector strap limiting separation between the plate and diaphragm to an amount approximately one-half the total travel of the diaphragm. In one embodiment of the invention the spring seat is connected to a separate diaphragm. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, only a single diaphragm is employed and the spring seat floats in the casing, with its separation from the diaphragm limited by the connector strap.

Abstract: A window regulator for a tailgate window comprising a pair of rotary drums each of which has associated with it a tape of sufficient flexibility to conform to the periphery of the drum. The drums are mounted on a flanged support member, the flanges defining with the drums arcuate channels in which the tape is confined. The two drums are each provided with tooth portions in mesh with each other so that the two drums rotate in opposite directions, thus imparting longitudinal movement to the tapes. A drive pinion, preferably motor driven, is in mesh with the tooth portion of one of the drums.

Abstract: A window regulator for moving a vehicle window vertically between closed and open positions, in which the window is housed within the vehicle door when in opened position. The mechanism comprises a drum and an elongated element having only sufficient flexibility to permit it to conform to the outer surface of the rotatable drum, an elongated functionally rigid track extending from the drum, the flexible element and track being cooperatively shaped such that the said element is slidable longitudinally on said track in guided relation. One end of the flexible element is fixed to the drum and the other has a bracket secured thereto which in turn is attached to the bottom edge of the vehicle window. Means are provided for rotating the drum in opposite directions to raise and lower the window. The invention is more broadly mechanism for converting motion between linear and rotary modes.

Abstract: A manually operated seat adjuster for moving a vehicle seat upwardly and forwardly or rearwardly and downwardly and maintaining the seat in intermediate adjusted position. Seat movement is accomplished by front and rear lift levers interconnected by a link. A manually movable operating lever is pivoted to the lift link, has a mechanical connection to one of the operating levers and includes a pin selectively locking the lift lever in adjusted position by engagement with one of a series of openings in the lever.

Abstract: A recliner assembly for a vehicle seat back in which a pivoted seat back support member is pivoted to a normally stationary seat support member, and the seat back support member is provided with an arcuate series of locking teeth concentric with its pivot axis. A pawl is slidably mounted between a raised trackway on the seat support member and a cover plate is provided having portions engaging the sides of the raised trackway. A locking cam moves a pawl into engagement with the toothed arcuate portion of the seat back support member and locks it against displacement in adjusted position. The support members are pivotal as a unit from upright to forward inclined position, and the seat support members at opposite sides of the assembly are connected by a rigid torque-transmitting bar.