Abstract: A vehicle seat armrest assembly includes an armrest (10) having a pair of opposing sides (24,26) and a metal armrest bracket (28) disposed adjacent each side (24,26) of the armrest (10) for pivotally supporting the armrest (10) and fixedly attaching the armrest (10) to a vehicle seat (12). A plastic shielding means or bracket cover member (46) is disposed between each side (24,26) of the armrest (10) and the adjacent bracket (28) for shielding the sides of the armrest (10) against direct contact with the metal bracket (28).

Abstract: A child restraint seat (22) is disposed in a cavity (20) of the backrest (14) in an adult passenger seat (10) for restraining a child in a vehicle. The child seat (22) comprises a seat portion (24) pivotal between a folded position recessed in the cavity (20) forming a lower portion of the adult backrest (14) and an unfolded position resting against the adult seat portion (12). A child backrest (26) is disposed in the cavity (20) and pivotal between a first position parallel with the inclined position of the adult backrest (14) and a second child backrest inclined position. The child seat (22) further includes a headrest (54) pivotal in an arcuate path about an axis of the adult backrest (14) between a folded position forming the upper portion of the adult backrest (14) and an unfolded position raised above the backrest (14) and forming an extended child backrest portion (26).

Abstract: An armrest assembly (10, 110, 210) is provided for pivotal attachment to an automotive seat (16). The armrest assembly (10, 110, 210) includes a cellular foam armrest pad (26, 126, 226) and an armrest cover (28, 128, 228) disposed about the armrest pad (26, 126, 226). The assembly (10, 110, 210) further includes a receptacle (46, 146, 246) for receiving and supporting a beverage container (C) and which is formed of a pliable, vacuum formable vinyl material to maintain the "soft touch" characteristic of the armrest assembly (10, 110, 210). A method is also provided for making the armrest assembly (10, 110, 210).

Abstract: A tilt-adjustable head rest assembly (10) includes a hollowed headrest body (12) pivotally connected to a U-shaped mounting post (14). A ratcheting mechanism (104) is disposed within the headrest body (12) and includes a ratchet (108) interacting with a rack of ratchet teeth (106). The ratchet (108) has an elongate U-shaped support member (112) pivotally carrying a pawl member (110). An extension spring (116) extends between the pivot pin (114) and the support arm (112) for selectively biasing the pawl member (110) between an upstanding operable position and a knocked-down inoperable position.

Abstract: A tilt-adjustable headrest assembly has a headrest body (12) and a mounting post (14). The headrest body (12) has snap-together first and section sections (30, 32) formed with integral saddle portions (94, 96) which directly pivotally engage the mounting (14) for pivotally mounting the headrest body (12) to the mounting post (14).

Abstract: A tilt-adjustable headrest assembly (10) includes a headrest body (12) pivotally mounted to a U-shaped support post (14) having a horizontal portion (18) extending between a pair of leg portions (16) for attachment to a seat. A ratcheting adjustment device (92) is disposed within a cavity (28) of the headrest body (12) centrally between the leg portions.

Abstract: The assembly (10) includes a plurality tubes (30) configured to fit into the trenches of a preformed seat cushion assembly (14). The plurality of tubes (30) rotate about pins (56) and force a fabric bag (12) and an adhesive layer located between the seat cushion assembly (14) and the fabric bag (12) into the trenches. Steam passes through the plurality of tubes (30) and out a plurality of holes (32) which are spaced along the plurality of tubes (30). The steam melts the adhesive layer which subsequently bonds the fabric bag (12) to the seat cushion assembly (14) within the trenches of the seat cushion assembly (14). A vacuum (40) is used to create a pressure differential between the passageways within the plurality of tubes (30) and the atmosphere, i.e., the seat cushion (15). The pressure differential is used to remove the steam and any water from the fabric bag (12) and seat cushion assembly (14) to prevent water damage thereto.

Abstract: A pivoting headreast assembly (10) has a headrest body (12) pivotally mounted to a mounting post (14). The headrest body (12) is hollow and houses a ratchet mechanism (104) for controlling the angular positioning of the headrest body (12). The headrest body (12) has an upper shell section (30) and a lower base section (32) provided with snap-lock couplings (50, 52) for enabling the sections (30, 32) to be snapped into engagement with one another.

Abstract: A locator strip (10) accurately positions upholstering fabric (12) upon a seat cushion (16) in the manufacture of seats. The locator strip (10) includes an array of U-shaped pockets (30) along one edge which are separated by finger-like projections (32). A thin filament (40) is fixedly attached to the distal ends (34) of the projections (32) and is formed with notches (39) or cuts (39') between the projections (32). The locator strip (10) is sewn between the edges (18,20) of two fabrics (12,14) with thread (36) stitches passing through the pockets (30) and around the projections (32). The locator strip (10) functions to guide the edges (18,20) of the two fabric covers (12,14) into an elongated slot (22) in the cushion (16).

Abstract: An armrest assembly (10, 110, 210) is provided for pivotal attachment to an automotive seat (16). The armrest assembly (10, 110, 210) includes a cellular foam armrest pad (26, 126, 226) and an armrest cover (28, 128, 228) disposed about the armrest pad (26, 126, 226). The assembly (10, 110, 210) further includes a receptacle (46, 146, 246) for receiving and supporting a beverage container (C) and which is formed of a pliable, vacuum formable vinyl material to maintain the "soft touch" characteristic of the armrest assembly (10, 110, 210). A method is also provided for making the armrest assembly (10, 110, 210).

Abstract: A beverage container holder for a vehicle including an armrest having a compartment for receiving the container holder in a stored position wherein the container holder is hingedly connected to the armrest for rotational movement between the stored position and an extended operational position, and support locking means for automatically locking the container holder in the extended operational position in response to rotation of the container holder from the stored position to the extended operational position.

Abstract: An armrest storage assembly (20) disposed for use with a vehicle seat assembly (22) includes a lower tray (28) and a top closure member (30) generally referred to as substrates (28,30). Each substrate (28,30) includes an upper periphery forming a U-shaped channel (46). A fabric material (20) is wrapped about the substrate (28,30) having an edge (52) disposed within the U-shaped channel (46). The armrest assembly (20) further includes a U-shaped retainer ring (54) for interlocking disposition in the channel (46). The retainer ring (54) includes gripping members (72) for gripping the material (20) as the retainer ring (54) is forcibly inserted in the channel (46) and for retaining the material (20) in the U-shaped channel (46).

Abstract: A vehicle seat armrest assembly (10) includes a lower bin (18) defining a storage compartment (20) and an upper cover (22) hinged to the bin (18) for pivotal movement between a closed position covering the bin (18) and an open position opening the storage compartment (20). A bracket (26) supports the lower bin (18) and provides rotation of the bin (18) between a horizontal use position and a vertical storage position. A latch (40) latches the cover (22) to the bin (18) in a latched position and allows opening of the cover (22) in an unlatched position. A lock (42) interacts between the bracket (26) and the latch (40) to maintain the latch (40) in the latched position in response to pivotal movement of the bin (18) from the horizontal use position to the vertical storage position. The lock (42) includes a cam (60) which transfers the rotational movement of the bin (18) to linear movement of a controller (46).

Abstract: An armrest assembly (10) disposed for use with a vehicle seat assembly (12) includes a lower bin (18) defining a storage compartment (20) and an upper cover (22) pivotal about the bin (18) by a hinge (24) between a closed position covering the lower bin (18) and an open position opening the storage compartment (20). The armrest (10) includes a container support (40) hingedly connected by support hinge (42) to the armrest (10) and pivotal between a stored position in the compartment (20) and an extended operational position outside the armrest (10). The container support (40) includes a pair of arms (120, 120') defining a pair of opening (132, 132') for receiving at least one beverage container. The arms (120, 120') are independently pivotal (126) to receive different sized containers in each of the openings (132, 132'). The openings (132, 132') further include a pair of slots (142, 142' ) for receiving a handle of the container.

Abstract: An armrest assembly (10) disposed for use with a vehicle seat assembly (12) includes a lower bin (18) defining a storage compartment (20) and an upper cover (22) pivotally coupled about the bin (18) by a hinge (24) between a closed position covering the lower bin (18) and an open position opening the storage compartment (20). The armrest (10) includes a container support (40) hingedly connected by a support hinge (42) to the armrest (10) and pivotal between a stored position in the compartment (20) and an extended operational position outside the armrest (10). The container support (40) includes a pair of arms (120, 120') defining a pair of openings (132, 132') for receiving at least one beverage container. The arms (120, 120') are independently pivotal (126) to receive different sized containers in each of the openings (132, 132'). The openings (132, 132') further include a pair of slots ( 142, 142') for receiving a handle of the container.

Abstract: An armrest assembly (10) disposed for use with a vehicle seat assembly (12) includes a lower bin (18) defining a storage compartment (20) and an upper cover (22) pivotally coupled about the bin (18) by a hinge (24) between a closed position covering the lower bin (18) and an open position opening the storage compartment (20). The armrest (10) includes a container support (40) hingedly connected by a support hinge (42) to the armrest (10) and pivotal between a stored position in the compartment (20) and an extended operational position outside the armrest (10). The container support (40) includes a pair of arms (120, 120') defining a pair of openings (132, 132') for receiving at least one beverage container. The arms (120, 120') are independently pivotal (126) to receive different sized containers in each of the openings (132, 132'). The openings (132, 132') further include a pair of slots ( 142, 142') for receiving a handle of the container.

Abstract: An armrest assembly (10) disposed for use with a vehicle seat assembly (12) includes a lower bin (18) defining a storage compartment (20) and an upper cover (22) pivotally coupled about the bin (18) by a hinge (24) between a closed position covering the lower bin (18) and an open position opening the storage compartment (20). The armrest (10) includes a container support (40) hingedly connected by a support hinge (42) to the armrest (10) and pivotal between a stored position in the compartment (20) and an extended operational position outside the armrest (10). The container support (40) includes a pair of arms (120, 120') defining a pair of openings (132, 132') for receiving at least one beverage container. The arms (120, 120') are independently pivotal (126) to receive different sized containers in each of the openings (132, 132'). The openings (132, 132') further include a pair of slots ( 142, 142') for receiving a handle of the container.

Abstract: A vehicular armrest (20) includes an interior compartment (40) which receives a beverage container holder assembly. The holding assembly is pivotally secured to the armrest (20) for rotation between a stored position inside the compartment (40) and an operational position outside the armrest compartment (40). The holding assembly includes two semi-circular arms (54,54') which are operatively connected to an actuating mechanism (52) which automatically expands the semi-circular members (54, 54') upon rotation toward the operational position. In the operational position, the two semi-circular members (54,54') form two distinct beverage container receptacles in the holding assembly. The actuating mechanism also automatically collapses the semi-circular arms (54,54') as the holding assembly is rotated toward the storage position to compactly store the holding asembly within the compartment (40) of the armrest (20).

Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support mechanism (20) includes a screw shaft (36) having spaced apart right hand (38) and left hand (40) thread convolutions. A traveling nut (42, 44) is disposed in coacting engagement with each of the right hand (38) and left hand (40) threads for linear movement in opposite directions along the screw shaft (36). A pair of links (50, 58) are pivotally attached to each other and at opposite ends to each of the traveling nuts (42, 44) such that movement of the nuts (42, 44) along the screw shaft (36) laterally displaces the links (50, 58). A pressure applicator (68) is attached to the links (50, 58) by a universal joint connection (66). The screw shaft (36) extends outwardly from the seat (22) to an external hand crank (106). The assembly is disposed in a vehicular seat (22) such that movement of the pressure applicator (68) causes an alteration in the contour of the lumbar region (28) of the seat (22) thereby providing adjustable lumbar support.

Abstract: A lumbar support assembly for a seat having a seat frame and a backrest. The assembly (10) includes a rigid mounting member (18) within the seat frame (14) supported by a plurality of springs (28) or alternatively by integral clips (58). A pneumatic bladder (32) is supported on the mounting member (18) by a plurality of fasteners (61). A contoured plate (42) is disposed adjacent the mounting member (18) and the bladder (32) is supported between the contoured plate (42) and the mounting member (18), as the bowed contoured plate (42) urges the bladder (32) toward the inflated position. A plurality of guides (30) are disposed upon the mounting member (18) and are adapted to slideably receive a plurality of fingers (56) integrally disposed on the contoured plate (42). A pneumatic tube (34) extends from the bladder (32) to a normally closed pneumatic control valve (36) which is attached to any remote location.