Abstract: A vehicle seat frame assembly comprises a stationary support frame having two laterally spaced-apart side support plates attachable to a vehicle and on which is mounted a vertically movable seat frame which comprises a horizontal seat portion and a vertical backrest portion. An upper rod is horizontally supported in slots formed in the upper ends of the side support plates. Rotatable rollers attached to opposite ends of the rod are engaged in roller guide boxes which are rigidly secured to the lateral sides of the seat frame backrest portion to guide and support the seat frame. An elongated swing arm is pivotally connected at its rear end and at its front end to the lower end of the support frame and to the front end of the seat portion, respectively, to help support the seat frame. A spring shelf and a header plate are rigidly secured to the seat frame near the lower and upper ends, respectively, of the backrest portion.

Abstract: A seat assembly for use on a vehicle which comprises a seat pan having seat and backrest portions and a contoured edge. An inner support ring is provided that has a periphery to match the contoured edge, and an interior surface and an outer surface. Seat and backrest cushions are supported by the seat pan and have an outer margin secured to the interior surface of the support ring. A channel shaped finishing strip is mounted on the contoured edge. An upholstery covers the cushion and has a selvage edge that extends beyond the cushion to lay between the outer surface of the support ring and the contoured edge of the seat pan. A mounted means secures the support ring to the seat pan to lock both the selvage edge and the channel shaped finishing strip in place between the support ring and the contoured edge.

Abstract: In the self-releasing pawl and ratchet mechanism of this invention, for controlling positions of adjustment of a seat element that is movable relative to a frame element, one member of the pawl-ratchet pair is fixed to one of those elements, the other member is confined to movement relative to the other element in directions transverse to the directions of adjustment of the seat element. A latch for locking the pawl and ratchet members out of engagement with one another is carried by the element that carries the movable member of the pawl-ratchet pair and is actuated in the adjustment directions, between latching and release positions, by a lost motion connection with the other element. In its release position the latch is disengaged from the movable member of the pawl-ratchet pair. In its latching position, wherein it is releasably retained, as by friction, the latch holds that movable member in a ratchet disengaged position.

Abstract: A tiltable operator's seat assembly for a backhoe has detachable independently tiltable arm rest assemblies pivotally mounted on opposite sides thereof. The seat assembly is tiltable between normal, mid-tilt and full-tilt positions. Each arm rest assembly is independently tiltable upwardly from a full-down (stored) tilt position, to normal-tilt, to mid-tilt or to high-tilt positions. An operating mechanism in the arm rest assembly enables it to be releasably locked in the selected tilt position. The arm rest assembly cannot be moved downwardly from one tilt position to a lower tilt position. Upward pivoting of the arm rest from the high-tilt position to a reset position operates the operating mechanism to effect unlocking and enable the arm rest assembly to be swung to full-down (stored) tilt position for storage or for repositioning.

Abstract: A tethered vehicle operator's seat assembly which includes a sub-frame slidably mounted on a pedestal, a seat support frame supporting an operator's seat, an operator's seat belt for the seat, and a tether belt is connected between the seat and the slidable sub-frame for absorbing the load on the seat belt when the operator lunges forward during a sudden stop, for example, and regardless of the position of the slidable sub-frame relative to the pedestal. Tubular guides are located between the sub-frame and the pedestal, and are dimensioned so as to provide a wide range of fore and aft movement for said seat assembly.

Abstract: An earth working vehicle such as a backhoe having an earth working bucket to form an excavation in the ground at the rear end of the vehicle and the operator must visually observe the excavation being done, a tiltable seat assembly including a seat support frame, an operator's seat secured to said frame, a resilient support for supporting said seat on said frame, a pivot support for pivotally connecting the support frame about a transverse horizontal axis to the vehicle to permit the support frame, the seat and the resilient support to tilt as a unit about the transverse axis and consequently tilt an operator in the seat for better visibility of the area being excavated.

Abstract: A resiliently suspended, tiltable and tethered vehicle operator's seat assembly which includes a sub-frame slidably mounted on a pedestal, a seat support frame resiliently supporting an operator's seat, the seat support frame being pivotally mounted about a transverse horizontal axis to the slidable sub-frame to permit the seat support frame and its resiliently mounted seat to tilt as a unit about the transverse axis; and a tether belt is connected between the seat and the slidable sub-frame for limiting the tilting movement of the seat support frame, the seat and the resilient support regardless of the position of the slidable sub-frame relative to the pedestal.