Abstract: A restraint system is disclosed for securing a passenger to a seat in a motor vehicle. The restraint system is composed of a four point restraint belt removably attached to a vehicle seat having a plurality of vertical straps and attachment mechanisms for connecting said straps across the passenger's chest and lap. Each of the vertical straps has a first end removably attached to latches located in the front of the seat back and a second end removably attached to a latch located behind the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A restraint system is disclosed for securing a passenger to a seat in a motor vehicle. The restraint system is composed of a restraint belt removably attached to a vehicle seat having a plurality of vertical straps and an attachment mechanism for connecting said straps across the passenger's chest. Each of the vertical straps has a first end removably attached to a lap belt and a second end removably attached to a latch located behind the vehicle seat.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a frame operably attached to a vehicle. A seat bottom is operably attached to the frame. The seat bottom is repositionable between a seating position and a stowed position. A seat back is operably attached to the frame. The seat back is repositionable between a seating position and a stowed position. The seat back rotates about a longitudinal axis during repositioning of the seat back between the seating and the stowed positions. A method of repositioning the seat assemblies includes repositioning a seat bottom between a seating position and a stowed position, and repositioning a seat back between a seating position and a stowed position about a longitudinal axis. Another seat assembly includes a seat bottom operably attached to the frame with at least one pivoting link and at least one sliding link. The seat bottom is repositionable between a seating position and an elevated position.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat frame assembly has a headrest movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The frame assembly comprises a seatback frame operatively engaged with the headrest, the seatback frame being pivotable from a use position to a lowered position. A sun gear is fixed against rotation relative to the motor vehicle, and a planet gear is attached to the seatback frame and rotatably engaged with the sun gear. The planet gear is operatively engaged with the headrest to extend and to retract the headrest as the planet gear rotates about the sun ge.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat frame assembly for moving a headrest between an extended position and a retracted position as the frame assembly pivots. The frame assembly comprises a seatback frame operatively engaged with the headrest, and a bar having first and second ends. The seatback frame is pivotable from a use position about a first pivot that is fixed with respect to the vehicle. The first end of the bar is pivotably connected to a second pivot that is fixed with respect to the vehicle, and the second end of the bar is attached to the headrest such that the headrest moves from the extended position toward the retracted position as the seatback frame is pivoted from the use position.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat frame assembly for moving a headrest between an extended position and a retracted position as the frame assembly pivots. The frame assembly comprises a seatback frame operatively engaged with the headrest, and a bar having first and second ends. The seatback frame is pivotable from a use position about a first pivot that is fixed with respect to the vehicle. The first end of the bar is pivotably connected to a second pivot that is fixed with respect to the vehicle, and the second end of the bar is attached to the headrest such that the headrest moves from the extended position toward the retracted position as the seatback frame is pivoted from the use position.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat frame assembly has a headrest movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The frame assembly comprises a seatback frame operatively engaged with the headrest, the seatback frame being pivotable from a use position to a lowered position. A sun gear is fixed against rotation relative to the motor vehicle, and a planet gear is attached to the seatback frame and rotatably engaged with the sun gear.

Abstract: A guide assembly for a headrest having at least one support comprises a track having a first plurality of openings and a second plurality of openings spaced from the first plurality of openings. A first set of ball bearings is disposed in the first plurality of openings, and a second set of ball bearings disposed in the second plurality of openings. The first and second sets of ball bearings engage the at least one support.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle including at least one J-shaped bracket movable toward and away from a front of the vehicle, a pivot rod engaging the at least one J-shaped bracket, and a seat cushion frame connected to the at least one J-shaped bracket. At least one link is attached to the seat frame and attached to the floor of the vehicle, and at least one guide bracket is mounted to the vehicle floor. The guide bracket has an arcuate slot engagable with the pivot rod as the J-shaped bracket moves toward the front of the vehicle to pivot the J-shaped bracket.

Abstract: A motor vehicle seat frame assembly has a headrest movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The frame assembly comprises a seatback frame operatively engaged with the headrest, a cable, and a rod having an extension. The seatback frame is pivotable from a use position to a lowered position, while the cable extends between the headrest and a fixed point. A tensioner is attached to the seatback frame, and is adapted to wind the cable on the extension when the seatback frame is pivoted toward the lowered position.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus for spanning a gap between a first structure and a second structure and fixedly coupling the first and second structures together. The coupling apparatus includes first and second coupling structures, an attachment member and a coupling member. The first coupling structure has an internally threaded cavity and is fixedly coupled to the first structure. The second coupling structure has an externally threaded body and an abutting flange. The externally threaded body threadably engages the internally threaded cavity, permitting the first and second coupling structures to cooperate to span the gap between the first and second structures such that the abutting flange abuts the second structure. The attachment member includes a threaded portion which extends through the first and second coupling structures and threadably engages the coupling member.

Abstract: A method for attaching a soft top to a motor vehicle body tensions the soft top without a separate tensioning device. The method includes the general steps of attaching a support member to the motor vehicle for pivotal movement about a transverse pivot axis, supporting an upper rear corner of the top with the support member, and tensioning the top by upwardly and rearwardly biasing the upper rear corner of the top with the support member. The support member functions to provide a spring load for tensioning the top. In the preferred method, the support member is elastically deformed for tensioning the top.

Abstract: A removable door frame assembly for a motor vehicle includes a first portion pivotally interconnected to a second portion. The first portion is adapted to be oriented horizontally and releasably attached to a sport bar assembly of the motor vehicle. The second portion is adapted to be oriented vertically and releasably engage the body of the vehicle. The first portion is configured to releasably retain a retaining element attached to a top section of the soft top and thereby retain the soft top in a cross-car direction. Similarly, the second portion is adapted to releasably retain a retaining element attached to a side section of the soft top and longitudinally retain the side section.

Abstract: A window assembly for a motor vehicle includes a window frame adapted to removably mount to a lower door assembly. The window assembly further includes a mounting arrangement for removably attaching the window frame to the lower door assembly such that substantially vertical translation of the window frame is required to remove the window frame. The window assembly further includes a stop surface which is carried by the motor vehicle. The stop surface is adapted to oppose vertical translation of the window frame when the lower door assembly is in the closed position. In one form, the stop surface is defined by a removable door frame assembly.

Abstract: A top system includes a hard top which may be operatively installed over a folded soft top. The top system allows delivery of both the hard top and the soft top to the customer. Additionally, the top system allows for an expanded range of uses of the associated motor vehicle. The owner/user can have the hard top on for greater comfort and less noise on long trips and on arrival, take the hard top off and have the soft top for local use with the benefit of open air driving. The soft top is ready to be moved to its operative position or retained in the stored position for available protection from the element from adverse weather conditions. The ability of the top system to allow the hard top to be operatively installed over the folded soft top is made possible largely in part due to the several unique aspects. For example, the soft top folds back and is contained within the boundaries of the body side of the motor vehicle and the tailgate area while having a low stack height.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively mounting a hard top and a soft top to a motor vehicle includes a retainer member which mounts to an upper surface of a body side panel. The retainer element preferably includes an intermediate portion fixedly attached to the body side panel. An upper side of the intermediate portion is adapted to support the hard top. An outboard flange downwardly extends from the intermediate portion and terminates in an inner curled edge. The inner curled edge is spaced apart from the body side panel.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering system for a sport utility vehicle having a solid front axle includes a pinion gear connected to the steering column of the vehicle and a rack gear meshed with the pinion gear. A coupling segment is moved by the engagement segment, and an arm is connected to the coupling segment. A drag link in turn is connected to the arm and is coupled to a first front wheel of the vehicle. Also, a tie rod couples the first front wheel to the second front wheel of the vehicle. With this structure, rotation of the pinion gear by the steering column causes the rack gear and arm to move translationally, thereby moving the drag link to turn the first front wheel. The first front wheel cooperates with the tie rod to simultaneously turn the second front wheel.