Abstract: A seat latch mechanism accommodating a pair of seatback positions, comprising a housing, a latch assembly, and an actuation assembly operably supported by the housing and in operable communication with the latch assembly to selectively unlatch the latch assembly. The housing is adapted to receive a striker assembly having a first and second striker bar, whereby the latch mechanism is adapted to lock the first striker bar in a first latched position and the second striker bar in a second latched position. The actuator serves to apply a force to either of the first or second striker bars when in the first and second latched positions respectively to reduce noise and avoid chucking. The actuation handle serves to release the striker assembly from the latch mechanism and also to allow the first and second striker bars to toggle between the first and second latched positions.

Abstract: A seat latch mechanism accommodating a plurality of seatback positions, comprising an upper housing and a lower housing whereby the lower housing includes a recess for a striker to pass therethrough when the latch mechanism is in an unlatched position. Further, a latch assembly is provided and is operably supported by the lower housing, whereby the latch assembly is operable between a latched position and an unlatched position, and an actuation assembly operably supported by the upper and lower housings and in operable communication with the latch assembly to selectively toggle the latch assembly between the latched and unlatched position.

Abstract: A seat assembly having a tunable tie bar is provided and includes a main pivot and a housing operably supporting the tie bar. The housing is fixedly attached to a seatback of the seat assembly and includes C-shaped members fixedly joined together to provide a space in which the tie bar is disposed. The tie bar is fixedly attached to the housing and is in engagement with the main pivot, whereby the tie bar reacts against the main pivot to provide the seatback with sufficient support. The tie bar serves to strengthen the housing and ultimately provide the seatback with sufficient strength to support an occupant and the accompanying seatbelt loads associated with a seat-mounted retractor assembly. The tie bar is tunable between different seating applications and as such, allows the housing to be used in various seating applications and does not require extensive design and tooling for each application.

Abstract: A seat adjustment mechanism is provided and includes an arm defining a first locking shoulder, a sector plate rotatably supported by the arm and defining a second locking shoulder having a lock recess, a locking member selectively engaging at least one of the first and second locking shoulders, a quadrant rotatably supported by the arm and slidably supporting the locking member for locking the quadrant in one of a first and second position relative to the arm and a cam plate rotatably supported by the quadrant for selectively engaging the locking member for locking the quadrant in one of the first and second positions. In the first position the locking member is biased against the first locking shoulder and in the second position the locking member is biased into the lock recess. A gear assembly is preferably provided and operably supported by the quadrant for actuation of the cam plate.

Abstract: A linear recliner assembly is provided having a recliner rod slidably supported within a housing. The recliner rod is selectively engageable with a pawl which is fixed within the housing. The recliner rod is in contact with a cam which is operable to force the recliner rod into engagement with the pawl or enable the recliner rod to fall out of engagement with the pawl. The cam is biased in a first position by a biasing mechanism, such that the recliner rod is engaged with the pawl. The linear recliner assembly is implemented into a seat assembly for enabling an operator to select a plurality of recline positions of a seat back relative to a seat.

Abstract: A seat hinge assembly is provided and includes a support rotatably supporting an arm and further supporting a locking arrangement for locking the arm in either an upright or forward fold position. The locking arrangement includes a lock-pin slidably supported by the support and a cam for selectively interfacing the lock-pin. The locking arrangement further includes a pair of lock plates rotatably supported by the support and in selective engagement with the lock-pin. The lock plates slidably support a stop pin that is concurrently slidable within the support. The lock-pin is engageable with the arm for locking the arm in an upright position and the stop pin is engageable with the arm for locking the arm in a fold position.

Abstract: A seatback latch release mechanism includes a latch plate fixed for rotation with a rotatable member, a first pin extending from the latch plate, a cam plate pivotally supported by a support plate and including a cam edge in selective sliding contact with the first pin and a second pin extending from the cam plate and in selective sliding contact with an edge of the latch plate. The cam plate is rotatable through a first range in which the first pin slidably engages the cam edge to provide a first torque for rotating the latch plate and the member from a first position. Further rotation of the cam plate transitions to a second range in which the first pin disengages the cam edge and the second pin slidably engages the edge of the latch plate to provide a second torque for rotating the latch plate and the member to a second position.

Abstract: A side plate for operatively connecting a recliner assembly to a frame structure has an integrally formed boss including frustum conical wall segment, a wall segment connecting the upper edge of the frustum conical wall segment, and a collar extending inwardly from the wall segment. A method of manufacturing the side plate having an integrally formed boss includes providing a continuous sheet of predetermined width, drawing a portion of the sheet into a first cup-shaped feature, reducing the diameter of the first cup-shaped feature, drawing a portion of the first cup-shaped feature into a second cup-shaped feature, reducing the diameter of the second cup-shaped feature, reverse drawing the first cup-shaped feature in the direction opposite the prior drawing step of the first cup-shaped feature, and forming a hole through the second cup-shaped feature.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a hinge assembly having a linear adjustment mechanism including a recliner rod slidably supported by a housing and a pawl rotatably supported by the housing. The recliner rod preferably has a toothed portion that interfaces with a toothed portion of the pawl to prohibit the recliner rod from sliding. The pawl is pivotable relative the housing such that it may be disengaged to enable the recliner rod to slide freely. When the pawl engages the recliner rod in a locked position, a first force component generally normal to the engagement of the pawl and the recliner rod and a second force component generally through the pawl pivot reduce play and improve the load-carrying capacity of the linear adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A seat back adjustment mechanism for a seat assembly enabling a seat back to be selectively positioned in various fold-forward positions relative to a seat, and locked into at least one forward position, includes a quadrant supporting a cam plate that interfaces with a locking member to block an arm rotatably supporting the quadrant. The arm preferably includes a series of pawl teeth for selectively engaging the locking member to lock the seat back in a selected fold-forward position. Alternatively, the arm includes a corner portion for locking the seat back in a single fold-forward position.

Abstract: A seatback latch mechanism is provided for locking a seatback in one of either an upright position or a fold-forward position relative to a seat. The seatback latch mechanism includes a lower quadrant rotatably supporting an upper quadrant. A lock cam and lock pin are each rotatably supported by the upper quadrant. A first surface of the lock pin interfaces the lock cam and a second surface of the lock pin interfaces the lower quadrant. The lock cam is biased to selectively force the lock pin into engagement with the lower quadrant for locking the upper quadrant relative to the lower quadrant in either of two positions. When the upper quadrant pivots relative to the lower quadrant, the lock pin rotates relative to the upper quadrant.

Abstract: A constant engagement linear recliner assembly is provided for implementation with a seat assembly. The constant engagement linear recliner assembly includes a recliner rod in constant mesh engagement with a gear system. As the gear system is caused to rotate, the recliner rod moves linearly with respect to the linear recliner assembly. The linear motion of the recliner rod translates into pivotable motion of a seat back relative to a seat.

Abstract: A seat back adjustment mechanism for a seat assembly enabling a seat back to be selectively positioned in various fold-forward positions relative to a seat, and locked into at least one forward position, includes a quadrant supporting a cam plate that interfaces with a locking member to block an arm rotatably supporting the quadrant. The arm preferably includes a series of pawl teeth for selectively engaging the locking member to lock the seat back in a selected fold-forward position. Alternatively, the arm includes a corner portion or includes a link and a sector plate allowing for the locking of the seat back in a single fold-forward position, horizontal to the seat. A gear assembly is further provided to facilitate actuation of the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A compact disc recliner mechanism for reducing chucking includes a drum adapted to be fixed to a quadrant for rotation relative to a plate and three locking members having locking surfaces for locking said quadrant relative said plate. At least one locking member moves relative the quadrant from a first position engaging the drum to a second position disengaging the drum. At least one other locking member is fixed relative the plate and movable from a first position engaging the drum to a second position disengaging the drum. A cam moves the first, second, and third locking members from a first position engaging the drum to a second position disengaging the drum. A recliner assembly for use with a seat having a seat back and a seat base includes the compact disc recliner mechanism according to the invention.

Abstract: A seat hinge assembly includes a lower support pivotally supporting an intermediate support and an upper support pivotally supported by the intermediate support. The intermediate support is selectively locked in one of two positions via a lower cam and lock pin. A pawl is pivotally supported by the intermediate support and includes a tooth portion for selective engagement with a tooth portion of the upper support. A spindle is rotatably supported by the intermediate support and is in operative communication with an upper cam. Rotation of the spindle in a first direction disengages the upper cam from the pawl, thus disengaging the teeth portions for enabling forward rotation of the upper support relative to the lower support. Subsequently, the spindle is rotatable in a second direction for disengaging the lower cam and lock pin arrangement for enabling rotation of the intermediate support relative to the lower support.

Abstract: An inertia-sensitive hinge mechanism for a seat assembly allows rotation of a first hinge member relative to a second hinge member about a pivot during normal use and prevents rotation about the pivot when a predetermined deceleration force is present. The inertia-sensitive lockout assembly includes a guide assembly coupled to the first and second hinge members and having a tab fixed for movement with one of the first and second hinge members. The guide assembly also includes a follower movable between a detent position and a cam position. The inertia-sensitive lockout assembly also includes an inertial actuator having a center of gravity spaced from its center of rotation wherein, when the first hinge member is in its first position and the predetermined deceleration force is present, the inertial actuator rotates to operatively engage the follower and prevent the follower from moving from its detent position to its cam position.

Abstract: A latch assembly adapted for use in a vehicle having a movable member, a fixed member, and a striker fixed to one of the movable and fixed members. The latch assembly is adapted to be connectable to the other of the movable and fixed members and to selectively couple the movable member to the striker. More particularly, the latch assembly of the present invention includes a housing, a latch and a release cam coupled to the housing, spring means, and a release mechanism. The housing includes a striker opening adapted to accommodate the striker. The latch is operable in a latched position when the latch assembly is in a latched mode wherein the latch is adapted to couple the striker to the housing and in an unlatched position when the latch assembly is in an unlatched mode wherein the striker is freely movable relative to the housing.

Abstract: A latch system for providing adjustment of a seat back relative to a seat bottom includes a seat-back latch mechanism interconnecting the seat back and the seat bottom for movement of the seat back between a use position and a folded position and a floor-latch mechanism selectively connecting the seat bottom to the base for movement of the seat bottom between a deployed position and a stowed position. An interlock mechanism interacts with the floor-latch mechanism and the seat-back latch mechanism to selectively block operation of the floor-latch mechanism and the seat-back latch mechanism.

Abstract: A seat recliner that controllably adjusts the angular position of a seat back relative to a seat base structure and is responsive to remote actuation by an operator. The recliner includes a driven mechanism adapted to be connected to the seat back, a drive mechanism rotatable in a first and second direction, and a transmission assembly operably interconnecting the drive mechanism and the driven mechanism. The transmission assembly includes a gear retainer assembly and a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly is adapted to be connected to one of the seat base and seat back. The gear retainer assembly includes a gear housing formed of a polymeric material and adapted to accommodate the drive and driven mechanisms for operative interconnection, whereby rotation of a transmission rod in the first or second direction causes a recliner rod to move relative to the housing in a corresponding first and second linear direction.

Abstract: A constant engagement infinite recliner adapted for use with a hinge assembly such as in a vehicle seat is disclosed that is operable to prevent relative rotation between first and second hinge members when the locking assembly is in its neutral mode, to allow relative rotation of the hinge members in a first direction and prevent rotation in a second direction when the locking assembly is in a first adjusting mode, and to allow relative rotation in a second direction yet prevent rotation in the first direction when the locking assembly is operated in a second adjusting mode.