Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back supported for movement relative to the seat bottom such that seat position can be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the vehicle. The seat assembly is mounted to a vehicle structure and includes a first track and a second track supported for movement relative to the first track with the seat bottom being supported on the second track for movement with the second track. An actuator selectively controls the movement of the second track with respect to the first track. The assembly also includes at least one torque tube for providing vertical seat adjustment. The torque tube presents a bearing surface for rotatably supporting a bearing surface located on the second track.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back supported for movement relative to the seat bottom such that seat position can be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the vehicle. A mounting assembly mounts the seat to a vehicle structure and includes a first track, a second track supported for movement relative to the first track with the seat bottom being supported on the second track for movement with the second track, and an actuator for selectively controlling the movement of the second track with respect to the first track. A locking assembly is moveable between a locked position where the locking assembly prevents relative movement between the first and second tracks and an unlocked position where the second track is movable relative to the first track. The locking assembly includes a pair of lock pins, a lock block, and a retainer. The lock block is fixed for movement with the second track and includes apertures for slidably receiving the lock pins.

Abstract: A manual adjustment assembly for adjusting the height of a vehicle seat includes mounting brackets for supporting a seat bottom that is movable between a lowered position and a raised position. Separate adjustment assemblies can be installed at the front and rear portions of the seat for adjusting the height of the front portion independently from the rear portion. Or, a single adjustment assembly can be used to adjust the height of either the front or rear portion where the adjustment assembly includes a connecting linkage assembly to correspondingly adjust the height of the other portion of the seat bottom. The adjustment assembly includes a torque tube extends between the mounting brackets and is actuated by an actuator that selectively supplies rotational input to the torque tube. A drive link is supported on one end of the torque tube and is fixed for rotation with the torque tube as the tube receives input from the actuator.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back supported with respect to a seat bottom and is attached to the vehicle by a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly has an inboard track assembly and an outboard track assembly that are both mounted to a vehicle structure with the track assemblies being spaced apart from one another. Each track assembly includes a first track and a second track supported for movement relative to the first track. The seat bottom is supported on the second track for horizontal movement with the second track as seat position is adjusted. A single locking mechanism is supported on one of the inboard or outboard track assemblies. The locking mechanism moveable between a locked position where the locking mechanism maintains the second track in a selected position relative to the first track and an unlocked position where the second track is moves with respect to the first track to a desired seat position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is attached to a vehicle support structure by a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes a first track and a second track supported for movement relative to the first track. This allows the seat assembly to be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly by a seat occupant. The seat assembly preferably includes a seat belt assembly that is supported solely by the seat assembly. Thus, all forces that are exerted on the seat assembly are transferred to the mounting assembly. An aluminum track assembly is provided to reduce weight and overall cost of the mounting assembly. The first track has a first pair of sidewalls interconnected by a first base portion and the second track has a second pair of sidewalls interconnected by a second base portion. The first pair of sidewalls each have a first arcuate bearing surface and the second pair of sidewalls each have a second arcuate bearing surface opposite from the first arcuate bearing surface.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back supported with respect to a seat bottom and is attached to the vehicle by a mounting assembly. The mounting assembly includes a locking device rotatably mounted on an upper track that moves relative to a lower track. The locking device includes at least one locking tooth that engages one or more slots on the lower track so that the upper track and the seat are maintained in a fixed position relative to the lower track. The mounting assembly includes a release member for disengaging the locking device and adjusting the position of the seat. The release member is rotatably supported on the second track and selectively moves into a release position when actuated by a substantially vertical force. This causes the locking device to rotate out of the locked position and into the unlocked position such that the second track can move relative to the first track allowing the seat position to be adjusted.

Abstract: A power seat positioning device for automatically adjusting the horizontal fore and aft position of a seat within a vehicle using a single electric motor. A lower track assembly is attached to a vehicle floor and includes a first and second laterally spaced lower track members. An associated upper track assembly attaches to a vehicle seat and includes a first and second upper track member which slide within the first and second lower track members respectively to adjust the for and aft position of the seat within the vehicle. A drive motor and gearbox arrangement is supported on the first upper track to provide the motive force which drives only the first upper track relative to the first lower seat track. A brace member directly connects the first upper track to the second upper track to coordinate the horizontal position of the first upper seat track with the position of the second upper seat track.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back supported for movement relative to the seat bottom such that seat position can be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the vehicle. A mounting assembly mounts the seat to a vehicle structure and includes a first track, a second track supported for movement relative to the first track with the seat bottom being supported on the second track for movement with the second track, and an actuator for selectively controlling the movement of the second track with respect to the first track. A locking assembly is moveable between a locked position where the locking assembly prevents relative movement between the first and second tracks and an unlocked position where the second track is movable relative to the first track. The locking assembly includes a rod, a retainer, and a nut. The rod defines a longitudinal axis of rotation and is fixed to the second track for movement therewith.

Abstract: A vehicle seat lift mechanism includes a motor assembly that is used to adjust the height position of the vehicle seat. The motor assembly includes a motor shaft that is maintained within a housing that includes a damper member that is deformed during the assembly process. The damper member eliminates axial play within the motor assembly. The motor shaft includes rounded contours on the ends of the shaft that interact with disk-like bearing plates to effectively eliminate friction during motor operation.

Abstract: A vehicle seat mounting assembly includes a locking device mounted on an upper track that moves relative to a lower track. The mounting device includes a plurality of locking pawls that engage one or more slots on the lower track so that the upper track, and the seat, are maintained in a fixed position relative to the lower track. The locking device includes a first release bracket for disengaging the locking device and adjusting the position of the seat. Activation of the first release bracket causes simultaneous movement of a seat position indicator. The seat position indicator remains stationary relative to the lower track in the event that a second release bracket is used to disengage the locking device. When the second release bracket is used, the position indicator serves to provide for automatic repositioning of the seat into its last position before activation of the second release lever.