Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle body including a side body component and a transverse body component, and a vehicle seat attached to the each of the side and transverse body components. The vehicle seat includes a seat main frame including an attached seat back, a side member attached to the seat main frame, the side member defining an outboard bolster for the seat back and an armrest, and a seat base attached to the seat main frame. A first connection bracket is secured to the transverse body component adjacent an outboard side edge portion of the seat back, and the outboard bolster of the side member is connected to the first connection bracket. A second connection bracket is secured to the side body component and extended toward the seat main frame, and the armrest of the side member is connected to the second connection bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat main frame including a seat back attached to the seat main frame. The vehicle seat assembly also includes left and right side members in which each side member defines an outboard seat back bolster and an armrest. The armrest has a forward attachment bracket for attachment to the seat main frame. The vehicle seat assembly also includes a seat base including a seat base frame attached to the seat main frame and left and right corner cover members separate from the respective left and right side members and the seat base. Each corner cover member is adapted to cover the forward attachment bracket of the corresponding side member. Further, the left and right corner cover members conceal the attachment of the left and right side members to the seat main frame.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seat back which together define a first outboard seating section, a second outboard seating section, and a center seating section. A center seat back of the center seating section is defined by a service door and a removable panel provided beneath the service door in a height direction of the vehicle seat. The service door is connected to one of the seat base and the seat back at a first hinged connection. The center seat back is configured to have a fold down, service position where the service door pivoted at the first hinged connection is located above the seat base to provide access to an area rearward the seat back in a front-rear direction of the vehicle seat. The service door is prevented from moving to the fold down, service position with the panel located beneath the service door.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle having a vehicle body includes a seat bench adapted to be arranged inside the vehicle body and defines a passenger compartment and a service compartment inside the vehicle body. The seat bench includes a seat bottom to facilitate a seating of a one or more passengers, and a back support. The back support has a first support panel adapted to move between an upright position and a folded position relative to the seat bottom, and a second support panel arranged proximate to the seat bottom and removably coupled to the first support panel and the seat bottom. The first support panel is moved to the folded position from the upright position upon a disengagement of the second support panel from the first support panel and the seat bottom to provide an access of the service compartment.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle body including a frame backing member, and a vehicle seat including a seat back having a seat back frame. An energy attenuating member is positioned in a space between the frame backing member and the seat back frame in a front-rear direction of the vehicle assembly. The energy attenuating member is connected to the frame backing member. A mounting bracket is connected to the energy attenuating member. A connection support portion releasably connects the mounting bracket to an upper portion of the seat back frame in a height direction of the vehicle assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat main frame including a seat back attached to the seat main frame. The vehicle seat assembly also includes left and right side members in which each side member defines an outboard seat back bolster and an armrest. The armrest has a forward attachment bracket for attachment to the seat main frame. The vehicle seat assembly also includes a seat base including a seat base frame attached to the seat main frame and left and right corner cover members separate from the respective left and right side members and the seat base. Each corner cover member is adapted to cover the forward attachment bracket of the corresponding side member. Further, the left and right corner cover members conceal the attachment of the left and right side members to the seat main frame.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle body including a side body component and a transverse body component, and a vehicle seat attached to the each of the side and transverse body components. The vehicle seat includes a seat main frame including an attached seat back, a side member attached to the seat main frame, the side member defining an outboard bolster for the seat back and an armrest, and a seat base attached to the seat main frame. A first connection bracket is secured to the transverse body component adjacent an outboard side edge portion of the seat back, and the outboard bolster of the side member is connected to the first connection bracket. A second connection bracket is secured to the side body component and extended toward the seat main frame, and the armrest of the side member is connected to the second connection bracket.

Abstract: A shock absorber is provided to absorb an impact load in a vehicle. The shock absorber includes a base disposed on a frame of a vehicle. The base has a first part and a second part. The shock absorber further includes a bracket coupled to the base. The bracket includes a first portion with a flat surface and a second portion with an arcuate surface. The first portion is coupled to the first part of the base, and the second portion is coupled to the second part of the base. The shock absorber further includes a cover to enclose the bracket. The cover receives an impact load and transmit the received impact load to at least one of: the first portion or the second portion of the bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seat back which together define a first outboard seating section, a second outboard seating section, and a center seating section. A center seat back of the center seating section is defined by a service door and a removable panel provided beneath the service door in a height direction of the vehicle seat. The service door is connected to one of the seat base and the seat back at a first hinged connection. The center seat back is configured to have a fold down, service position where the service door pivoted at the first hinged connection is located above the seat base to provide access to an area rearward the seat back in a front-rear direction of the vehicle seat. The service door is prevented from moving to the fold down, service position with the panel located beneath the service door.

Abstract: An adjustable seat system for use with a vehicle, with the system including a cushion associated with a passenger seat of the vehicle. The cushion includes a support structure and a bladder encapsulating the support structure, wherein the support structure is formed from a porous foam material. The system also includes an actuator in communication with the bladder, wherein the actuator is configured to selectively adjust the hardness of the cushion by inflating and deflating the bladder.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle body including a frame backing member, and a vehicle seat including a seat back having a seat back frame. An energy attenuating member is positioned in a space between the frame backing member and the seat back frame in a front-rear direction of the vehicle assembly. The energy attenuating member is connected to the frame backing member. A mounting bracket is connected to the energy attenuating member. A connection support portion releasably connects the mounting bracket to an upper portion of the seat back frame in a height direction of the vehicle assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle seat storage system includes a center passenger seat disposed between side passenger seats. The center seat includes a seat base and a seat back. A reclining mechanism mounted to one of side frame members of the seat base allows the seat back to move relative to the seat base. Seat anchors are disposed outwardly of the side frame members for securing a child seat. The center seat has a seating condition where the center seat is attached to a vehicle floor, and a stowed condition where the center seat is unattached from the floor with the seat back folded against the seat base. A vehicle interior sidewall includes a recessed portion configured to receive the center seat in the stowed condition. A lock mechanism provided in the recessed portion releasably engages the center seat when positioned in the recessed portion.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle body including an interior panel, a seat having a frame fixed to the panel, and a seat energy absorber operably associated with the seat and including a backing and a bracket. The backing is formed from the vehicle body and positioned separated from the seat to define a space between the seat and the backing along a length of the panel, and the bracket is mounted in the space on at least one of the seat and the backing such that a proximal end portion of the bracket is located closer to the seat than the backing, and a distal end portion of the bracket is located closer to the backing than the seat. During a crash event a section of the panel is configured to collapse against the seat when the seat is driven toward the panel relative to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle body and a vehicle seat. The vehicle body includes a frame backing member elongated in a length direction of the vehicle seat. The vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seat back connected to the seat base. The seat back is connected to the frame backing member. A mounting bracket is connected to an upper portion of a seat back frame. An energy attenuating member positioned in a space between the seat back frame and the frame backing member interconnects the mounting bracket and the frame backing member. During a crash event the energy attenuating member is configured to collapse between the seat back and the frame backing member to absorb kinetic energy in the vehicle seat when the seat back is driven toward the frame backing member.

Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle body including an interior panel, a seat having a frame fixed to the panel, and a seat energy absorber operably associated with the seat and including a backing and a bracket. The backing is formed from the vehicle body and positioned separated from the seat to define a space between the seat and the backing along a length of the panel, and the bracket is mounted in the space on at least one of the seat and the backing such that a proximal end portion of the bracket is located closer to the seat than the backing, and a distal end portion of the bracket is located closer to the backing than the seat. During a crash event a section of the panel is configured to collapse against the seat when the seat is driven toward the panel relative to the vehicle body.

Abstract: A vehicle seat storage system includes a center passenger seat disposed between side passenger seats. The center seat includes a seat base and a seat back. A reclining mechanism mounted to one of side frame members of the seat base allows the seat back to move relative to the seat base. Seat anchors are disposed outwardly of the side frame members for securing a child seat. The center seat has a seating condition where the center seat is attached to a vehicle floor, and a stowed condition where the center seat is unattached from the floor with the seat back folded against the seat base. A vehicle interior sidewall includes a recessed portion configured to receive the center seat in the stowed condition. A lock mechanism provided in the recessed portion releasably engages the center seat when positioned in the recessed portion.

Abstract: An adjustable seat system for use with a vehicle, with the system including a cushion associated with a passenger seat of the vehicle. The cushion includes a support structure and a bladder encapsulating the support structure, wherein the support structure is formed from a porous foam material. The system also includes an actuator in communication with the bladder, wherein the actuator is configured to selectively adjust the hardness of the cushion by inflating and deflating the bladder.

Abstract: A seat support assembly for supporting a vehicle seat on a floor panel member includes a cross member extending laterally across the floor panel member. Ends of the cross member are spaced laterally inward relative to side edges of the floor panel for providing ingress/egress areas between the ends and the side edges. A foam spacer member is complementarily received inside each of the ends of the cross member. Each of the foam spacer members is secured to the floor panel for transferring load forces from the cross member to the floor panel.

Abstract: A seat support assembly for supporting a vehicle seat on a floor panel member includes a cross member extending laterally across the floor panel member. Ends of the cross member are spaced laterally inward relative to side edges of the floor panel for providing ingress/egress areas between the ends and the side edges. A foam spacer member is complementarily received inside each of the ends of the cross member. Each of the foam spacer members is secured to the floor panel for transferring load forces from the cross member to the floor panel.

Abstract: A system and method installing and removing a headrest from a seat is disclosed. The system and method include provisions for installing a headrest to a seat without the use of tools and for preventing the removal of the headrest during normal operation. The system and method can also include provisions for removing the headrest by operating an internal locking device.