Abstract: A vehicle seat that can include a seat cushion and a concealing lid. The seat cushion can include a lower foam portion, an upper foam portion, and a buckle hole that extends through each of the lower foam portion and the upper foam portion. The concealing lid can be movably connected to the seat cushion to selectively close and open at least a portion of the buckle hole. The concealing lid can span at least a portion of the buckle hole when the concealing lid is in the closed position. The concealing lid can include an end portion that extends into a gap between the upper foam portion and the lower foam portion when the concealing lid is in the closed position. The end portion of the concealing lid can be spaced away from lower foam portion when the concealing lid is in the opened position.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for retaining a stow strap is disclosed. The stow strap may be usable with a stowable automotive seat. A seat stowing mechanism may be housed at least partially within the inner portion of the seat. A stow strap may be interoperable with the seat stowing mechanism, wherein the stow strap passes from the inner seat to the outer rear seatback surface of the seat through an opening in the outer rear seatback of the seat. Pulling the stow strap imparts a force in a first direction on the seat stowing mechanism. A stow strap retaining mechanism may be spaced from the opening and may provide a reactive force in a return direction to return the stow strap toward the outer rear seatback surface when the stow strap is pulled away from the rear seatback surface.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for retaining a stow strap is disclosed. The stow strap may be usable with a stowable automotive seat. A seat stowing mechanism may be housed at least partially within the inner portion of the seat. A stow strap may be interoperable with the seat stowing mechanism, wherein the stow strap passes from the inner seat to the outer rear seatback surface of the seat through an opening in the outer rear seatback of the seat. Pulling the stow strap imparts a force in a first direction on the seat stowing mechanism. A stow strap retaining mechanism may be spaced from the opening and may provide a reactive force in a return direction to return the stow strap toward the outer rear seatback surface when the stow strap is pulled away from the rear seatback surface.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a holder assembly that includes a lower covering portion that covers and thereby retains a lowermost portion of a mobile electronic device, the lower covering portion being integrated with a rear of a vehicle seat. The holder assembly also includes an upper support portion that supports a top portion of the mobile electronic device, the upper support portion being integrated with the rear of the vehicle seat. The upper support portion and lower covering portion are configured to cooperatively: 1) hold the mobile electronic device in the orientation to enable a passenger in a rear compartment of the vehicle to view the screen of the mobile electronic device upon the mobile electronic device being manually engaged with the holder assembly, and 2) enable the manual disengagement of the mobile electronic device from the holder assembly.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a holder assembly that includes a lower covering portion that covers and thereby retains a lowermost portion of a mobile electronic device, the lower covering portion being integrated with a rear of a vehicle seat. The holder assembly also includes an upper support portion that supports a top portion of the mobile electronic device, the upper support portion being integrated with the rear of the vehicle seat. The upper support portion and lower covering portion are configured to cooperatively: 1) hold the mobile electronic device in the orientation to enable a passenger in a rear compartment of the vehicle to view the screen of the mobile electronic device upon the mobile electronic device being manually engaged with the holder assembly, and 2) enable the manual disengagement of the mobile electronic device from the holder assembly.

Abstract: A cargo area assembly for a movable seat in an automotive vehicle includes a configurable panel covering at least a portion of a storage compartment located rearwardly of the seat. The configurable panel and a removable panel cooperate to cover the storage compartment, if desired, in a full forward and full rearward position of the seat. The configurable panel incorporates hinges to allow various positioning of panel portions and storage alternatives, and the removable panel is dimensioned for storage in the tailgate.

Abstract: A seat belt retractor assembly includes a housing that rotatably receives a spool in the housing. A seat belt webbing is connected to and wound around the spool for selective winding and unwinding therefrom as the seat belt webbing is extended and retracted relative to the housing. A cover is received on the frame housing and includes an integral clip adjacent a first edge configured to engage a mounting element. The cover has a sloping conformation that covers an open portion of the housing to prevent debris from passing through the housing and reaching the seat belt retractor mechanism or seat belt webbing.

Abstract: A cargo area assembly for a movable seat in an automotive vehicle includes a configurable panel covering at least a portion of a storage compartment located rearwardly of the seat. The configurable panel and a removable panel cooperate to cover the storage compartment, if desired, in a full forward and full rearward position of the seat. The configurable panel incorporates hinges to allow various positioning of panel portions and storage alternatives, and the removable panel is dimensioned for storage in the tailgate.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat arrangement includes a plurality of strikers connected with a vehicle frame, an inboard vehicle seat, and an outboard vehicle seat. At least one outboard seat rear striker includes a latching section divider dividing the outboard seat rear striker into at least two laterally spaced apart latching sections. The outboard vehicle seat includes an outboard seat rear latch that cooperates with the outboard seat rear striker and an outboard seat front latch that cooperates with an outboard seat front striker. The outboard seat is generally laterally aligned with and laterally offset from the inboard seat. The outboard seat is laterally adjustable and the outboard seat rear latch is configured to engage the outboard seat rear striker at each of the at least two laterally spaced apart latching sections. A method for laterally adjusting a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat arrangement includes a plurality of strikers connected with a vehicle frame, an inboard vehicle seat, and an outboard vehicle seat. At least one outboard seat rear striker includes a latching section divider dividing the outboard seat rear striker into at least two laterally spaced apart latching sections. The outboard vehicle seat includes an outboard seat rear latch that cooperates with the outboard seat rear striker and an outboard seat front latch that cooperates with an outboard seat front striker. The outboard seat is generally laterally aligned with and laterally offset from the inboard seat. The outboard seat is laterally adjustable and the outboard seat rear latch is configured to engage the outboard seat rear striker at each of the at least two laterally spaced apart latching sections. A method for laterally adjusting a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A seat belt assembly for use in a vehicle seat includes a shoulder anchor for guiding a seat belt having a turn flange with a flat portion and a curved portion.

Abstract: A seat belt assembly for use in a vehicle seat includes a shoulder anchor for guiding a seat belt having a turn flange with a flat portion and a curved portion.