Abstract: A linear seat recliner for use in a motor vehicle having a seat with a seat back pivotally connected to a seat bottom. The seat is operable in a plurality of use positions ranging from an upright position to a fully reclined position. The linear seat recliner includes a housing adapted to be coupled to one of the seat back and the seat bottom, a latching mechanism coupled to the housing, and a recliner rod. The recliner rod includes a body having a first end and a second end. The body has a substantially planar top flat diametrically opposed and parallel to a substantially planar bottom flat. The top flat includes a plurality of teeth positioned at the first end of the body. The first end of the recliner rod is selectively engageable by the latching mechanism and the second end of the recliner rod is adapted to be coupled to the other of the seat back and the seat bottom.

Abstract: Interconnected systems of function cards are presented. An interconnected system may include function cards with substantially identical sets of connectors. The interconnected system includes two groups of function cards, where the function cards within a group are parallel to each other but are perpendicular to the function cards of the other group. The function cards have sets of connectors, which form connector arrays. The connector array of one group of the function cards is reciprocal to the connector array of the other group of function cards. This reciprocity makes it possible to couple the two groups of function cards without a printed circuit board or back plane. The connectors can be male or female, and the male and female connectors of a function card can be arranged in various connector groups. The connectors can form checkerboard and other alternated and interchanged arrays.

Abstract: A mid-connect structure having on one side a first set of function cards in parallel with one another and having a plurality of mid-connect elements applied thereto, and having on the other side a second set of function cards in parallel with one another and having a plurality of mid-connect elements applied thereto. The first set of function cards are electrically coupled to the second set of function cards by connecting the mid-connect elements of the first set to corresponding mid-connect elements of the second set. The first set of function cards are oriented at an angle other than parallel relative to the second set of function cards, thereby allowing one or more function cards on one side to be electrically coupled to one or more function cards on the other side. Typically, this would be a perpendicular arrangement of the first set relative to the second set.

Abstract: An inertia-sensitive hinge mechanism for a seat assembly allows rotation of a first hinge member relative to a second hinge member about a pivot during normal use and prevents rotation about the pivot when a predetermined deceleration force is present. The inertia-sensitive lockout assembly includes a guide assembly coupled to the first and second hinge members and having a tab fixed for movement with one of the first and second hinge members. The guide assembly also includes a follower movable between a detent position and a cam position. The inertia-sensitive lockout assembly also includes an inertial actuator having a center of gravity spaced from its center of rotation wherein, when the first hinge member is in its first position and the predetermined deceleration force is present, the inertial actuator rotates to operatively engage the follower and prevent the follower from moving from its detent position to its cam position.

Abstract: A linear seat recliner adapted to interconnect a seatback to a seat bottom and which is equipped with a recliner rod assembly having a recliner rod and a ball joint mounted in an aperture formed through one end of the recliner rod. The ball joint includes a ball swivel having an arcuate outer surface which is retained within a socket defined by a pair of retainer rings mounted in the rod aperture. The retainer rings rotatably support the ball swivel within the rod aperture to permit relative angular movement therebetween. The ball swivel further includes a throughbore adapted to receive a hinge pin for securing the ball joint end of the recliner rod assembly to corresponding structure of the seatback or seat bottom. Crush ribs are formed in the throughbore of the ball swivel for engaging the hinge pin and establishing an interference fit therebetween.

Abstract: A pivot arm assembly for a structured vehicle seat assembly accommodates loads applied to the seatback through a safety belt restraint system carried by the seat assembly. The pivot arm assembly includes a pair of C-shaped plates interconnected to define a clam-shell assembly. An arm segment of the pivot arm assembly extends into a hollow channel defined by the seatback frame and is fixedly attached thereto. The pivot arm assembly is pivotally mounted to a portion of the lower seat structure to permit the seatback to rotate relative thereto about a pivot axis. A drive arrangement is provided for rotating the pivot arm assembly about the pivot axis. The pivot arm assembly functions to efficiently and effectively transfer loads from the seatback to the lower seat structure, and in turn, to the vehicle structure.

Abstract: A pivot assembly for a structured vehicle seat assembly accommodates loads applied to the seatback through a safety belt restraint system carried by the seat assembly. The pivot assembly includes a connector member including an upper portion extending into a hollow channel defined by the seatback frame. The connector member is fixedly attached thereto. The pivot assembly further includes a housing attached to a lower seat structure for movement therewith between fore and aft positions. The connector member is pivotally mounted to the housing to thereby permit the seatback to rotate relative to the lower seat structure between a generally upright position and a reclined position. The pivot assembly further preferably includes a drive arrangement for rotating the connector member about a pivot axis. The pivot assembly functions to efficiently and effectively transfer loads from the seatback to the lower seat structure, and in turn, to the vehicle structure.

Abstract: An inertia sensitive hinge mechanism allows rotation of a first hinge member relative to a second hinge member about a pivot during normal use and prevents rotation about the pivot when predetermined deceleration forces are present. The inertia sensing latching assembly includes an inertial actuator operatively connected to and rotatable with respect to the second hinge member. The inertial actuator includes first and second cam surfaces and a wedging surface located therebetween. The inertial actuator has a center of gravity spaced from a center of rotation. A first positioning device connected to the first hinge member positions the inertial actuator by sliding engagement with the first cam surface as the first hinge member rotates in an opposite direction when the predetermined forces are not present.

Abstract: An inertia-sensitive seat hinge mechanism allows rotation of a seatback relative to a seat bottom under normal use conditions and yet prevents such rotation in response to deceleration forces exceeding a predetermined threshold level. The seat hinge mechanism includes a lower hinge member connected to the seat bottom and an upper hinge member connected to the seatback and an inertia-sensitive latch assembly. The inertia-sensitive latch assembly includes a component carried by the upper member which defines first and second stop surfaces. The first stop surface limits rotation of the upper hinge member in one direction. An inertial actuator is rotatable with respect to the upper hinge member and includes an engaging finger for engaging the second stop surface when the upper hinge member attempts to rotate in an opposite direction due to exertion of the predetermined deceleration forces thereon. The inertial actuator also includes a projection located adjacent a center of rotation.

Abstract: A pivot assembly for a structured vehicle seat assembly accommodates loads applied to the seatback through a safety belt restraint system carried by the seat assembly. The pivot assembly includes a connector member including an upper portion extending into a hollow channel defined by the seatback frame. The connector member is fixedly attached thereto. The pivot assembly further includes a housing attached to a lower seat structure for movement therewith between fore and aft positions. The connector member is pivotally mounted to the housing to thereby permit the seatback to rotate relative to the lower seat structure between a generally upright position and a reclined position. The pivot assembly further preferably includes a drive arrangement for rotating the connector member about a pivot axis. The pivot assembly functions to efficiently and effectively transfer loads from the seatback to the lower seat structure, and in turn, to the vehicle structure.