Abstract: An adjustable seat (1) incorporates a moveable squab element (4). The squab element may be moved from an initial position in which the squab element is flush with the remaining parts of the vehicle seat to a first intermediate position and then to a subsequent second position. The squab is mounted on a first linkage (7) which carries an intermediate support. A second linkage (10) extends from the intermediate support to a seat mount (9) incorporated with the squab element.

Abstract: A recliner mechanism for a vehicle seat includes a support plate (7) mounted on the squab (2) of the seat, and a support plate (11) mounted on the back rest (3) of the seat. There is a pivotal interconnection (10) between the plates to enable the back rest to be reclined. The pivotal interconnection is initially retained by a spring (20), in a retaining part (15) of an elongate slot (14). When the back rest (3) is subjected to a rearward force, such as by a seat occupant in a rear impact situation, the spring is deformed and the pivot shaft moves along the slot (14), enabling the back rest (3) to move rearwardly. An energy absorbing element (17) is provided which deforms, whilst absorbing energy, during this second movement of the back rest.

Abstract: A lifting unit (1) to lift the rear part of a hood or bonnet in the event that an accident should arise comprises an inner cylindrical guide (2) to receive gas from a gas generator and telescopically mounted on the guide, to telescopically interconnected cylindrical piston elements (12, 17). There is a certain degree of play between the telescopically interconnected units to facilitate a virtual pivoting movement of the hood or bonnet to be lifted by the lifting unit.

Abstract: A recliner mechanism for a vehicle seat includes a support plate (7) mounted on the squab (2) of the seat, and a support plate (11) mounted on the back rest (3) of the seat. There is a pivotal interconnection (10) between the plates to enable the back rest to be reclined. The pivotal interconnection is initially retained by a spring (20), in a retaining part (15) of an elongate slot (14). When the back rest (3) is subjected to a rearward force, such as by a seat occupant in a rear impact situation, the spring is deformed and the pivot shaft moves along the slot (14), enabling the back rest (3) to move rearwardly. An energy absorbing element (17) is provided which deforms, whilst absorbing energy, during this second movement of the back rest.

Abstract: A tilting arrangement for a vehicle steering wheel unit is disclosed. The tilting arrangement incorporates a mount (2) to mount the tilting arrangement on the vehicle. A support element (11) is provided, and the steering wheel unit is pivotally connected (13) to the support element (11) to effect tilting pivotal movement about a pivot axis (13). The support element (11) is moveable relative to the mount (2) so as to move the pivotal axis (13) with a movement which has a substantial upward component.

Abstract: An adjustable seat (1) incorporates a moveable squab element (4). The squab element may be moved from an initial position in which the squab element is flush with the remaining parts of the vehicle seat to a first intermediate position and then to a subsequent second position. The squab is mounted on a first linkage (7) which carries an intermediate support. A second linkage (10) extends from the intermediate support to a seat mount (9) incorporated with the squab element.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided with a squab, backrest and a headrest. The headrest is supported by one or more support elements. Each support element is connected by a connection to a respective drive element which is connected to a pressure plate located within the backrest. The drive element is guided for rearward movement by a guide which is formed fast with the frame of the seat. A pivot surface is provided located adjacent the support element such that, on rearward movement of the drive element, the support element engages the pivot surface to cause the headrest to move forwardly in a pivotal manner.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided with a squab, a backrest and a headrest. The headrest is supported by one or more support elements. Each support element is connected by a connection to a respective drive element which is connected to a pressure plate located within the backrest. The drive element is guided for rearward movement by a guide which is formed fast with the frame of the seat. A pivot surface is provided located adjacent the support element such that, on rearward movement of the drive element, the support element engages the pivot surface to cause the headrest to move forwardly in a pivotal manner.

Abstract: A tilting arrangement for a vehicle steering wheel unit is disclosed. The tilting arrangement incorporates a mount (2) to mount the tilting arrangement on the vehicle. A support element (11) is provided, and the steering wheel unit is pivotally connected (13) to the support element (11) to effect tilting pivotal movement about a pivot axis (13). The support element (11) is moveable relative to the mount (2) so as to move the pivotal axis (13) with a movement which has a substantial upward component.

Abstract: A lifting unit (1) to lift the rear part of a hood or bonnet in the event that an accident should arise comprises an inner cylindrical guide (2) to receive gas from a gas generator and telescopically mounted on the guide, to telescopically interconnected cylindrical piston elements (12, 17). There is a certain degree of play between the telescopically interconnected units to facilitate a virtual pivoting movement of the hood or bonnet to be lifted by the lifting unit.

Abstract: A child safety seat is disclosed which is incorporated into the squab of a vehicle seat in which part of the squab can be moved to an elevated position. The child safety seat incorporates at least one latch to maintain two components of the seat in a predetermined relative position. One of those components carries the latch and the other component carries a latch pin configured to co-operate with the latch. The latch defines a channel between two side walls, the side walls being provided with recesses. The channel contains a pivotally-mounted latch element which defines a recess. The latch element is movable pivotally between a first position in which the recess therein defines a mount accessible by the latch pin to enable the latch pin to be inserted into the recess in the latch element and being movable to a retaining position in which the latch pin, retained in the recess in the latch element, is retained in the recesses formed in the side walls of the channel.

Abstract: A child safety seat is disclosed which is incorporated into the squab of a vehicle seat in which part of the squab can be moved to an elevated position. The child safety seat incorporates at least one latch to maintain two components of the seat in a predetermined relative position. One of those components carries the latch and the other component carries a latch pin configured to co-operate with the latch. The latch defines a channel between two side walls, the side walls being provided with recesses. The channel contains a pivotally-mounted latch element which defines a recess. The latch element is movable pivotally between a first position in which the recess therein defines a mount accessible by the latch pin to enable the latch pin to be inserted into the recess in the latch element and being movable to a retaining position in which the latch pin, retained in the recess in the latch element, is retained in the recesses formed in the side walls of the channel.

Abstract: A recliner mechanism for a seat has a support structure (1, 2) to be connected to the squab of the seat. This structure pivotally (17) supports an arm (13) to be connected to the back of the seat so that the back of the seat may move about a pivot axis. The mounting arm has a projection (15) spaced from the pivot axis (17) engaging a link (24). The link engages a pin (30) which passes through a slot (10) formed in the support structure. The pin also passes through a diametric slot (31) formed in a drive wheel (32) which is mounted for rotation relative to the support structure. The slot (10) in the support structure is located and configured to intersect the slot (31) on the drive wheel (32) at a plurality of rotational positions thereof. The drive wheel (32) is provided with a catch means (40) adapted to retain the drive wheel (32) in predetermined selected positions.

Abstract: A lock component comprises a mounting plate (50). An intermediate resilient element (56) is mounted on the plate and has a peg (59) engaging a recess (53) on the plate to prevent rotation of the intermediate element. The intermediate element presents a collar (60) and projection (61) having an outer periphery configured to snugly engage an aperture (64) in an arm (62) which carries a lockable element (68). A connecting element (74) has a shaft (76) passing through a central aperture in the intermediate element (56), thus also extending through the aperture (64) in the arm (62). The shaft is connected to an aperture (55) formed in the mounting plate (50). The lockable element (68) has at least one degree of freedom of movement, which may be a rotational movement about the axis of the connecting element (74), or which may be a lateral movement. When the lockable element (68) is engaged within the locking arrangement, the intermediate element (56) is deformed.

Abstract: A recliner mechanism for a seat has a support structure (1, 2) to be connected to the squab of the seat. This structure pivotally (17) supports an arm (13) to be connected to the back of the seat so that the back of the seat may move about a pivot axis. The mounting arm has a projection (15) spaced from the pivot axis (17) engaging a link (24). The link engages a pin (30) which passes through a slot (10) formed in the support structure. The pin also passes through a diametric slot (31) formed in a drive wheel (32) which is mounted for rotation relative to the support structure. The slot (10) in the support structure is located and configured to intersect the slot (31) on the drive wheel (32) at a plurality of rotational positions thereof. The drive wheel (32) is provided with a catch means (40) adapted to retain the drive wheel (32) in predetermined selected positions.

Abstract: A safety device in a motor vehicle comprises a roller retractor (2) mounted at the top of the back (1) of a vehicle seat. The roller retractor (2) has wound on it a sheet-like element or net (3) which is extractable from the roller to engage anchoring means secured in or adjacent the roof of the vehicle. The length of net (3) to be extracted from the roller retractor (2) is different in different positions of the back of the seat. The roller retractor mechanism is associated with a locking mechanism (5) which is actuated in at least one of the alternative positions of the back of the seat to lock the extraction of more than a predetermined length of the sheet-like element from the roller retractor (2). The length is sufficient to enable the sheet to be secured to connecting means provided in the roof of the vehicle.

Abstract: A lock component comprises a mounting plate (50) with apertures (51, 52) to receive screws to secure the plate in position. An intermediate resilient element (56) is mounted on the plate and has a peg (59) engaging a recess (53) on the plate to prevent rotation of the intermediate element. The intermediate element presents a collar (60) and projection (61) having an outer periphery configured to snugly engage an aperture (64) in an arm (62) which carries a lockable element (68). A connecting element (74) has a shaft (76) passing through a central aperture in the intermediate element (56), thus also extending through the aperture (64) in the arm (62). The shaft is connected to an aperture (55) formed in the mounting plate (50). The lockable element (68) has at least one degree of freedom of movement, which may be a rotational movement about the axis of the connecting element (74), or which may be a lateral movement.

Abstract: A back support mechanism for supporting the back of a seat in a motor vehicle, wherein the seat back support mechanism includes at least one first component adapted to be connected to the squab of the seat or to a frame supporting the squab of the seat, and at least one further component adapted to be connected to the back of the seat. A connection between the components includes a linkage to permit the further component to move with first and second pivotal actions relative to the first component. The linkage includes two pivot link elements which are respectively mounted to effect a pivotal movement relative to the at least one first component. The pivot link elements directly or indirectly support the further component. The pivot link elements permit the further component to effect an initial rearward pivotal movement which constitutes the first pivotal action before effecting the second pivotal action. The connection includes a deformable element which resists the second pivotal action.

Abstract: A locking arrangement is provided comprising a retaining element which is positionable to retain a lockable element in position. A combination of an actuating element and a counter weight are provided which are inter-connected to rotate simultaneously in a predetermined manner about axes of rotation. The centers of gravity of the actuating element and the counter weight are so positioned that when subjected to acceleration or deceleration the two components are substantially in balance and do not tend to move. One of the components blocks movement of the retaining element, when the arrangement is in the locked condition, but if the actuating element is moved rotationally, the counter weight will move rotationally, and as a consequence the retaining element will be released, the retaining element then being movable to a position in which the lockable element can be separated from the locking arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device in a vehicle safety belt lock comprising a lock member (13) mounted to engage a lock tongue (17), the lock member being pivotable between engaged and disengaged positions. Furthermore, the lock comprises an ejector (22) which can be displaced against spring bias by insertion of the lock tongue, the biasing spring of said ejector comprising a helical spring which is engaged between the ejector or a member (20) operatively associated therewith, and the lock member. On the lock member, the spring is passed onto a guide projection (27) at the end position thereof, the movable contact member (42) of an electric contact being mounted for rocking movement on the one end of the biasing spring in order to be engaged with and disengaged from stationary contact members (33, 34) as the ejector is moved against or under spring bias by a rocking movement of the movable contact member caused by the spring.