Abstract: A method for manufacturing a soft trim component includes placing a cover for the soft trim assembly in a mold, filling the cover with a polymeric filler, heating the filler material and the cover to a temperature to partially melt at least one of the filler or cover and compressing the cover and the polymeric filler to bond the cover and filler into a soft trim assembly of desired shape. The cover preferably includes an inner layer having a melting or softening point which enhances the bond, the preferred cover being a double knit having an inner polymeric layer having a lower melting point than an outer layer. PET is the preferred material for constructing at least the inner layer of the cover.

Abstract: A seat assembly with an integrated seat belt system is provided with a power recliner mechanism and a seat back dump feature. The dump feature includes a toggle latch mechanism for latching the seat back in place and for unlatching the seat back to enable forward rotation to a dump position without affecting the adjusted angular position of the seat back when it is returned from the dump position. An overcenter spring operates to hold the toggle latch mechanism in either its latched or released positions.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly with a linear actuator is disclosed in which the actuator is used to adjust the relative position of two relatively movable components of the seat assembly. The actuator includes a first part attached to one of the seat assembly components in the form of a lead screw with an external helical screw thread. A second part of the actuator, attached to the other seat component, includes a housing containing a spin nut threaded onto the lead screw. The second part further includes means for engaging the spin nut to prevent it from rotating along the lead screw and means for selectively releasing the spin nut to permit rotation about the lead screw and thereby relative movement of the actuator second part relative to the first part. A cam is mounted to the actuator second part to selectively engage and release the spin nut.