Abstract: A seat assembly having a headrest for supporting the head of a seat occupant. The seat assembly includes a seat back, a support post disposed on the seat back, and a headrest. The headrest has a front portion for supporting the head of a seat occupant. The front portion is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The headrest is rotatably disposed on the support post such that the headrest can rotate independent of movement of the front portion.

Abstract: A framework and method of forming a framework is provided for a backrest of a vehicle seat. The framework includes a support member having a first wall portion and a second wall portion. The second wall section is spaced from the first wall portion at a plurality of locations to form a plurality of hollow pocketed sections. An expandable plastic material is disposed in and substantially fills the plurality of pocketed sections. The support member in cooperation with the expandable plastic material provides rigidity to the support member.

Abstract: A continuously adjustable headrest mechanism 10 for a vehicle seat 12 and method of assembly thereof. The mechanism 10 includes in one aspect a pair of posts 17 that extends from vehicle seat 12. A pad 14 is moveably attached to each post 17. Positioned at least partially within the pad 14 is a locking subassembly 16 that has a disengaged and an engaged configuration that permits continuous adjustment of the pad 14 in relation to the post 17.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is disclosed that provides longitudinal adjustment and height adjustment of a head restraint by actuation of a manual release. One embodiment discloses a vehicle seat with a rod extending from a seat back and a frame mounted to the rod. A head restraint is mounted to the frame by a linkage to extend and retract. A locking mechanism cooperates with the head restraint and the frame for permitting incremental locking positions of the head restraint relative to the frame. A manual release releases the locking mechanism to extend and retract the head restraint relative to the rod. Another embodiment includes an eccentric mechanism pivotally connected to the frame. A wire spring is mounted to the frame for engaging a notch in the rod. An actuator rotates an eccentric mechanism for disengaging the wire spring from the notch in the rod for permitting height adjustment.

Abstract: A seat track includes a stationary rail and a movable rail. The stationary rail has a plurality of windows formed therein and a plurality of tabs formed adjacent to the windows. The moveable rail engages the stationary rail for relative movement in a first direction and for restricted movement in a second direction that is different from the first direction. The moveable rail has a J-hook that cooperates with the plurality of tabs of the stationary rail to restrict relative movement therebetween in the second direction.

Abstract: A vehicle seat and vehicle seat back frame are disclosed with a plastic frame substrate extending across a rear surface of a seat back. A steel frame portion is connected to the plastic frame substrate within the seat back. The steel frame portion has an upper cross member extending across an upper region of the substrate, an intermediate member extending from the upper cross member, and a lower cross member extending across the lower region of the substrate. The substrate structurally reinforces the steel frame portion with a reduced weight.

Abstract: A vehicle seat and vehicle seat head restraint are disclosed having a stop adapted to be mounted to a rod extending from a vehicle seat back. A frame is adapted to be mounted to the rod to slide along the rod. A head restraint foam padding and cover are mounted to the frame for supporting a head of an occupant. A locking mechanism cooperates with the stop and the frame for permitting incremental locking positions of the frame relative to the stop. An actuator cooperates with the locking mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism to slide the head restraint and frame along the rod.

Abstract: A seat assembly having a headrest for supporting the head of a seat occupant. The seat assembly includes a seat back, a support post disposed on the seat back, a headrest being moveably disposed on the support post, and a latch mechanism moveable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The headrest is simultaneously moveable in multiple directions when the latch mechanism is disposed in the unlatched position.

Abstract: A seat assembly having a headrest for supporting the head of a seat occupant. The seat assembly includes a seat back, a support post disposed on the seat back, and a headrest. The headrest has a front portion for supporting the head of a seat occupant. The front portion is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The headrest is rotatably disposed on the support post such that the headrest can rotate independent of movement of the front portion.

Abstract: A seat track includes a stationary rail and a movable rail. The stationary rail has a plurality of windows formed therein and a plurality of tabs formed adjacent to the windows. The moveable rail engages the stationary rail for relative movement in a first direction and for restricted movement in a second direction that is different from the first direction. The moveable rail has a J-hook that cooperates with the plurality of tabs of the stationary rail to restrict relative movement therebetween in the second direction.

Abstract: A vehicle seat head restraint assembly is provided with a stop mounted to a rod of a vehicle seat back. A frame is mounted to the rod to slide therealong. A head restraint is mounted to the frame. A shaft cooperates with the stop and the frame and includes a series of notches and the stop includes at least one projection that engages the notches in a locked rotary position of the shaft. The projection is disengaged from the notches in a released rotary position of the shaft. The shaft has a cam and an actuator has a follower arrangement for releasing the shaft to slide the head restraint frame along the rod. A head restraint assembly is also provided wherein the series of notches and the projection cooperate such that height adjustment in an upward direction only is permitted without actuation of the actuator.

Abstract: A ventilated vehicle seat having a foam cushion sufficient to support an occupant, the foam cushion having an outer surface; an air-permeable spacer fabric, supported on the outer surface of the foam cushion; and a fan in fluid communication with the spacer fabric. The ventilated vehicle seat characterized in that the area of the spacer fabric is less than the area of the outer surface and that the ventilated vehicle seat has an alignment system that is configured to facilitate alignment of the spacer fabric with respect to the foam cushion.

Abstract: A continuously adjustable headrest mechanism 10 for a vehicle seat 12 and method of assembly thereof. The mechanism 10 includes in one aspect a pair of posts 17 that extends from vehicle seat 12. A pad 14 is moveably attached to each post 17. Positioned at least partially within the pad 14 is a locking subassembly 16 that has a disengaged and an engaged configuration that permits continuous adjustment of the pad 14 in relation to the post 17.

Abstract: A vehicle seat head restraint assembly is provided with a stop mounted to a rod of a vehicle seat back. A frame is mounted to the rod to slide therealong. A head restraint is mounted to the frame. A shaft cooperates with the stop and the frame and includes a series of notches and the stop includes at least one projection that engages the notches in a locked rotary position of the shaft. The projection is disengaged from the notches in a released rotary position of the shaft. The shaft has a cam and an actuator has a follower arrangement for releasing the shaft to slide the head restraint frame along the rod. A head restraint assembly is also provided wherein the series of notches and the projection cooperate such that height adjustment in an upward direction only is permitted without actuation of the actuator.

Abstract: A seat assembly having a headrest for supporting the head of a seat occupant. The seat assembly includes a seat back, a support post disposed on the seat back, a headrest being moveably disposed on the support post, and a latch mechanism moveable between a latched position and an unlatched position. The headrest is simultaneously moveable in multiple directions when the latch mechanism is disposed in the unlatched position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat and vehicle seat back frame are disclosed with a plastic frame substrate extending across a rear surface of a seat back. A steel frame portion is connected to the plastic frame substrate within the seat back. The steel frame portion has an upper cross member extending across an upper region of the substrate, an intermediate member extending from the upper cross member, and a lower cross member extending across the lower region of the substrate. The substrate structurally reinforces the steel frame portion with a reduced weight.

Abstract: A vehicle seat and vehicle seat head restraint are disclosed having a stop adapted to be mounted to a rod extending from a vehicle seat back. A frame is adapted to be mounted to the rod to slide along the rod. A head restraint foam padding and cover are mounted to the frame for supporting a head of an occupant. A locking mechanism cooperates with the stop and the frame for permitting incremental locking positions of the frame relative to the stop. An actuator cooperates with the locking mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism to slide the head restraint and frame along the rod.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is disclosed that provides longitudinal adjustment and height adjustment of a head restraint by actuation of a manual release. One embodiment discloses a vehicle seat with a rod extending from a seat back and a frame mounted to the rod. A head restraint is mounted to the frame by a linkage to extend and retract. A locking mechanism cooperates with the head restraint and the frame for permitting incremental locking positions of the head restraint relative to the frame. A manual release releases the locking mechanism to extend and retract the head restraint relative to the rod. Another embodiment includes an eccentric mechanism pivotally connected to the frame. A wire spring is mounted to the frame for engaging a notch in the rod. An actuator rotates an eccentric mechanism for disengaging the wire spring from the notch in the rod for permitting height adjustment.

Abstract: A method of forming a fabric covered article includes providing a substrate and trim cover laminate. The trim cover laminate includes a trim cover portion and a heat-activated adhesive portion laminated to a B-side surface of the trim cover portion, the adhesive portion defining an exposed surface. The exposed surface of the adhesive portion is exposed to heat, thereby activating the adhesive portion. The substrate is positioned onto the activated adhesive portion of the trim cover laminate to bring the substrate and the trim cover portion into contact with one another, thereby forming a fabric covered article.