Patents Assigned to Intier Automotive
  • Patent number: 8056954
    Abstract: A seat assembly is provided for supporting an occupant above a floor in an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion that is adapted to be pivotally coupled to the floor for movement between a raised position spaced above the floor and a lowered position adjacent the floor. The seat assembly also includes a seat back that is adapted to be pivotally coupled to the floor for movement between an upright position and a folded position overlying the seat cushion. At least one drive link extends between a first end pivotally coupled to the seat back and a second end pivotally and slidably coupled to the seat cushion for automatically moving the seat cushion between the raised and lowered positions in response to pivoting the seat back between the upright and folded positions thereby defining a seating position and a stowed position of the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc
    Inventors: Robert I. Homier, M. Jeffry Corkins, Charles Falzone
  • Patent number: 8020919
    Abstract: A door module assembly for a motor vehicle door has a plate-like carrier holding a plurality of door hardware components in a pre-configured orientation, including one or more window regulator rails. The carrier seals the motor vehicle door and includes a flap that provides at least partial access to the window regulator rails. A first trim panel is pre-fixed to the carrier. A second trim panel articulates with respect to the first trim panel between an initial position generally parallel to the first trim panel and an installed position generally in-line with the first trim panel. With the carrier storing substantially all of the hardware required for the door and the trim panels covering substantially the entire surface area of the door, handling and assembly operations are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventors: Jih Cheng Lin, Dennis John Buening, Radoslav Bokun, Manfred Fritsch, David James Krysiak, Daniel E. Wenglinski, Juliusz Kirejczyk, Luc R. Regnier, David Legault, Douglas G. Broadhead
  • Patent number: 8016354
    Abstract: A seat assembly has a seat cushion that is pivotally mountable to a vehicle floor. The seat cushion is selectively movable between an operative condition and a standup condition. A seat back is pivotally mounted to the seat cushion and is selectively movably angularly relative to the seat cushion. A pair of hinges pivotally receives the seat back and is linked to the seat cushion, whereby movement of the seat cushion from the operative condition to the standup condition rotates the pair of hinges, generally aligning the seat cushion and the seat back when the seat cushion is tumbled forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc
    Inventors: Selvakumaresan Veluswamy, Xiao Jun Wei, John Scholl, William John Gregory, Omar D. Tame
  • Patent number: 7997653
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back that is moveable between a first vertical position and a second vertical position forward and upward of the first vertical position. The vehicle seat assembly has a track assembly providing fore and aft adjustment. The vehicle seat assembly further includes at least one pivot assembly operatively coupled to the track assembly and pivotally mounted to a floor of a motor vehicle. The pivot assembly pivots the vehicle seat assembly between the seating position and a stand-up position. A stand-up link slidingly couples the pivot assembly and the seat back. A link lock locks to present a solid link between the pivot assembly and the seat back. The solid link guides the seat back between the first vertical position and the second vertical position as the vehicle seat assembly moves between the seating position and the stand-up position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Szybisty, Xiao Jun Wei, Ephraim Mark DeDios Lapingcao, Jeffrey P. Carroll, Selvakumaresan Veluswamy
  • Patent number: 7992913
    Abstract: A seat assembly has a seat cushion pivotally supported by a pair of front support links for movement between a seating position for supporting a seat occupant and a stowed position. A seat back is pivotally supported by a pair of recliner mechanism for movement between an upright position and a stowed position. The seat cushion moves from the seating position to the stowed position in response to pivotal movement of the seat back from the upright position to the stowed position. A J-link extends between the seat back and the front support links. A torsion spring biases the seat cushion to the stowed position. A control cable operatively couples the seat back and the seat cushion. A pair of support legs automatically deploy as the seat cushion rotates to the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc
    Inventors: Dmitriy Zelmanov, Rabindranath Persad, Prasad D. Jagtap, Shriram Shivanand Pathak
  • Patent number: 7992347
    Abstract: A structural door module for a motor vehicle door, comprising of a carrier plate with a plurality of door hardware components mounted to the dryside and wetside surfaces of the carrier plate. The carrier plate includes a number of preformed components that allow door subsystems to be pre-mounted to the door module and tested prior to mounting the structural door module in the motor vehicle door body. An energy absorbing area is molded into the carrier plate. Additionally, a protruding arm rest support is designed to collapse during a side-impact collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc
    Inventors: Pierre-Xavier Roy, Douglas G. Broadhead, Ed Fortin, Traian Miu
  • Patent number: 7963576
    Abstract: An automotive door lock having a lock mechanism (3) for releasably engaging a striker (4), and a release mechanism (5) interacting with the lock mechanism (3) to release the lock (1). The release mechanism (5) has a control member (18) which interacts with the lock mechanism (3), is loaded elastically into a rest position, and can be set to a work position to release the lock (1). The release mechanism (5) has an actuating member (31) activated selectively to move the control member (18), in a forward movement, from the rest position to the work position; and, during a return movement of the control member (18) to the rest position, the control member (18) and the actuating member (31) are disconnected to minimize the time taken to complete the return movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventors: Luca Bigazzi, Corrado Taviani
  • Patent number: 7954902
    Abstract: In order to allow use of the seat belt in both positions of use of a reversible seat, an articulated end fitting is proposed for connecting a seat belt to the reversible seat, with a connecting part (51) and a projecting elongate lug (53) connected thereto for suspending a seat belt, the elongate lug (53) being pivotable relative to the connecting part (51) about three different axes (A, B, C).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Seating Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Haas, Ralf Hoge, Armin Amend, Wolfgang Kroner
  • Publication number: 20110110711
    Abstract: A pivot joint includes a first member pivotally connected to a second member by a pivot pin. The first member includes a first surface, a second surface, and an opening extending therethrough. The opening is surrounded by a plurality of embossments protruding from the first surface and defining an embossment height. A second member includes a first surface, a second surface, and an opening extending therethrough. The pivot pin extends through the openings in the first and second members and includes a shoulder defining a shoulder height equal to the embossment height. The first surface of the second member engages the embossments and the shoulder to control axial free-play of the pivot joint. An inner surface of the opening in the first member engages the pivot pin to control diametrical free-play of the pivot joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Basley, William A. MacDonald, Reginald John P. Vibert, Rabindranath Persad, Nathan A. Jensen, Dmitriy Zelmanov
  • Patent number: 7931322
    Abstract: An automotive console is provided including an accessory receiving body or bodies generally located proximate one or more base portions positioned over or secured to a body, such as, for example, a floor pan/panel of an automobile. The accessory receiving body or bodies may each include a closure panel or the like and an actuator operably associated therewith. The actuator may be a switch, such as an electronic contact, arranged in a predetermined position, such that a portion of the closure panel operably contacts the actuator to deploy an accessory, such as a beverage container or the like. Further, it will be appreciated that upon movement of the closure panel away from the actuator, the actuator will be adapted to stow the accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy F. O'Brien, Daniel V. Beckley, Lisa Ann Grems, Russell P. Shafer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7927535
    Abstract: A supporting assembly for a lock of a motor vehicle having a shell made of plastic material, which defines a housing for a part of the mobile members of the lock and with at least one metal element, which supports respective pins for hinging the aforesaid mobile members. The shell, which is made of plastic material, is co-molded on the metal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Roman Cetnar
  • Patent number: 7914035
    Abstract: An interior trim assembly including vehicle roof structure that supports a headliner-mounted component and a headliner, a separating means proximate a mounting location perimeter of the headliner-mounted component for maintaining a mounting integrity of the headliner-mounted component upon deployment of an inflatable restraint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey W. Davey, Matt C. Withun, Normand R. Marceau, Larry F. Kocher
  • Patent number: 7914080
    Abstract: A head restraint guide for guiding and engaging an armature of a head restraint includes a guide bushing having an axial bore for receiving the armature therein. A lever is pivotally coupled within the guide bushing and includes an aperture for receiving the armature therethrough. A spring includes first and second portions biased against the armature. The first portion is adapted for engaging any of a plurality of adjustment notches on a first side of the armature. The second portion is adapted for engaging a stop notch on a second side of the armature. Pivoting the lever in a first direction disengages the first portion of the spring from the plurality of adjustment notches and allows axial adjustment of the armature. Pivoting the lever in a second direction disengages the second portion of the spring from the stop notch and allows removal of the armature from the guide bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: David M. Runde
  • Patent number: 7905057
    Abstract: A cable window regulator (10) is provided which comprises a first pulley (42) rotatably mounted to a first pulley bracket (44) for rotation about a first pulley axis and a second pulley (52) rotatably mounted to a second pulley bracket (54) for rotation about a second pulley axis. The regulator further comprises a lift plate (60) securable to a window glass (70), a cable (80, 82) affixed at opposite ends thereof to the lift plate (60) and running over the first and second pulleys (42, 52). A window regulator drive assembly (90) is operably connected to the cable for causing movement of the cable and in turn moving lift plate (60) relative to the first and second pulleys (42, 52). The first pulley bracket (44), second pulley bracket (54) and window regulator drive assembly (90) are mountable to a structure housing the window independently of any window rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventor: Juliusz Kirejczyk
  • Patent number: 7891138
    Abstract: Described herein is a functional unit (1) for a door (2) of a motor vehicle, provided with a lock (3) and a window-regulator device (5); the lock (3) comprises a closing mechanism (20), designed to couple in a releasable way with a lock striker (4) for bringing about closing of the door (2), and an actuating mechanism (21), for controlling release of the closing mechanism (20) by the lock striker (4) and bringing about opening of the door (2); the window-regulator device (5) comprises an electrically operated actuator (22) for raising or lowering a window (7) of the door (2). The unit (1) is further provided with coupling means (56), which can be selectively activated for coupling together the actuator (22) and the actuating mechanism (21) so as to enable opening of the door (2) via the actuator (22) itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A.
    Inventor: Franco Giovanni Ottino
  • Patent number: 7862072
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a seamless airbag door assembly for a motor vehicle. A panel having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the panel has predetermined breaking lines that are not visible when the panel is viewed from the outside surface. A scrim is connected to the inner surface of the panel and has a cut-line operable aligned with the predetermined breaking lines of the inner surface of the panel. An airbag chute is connected to the scrim and inner surface of the panel in order to connected the airbag chute to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa Ann Grems, Timothy Frances O'Brien, Bradley Warren Harris
  • Patent number: 7854462
    Abstract: A seat assembly is provided that has a head restraint pivotally mounted to the seat back for movement between an operative position and a stowed position. The seat assembly has a seat mounting assembly that comprises at least one floor latch assembly. The floor latch assembly is operable between a latched position locking the seat assembly to the floor and a released position allowing the pivotal movement of the seat assembly to a folded position. The floor latch assembly is operatively coupled to the head restraint to release the head restraint from the operative position when the floor latch assembly is in the released position and prevent the head restraint from being locked in the operative position until the floor latch assembly is back in the latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: John Scholl
  • Patent number: 7850220
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly for supporting an occupant above a floor having a recess includes a seat cushion and seat back pivotally coupled thereto. A riser mechanism includes at least one front and rear leg, each leg extending between a lower end pivotally coupled to the floor and an upper end pivotally coupled to the seat cushion. A seat adjustment mechanism disposed between the seat cushion and upper end of the rear leg is operable between locked and unlocked states allowing the legs to pivot about the lower ends thereby moving the seat assembly between a seating position and a stowed position disposed in the recess. An arcuate channel is operatively coupled to the rear leg selectively receiving a laterally extending guide pin mounted to the front leg for operatively coupling the front and rear legs to rotate together as the seat assembly moves between the seating and stowed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Carl J. Holdampf
  • Patent number: 7810853
    Abstract: A vehicle door lock (1) is provided having a lock mechanism (3) cooperating with a striker (5) of a motor vehicle. The lock mechanism (3) has a fork (11), which can be set to a release position, in which it permits engagement and release of a respective seat (15) by the striker (5), and at least one lock position, in which it retains the striker (5) in, and prevents release of, the respective seat (15); a latch (12), which clicks onto the fork (11) to lock it releasably in the lock position; a release member (6) operated selectively to release the latch (12) from the fork (11) and allow the fork (11) to move into the release position; and interacting portions (42, 43) whereby the fork (11) and the release member (6) interact to define different indicating positions of the release member (6) corresponding to the release position and lock position of the fork (11) respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures S.p.A. (Torino)
    Inventor: Enrico Margheritti
  • Patent number: 7791218
    Abstract: A latching assembly is used on a door of a motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle includes a main electric supply and a striker. The latching assembly includes a ratchet that is selectively rotatable with respect to the striker to latch and unlatch the door. The latching assembly includes a pawl that is selectively engagable with the ratchet to selectively prevent the ratchet from rotating. The latching assembly includes a motor which is electrically connected to the main electric power supply. The motor is operatively connected to the pawl for pivoting the pawl into and out of engagement with the ratchet. The latching assembly also includes a backup battery disposed adjacent the motor for supplying electric power when the motor is disconnected from the main electric supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventors: Tony Mekky, Mirko Pribisic, Jonathan Bagg, Boguslaw Bombski