Abstract: A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle comprising a seat cushion and a eat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for movement between a generally upright seating position and a fold flat position resting against the seat cushion. A side bolster panel is pivotally coupled to lateral opposing sides of each of the seat cushion and seat back and operable between a flexed position facing the toward the center of the seat cushion and the seat back and a relaxed position generally flush with the seat cushion and the seat back. A cam mechanism is operatively coupled to the each side bolster panel for automatically releasing the side bolster panels from the flexed position to the relaxed position in response to pivotal movement of the seat back from the seating position to the fold flat position to provide a low profile folded seat assembly.

Abstract: A trim assembly suitable for attachment to a door has an interior portion, wherein the interior portion includes at least one retaining mechanism, integrally formed thereon, and wherein the at least one retaining mechanism extends from the trim panel, and a seal having first and second sides, wherein the first side of the seal is adapted to bond to the door frame, and wherein the second side of the seal is capable of being removably retained by the interior portion of the trim panel by the at least one retaining mechanism.

Abstract: A seat assembly selectively engages forward and rearward strikers along a floor of a motor vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion. The seat assembly also includes a seat riser mounted to the seat cushion and including spaced apart rear legs. The seat riser includes rear latches operatively coupled to each of the rear legs for movement between a latched position engaged with the rear latches and an unlatched position disengaged from the rear latches. A spring assist member includes a lever portion extending between a first end fixedly secured to said rear leg and an opposite second distal end for engaging the rearward striker to assist in pivoting said seat assembly about the forward strikers as said rear latches release the rearward strikers in the unlatched position.

Abstract: A rotary shutter actuator comprising a retainer, a rotatable member, a plurality of shutters, and a dial. The rotatable member is supported by the retainer, and the plurality of shutters are swivelably coupled to the retainer. The dial has an opening and is operably connected to each of the shutters and the rotatable member. Thus, as the dial is rotated, the shutters move to and from a fully open and closed position. The dial also causes the rotatable member to rotate with respect to the retainer.

Abstract: A sun visor assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a sun visor panel having generally planar opposing sides sandwiched together to define a pocket therebetween. A longitudinally extending support rod is positioned between the opposing sides of the panel for supporting the panel in the interior of the vehicle. An adjustment mechanism is coupled between the support rod and the sun visor panel for providing selective sliding movement of the sun visor panel along the support rod between a retracted position and an extended position. The adjustment mechanism includes a support frame secured to the visor panel having an upper rail forming a longitudinal rack, a guide carriage secured to the support rod and slidably coupled to the support frame, and a gear rotatably supported by the carriage and meshed with the rack for guiding the sun visor panel along the support rod between the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A head restraint guide system is provided to reduce or eliminate contact points between an armature of a head restraint and a housing in a vehicle seat assembly. The housing extends through a seat back frame. In a first embodiment, a retainer is secured to the housing and a washer is seated within the retainer. A retaining cap closes and maintains the washer within the retainer. The armature extends through the guide system contacting only the washer, thus eliminating vibrations and noise due to contact between the armature and the attachment tube. The washer comprises a non-rigid material, preferably felt. In a second embodiment, an elongated sleeve comprising a non-rigid material, preferably felt, is seated within the housing. The sleeve receives and surrounds the armature to eliminate contact points between the armature and the housing, thereby eliminating vibrations and noise therebetween.

Abstract: A light pipe assembly providing a light pipe that has at least one transmission region, at least one light source that is optically connected to the transmission region, and an modifying element. The modifying element creates the appearance of even light distribution throughout the length of the light pipe. Thus, the modifying element blocks more light at the portion of the light pipe where the light from the light source is most intense. The modifying element is a gradient on the exterior side of the light pipe, a gradient on a secondary element that covers the light pipe, or a skin which the light pipe is at least partially imbedded in.

Abstract: A drawstringing kit including a needle and a guard is disclosed. The needle includes an eyelet for receiving a drawstring. A tunnel of the damaged product is adapted to receive the needle to facilitate stringing of the drawstring through the tunnel. The guard is positioned about at least a portion of a perimeter of the damaged product. A method for repairing an automotive seat assembly is also disclosed. The method includes the steps of removing a damaged, originally-manufactured drawstring from a tunnel of a seat cover; restringing a replacement drawstring through the tunnel; positioning the seat cover over the seat assembly; and maintaining structural integrity of the replacement drawstring and tunnel. An apparatus for repairing an automotive seat assembly is also disclosed. The apparatus includes drawstringing means including a drawstring retention means and means for maintaining structural integrity of the replacement drawstring.

Abstract: A seat assembly is adapted to be mounted along a floor of a motor vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion frame having a forward end and a rearward end for supporting an occupant on the seat assembly. The seat assembly also includes a front support structure pivotally coupled to the forward end of the seat cushion frame. The front support structure pivots the seat assembly between a generally horizontal seating position and a generally upright tumbled position. In addition, the seat assembly includes a locking strut extending between a first end, which is coupled to the front support structure, and an opposite second end, which is coupled to the rearward end of the seat cushion frame. The locking strut locks and retains the seat assembly in any location between the seating position and the tumbled position in response to an acceleration force exerted on the seat assembly above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A heatstake for fastening a workpiece includes a base portion (12) having at least one shaft portion (22). A central passage (30) extends though the shaft portion from its leading end (28) to the base portion. A plurality of slots (22) are disposed about an outer surface (34) of the shaft portion (22). The plurality of slots (32) have a predefined angular separation. Preferably, the plurality of slots (32) disposed about the outer surface of the shaft portion form a heatstake having multiple fastening portions. The multiple fastening portions are adapted to form a geometric flower shape for increasing the fastening strength of a heatstake when staked.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint module comprises an inflatable restraint canister including an inflatable restraint, an instrument panel, and a mechanism for interlocking the instrument panel to the inflatable restrain. The mechanism includes an attachment portion attached to a chute of the inflatable restraint module, a shaft portion extending from the attachment portion, and an engagement flange extending from the shaft portion. Upon upward displacement of the chute as a result of deployment of the inflatable restraint, the mechanism concurrently shifts with the chute, causing the engagement flange to shift from a free-floating, at-rest position to an engagement position with a structural member for controlling the relative movement between the chute and the instrument panel.

Abstract: A seat assembly for supporting an occupant above a floor of an automotive vehicle includes a seat cushion extending laterally between spaced apart side members. The seat cushion includes a front cross member extending between the side members. Inboard and outboard front legs are each pivotally assembled at one end to the front cross member for pivotal movement of the seat cushion relative to the front legs between a seating position and forwardly dumped positions. A boss protrudes outwardly from the front cross member for pivotal movement therewith relative to the front legs. A guide flange is fixedly secured to one of the front legs and has a cam surface cammingly engagable with the boss for automatically laterally displacing the seat cushion in response to pivotal movement of the seat cushion relative to the front legs between the seating and forwardly dumped positions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicular door assembly (10) having a door (12), a door panel (14), a substrate (54), a plurality of systems, and a plurality of components. The method includes the steps of fastening the door panel (14) to the door (12), attaching the substrate (54) to the door panel (14), and securing the plurality of components to the substrate prior to attaching the substrate to the door panel (14) such that each of the plurality of components is operational upon the substrate being attached to the door panel (14).

Abstract: A seat assembly for supporting an occupant in an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion and a seat back. The seat back is operatively coupled to the seat cushion for pivotal movement of the seat back about a first pivot axis relative to the seat cushion. A head restraint support assembly is operatively coupled to the seat cushion for pivotal movement with the seat back about the first pivot axis and independent pivotal movement relative to the seat back about a second pivot axis.

Abstract: An interior trim component includes at least one arcuate guide flange that rotatably mounts a door to a stowage compartment. The stowage compartment includes a pair of opposing side walls having at least one arcuate guide and at least one arcuate track member. At least one pivot stud extends from the door and passes through the at least one arcuate guide. The at least one arcuate guide flange is secured to the at least one pivot stud for rotatably mounting the door to the storage compartment. The at least one arcuate guide flange rotatably engages the at least one arcuate track member. A method for moving the door is also included.

Abstract: A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle comprises a seat cushion and a seat hack pivotally connected to the seat cushion by a recliner mechanism for providing pivotal movement of the seat back between a plurality of reclined seating positions and a forwardly folded position against the seat cushion. A front link supports the scat cushion above the floor of the vehicle in the seating position and lowers the seat cushion to a flat position with the seat back in the folded position. A rear floor latch releasably secures the seat cushion to the floor of the vehicle in the seating position and unlocks the seat cushion and the seat back for pivotal movement about the front link from the seating position to an upright tilted position with each of the seat cushion and the seat back extending generally upright from the floor of the vehicle.

Abstract: A seat assembly (10) supports an occupant above a floor (7) having a load floor and a recess (6) extending therebelow. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion (12) extending between a seating surface (15) and a bottom surface (17). A riser mechanism (20) extends between the bottom surface (17) of the seat cushion and the floor (7) for allowing selective movement of the seat assembly between a seating position to support the occupant above the load floor and a stowed position disposed within the recess in the floor. A panel (70) is operatively coupled to the riser mechanism (20) for movement with the seat assembly between the seating position, wherein the panel (70) conceals the recess (6) in the floor, and said stowed position, wherein the panel is disposed within the recess to provide access thereto allowing the seat assembly to be stowed in the recess.

Abstract: The seat assembly comprises a seat cushion (12) and a seat back (14). A recliner assembly (16) operatively interconnects the seat cushion and the seat back for selective locking and adjustment of the seat back between a plurality of reclined seating positions (B) and a stowed position (D). A stop (40) is pivotally mounted to the seat cushion for movement between first and second positions. The stop includes a hook (44) presented for engagement with the seat back when the stop is in the second position for maintaining the seat back in a tilted position (G) between the plurality of reclined seating positions (B) and the stowed position (D). When the stop (40) is in the first position, the seat back may be adjusted between the plurality of reclined seating positions (B.

Abstract: A rear seat assembly movable between a use configuration and a stowed configuration within a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. The rear seat assembly includes a seat cushion having a front portion and a rear portion, a seat back disposed adjacent to the rear portion of the seat cushion, and a translator coupled to the seat back. The translator moves the seat back between the use configuration and the stowed configuration in which the seat back is adjacent to a rear lift gate of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A mold tool (16) for forming a trim covered foam substrate of a seat assembly comprises an upper mold cast (18) defining an upper mold surface (19) and a lower mold cast (20) defining a lower mold surface (2). A split line (28) is defined adjacent to the upper and lower mold surfaces between the upper mold cast and the lower mold cast when the mold casts are in facing mating engagement forming a mold cavity (22) therebetween. A plurality of heat lines (24) extend through the upper (18) and lower (19) mold casts adjacent the respective upper and lower mold surfaces for heating the mold cavity (22). A cooling line (30) extends through at least one of the upper and lower mold casts adjacent the split line (28) for cooling the split line of the mold tool.