Abstract: A seat storage assembly is provided for an automotive vehicle having a floor, a roof, and a rear liftgate extending between the floor and the roof. A pair of spaced apart and parallel tracks is disposed along the floor and extends between fore and aft ends. A recess is formed in the floor rearward of the aft ends of the tracks. A second row seat is slidably engaged and pivotally coupled to the tracks for moving between forward and rearward seating positions, and a stowed position within the recess. A third row swing seat is pivotally coupled to the roof for moving between a seating position and a raised stowed position. Moving the third row swing seat into the raised stowed position enables the second row seat to move between the forward and rearward seating positions, and the stowed position within the recess.

Abstract: A seat storage assembly is provided for an automotive vehicle having a floor, a roof, and a rear liftgate extending between the floor and the roof. A pair of spaced apart and parallel tracks is disposed along the floor and extends between fore and aft ends. A recess is formed in the floor rearward of the aft ends of the tracks. A second row seat is slidably engaged and pivotally coupled to the tracks for moving between forward and rearward seating positions, and a stowed position within the recess. A third row swing seat is pivotally coupled to the roof for moving between a seating position and a raised stowed position. Moving the third row swing seat into the raised stowed position enables the second row seat to move between the forward and rearward seating positions, and the stowed position within the recess.

Abstract: A head and restraint assembly for a motor vehicle seat having a seat back includes a support member that is removably securable to the seat back. A body portion including a foam cushion is disposed adjacent the support member. A pivot tube is fixedly secured to the support member. The pivot tube defines a slot cut through the pivot tube. A spring is fixedly secured to the pivot tube and extends through a portion of the pivot tube. The head restraint assembly also includes a pivot rod that is disposed within the pivot tube. The pivot rod includes a guide pin that extends out of the pivot rod and is received by the slot. The pivot rod is fixedly secured to the body portion such that rotation of the pivot rod with respect to the pivot tube pivots the body portion with respect to the support member to move the body portion between a use and a tilted position.

Abstract: A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle is provided utilizing a membrane suspension for supporting an occupant seated on the seat assembly. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion and a seat back operatively coupled to the seat cushion for movement between a plurality of reclined positions. Both the seat back and seat cushion are similarly configured each having a frame extending between interconnected and spaced apart side members. The membrane suspension includes opposite terminal edges each fixedly secured to one of the side members to support the membrane suspension in tension between the side members. A rigid panel having an upstanding wall is fixedly secured to the seat back and seat cushion frames. The wall increasingly tensions the membrane suspension during installation of the panel.

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 rear seat assembly (12) movable between a use configuration and a stowed configuration within a passenger compartment (10) of a motor vehicle. The rear seat assembly (12) includes a seat cushion (24) having a front portion and a rear portion, a seat back (26) disposed adjacent to the rear portion of the seat cushion, and a translator coupled to the seat back. The translator (58) moves the seat back between the use configuration and the stowed configuration in which the seat back is adjacent to a rear lift gate (22) of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A seat assembly for use in an automative vehicle comprising a seat back and a seat cushion pivotally coupled to the seat back. A pivot bracket is fixedly secured to each opposite lateral side of the seat back for supporting the seat assembly between opposing lateral side walls within the interior of the vehicle. Each pivot bracket includes a support flange for supporting the seat cushion cantilevered from the pivot bracket. A hook portion engages a latch post on the lateral side walls to retain the seat assembly in an upright seating position. A pivot flange is pivotally coupled to a main pivot post on the lateral side walls for pivoting the seat assembly between the upright seating position to a stow-to-floor position wherein the seat cushion is pivoted forwardly and downwardly to be supported on the floor of the vehicle and the seat back is pivoted against the seat cushion to form an extended cargo load floor.

Abstract: A rear seat assembly (12) movable between a use configuration and a stowed configuration within a passenger compartment (10) of a motor vehicle. The rear seat assembly (12) includes a seat cushion (24) having a front portion and a rear portion, a seat back (26) disposed adjacent to the rear portion of the seat cushion, and a translator coupled to the seat back. The translator (58) moves the seat back between the use configuration and the stowed configuration in which the seat back is adjacent to a rear lift gate (22) of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A seat assembly for use in an automative vehicle comprising a seat back and a seat cushion pivotally coupled to the seat back. A pivot bracket is fixedly secured to each opposite lateral side of the seat back for supporting the seat assembly between opposing lateral side walls within the interior of the vehicle. Each pivot bracket includes a support flange for supporting the seat cushion cantilevered from the pivot bracket. A hook portion engages a latch post on the lateral side walls to retain the seat assembly in an upright seating position. A pivot flange is pivotally coupled to a main pivot post on the lateral side walls for pivoting the seat assembly between the upright seating position to a stow-to-floor position wherein the seat cushion is pivoted forwardly and downwardly to be supported on the floor of the vehicle and the seat back is pivoted against the seat cushion to form an extended cargo load floor.

Abstract: A seat assembly for supporting a seat occupant in an automotive vehicle comprising a seat cushion for support the seat occupant on the seat assembly (10) and a seat back (16) extending longitudinally between a lower portion operatively coupled to the seat cushion and an upper portion for supporting the seat occupant in an upright position. The seat back (16) includes an outer peripheral frame member and an inner occupant support frame operatively connected and supported by the outer peripheral frame member and movable from an occupant support position to an impact displacement position extending rearwardly of the outer peripheral frame member. A displaceable connection member operatively interconnects the inner occupant support frame in the occupant support position during normal seat occupant use and for providing movement of the inner occupant support frame to the impact displacement position in response to a predetermined impact load exerted on the seat assembly (10).

Abstract: A seat assembly for supporting a seat occupant in an automotive vehicle comprising a seat cushion for support the seat occupant on the seat assembly (10) and a seat back (16) extending longitudinally between a lower portion operatively coupled to the seat cushion and an upper portion for supporting the seat occupant in an upright position. The seat back (16) includes an outer peripheral frame member and an inner occupant support frame operatively connected and supported by the outer peripheral frame member and movable from an occupant support position to an impact displacement position extending rearwardly of the outer peripheral frame member. A displaceable connection member operatively interconnects the inner occupant support frame in the occupant support position during normal seat occupant use and for providing movement of the inner occupant support frame to the impact displacement position in response to a predetermined impact load exerted on the seat assembly (10).

Abstract: A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle comprises a seat cushion having a bottom surface extending between front and rear portions and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for movement between an upright position and a folded flat position against the seat cushion. A spaced apart pair of risers is fixedly secured to the floor of the vehicle. A support bar extends between the risers spaced above the floor of the vehicle for pivotally supporting the seat assembly between a seating position generally parallel with the floor of the vehicle for supporting an occupant and a forwardly stowed position with the seat cushion generally upright relative to the floor of the vehicle. A pair of retractable support legs are pivotally coupled to the bottom of the seat cushion for movement between a support position extending between the seat cushion in the seating position and the floor of the vehicle and a storage position nested within a slot formed in the bottom of the seat cushion.

Abstract: A bridge assembly for supporting a seat in a motor vehicle having opposing B-pillars and a floor extending therebetween. The bridge assembly includes a rear cross car beam having a rear length extending between a rear driver end and a rear passenger end. The rear driver and rear passenger ends are fixedly secured to each of the B-pillars such that the rear cross car beam extends over the floor spaced apart therefrom. A front support structure is spaced forward of the rear cross car beam. In addition, the bridge assembly includes a crossing support extending between the rear cross car beam and the front support structure for strengthening the bridge assembly.

Abstract: An automotive seating assembly (10) having a seat cushion (22) which is selectively stowed within a floor (14) of a vehicle. A rear support bracket defines a rear portion (36) of the seat cushion (22) and moves between a use position supporting the rear portion (30) above the floor (14) and a stowed position disposed within the floor (14). A front beam (40) defines a front portion (32) of the seat cushion (22) and moves between a use position supporting the front portion (32) above the floor (14) and a stowed position disposed within the floor (14). A flexible mesh material (56) is secured to the front beam (40) at one end (58) and is secured to the rear support bracket (36) at the other end (60) to define a seating portion (34) of the seat cushion (22). The mesh material (56) moves between a support position extending between the front (32) and rear (34) portions above the floor (14) and a retracted position collapsed below the floor (14).

Abstract: A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle comprising a seat cushion having a bottom surface extending between front and rear portions and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for movement between an upright position and a folded flat position against the seat cushion. A spaced apart pair of risers is fixedly secured to the floor of the vehicle. A support bar extends between the risers spaced above the floor of the vehicle for pivotally supporting the seat assembly between a seating position generally parallel with the floor of the vehicle for supporting an occupant and a forwardly stowed position with said seat cushion generally upright relative to the floor of the vehicle. A pair of retractable support legs are pivotally coupled to the bottom of the seat cushion for movement between a support position extending between the seat cushion in the seating position and the floor of the vehicle and a storage position nested within a slot formed in the bottom of the seat cushion.

Abstract: A bridge assembly for supporting a seat in a motor vehicle having opposing B-pillars and a floor extending therebetween. The bridge assembly includes a rear cross car beam having a rear length extending between a rear driver end and a rear passenger end. The rear driver and rear passenger ends are fixedly secured to each of the B-pillars such that the rear cross car beam extends over the floor spaced apart therefrom. A front support structure is spaced forward of the rear cross car beam. In addition, the bridge assembly includes a crossing support extending between the rear cross car beam and the front support structure for strengthening the bridge assembly.

Abstract: A transparent head restraint assembly for use on a vehicle seat includes a seat cushion assembly and a seat back assembly pivotally attached to the seat cushion assembly. The head restraint assembly includes a generally U-shaped frame member fixedly secured to the upper portion of the seat back assembly. The frame member forms the outer perimeter of the head restraint and defines an inner opening. A transparent head restraint member of plastic, glass or a combination thereof is seated in the opening of the frame member and a mounting member secures the transparent head restraint member to the frame member. The frame member comprises a tubular member surrounded by a resilient padding structure. The mounting member comprises a groove formed in the padding structure for receiving and supporting an edge of the transparent head restraint member and providing resilient absorption of impact forces on the head restraint member.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat cushion assembly having a seat cushion frame structure. The seat cushion assembly is constructed and arranged to be mounted within the motor vehicle in an operative position wherein an occupant can be seated thereon. A seat back assembly having a lightweight seat back frame structure is constructed and arranged to be mounted within the motor vehicle in an operative position to support the back of an occupant seated on the seat cushion assembly. The seat back frame structure is associated with the seat cushion frame structure to form a cushion associated seat frame structure to be connected with and extend between the side walls of the motor vehicle when the seat cushion assembly and seat back assembly are in the operative positions.

Abstract: A retractable automotive seat assembly having a seat back and a seat cushion. The seat assembly is moveable within an interior of a passenger vehicle between an operative position for supporting an occupant and a stowed position with the seat back stored against a headliner of the vehicle and the seat cushion recessed within a floor of the vehicle. The seat back is pivotally mounted to the headliner of the vehicle. A pair of upper retaining latches are mounted to a side wall of the vehicle for securing the seat back in a roof storing position disposed above the seat cushion and adjacent the headliner. A pair of lower retaining latches are mounted to the side wall of the vehicle below the upper retaining latches for securing the seat back in a seat back operative position abutting at least a portion of the seat cushion.

Abstract: A vehicle seat has a seat back hingedly connected to a seat cushion. The seat back includes a frame, an actuator and a seat cover. The frame has a support member at a lower lumbar region thereof. The actuator is mounted on the support member. The seat cover envelopes the frame. The seat cover is made of a foam backed material and has a rigid orthotically shaped form. The foam backed material biases the form against the actuator. The actuator is expandable to effect a movement of the form. The form is movable relative to the actuator in response to pressure applied by an occupant of the vehicle seat.