Abstract: A deflection fitting for the safety belt of a motor vehicle comprising a belt guide (17, 18) which encircles the safety belt (7) and a pivot bearing (13) about which the belt guide is pivoted about a pivot pin (14) and parallel to the direction in which the belt passes through. The pivot bearing is adapted to be fixed to the vehicle. The belt guide includes at least two chain links (17, 18) which can pivot independently of each other in the pivot bearing (13), respectively, and which are located some distance apart from each other in the direction in which the belt (7) passes through. This configuration enables easy adjustment of the belt guide, even when the angles of the strands (8, 9) of the belt (7) deviate considerably from the standard.

Abstract: A door assembly comprising a door substrate having an aperture, a bell crank including a first arm having a pivot axis, a second arm, and a base therebetween, wherein the second arm extends through the aperture of the door substrate, a door handle that operatively engages the second arm of the bell crank past the aperture of the door substrate, and a back plate secured to the bell crank. A further invention is a bell crank for a door handle comprising a first arm being capable of pivoting about an axis, a second arm, and a base connecting the first arm to the second arm, wherein the first arm and the base rotate about the axis in a planar direction.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat cushion and a pivotally attached seat back movable between a seating position secured to the floor of a vehicle and a stowed position recessed in the floor. A pair of front legs are pivotally attached to the seat cushion and removably attached to a striker assembly in a floor. A pair of rear legs is attached between the seat cushion and the floor. A linkage assembly is coupled between the front legs and rear legs. The linkage assembly includes a lost motion slot for retracting the front legs relative to the seat cushion frame allowing the front legs to pivot between a support position extending between the seat cushion and the floor and a retracted position recess against the seat cushion in response to pivotal movement of the seat cushion between the seating position and the stowed position.

Abstract: A seat assembly for use in supporting an occupant in an automotive vehicle is provided, having a seat frame and a suspension material extending between and operatively secured to the seat frame for supporting the occupant of the seat assembly. A plurality of adjustment assemblies operatively couple the suspension material and the seat frame. Each adjustment assembly includes a stationary bracket secured to the seat frame and an adjustable attachment bracket operatively coupled to the stationary bracket. The suspension material is secured between the adjustable attachment bracket and the stationary bracket. The tension in select portions of the suspension material may be selectively adjusted in response to movement of the adjustable attachment bracket relative to the stationary bracket.

Abstract: A contractible shape memory alloy (SMA) wire is used to throw a lever in a latch. The SMA actuator provides weight and space savings. In one embodiment, the SMA actuator is incorporated in the handle of the latch in order to provide a child lock or double lock function. The handle has a lever which includes a relatively short slot leg and a relatively long slot leg. A toggle sits in the slot. At least one SMA wire is connected to the toggle to move it between the relatively short slot leg, wherein the lever is prevented from pivoting, and the relatively long slot leg, where the lever is enabled to pivot. In another embodiment, the SMA actuator is embedded in the latch itself, and used to throw a lever that controls the child lock function.

Abstract: A recliner cover assembly for enclosing a recliner mechanism of an automotive seat wherein the recliner mechanism includes an upper arm pivotally coupled to a lower arm. The recliner cover assembly comprises a housing defined by facing first and second molded members forming a cavity therebetween for encasing at least a portion of the recliner mechanism and a separate shingle cover slidably coupled between the first and second molded members wherein the shingle cover is coupled to the upper arm of the recliner mechanism for movement concomitantly therewith to continuously cover the recliner mechanism encased with the housing.

Abstract: A transfer case assembly (10) for selectively moving a seat assembly in a plurality of adjustment directions. The assembly comprises a motor (12) and a drive shaft (14) operatively connected to the motor (12) for rotation in response to actuation of the motor. A plurality of driving gears (16, 18, 20) are mounted to the drive shaft for rotation therewith. A plurality of driven (24, 28, 32) shafts corresponding with the respective plurality of driving gears are provided for independently controlling movement of the seat assembly in the fore/aft, up and down direction. A driven gear is rotatably mounted to each of the driven shafts and meshed with a respective one of the driving gears for rotation therewith. A coupler (22, 26, 30) is disposed adjacent to each of the driven gears for selectively coupling the driven gears to the respective driven shafts (24, 28, 32).

Abstract: A control device is provided for activating and deactivating a child safety lock function of rear doors of a motor vehicle. The control device includes a safety lock device connected to rear inside door handles of the rear doors. The control device also includes a central control unit for controlling the safety lock device between a first operating position that defines a normal operating mode, in which the safety lock device allows the rear doors to be opened using both the rear inside door handles and the rear outside door handles, and a second operating position that defines a safety lock mode, in which the safety lock device does not allow the rear doors to be opened using the rear inside door handles. A selector device is included for manually selecting between the normal operating mode and the safety lock mode.

Abstract: A window regulator assembly including a shaft having a pinion gear and a counter balance spring mounted on the shaft which winds or unwinds as the shaft rotates. A spring housing is mounted on the shaft. A cable-guiding drum having an inner gear is driven directly by the pinion gear. The drum has a rotational axis that is offset from a rotational axis defined by the shaft, thus providing a mechanical advantage. A casing houses spring housing and the drum in an abutting relationship. A guide such as a rail is disposed on at least one of the spring housing and the drum for maintaining rotational alignment of the drum relative to the shaft.

Abstract: An armrest assembly secured to a substrate comprising an armrest having a cavity and at least one tee lock, a grab handle having a least one side wing, and wherein the grab handle is secured to the cavity of the armrest by operatively engaging the at least tee lock with the at least one side wing.

Abstract: A variable slip bushing is disposed within a bore of a first structure for closing a gap between the first structure and a second structure. The variable slip bushing includes an axial bore for receiving a fastener therethrough. The variable slip bushing also includes an outer wall slidably engaging the bore of the first structure for closing the gap as the fastener is tightened against the variable slip bushing to secure the first structure to the second structure.

Abstract: A pivot bushing for insulating a pivot shaft and component pivotally mounted to a seat assembly of an automotive vehicle. The pivot bushing comprises a circumferential planar rim having an inner surface defining a bushing aperture and an outer surface defining a bearing surface. The inner and outer surfaces extend between an upper edge and a lower end. An upper flange projects outwardly from the upper edge of the rim and about the perimeter of the outer surface and a lower flange projects outwardly from the lower edge of the rim and about the perimeter of the outer surface defining a channel formed between the outer surface, upper flange and lower flange for receiving and insulating the component from the pivot shaft.

Abstract: A head restraint (20) having a front surface (22) for supporting the head of the occupant seated on the seat assembly (10) is pivotally coupled to the upper portion (15) of the seat back (12) and moveable relative to the seat back between a plurality of angled head supporting positions (A) and a forwardly folded stowed position (B) defined by the front surface (22) of the head restraint (20) being generally perpendicular to the front surface (17) of the seat back (12). The seat assembly further includes a mechanism operatively interconnecting the head restraint to the seat back for providing automatic and continuous pivotal movement of the head restraint between one of the head supporting positions and the stowed position in response to pivotal adjustment of the seat back between one of the reclined seating positions and the forwardly folded positions.

Abstract: A seat assembly supports an occupant above a floor having a load floor and is stowable within a recess below the floor. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion extending between a seating surface and a bottom surface. A seat back is pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for movement between a seating position and a forwardly folded dump position overlying the seat cushion. A riser mechanism extends between the bottom surface of the seat cushion and the recess for allowing selective movement of the seat assembly between a seating position to support the occupant above the floor and a stowed position disposed within the recess in the floor. The riser mechanism includes a pair of front legs having a lower end pivotally coupled to the recess within the floor and an upper end pivotally coupled to the seat cushion, and a pair of rear legs having a lower end pivotally coupled to the recess within the floor and an upper end pivotally coupled to the seat cushion.

Abstract: A closure panel assembly for a vehicle comprising a closure panel capable of movement between an open position and a closed position, and a garment hook assembly mounted to the closure panel. When the closure panel is closed, the garment hook is presented to an interior space of the vehicle.

Abstract: A seat frame assembly is provided for compactly folding a motor vehicle seat. The seat frame assembly includes at least one side frame member. An actuator is operatively coupled to the side frame member. An elongated control arm includes a first end pivotally coupled to the side frame member and an opposite distal end. A control link includes one end pivotally coupled to the side frame member and an opposing end operatively coupled to the distal end of the control arm. A seat cushion linkage assembly is operably coupled between one of the control arm and control link and the actuator for moving each of the control arm and control link between a stowed position generally parallel with and adjacent to the side frame member and a support position spaced from the side frame member in response to actuation of the actuator.

Abstract: The seat assembly includes a seat cushion. A front leg is pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for movement of the seat cushion between a seating position and a forwardly dumped position. A support bracket is pivotally attached to the front legs at lower portions of the front legs. A track assembly is attached to the support bracket. The track assembly is secured in a lateral orientation to a floor of a vehicle with respect to the seat assembly; whereby the seat assembly may be moved to a plurality of positions within the vehicle.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat cushion having a riser releasably secured to a floor. A seat back operatively coupled to the seat cushion pivots between seating and folded positions. A recliner is coupled between the seat back and seat cushion. Rotation of an input shaft actuates the recliner between locked and unlocked states. A lockout mechanism controls actuation of the recliner and includes a lock plate fixedly secured to the input shaft and a lock arm operatively coupled to the riser. The lock arm moves between a retracted position allowing rotation of the input shaft and actuation of the recliner when the riser is latched to the floor and an extended position wherein the lock plate abuts the lock arm preventing rotation of the input shaft and actuation of the recliner when the seat back is in the folded position and the riser is unlatched from the floor.

Abstract: A locking hinge (10) includes a first hinge panel (12a) and a second hinge panel (12b) pivotably connected by a pivot pin (14) about a pivoting axis (P). A locking rod (16) is slidably received by one of the first or second hinge panels (12a, 12b) along a sliding axis (S). The sliding axis (S) is substantially parallel the pivoting axis (P). A vehicle door structure (50) includes a first panel (102a) pivotably connected relative a second panel (102b) by a first hinge (104a). A third panel (102c) is pivotably connected relative the second panel (102b) by the locking hinge (10). Pivotable movement of the second panel (102b) relative the third panel (102c) is prevented when the locking hinge (10) is in a locked state. The third panel (102c) is pivotably connected to a vehicle floor (106) by a second hinge (104c) to permit unobstructed access to a stowage cavity (125) under the vehicle floor (106) for stowing a collapsible stow-to-floor seat (150).

Abstract: A seat track assembly for a seat of a motor vehicle having a floor and an airbag. The seat track assembly includes a stationary rail fixedly secured to the floor. The seat track assembly also includes a movable rail fixedly secured to the seat and slidably engaged with the stationary rail to move the seat therealong. The movable rail extends along a length between a forward position and a rearward position. A shunt defining an elongated body extends along a portion of the length of the movable rail. A sensor is fixedly secured to the stationary rail and disposed adjacent the shunt to produce a position signal indicating a position of the sensor relative to the shunt. The sensor and the shunt are disposed within the stationary and movable rails to be protected thereby.