Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining electrical contact to one or more circuits carried by a steering wheel and portions of the circuits separated from the steering wheel comprises first and second housing sections. At least one annulus is carried by one of the housing sections and at least one contact maintaining finger is carried by the other of the housing sections. These components are electrical connected to one another and to respective circuit components to maintain the circuit connections as a steering wheel, that is coupled to one of the first and second housing components, is rotated relative to the other of the first and second housing components that is coupled to the steering column.

Abstract: A vehicle shifter and method in one form involves tilting a shift lever relative to a steering wheel as the steering wheel is tilted and also raising and lowering the shift lever respectively as the steering wheel is raised and lowered.

Abstract: A seat suspension system includes a vibration dampener adapted to operate over less than the full range over which a seat may be raised and lowered by a seat height adjuster, such as an air spring. The dampener may apply dampening forces which vary non-linearly, depending upon the extent a seat moves as a result of seat vibration. In several specific forms, the dampening mechanism is unlatched to permit relative movement of the seat and seat support mechanism relative to the dampener during seat height adjustment, with the dampener being relatched to again apply a dampening force. A mechanically simply seat leveling system may be employed to return the seat to a desired elevation in the event loading on the seat is varied, for example if a seat occupant gets up off a seat.

Abstract: A seat suspension method in one approach involves applying a dampening force over less than the full range over which a seat may be raised and lowered by a seat height adjuster. The step of applying a dampening force may comprise applying such a force which varies non-linearly, depending upon the extent a seat moves as a result of seat vibration. In several specific approaches, unlatching of the dampening mechanism may be accomplished to permit relative movement of the seat and seat support mechanism during seat height adjustment. Relatching of the vibration damper may be accomplished to again apply a dampening force. The seat may automatically be returned toward a desired elevation in the event loading on the seat is varied, for example if a seat occupant leaves the seat.

Abstract: A vibration damper module is described with a first member adapted for coupling to one of the vehicle and seat, and a shock absorber adapted to be coupled to the other of the vehicle and seat. The first member may take the form of a housing within which the shock absorber is substantially disposed. A latch selectively couples and decouples the housing to the shock absorber to respectively apply and relieve the application of the dampening force from the shock absorber to the seat which dampens vibrations in the seat. The shock absorber may include an external housing carrying a latch gripping surface, such as a plurality of teeth. The latch may comprise at least one latch arm having a latch surface. The latch arm may be shifted to a first position in which the latch surface and latch gripping surface are engaged to couple the first member to the shock absorber and to a second position wherein these components are disengaged.

Abstract: A vehicle shifter and method in one form involves tilting a shift lever relative to a steering wheel as the steering wheel is tilted and also raising and lowering the shift lever respectively as the steering wheel is raised and lowered.

Abstract: A vibration damper for a seat suspension system is disclosed with a shock absorber which dampens seat vibrations when the shock absorber is coupled to the seat suspension system. The shock absorber includes a dampening cylinder housing with a dampening piston slidable therein. The dampening cylinder housing is coupled to one of the vehicle and seat, such as to the floor of the vehicle. An elongated latch engaging member, which may be in the form of a dampening piston rod is coupled to the dampening piston. A latch is shiftable between first and second positions. When in the first position the latch engages the dampening rod, and when in the second position the latch disengages the dampening rod. When engaged to the dampening rod, the latch couples the dampening rod to the other of the vehicle and seat so that the shock absorber applies a dampening force to the seat. Conversely, when the latch disengages the dampening rod, the shock absorber is relieved from applying a dampening force to the seat.

Abstract: A seat support includes first and second link members coupling a seat supporting member to a base. The second link member has a first end portion pivoted to the base at a first pivot axis and a second end portion pivoted to the seat supporting member at a second pivot axis. The first link member has a first end portion pivoted to the base at a third pivot axis and a second end portion pivoted to the seat supporting member at a fourth pivot axis. The distance between the third and fourth pivot axes is greater than the distance between the first and second pivot axes and may be from about twelve percent to about twenty percent greater. The location of the pivot axes may be expressed by the formula L<(S+R−B). In this formula, L is the distance between the first and second pivot axes; S is the distance between the second and fourth pivot axes; R is the distance between the third and fourth pivot axes; and B is the distance between the first and third pivot axes.

Abstract: A seat suspension system controller is described for controlling both the latching and unlatching of a seat and seat height adjustment when the seat is unlatched. In one embodiment, the seat suspension controller is a valve actuated by a common lever to control a latch to unlatch and latch the seat and also to control seat height adjustment when the seat is unlatched. The lever may be oriented to unlatch the seat and raise the seat height when the lever is raised and to unlatch the seat and lower the seat height when the lever is lowered.