Abstract: An automotive seat assembly is provided with an integrated side impact airbag. The seat assembly comprises a seat cushion and a seat back mounted to the seat cushion. A seat cushion trim cover material covers the seat cushion and a seat back trim a cover material covers the seat back. The seat assembly is characterized by a tear seam integrally formed within a bolster section of the seat back trim cover material. The tear seam defines a frangible line of weakness within the trim cover material wherein the airbag will tear through the tear seam when the airbag is deployed and inflated to a position outside of the seat assembly. The subject invention also includes a manufacturing apparatus for forming the tear seam in the trim cover material. The apparatus comprises a template (48) supporting the trim cover material (28). A C-shaped raised ridge (50) extends upwardly from the template to abut the inside surface of the trim cover material (28).

Abstract: The subject invention is a vehicle seat assembly which is removably mounted to a floor of a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat and an electrical device mounted to the seat. A riser is mounted to the seat and a latch mechanism is mounted to the riser for securing the seat to the vehicle floor. In the preferred embodiment, a first electrical connector is mounted to the latch mechanism for delivering power to the electrical component. A second electrical connector is mounted to the vehicle floor for delivering power to the first electrical connector wherein the first electrical connector automatically engages the second electrical connector when the latch mechanism secures the seat to the vehicle floor such that the first and second electrical connectors close a circuit to power the electrical device.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat cushion assembly having a seat cushion frame structure. The seat cushion assembly is constructed and arranged to be mounted within the motor vehicle in an operative position wherein an occupant can be seated thereon. A seat back assembly having a lightweight seat back frame structure is constructed and arranged to be mounted within the motor vehicle in an operative position to support the back of an occupant seated on the seat cushion assembly. The seat back frame structure is associated with the seat cushion frame structure to form a cushion associated seat frame structure to be connected with and extend between the side walls of the motor vehicle when the seat cushion assembly and seat back assembly are in the operative positions.

Abstract: An automotive seat assembly comprising a seat cushion and a seat back. The seat back includes opposing sides defining a center line there between and a lower pelvic support region for supporting the pelvic area of a seat occupant. An inflatable bladder assembly is supported by the seat back and includes a pair of bladders positioned on opposing sides of the center line in the pelvic support region which are expandable by a fluid medium from a generally flat uninflated condition to a generally wedge-shaped inflated condition. A controller activates a fluid pump and valve to control the bladders between the uninflated and inflated conditions. When the bladders are expanded to the inflated condition, the wedge-shape of the bladders cradles the spine and pelvic bone of the seat occupant to control pelvic rocking and reduce spinal muscle fatigue.

Abstract: A seat frame assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a seat frame and a seat back frame. The seat frame is constructed and arranged to have a seat cushion mounted thereon in overlying relation. The seat back frame is connected with the seat frame and has a pair of spaced metallic vertical support portions at opposite sides thereof, the seat back frame constructed and arranged to have a seat back cushion mounted thereon. At least one of the vertical support portions are formed from a pair of telescoping tubular blanks including an elongated inner metal blank formed into an integrally formed vertical member of the at least one vertical portion extending from a lower portion of the seat back frame connected with the seat frame to an upper end of the seat back frame and a relatively shorter outer metal blank formed into a sleeve rigidly secured in surrounding relation to the lower portion of the vertical support member.

Abstract: A seat frame assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a seat frame and a seat back frame. The seat frame and seat back frame are adapted to have cushions mounted thereon. At least one of the vertical support portions is formed from a pair of telescoping tubular blanks including an elongated inner metal blank formed into an integrally formed vertical member extending from a lower portion of the seat back frame to an upper end of the seat back frame and a relatively shorter outer metal blank formed into a sleeve rigidly secured in surrounding relation to the lower portion of the vertical support member.