Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a soft top to a motor vehicle includes a retainer member for engaging a channel located in a structural element attached to the motor vehicle. In one application, the structural element is a removable door frame having a molded-in channel which opens downwardly and is disposed above a door opening. The retainer member includes a first flange adapted to fixedly attach to a lateral edge of the top section of the soft top. The retainer member further includes a second flange for engaging the molded-in channel in an interference fit. The first flange laterally extends beyond the door of the vehicle to thereby shingle the door from condensation and rain which may gather on the soft top. In an alternative embodiment, the retainer member is configured to form a trough for carrying the condensation and rain rearward away from the door.

Abstract: An adjustable lumbar support mechanism (20) includes a screw shaft (36) having spaced apart right hand (38) and left hand (40) thread convolutions. A traveling nut (42, 44) is disposed in coacting engagement with each of the right hand (38) and left hand (40) threads for linear movement in opposite directions along the screw shaft (36). A pair of links (50, 58) are pivotally attached to each other and at opposite ends to each of the traveling nuts (42, 44) such that movement of the nuts (42, 44) along the screw shaft (36) laterally displaces the links (50, 58). A pressure applicator (68) is attached to the links (50, 58) by a universal joint connection (66). The screw shaft (36) extends outwardly from the seat (22) to an external hand crank (106). The assembly is disposed in a vehicular seat (22) such that movement of the pressure applicator (68) causes an alteration in the contour of the lumbar region (28) of the seat (22) thereby providing adjustable lumbar support.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly (10) of the type for moving between an upright seating position and a forwardly folded position. The assembly (10) includes a first seat assembly (24) mounted to a forward seating area (20) of the vehicle floor by a first frame assembly (26). The first frame assembly (16) allows forward folding movement of the first seat (24). The assembly (10) further includes a second seat assembly (40) which overlies the load carrying platform (18) when in the upright seating position. A second frame assembly (42) allows forward pivoting movement of the second seat (40). When the assembly (10) is in the forwardly folded position, a lip (56) on the bottom of the second seat (40) engages a recess (37) on the first seat (24). In this position, the first (24) and second (40) seats are disposed in the forward seating area (20), and the backrest (36) of the first seat (24) and the bottom (50) of the second seat (40) are substantially flush with the load carrying platform.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly (10) of the type for moving between an upright seating position and a forwardly folded position. The assembly (10) includes a base member (12) secured to the vehicle floor. Front (20) and rear (22) support brackets extend upwardly from the base member (12) and include tabs (24) for supporting a seat (56). A cross member (28) is pivotally connected to the base member (12) and front support bracket (20). The cross member (28) reacts in tension to a seating load and remains in tension in the event of an inertia or other force applied to the assembly (10) in the forward direction. When in the forwardly folded position, the cross member (28) nests within the front support bracket (20) and base member (12), and the rear support bracket (22) overlies a portion of the base member (12).

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly (10) of the type for moving between an upright seating position and a forwardly folded position. The assembly (10) includes a seat (20). A rear seat frame (30) pivotally supports a pair of jaws (39). The jaws (39) engage a pin (40) for locking the assembly (10) in the upright seating position. A cam (46) engages the jaws (39) and spreads the same to remove the jaws (39) from engagement with the pin (40) to allow the assembly (10) to move to the forwardly folded position. The assembly (10) is pivotable about a front frame (50). In the forwardly folded position, the lower seating member (22) defines a load carrying surface. A guide rod (72) interconnects the front frame (50) and the housing (51) having jaws (39) therein. The guide rod (72) retracts the housing (51) and jaws (39) when in the forwardly folded position interiorly of the lower seating member (22) and positions the jaws over the pin (40) when moving the seat to the upright position.