Abstract: A system for reconfiguring a seating assembly within a vehicle, the system comprising identifying an adjacent surface within an interior of the vehicle, calculating a distance between the seating assembly and the adjacent surface, wherein the configuration is an occupiable seating configuration, and further wherein the occupiable seating configuration has a mode chosen from a forward facing mode and a rearward facing mode, storing the distance between the seating assembly and the adjacent surface, receiving a user input to transition the seating assembly from one occupiable seating configuration mode chosen from the forward facing mode and the rearward facing mode toward the other mode, and controlling the configuration of the seating assembly to transition from one occupiable seating configuration mode chosen from the forward facing mode and the rearward facing mode toward the other of the forward facing mode and the rearward facing mode.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin interior, a floor, and a tailgate at the rear end of the cabin interior, wherein at least a portion of the tailgate pivots between a vertical closed position and a horizontal open position. The vehicle has a first seat track assembly is supported on the floor in the cabin interior, a second seat track assembly supported on the tailgate, and a seat assembly. The seat assembly including a first seat panel, a second seat panel, a bracket that allows the first seat panel and the second seat panel to pivot between a forward facing position and a rearward facing position, and a guide supporting the bracket on one of the first and second seat track assemblies, wherein the seat assembly may slide rearward along the first seat track assembly onto the second seat track assembly when the tailgate is in the open position.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat, a front leg, a seatback, and a lower leg support. The seat includes a forward end and a rearward end. The seat is configured to be coupled to a support surface. The front leg engages with the support surface. The seatback is rotatably coupled to the seat proximate the rearward end. The lower leg support is directly and rotatably coupled to the seat proximate the forward end. The lower leg support is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The vehicle seating assembly is movable between a seated position and a reclined-and-raised position. Moving from the seated position toward the reclined-and-raised position includes increasing a first distance between the front leg and the support surface.

Abstract: A transportation system is disclosed. The transportation system includes a vehicle, a plurality of seating assemblies positioned within a passenger compartment of the vehicle and defining an arrangement, a plurality of actuators that effect movement of various components of the plurality of seating assemblies, a plurality of sensors, and a controller. Specific examples of pre-set or pre-programmed arrangements are disclosed, as well as the ability to customize the arrangement. Additionally, exemplary methods are disclosed that illustrate transitions between a variety of the pre-set or pre-programmed arrangements.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat, a support surface, a seatback and a lower leg support. The seat includes a forward end and a rearward end. The support surface is coupled to the seat. The seatback is rotatably coupled to the seat proximate the rearward end. The lower leg support is directly and rotatably coupled to the seat proximate the forward end. The lower leg support is directly coupled to the support surface in a manner that results in automatic mechanical deployment of the lower leg support when the seat and the seatback are moved toward a reclined-and-raised position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin interior, a floor, and a deployable seat assembly. The deployable seat assembly includes a pair of deployable seat support assemblies, each having first and second pivot bars pivotally supported on the floor, a first rail coupled to the first and second pivot bars, wherein the first rail is raised and lowered as the first and second pivot bars rotate between first and second bar positions, and a second rail slidingly extendable from the first rail. The seat assembly has a seat supported by the second rail, wherein the seat faces rearward and extends rearward on the second rail as the second rail slides away from the first rail.

Abstract: A seating assembly includes a seating surface extending over at least one of a seat and a seatback. The seating assembly also includes a fluid mover and a fluid transfer member including a fluid inlet portion and a fluid outlet portion. The fluid inlet portion is coupled to the fluid mover, and the fluid outlet portion is proximate the seating surface. The fluid mover is selectively operable to release a pressurized fluid through the tube so that the release of the pressurized fluid at the outlet cools a seating assembly occupant.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin interior, a floor, and a deployable seat assembly. The deployable seat assembly includes a pair of deployable seat support assemblies, each having first and second pivot bars pivotally supported on the floor, a first rail coupled to the first and second pivot bars, wherein the first rail is raised and lowered as the first and second pivot bars rotate between first and second bar positions, and a second rail slidingly extendable from the first rail. The seat assembly has a seat supported by the second rail, wherein the seat faces rearward and extends rearward on the second rail as the second rail slides away from the first rail.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a seating assembly attached to a vehicle interior. A seat is rotationally operable relative to a seatback. A retention device is selectively positionable in a stored position or a cargo storage position and extends between the seatback and a floor area disposed adjacent to the seating assembly. The seat is selectively positionable in a seating position or a stadium position. The retention device in the cargo storage position, the seat in the stadium position, and a floor at least partially define an enclosure configured to secure cargo to the floor and the seat.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a cabin interior, a floor, and a tailgate at the rear end of the cabin interior, wherein at least a portion of the tailgate pivots between a vertical closed position and a horizontal open position. The vehicle has a first seat track assembly is supported on the floor in the cabin interior, a second seat track assembly supported on the tailgate, and a seat assembly. The seat assembly including a first seat panel, a second seat panel, a bracket that allows the first seat panel and the second seat panel to pivot between a forward facing position and a rearward facing position, and a guide supporting the bracket on one of the first and second seat track assemblies, wherein the seat assembly may slide rearward along the first seat track assembly onto the second seat track assembly when the tailgate is in the open position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a floor. An anchoring feature is coupled to the floor and includes a guide rail. A seating assembly is coupled to the guide rail and is operable to pitch vehicle-forward from a first position to a second position. A tray table assembly is coupled to the anchoring feature and is operable to remain generally stationary relative to the anchoring feature as the seating assembly moves between the first and second positions.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a seat back frame that has a composite body. The composite body includes a first side member and a second side member positioned on opposite sides of the composite body. The first and second side members include a recliner assembly at a lower end of each member. Each recliner assembly includes a first bracket, a second bracket, and a recliner sub-assembly. Each recliner assembly is welded or otherwise coupled to an extension that extends away from the recliner assembly along a respective side of the composite body. The extension may be stamped steel having a first end that is closer to the recliner assembly and a second end that is spaced from the recliner assembly. The first end of the extension has a width that is greater than a width of the second end.

Abstract: A seat back frame assembly may include first and second brackets coupled with and extending outwardly from the seat back frame assembly. The first and second brackets may define first and second recesses, respectively. A cushion assembly may include first and second sides. The first and second sides may be disposed within the first and second recesses, respectively. An upper hood comprising first and second ends may be coupled with first and second brackets, respectively.

Abstract: An accessory support assembly for a vehicle seat includes a support frame that includes an upper bracket and a lower bracket coupled to a bottom of the upper bracket. The lower bracket includes coupling features. The lower bracket defines side projections that extend from opposing sides of the support frame. A speaker assembly is coupled to the support frame. The speaker assembly includes a first speaker housing and a second speaker housing. The first and second speaker housings are coupled to the side projections of the support frame, respectively. A speaker is disposed in each of the first and second housings.

Abstract: A transportation system is disclosed. The transportation system includes a vehicle, a plurality of seating assemblies positioned within a passenger compartment of the vehicle and defining an arrangement, a plurality of actuators that effect movement of various components of the plurality of seating assemblies, a plurality of sensors, and a controller. Specific examples of pre-set or pre-programmed arrangements are disclosed, as well as the ability to customize the arrangement. Additionally, exemplary methods are disclosed that illustrate transitions between a variety of the pre-set or pre-programmed arrangements.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a seat back frame that has a composite body. The composite body includes a first side member and a second side member positioned on opposite sides of the composite body. The first and second side members include a recliner assembly at a lower end of each member. Each recliner assembly includes a first bracket, a second bracket, and a recliner sub-assembly. Each recliner assembly is welded or otherwise coupled to an extension that extends away from the recliner assembly along a respective side of the composite body. The extension may be stamped steel having a first end that is closer to the recliner assembly and a second end that is spaced from the recliner assembly. The first end of the extension has a width that is greater than a width of the second end.

Abstract: An accessory support assembly for a vehicle seat includes a support frame that includes an upper bracket and a lower bracket coupled to a bottom of the upper bracket. The lower bracket includes coupling features. The lower bracket defines side projections that extend from opposing sides of the support frame. A speaker assembly is coupled to the support frame. The speaker assembly includes a first speaker housing and a second speaker housing. The first and second speaker housings are coupled to the side projections of the support frame, respectively. A speaker is disposed in each of the first and second housings.

Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle having a lower seating structure and a raised seatback include a common lower back panel and closeout assembly comprising an intersecting rear vertical plane and an upper horizontal plane. A plurality of interchangeable upper shroud assemblies having a plurality of design configurations that are received and coupled with the intersecting rear vertical plane and upper horizontal plane of the common lower back panel and closeout assembly, depending on a chosen trim level. Each of the plurality of interchangeable upper shroud assemblies has an identical intersecting forward vertical plane and a lower horizontal plane that mount to the intersecting rear vertical plane and upper horizontal plane of the common lower back panel and closeout assembly, thereby allowing interchangeability of the plurality of interchangeable upper shroud assemblies to change an overall configuration of the vehicle seating assembly.

Abstract: A seating assembly includes a seating surface extending over at least one of a seat and a seatback. The seating assembly also includes a fluid mover and a fluid transfer member including a fluid inlet portion and a fluid outlet portion. The fluid inlet portion is coupled to the fluid mover, and the fluid outlet portion is proximate the seating surface. The fluid mover is selectively operable to release a pressurized fluid through the tube so that the release of the pressurized fluid at the outlet cools a seating assembly occupant.

Abstract: A display assembly for a vehicle seat includes a housing portion that defines a space for receiving a display. The housing portion includes an angled rear wall. A coupling ledge extends from the angled rear wall. The coupling ledge defines a receiving slot within a recess. A coupling extension has a top edge and a bottom edge. The top edge of the coupling extension is coupled to a bottom of the housing portion. A hook is coupled to and extends from an inner surface of the coupling extension. The hook is disposed adjacent to the bottom edge of the coupling extension.