Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly that includes a seatback frame and an active head restraint system. The active head restraint system includes a head restraint adapted to move between an upright position and an operative position relative to the seatback frame in response to an input force applied to the active head restraint system. The head restraint is biased to resist movement away from the upright position and toward the operative position. Also, the resistance to movement of the head restraint decreases as the head restraint moves away from the upright position and toward the operative position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is disclosed with a seatback frame for supporting the back of an occupant. A head restraint extends from the seatback frame for supporting the head of the occupant. In one embodiment, a four-bar mechanism is operably connected to the seatback frame and the head restraint for receiving an input force from the occupant in response to an impact condition, and for consequently actuating the head restraint to an actuated position. In another embodiment, the four-bar mechanism locks the head restraint in the actuated position in response to an input force of the occupant resting against the seatback.

Abstract: A vehicle seat and head restraint are disclosed with a head restraint that is mounted to a pair of rods that are fixed relative to the vehicle seat. The head restraint is translatable along the rods and includes a locking mechanism for locking the head restraint at a plurality of locations along the rods. In one embodiment, the rods are mounted to an armature of a restraint mechanism for actuating the head restraint in response to an impact condition.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat back including an actuatable back panel. The back panel of the seat back may be moved between a normal, or flush position, and an actuated, or spaced position, relative to the seat back assembly. The back panel may be provided with connectors that may be used to connect the back panel to the seat assembly. The back panel is actuated in the event of a rear end collision to provide added clearance for penetration of an occupant's torso into the seat back without interference by seat accessories, such as an adjustable lumbar system, a bolster assembly, massage assembly, or a heating/cooling system. The seat accessories may be secured to the back panel as a sub-assembly to facilitate manufacture. A resilient member biases a linkage or torsion bar to automatically reset the back panel.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a seat back including an actuatable back panel. The back panel of the seat back may be moved between a normal, or flush position, and an actuated, or spaced position, relative to the seat back assembly. The back panel is provided with clips that may be used to connect the back panel to the vehicle seat assembly or suspension. The back panel is actuated in the event of a rear end collision to provide added clearance for operation of an active head restraint system. Seat accessories, such as an adjustable lumbar system or heating/cooling system may be secured to the back panel as a sub-assembly to facilitate manufacture.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back pivotally attached to the seat bottom. The seat bottom includes a track having a longitudinal track axis. The seat assembly further includes a head restraint moveably attached to the track such that the head restraint is moveable longitudinally along the track from a use position to a stowed position. An actuation device is associated with the head restraint for moving the head restraint from the use position toward the stowed position when the seat back pivots toward the seat bottom.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back pivotally attached to the seat bottom. The seat bottom includes a track having a longitudinal track axis. The seat assembly further includes a head restraint moveably attached to the track such that the head restraint is moveable longitudinally along the track from a use position to a stowed position. An actuation device is associated with the head restraint for moving the head restraint from the use position toward the stowed position when the seat back pivots toward the seat bottom.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided including a seatback and a motion translation element pivotably mounted within. The motion translation element includes a back engagement portion, movable between a back engagement stable position and a back intrusion position, and a translation portion, movable from a translation stable position to a translation actuated position in response to the back engagement portion movement. A intermediary element is rotatably attached to the translation portion, such that it is moved between an intermediary stable position and an intermediary actuated position. The intermediary element is additionally movable between a disengagement position and a engagement position. A momentum cam is utilized to move the intermediary element into the engagement position during vehicle impact. A trigger arm is positioned within said seatback and engages the intermediary element when in said engagement position.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly for a vehicle seat assembly including a post to operatively engage a vehicle seat and provide vertical movement relative thereto. The post includes a control leg, a slave leg and a contoured cross member disposed therebetween. Each of the legs has a terminal end and an offset disposed between the terminal end and the contoured cross member. The head restraint assembly further includes a bun attached to the post. The offsets advance a portion of the post and the contoured cross member toward a seat occupant to facilitate placement of a predetermined portion of the bun relative thereto and substantially reduce head displacement during a rear end vehicular collision.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly including a seatback frame and a lumbar support system operatively mounted to the seatback frame. The lumbar support system includes a lower suspension mechanism that is generally aligned with the pelvic and lumbar regions of the occupant of the seat assembly. The lower suspension mechanism includes a pair of bands of flexible material that are stretched about a pair of upstanding support members so as to have a predetermined tension for providing support for the occupant of the seat assembly at the pelvic and lumbar regions.

Abstract: A head restraint assembly for a vehicle seat assembly including a post to operatively engage a vehicle seat and provide vertical movement relative thereto. The post includes a control leg, a slave leg and a contoured cross member disposed therebetween. Each of the legs has a terminal end and an offset disposed between the terminal end and the contoured cross member. The head restraint assembly further includes a bun attached to the post. The offsets advance a portion of the post and the contoured cross member toward a seat occupant to facilitate placement of a predetermined portion of the bun relative thereto and substantially reduce head displacement during a rear end vehicular collision.

Abstract: A vehicle seat for use with a vehicle. The vehicle seat includes a seatback having a frame, a head restraint arrangement, an impact target arrangement, and a ratchet screw mechanism. The impact target arrangement is attached to the head restraint arrangement and moveably attached to the frame. The ratchet screw mechanism includes a first threaded member and a second threaded member. Upon application of a rearward force on the impact target arrangement, the first threaded member at least partially disengages the second threaded member to allow the head restraint arrangement to move from an initial position to a support position.

Abstract: An infinitely adjustable head restraint assembly that includes a head restraint adapted for movement between a first position and a second position relative to a seatback of a vehicle seat assembly. The head restraint assembly also includes at least one biasing member that biases the head restraint away from the first position toward the second position. Furthermore, the head restraint assembly includes a retainer mechanism operable to retain the head restraint in any position between the first position and the second position and operable to release the head restraint for movement between the first position and the second position. The head restraint assembly can be incorporated in a vehicle seat assembly.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly that includes a seatback frame and an active head restraint system operatively supported by the seatback frame. The active head restraint system includes an upper armature moveably mounted to the seatback frame and a head restraint mounted to the upper armature. The active head restraint system also includes a lower armature operatively attached to the upper armature. The lower armature is operable to move toward the upper armature in response to a predetermined force applied to the lower armature and act on the upper armature to move the head restraint toward the occupant.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly that includes a seatback frame and an active head restraint system. The active head restraint system includes a head restraint adapted to move between an upright position and an operative position relative to the seatback frame in response to an input force applied to the active head restraint system. The head restraint is biased to resist movement away from the upright position and toward the operative position. Also, the resistance to movement of the head restraint decreases as the head restraint moves away from the upright position and toward the operative position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly including a seatback frame and a lumbar support system operatively mounted to the seatback frame. The lumbar support system includes a lower suspension mechanism that is generally aligned with the pelvic and lumbar regions of the occupant of the seat assembly. The lower suspension mechanism includes a pair of bands of flexible material that are stretched about a pair of upstanding support members so as to have a predetermined tension for providing support for the occupant of the seat assembly at the pelvic and lumbar regions.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly that includes a seatback frame and an upper armature moveably supported by the seatback frame. The upper armature includes a head restraint and a first impact body, and the upper armature is operable to move in response to a predetermined force applied to the first impact body to thereby move the head restraint toward the occupant. The vehicle seat assembly also includes a lower armature that is operatively connected to the upper armature and is operable to move toward the upper armature in response to a predetermined force applied to the lower armature and act on the upper armature to move the head restraint toward the occupant.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided including a seatback assembly including an upper seatback surface and a guide stem positioned within. A head restraint post is positioned within the guide stem, and includes a head restraint mount end and a seatback insertion end. A head restraint element is mounted to the head restraint mount end. A roller guide is mounted in proximity to the upper seatback surface and comprises a bezel element inserted into the guide stem. A primary roller housing is mounted to said bezel element and forms a center cylindrical path through which the head restraint post passes. A primary roller element is rotatably mounted within the primary roller housing and is biased into communication with the head restraint post by way of a roller bias such that the head restraint post is restrained from motion absent the application of a vertical adjustment force. A housing cap is mounted over the bezel element.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly that includes a seatback frame and an upper armature moveably supported by the seatback frame. The upper armature includes a head restraint and a first impact body, and the upper armature is operable to move in response to a predetermined force applied to the first impact body to thereby move the head restraint toward the occupant. The vehicle seat assembly also includes a lower armature that is operatively connected to the upper armature and is operable to move toward the upper armature in response to a predetermined force applied to the lower armature and act on the upper armature to move the head restraint toward the occupant.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided including a seatback and a motion translation element pivotably mounted within. The motion translation element includes a back engagement portion, movable between a back engagement stable position and a back intrusion position, and a translation portion, movable from a translation stable position to a translation actuated position in response to the back engagement portion movement. A intermediary element is rotatably attached to the translation portion, such that it is moved between an intermediary stable position and an intermediary actuated position. The intermediary element is additionally movable between a disengagement position and a engagement position. A momentum cam is utilized to move the intermediary element into the engagement position during vehicle impact. A trigger arm is positioned within said seatback and engages the intermediary element when in said engagement position.