Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a cushion composite attachable to a vehicle. The cushion composite has a structural layer of an expanded polymer and a cushion layer adjacent the structural layer. A trim material covers the cushion composite. The structural layer is proximate the vehicle when the cushion composite is attached to the vehicle. A surface of the structural layer defines a cavity extending into the structural layer. An opening of the cavity is disposed proximate the vehicle when the cushion composite is attached to the vehicle. The cavity is configured to facilitate flexure of the structural layer when a force is applied to the structural layer.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly having a cushion composite attachable to a vehicle. The cushion composite has a structural layer of an expanded polymer and a cushion layer adjacent the structural layer. A trim material covers the cushion composite. The structural layer is proximate the vehicle when the cushion composite is attached to the vehicle. A surface of the structural layer defines a cavity extending into the structural layer. An opening of the cavity is disposed proximate the vehicle when the cushion composite is attached to the vehicle. The cavity is configured to facilitate flexure of the structural layer when a force is applied to the structural layer.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is movable between a seating position and a storage position to form a relatively flat horizontal load floor. The seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. A side member extends upward from the seat bottom. The seat back is rotatably mounted on the side member such that the seat back is rotatable about a horizontally extending axis. The seat back is preferably mounted on the side member so that the seat back can be rotated or flipped around by about 180 degrees so that a seating surface and a back surface of the seat back are rotatable to a reverse position. Preferably, the side member is pivotally attached to the seat bottom and is capable of moving the seat back into a generally horizontal position to define the load floor. An optional panel can be movably attached to the seat back. The panel is movable between a first position adjacent the seat back, and an extended position extending outward from the seat back and covering the seat bottom to further extend and define the load floor.

Abstract: A customer support management system and method resolves both hardware and software problems using a single business model. The system and method is based on interaction between a hierarchy of corporate personnel/consultants and a customer support management system which tracks the evolution of customer support requests from inception to completion. The customer support management system includes a number of software tools including an automated scheduler connected to a database system for storing at least one of customer, product, service provider, and routing information. When a customer experiences a problem with a hardware or software product, the customer sends a support request to the manufacturer. Through an interactive process, first, between the manufacturer and the customer and, then, between system personnel, the system tools are utilized to locate a service provider anywhere in the world in order to provide on-site support for satisfying the customer support request.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly which comprises a seat cushion, a seat back portion having a pair of spaced apart upright members each having upper and lower ends, and a cross member extending between the upper ends. A support member having front and back surfaces, a pair of spaced apart upright bolsters which are each pivotally connected to the support member, and two pairs of spaced apart walls defining two channels therebetween are disposed on the back surface of the support member and on each of the bolsters. The region of the back surface between each pair of walls serves as a hinge about which the bolsters pivot in order to facilitate the movement of the bolsters with respect to the remainder of the support member.

Abstract: An automotive seat back having a pair of spaced upright members with lower ends and upper ends interconnected by a cross member to define a substantially rectangular back frame. The upright members and the cross member also have a front surface and a rear surface. A shoulder belt housing extends upwardly between the upright members from below the cross member to an upper distal end disposed above the cross member. The shoulder belt housing also extends forward of the front surfaces of the upright members and the cross member. Specifically, the front surfaces define a frontal plane of the back frame and the distal end of the shoulder belt housing extends forwardly beyond the frontal plane of the back frame. The housing includes a coffin portion, defined by side walls and a bottom, and a cover disposed over and in sealing engagement with the side walls. A seat belt passes within the coffin portion and out through an opening in the cover to overlay a front surface of the seat back.

Abstract: An adjustable seat assembly for an automobile comprises a seat portion which is slidably mounted for movement between fore and aft adjusted positions within a passenger compartment of the automobile. A pair of elongated power screws under the seat portion adjust the fore and aft position of the seat assembly in response to a reversible rotary input from a universal motor. The seat portion includes a pair of internal air bladders which independently inflate and deflate to adjust the height and tilt of the seat portion. A backrest portion extends upwardly from the seat portion, and may include a pneumatic lumbar adjustment device and other contour-adjusting air bladders. The universal motor operates both the power screws and the pneumatic adjustment devices. A transmission is operatively connected to the universal motor for selectively transmitting reversible rotary input to the power screws and pressurized fluid to any one of the pneumatic adjustment devices.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly 10 comprising a seat 12 and a seat back 14 with a fabric cover 16 comprising non-conductive polyester fibers 18 woven together and electrically conductive pure carbon elements 22 woven into the fibers 18 and extending between braided copper strands defining electrodes 20. Each of the conductive elements 22 consists of a single and homogeneous composition of pure carbon to create heat in response to electrical current and presenting a bare surface in contact with the surrounding fibers 18 to emit the heat directly from the bare surface to heat the surrounding enviroment.