Abstract: The device is a tubular seat frame for use in a vehicle application. The seat frame including a generally U-shaped seat base frame connected to a bracket member and a generally U-shaped seat back frame pivotally connected to the seat base frame through the bracket member for variable positioning by means of an adjustment means attached to the lower end of the seat back frame. The bracket member provides an extra wall at the pivot point to further support and retain the seat back frame. The bracket member providing a design for a lightweight seat frame which reduces overall weight while at the same time retaining its strength integrity.

Abstract: A vehicular seat assembly includes a seat back portion which is translatable from first position wherein the lower end of the seat back is disposed proximate the back edge of a seat base member to a second position wherein the lower end of the seat back is disposed proximate the front edge of the base member. A latching and adjustment mechanism for controlling the attitude of the back with respect to the base member is also described.

Abstract: An automobile car seat which connects to a child safety seat includes armrests which are pivoted and extended from recessed positions within the back of the seat and a headrest. When extended, the armrests prevent lateral movement of a child on the seat. When pivoted into a substantially upright position, the headrest may then be detached from the back of the seat and be releasably mounted to the seating portion. Straps attached to the headrest and the back of the seat are pulled forward from the interior of the back, such that the straps restrain forward movement of the child. The seat may be a bucket seat and may be deployed as the passenger seat of the vehicle.

Abstract: A lumbar support mechanism for inclusion within a seat back includes a fixed frame, a movable frame which is adjustably mounted to the fixed frame, and an outwardly bowed arcuate resilient lumbar support member which is adjustably mounted to the movable frame. A control box is provided for adjusting the lumbar support member in either a horizontal or vertical direction and a pair of cables interconnect the support mechanism with the control box.

Abstract: A self-inflating support device is described. The device has utility in various environments, particularly in seating devices deployed in motorized vehicles. The support device comprises an inflatable bladder having a release structure to control air flow. A memory plate deployed within the inflatable bladder urges the bladder to full expansion when the release structure is open. When it is desired to form the support device to the contours of a body area, the release structure is opened while the body area is reclined thereagainst. The force of reclining compresses the bladder and memory plate. Closing the release structure retains the device in the desired contour by the static air mass formed therein. Reinflation is achieved without use of a pump by the action of the memory plate. When the valve is reopened, the memory plate expands the bladder, drawing air into the bladder through the release structure.

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.

Abstract: A vehicle is equipped with a knee bolster for restraining an adult passenger's lower torso within a seat during emergency conditions, and a chest belt having one end wound onto an acceleration-sensitive retractor located at the lower, inward side of the seat and a second end releasably-secured to first quick-release means attached to a door or door frame of the vehicle adjacent to the seat for restraining the passenger's upper torso within the seat. A dual mode retractor having both an acceleration-sensitive mode and an automatic-locking mode is providing along with control means for engaging the automatic-locking mode. A second quick-release means is provided at the lower, outward side of the seat for alternative releasably receiving the chest belt lower end. The second quick-release means is provided with switch means for switching the replacement retractor to the automatic-locking mode when the second end of the belt is engaged therewith.

Abstract: A rewind spring motor assembly, useful in a seat belt retractor, including a drive spool and an idler spool, and a rewind spring having a stretched S-shape between the spools. The spring has a normal use region extending from the drive spool towards the idler spool and includes a first portion having a first natural radius of curvature and a second portion having a second natural radius of curvature greater than the first natural radium of curvature. The transition between the first and second portions is defined by an abrupt increase in the natural radius of curvature. In use in a seat belt retractor, this abrupt increase results in an abrupt change in the extraction and retraction forces, so that a wearer definitely notices a reduced rewind force. Also, in the rewind mode, the abrupt increase in rewind force assists full stowing of the seat belt webbing on the retractor.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor lock up mechanism comprises a main ratchet gear (20) mounted on one end of a spool carrying seat belt webbing (100) in helical wrap. The main ratchet gear (20) is engageable by a lock dog tab (80) located on supporting slots (120, 125) formed in opposite upstanding walls (10, 11) of the retractor housing. A vehicle inertial response pendulum (40) is coupled to the lock dog tab (80) through a pilot pawl (50) and gear (15) assembly mounted on the end of the spool opposite the main gear (20). Upon collision, the pendulum (40) pivots the pilot pawl (50) into the pilot gear (15). During pay out of the belt webbing (100), the pilot gear (15) thrusts the pilot pawl (50) into the lock dog tab (80), pivoting the tab (80) into the main ratchet gear (20) for lock up. The main ratchet gear (20) and lock dog tab (80) receive most of the load during collision, enabling the pilot pawl (30) and pendulum (40) to be small and light weight.

Abstract: An automobile retractor comprising: (a) a base (6); (b) a winding reel mounted for rotation on said base (6), said winding reel comprising a cylindrical hollow tube (12) having a slot (36) extending substantially along the length thereof, said slot having a first edge (34) and a second edge (35); (c) a locking dog (23) having teeth (39) and being mounted on the external peripheral surface of tube (12) for rotation relative thereto; (d) a locking ring (21) on base (6) disposed in potential mating relationship with locking dog (23); (e) locking dog (23) having an opening (28) therein and a projection (29) into opening (28), opening (28) fitting over one end of tube (12) with the projection (29) fitting into mating relationship with slot (36); (f) at least a significant portion (37) of the inner surface of said opening having a configuration that conforms with the outer peripheral surface of tube (12); (g) actuating ratchet wheel (43) rotatably mounted concentrically with respect to tube (12) and being connected

Abstract: A pendulum sensor avoids undesired actuation by employing specially designed contact surfaces between a pendulum head and a pendulum support. Each contact surface includes a circumferential inclined portion. The inclined portions are disposed at an angle with reference to a vertical plane. The pendulum support includes an upwardly extnding circumferential projection. The sensor may be used in a safety belt retractor in a vehicle.

Abstract: An improved flywheel and clutch mechanism is adapted for use in a safety belt retractor which has a vehicle-sensitive mechanism and a pawl. The improvement includes: a polymeric flywheel, a clutch plate, a mechanical member, a biasing means and a retaining means. The flywheel has a recess in the interior thereof. An outer circumferential surface of the flywheel has ratchet teeth thereon. The pawl is located adjacent to the ratchet teeth and can engage a ratchet tooth when the pawl is actuated by the vehicle-sensitive mechanism. The clutch plate is disposed within the recess. The mechanical member is rigidly affixed to the center of the clutch plate and extends from the exterior side of the clutch plate. The biasing means is disposed in the recess of the flywheel adjacent to an interior surface of the clutch plate. The biasing means presses against the clutch plate in a direction urging the clutch plate away from the flywheel.

Abstract: An electric switch is disposed in a cavity of a buckle. The electric switch includes a stationary first contact member, a movable second contact member, and a biasing means for the second contact member. The biasing means biases the second contact member to the open position of the electric switch. The electric switch has means by which the contact end portion of the second contact member makes a wiping, self-cleaning contact with a part of the first contact member upon actuation by a tongue of the buckle.

Abstract: A limiting device limits the amount of withdrawal of a shoulder belt from a safety belt retractor when a tension-relieving apparatus for the shoulder belt is in operation. The shoulder belt tension-relieving apparatus includes: a tension-relieving locking member, a tension-relieving wheel, and an actuating means for the locking member. The limiting device includes a cam and a stop means. The cam is mounted adjacent to the tension-relieving wheel for rotation therewith. The stop means is mounted on the retractor to limit rotation of the cam and a reel shaft in a direction corresponding to withdrawal of the safety belt from the retractor. As a result, the stop means limits the amount of shoulder belt which can be unwound from the retractor when the tension-relieving apparatus is in operation.