Abstract: A fold and tumble vehicle seat assembly (20) having an automatic retraction feature and an easy operation latch feature. An adjustment mechanism (30) is mounted between the seat cushion (22) and the seat riser (28) for providing fore and aft adjustment of the seat cushion. The seat assembly is characterized by a release mechanism (49) mounted adjacent the adjustment mechanism (30) for automatically unlocking the adjustment mechanism and moving the seat cushion toward the aft position during the tumbling of the seat assembly. The seat assembly also comprises a rear latch (70, 71) pivotally mounted to the rear seat support (50, 51) and moveable between an engaged position securing the seat assembly in the operative position and a disengaged position allowing the seat assembly to move into the tumbled position. A stop member (92, 94) pivotally mounted to the rear seat support (50, 51) holds the rear latch (70, 71) in the disengaged position.

Abstract: A mechanism (16) adjusts a relative position of a component (14) within the vehicle. The mechanism has a mounting bracket (18). A drive drum (20) is mounted rotatably on the bracket for providing a rotary output to adjust the component (14). An actuation handle (22) is rotatably mounted to the drive drum (20) and rotatable relative to the drive drum (20) from a neutral position. A coil spring (24) surrounds the drive drum (20) in a sliding engagement. A return spring assembly (54) engages the coil spring (24). The handle (22) engages the coil spring (24) and the return spring assembly (54). As the handle (22) is rotated from the neutral position, the coil spring (24) is rotated in a winding sense about the drive drum (20) and against the return spring (54) thereby coupling the handle (22) and the drive drum (20) for rotation.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly (14) has a seat cushion assembly (13) and a seat back assembly (17). A pair of rear seat supports (28) are pivotally mounted to the rearward end (20) of the seat cushion assembly (13) for supporting a rear portion of the seat assembly (14). A pair of front seat supports (30), which each include a pair of legs (36, 38), are mounted to the forward end (18) of the seat cushion assembly (13) for supporting a front portion of the seat assembly (14). A link (40) interconnects each of the front seat supports (30) to a corresponding rear seat support (28) for moving the rear seat supports (28) between a seating position and a tumbled position. In the seating position, the front (30) and rear seat supports (28) extend downwardly from the seat cushion assembly (13). In the tumbled position, the seat cushion assembly (13) pivots upward about the front seat supports (30) and the rear seat supports (28) fold against the seat cushion assembly (13).

Abstract: A seat assembly (24) is mounted to a seat cushion assembly (22) for movement between an operative position and a forwardly dumped access position generally overlying the seat cushion assembly (22). A fixed track assembly (36, 42) movably supports a movable track assembly (45, 46) carrying the seat cushion assembly (22) for movement between a forward access position and a rearward position. A releasable track locking assembly (56, 57) is movable between a track locking position and a track releasing position for allowing adjustment of the movable track assembly (45, 46) between fore and aft positions with respect to the fixed track assembly (36, 42). A memory track (76) is fixed with respect to the fixed track assembly (36, 42) and a memory slide (78) is fixed with respect to the memory track (76). A slide block (100) is slidably supported by the memory slide (78). A memory latch (98) is supported by a slide block (100) and is movable between a memory position and an adjustment position.

Abstract: A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle comprises a generally horizontal seat cushion for supporting a seat occupant on the seat assembly and a seat back (36) pivotally connected to the seat cushion by a recliner (38) for pivotal movement between a generally upright position and a fully reclined position relative to the seat cushion. The seat assembly includes a head restraint (26) pivotally coupled to the seat back for pivotal movement between a normal position when the seat back is in the upright position and a forward angled position relative to the seat back when the seat back is in the fully reclined position to support the seat occupant's head. An adjustment mechanism comprises a guide plate (90) slidably coupled to the seat back for pivoting the head restraint between the normal position and the forward angled position.

Abstract: A seat track assembly for adjusting a seat assembly of an automotive vehicle comprising a lower track having a first plurality of apertures, an upper track slidably mounted to the lower track and having a second plurality of apertures. A latch assembly is fixedly mounted to the upper track. The latch assembly includes a plurality of locking fingers projecting through the apertures in the upper track and adapted to be received in at least one of the apertures in the lower track. An actuator moves the fingers between a locked condition engaged with at least one of the apertures in the lower track and an unlocked condition spaced from each of the apertures in the lower track and a biasing member biases the fingers to the locked condition regardless of a relative position between the upper and lower tracks.

Abstract: A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising a main support frame adapted to secure the seat assembly to the floor of the vehicle. A seat cushion is rotatably journaled to the main support frame for rotation between a seating position and a fold flat position rotated generally 180 degrees about the frame. A seat back is pivotally coupled to the main support frame for rotation between a generally upright seating position to a fold flat position aligned generally flush with the seat cushion in the fold flat position. A lower track is fixedly secured to the main support frame and an upper track is fixedly secured to the seat back and slidably secured to the lower track. An automatic fold mechanism is operatively coupled between the upper track and the seat cushion for automatically rotating the seat cushion between the seating position and the fold flat position in response to fore and aft sliding movement of the upper track along the lower track.

Abstract: A seat track assembly for adjusting a seat assembly of an automotive vehicle. The seat track assembly comprises a lower track and slidably coupled to an upper track. A locking mechanism includes a fixed lock plate secured to the lower track and having a first plurality of apertures. A moving lock plate is secured to the upper track and includes spaced apart and parallel upper and lower locking plates sandwiched on opposing sides of the fixed lock plate. Each of the upper and lower locking plates include a second plurality of apertures for aligning with the apertures in the fixed lock plate. A housing is mounted to the moving lock plate above the apertures. A pair of shear plates are slidably disposed within the housing and have opposing offset engagement fingers. The shear plates are biased to a locked position for selectively engaging the first and second apertures to lock and secure the upper track to the lower track.

Abstract: A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle includes a seat track assembly for securing the seat in the vehicle. A seat cushion is supported by the seat track assembly and a seat back is pivotally secured to the seat track assembly and pivotal between one of a plurality of reclining positions and a forward dumping position. A linear actuator selectively adjusts the seat back between the plurality of reclining positions. A locking member intercoupled between the linear actuator and the seat back operatively locks the seat back in one of the plurality of reclining positions and a seat back releasing member is coupled to the locking member for releasing the locking member from the seat back and allowing the seat back to pivot from the reclining position to the dumping position while the linear actuator retains the previously adjusted reclining position of the seat back. A track locking member selectively locks the seat track assembly and seat in one of a plurality of fore and aft seat adjustment positions.

Abstract: A tumble seat for use in a vehicle including a seat cushion supported on a frame and a seat back connected to the seat cushion. First supports depend from the frame and have a first pivot connection for pivotally attaching the frame to the vehicle. The seat may be rotated about the first pivot connection between an operative position in which the seat cushion is generally horizontal so that an occupant may be seated on the seat and a nonoperative position in which the seat is rotated from the operative position about the first pivot connection. Second supports depend from the frame in spaced relation from the first supports and include ends for attaching to the vehicle when the seat is in the operative position. A latch mechanism is operatively attached to the frame for securing and unsecuring the ends to and from the vehicle when the seat is in the operative position. A lockout mechanism prevents the seat from rotating about the first pivot connection from the operative position to the nonoperative position.

Abstract: An automotive seat including a seat cushion and a seat back. The seat back pivots relative to the seat cushion for movement between a seating position and a folded position. A headrest is mounted to the seat back and is moveable between a deployed position and a retracted position. The seat assembly is characterized by a control mechanism mounted between the seat back and the headrest for automatically moving the headrest between the deployed and retracted positions in response to the pivotal movement of the seat back between the seating and folded positions. The subject invention is also characterized by a cavity formed within the seat back for selectively housing the headrest. The control mechanism moves the headrest between the deployed position with the headrest disposed completely outside the cavity and the retracted position with the headrest disposed within the cavity.

Abstract: An interior assembly for a vehicle comprising a center console and a guide member for mounting the console to the vehicle. Preferably, the center console is of the type including at least one storage compartment and an associated lid. The guide member defines a reciprocal path from a first end of the guide to a second end of the guide. Preferably the first end of the guide is adjacent a set of front passenger seats and the second end of the guide is adjacent a set of rear passenger seats. A carriage is operatively coupled between the console and the guide member for slidably moving the console on the guide member along the reciprocal path between the front and rear passenger seats.

Abstract: A method of operatively installing between two movable members a Bowden wire assembly which includes an outer flexible tube slidably containing a cable with opposite end portions thereof extending outwardly of opposite ends of the flexible tube, said method comprisingconnecting opposite ends of said flexible tube to spaced anchoring points one of which is provided by a yieldingly deformable anchoring member disposed in an initial position with respect to an associated one of said movable members,connecting the ends of said cable to said movable members and positioning the same so that the associated one of said movable members is disposed at an intermediate position between maximum and minimum cable extent limiting positions thereof and the other of said movable members is disposed at a minimum cable extent position with respect to maximum and minimum cable extent limiting positions, andthereafter moving the other of said movable members from said minimum cable extent position into the maximum cable extent po

Abstract: A vehicle seat movable through a cycle of access movement which includes (1) forward movement of the seat back cushion assembly into a seat back access position and forward movement of the seat and seat back cushion assemblies together from a seat operating position into said seat access position and (2) rearward movements of the seat and seat back assemblies together from the seat access position into a seat operating position and the seat back cushion assembly into a seat back operating position.

Abstract: The present invention is a Bowden wire installation comprising a Bowden wire assembly including an elongated flexible tube having opposite ends. A cable is slidably mounted in the flexible tube and has opposite end portions which extend outwardly from respective opposite ends of the flexible tube. Spaced movable members are connected to the opposite end portions of the cable. Spaced anchor members are connected to opposite ends of the flexible tube. One of the anchor members is disposed in a fixed operative position into which it has been yieldingly deformed from an initial position by movement of the end of the flexible tube connected in fixed relation therewith such that the material of the one of the anchor members is yieldingly deformed beyond an elastic limit thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having an adjusting mechanism including a locking and releasing device constructed and arranged to be moved between (1) a locking position wherein the locking and releasing device is operable to lock the adjusting mechanism to prevent adjusting movement and (2) a releasing position wherein the locking and releasing device is operable to release the adjusting mechanism to permit manual movement in one direction and return movement in the opposite direction. The adjusting mechanism includes a power operated assembly constructed and arranged to enable the locking and releasing device to be moved between the locking and releasing positions thereof, and a manually actuated remote control constructed and arranged to operate the power operated assembly to enable the locking and releasing device to be selectively moved between the locking and releasing positions thereof.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion assembly for supporting an occupant seated thereon and a seat back cushion assembly for supporting the back of an occupant seated on the seat cushion assembly. A first mounting assembly is constructed and arranged to mount the seat cushion assembly on a vehicle floor and a second mounting assembly is provided which is constructed and arranged to mount the seat back cushion assembly on the seat cushion assembly. An adjusting mechanism is operatively embodied in one of the first and second mounting assemblies and is constructed and arranged to enable the cushion assembly mounted by the one mounting assembly to be moved in opposite directions through a range of adjustable positions with respect to the assembly on which the one mounting assembly mounts the cushion assembly. The adjusting mechanism also includes a locking and releasing device.

Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion assembly for supporting an occupant seated thereon. A seat back cushion assembly is provided for supporting the back of an occupant seated on the seat cushion assembly. An adjusting mechanism is operatively associated with the seat back cushion assembly and is constructed and arranged to enable the seat back cushion assembly to be moved in opposite directions through a range of adjusting movements with respect to the seat cushion assembly. The adjusting mechanism includes a locking and releasing device constructed and arranged to be moved between (1) a locking position preventing the adjusting movements from being affected and (2) a releasing position wherein the locking and releasing device is operable to release the adjusting mechanism to permit the adjusting movements.

Abstract: A vehicle seat track assembly includes an elongated fixed track structure constructed and arranged to be fixed to a vehicle floor and a movable track structure cooperable with the fixed track structure. A plurality of rolling elements are engaged between track structures for rollingly supporting the movable track structure on the fixed track structure to enable the movable track structure to be moved in opposite directions through a range of adjusting movements with respect to the fixed track structure. An adjusting mechanism IS operatively associated with the track structures and is constructed and arranged to permit the movable track structure to be moved through the adjusting movements.

Abstract: A vehicle seat support frame includes inboard and outboard support assemblies each having a longitudinal base member providing an upstanding strut supporting an elevated front pivot pin. The base member aft end is formed with a downwardly and rearwardly angled brace having a foot pivotally connected to the lower end of a rear link. The link upper end is pivoted to an aft end of a longitudinal carriage having an elongated side slot receiving the elevated front pivot pin, wherein with the link inclined rearwardly the elevated pin is positioned at a front slot limit. A lower rail, fixed on the carriage, slidably supports an upper track member fixed to a seat cushion frame, for seat assembly adjustment.