Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back and a seat bottom and is attached to a vehicle support structure by a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes a first track and a second track supported for movement relative to the first track along a first longitudinal axis. The seat bottom is supported on the second track for axial movement with the second track. This allows the seat assembly to be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly by a seat occupant. The seat back can also be moved relative to the second track between an upright position and a recliner position. The seat assembly receives a seat load resulting from the seat occupant sitting in the seat with the seat back in the reclined position and/or from a forward movement of the seat occupant during a deceleration of the vehicle when the seat occupant is belted into the seat.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back supported with respect to a seat bottom and is attached to the vehicle by a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly has an inboard track assembly and an outboard track assembly that are both mounted to a vehicle structure with the track assemblies being spaced apart from one another. Each track assembly includes a first track and a second track supported for movement relative to the first track. The first and second tracks are preferably mounted in a vertical configuration. The seat bottom is supported on the second track for horizontal movement with the second track as seat position is adjusted. A single drive mechanism is supported on one of the inboard or outboard track assemblies. The drive mechanism includes a single drive member that is mounted between the inboard and outboard track assemblies. A truss structure extends between the inboard and outboard track assemblies to provide structural support for the seat assembly as seat position is adjusted.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back supported for movement relative to the seat bottom such that seat position can be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the vehicle. The seat assembly is mounted to a vehicle structure and includes a first track and a second track supported for movement relative to the first track with the seat bottom being supported on the second track for movement with the second track. An actuator selectively controls the movement of the second track with respect to the first track. The assembly also includes at least one torque tube for providing vertical seat adjustment. The torque tube presents a bearing surface for rotatably supporting a bearing surface located on the second track.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a fastener used for connecting a first link member to a second link member in a linkage assembly. The second link member includes a pair of aligned apertures and a slot located transversely between the apertures. The first link member includes an aperture at a first end that is designed to be received in the slot located in the second link member. The fastener has a centering post at a distal end and a head portion at a proximal end with a self-tapping portion located between the head portion and the centering post. The aperture in the first link member is aligned with the apertures in the second link member and the fastener is inserted through the apertures until the self-tapping portion contacts the first link member. Thereafter, rotation of the fastener in a first direction taps the self-tapping portion of the fastener through the aperture in the first link member.