Abstract: The present invention discloses a latch for securing a seatback to an elevated rear wall of a vehicle passenger compartment, and in which a striker having a crosswise engaging portion extends rearwardly from the seatback. The latch includes a fixed sector adapted to being mounted to the rear wall. A hook is pivotally supported to the sector, with a slide plate sandwiching the hook between the slide plate and the fixed sector such that upward displacement of the slide plate causes forward pivoting of the hook. Rearward pressing of the seatback and striker causes rearward rotation of the hook to receive the striker, the slide plate being upwardly displaced to cause forward rotation of the hook to disengage the striker.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a seatback latch assembly integrated into an interface between a seatback pivotally supported to a seat bottom. The assembly includes a pair of floor supported stanchions defining a package receiving space therebetween. A seatback sector forms a portion of the seatback and is pivotally secured between the stanchions within the package space for rotation between upright design and forward folded positions. A cam is pivotally supported within the package space between the stanchions and so that an abutment edge of the cam engages a shoulder location of the seatback sector in the upright design position. The cam is influenced to a disengaged position, resulting in rotation of the seatback to the folded position.

Abstract: A seatback assembly pivotally supported upon a seat bottom and including each of forward spring assisted dump, rewind and reset protocols. A stationary sector is affixed to the seat bottom and has an abutment edge. A seatback sector is pivotally secured to the stationary sector and is influenced relative thereto in a forward rotating dump direction. A cam is rotatably supported upon the pivoting seatback sector, the cam having an outer engaging edge in abutting contact with the abutment edge for maintaining the seatback sector in an upright design position. A rotating sector plate is arranged in stacked fashion with the stationary and pivoting seatback sectors, the sector plate exhibiting a plurality of outer circumferentially arrayed teeth. A pinion gear extends from a pivot axis established between the cam and seatback sector, the gear engaging the outer arrayed teeth of the sector plate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a seatback latch assembly integrated into an interface between a seatback pivotally supported to a seat bottom. The assembly includes a pair of floor supported stanchions defining a package receiving space therebetween. A seatback sector forms a portion of the seatback and is pivotally secured between the stanchions within the package space for rotation between upright design and forward folded positions. A cam is pivotally supported within the package space between the stanchions and so that an abutment edge of the cam engages a shoulder location of the seatback sector in the upright design position. The cam is influenced to a disengaged position, resulting in rotation of the seatback to the folded position.

Abstract: A seatback assembly pivotally supported upon a seat bottom and including each of forward spring assisted dump, rewind and reset protocols. A stationary sector is affixed to the seat bottom and has an abutment edge. A seatback sector is pivotally secured to the stationary sector and is influenced relative thereto in a forward rotating dump direction. A cam is rotatably supported upon the pivoting seatback sector, the cam having an outer engaging edge in abutting contact with the abutment edge for maintaining the seatback sector in an upright design position. A rotating sector plate is arranged in stacked fashion with the stationary and pivoting seatback sectors, the sector plate exhibiting a plurality of outer circumferentially arrayed teeth. A pinion gear extends from a pivot axis established between the cam and seatback sector, the gear engaging the outer arrayed teeth of the sector plate.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a latch for securing a seatback to an elevated rear wall of a vehicle passenger compartment, and in which a striker having a crosswise engaging portion extends rearwardly from the seatback. The latch includes a fixed sector adapted to being mounted to the rear wall. A hook is pivotally supported to the sector, with a slide plate sandwiching the hook between the slide plate and the fixed sector such that upward displacement of the slide plate causes forward pivoting of the hook. Rearward pressing of the seatback and striker causes rearward rotation of the hook to receive the striker, the slide plate being upwardly displaced to cause forward rotation of the hook to disengage the striker.

Abstract: A latch triggering mechanism for actuating a rear interior row seatback dump including a first generally cylinder shaped module mounted within a trunk of a vehicle, the module including a downwardly extending and displaceable bracket. A latch assembly is secured to a package surface separating the trunk from a passenger interior of the vehicle. A release lever associated with the latch extends in abutting contact with the bracket such that, upon actuating the bracket into contact with the lever, the latch disengages a striker associated with a foldable seatback.

Abstract: A jig assembly and corresponding method for swage assembling a workpiece having first and second side components and a central component. A first pair of bi-directional traversable platforms are supported in inward and outward reciprocating fashion relative to a central support fixture, and upon which are mounted supporting structures for mounting the workpiece. A pair of engaging jigs are mounted to inner opposing sides of the pair of traversable platforms. Each of the engaging jigs includes a plurality of fingers which are adapted to seat within aperture locations associated with the workpiece side components and to facilitate loading and positioning the workpiece prior to swaging. A pair of opposing and synchronized inward compressing dies simultaneously swage locations associated with opposite edges of the central component which project through apertures defined in the side components.

Abstract: A seat latch assembly for providing manual triggering and subsequent powered rewinding of a seatback. A vertical support stanchion is secured to a floor location of a vehicle frame. An arm is pivotally supported at a lower end to an upper location of the stanchion. The arm engages along a side location of a frame forming a portion of the seatback in a first upper design position. A lever and trigger initiates forward rotating dump of the seatback. An arrangement of linkage members are also located upon the inboard side of the stanchion for providing upright rewinding of the seatback and for subsequently resetting the linkage mechanism through the driving action of a motor operable drive shaft associated with lowermost pivotal mounting location of the stanchion support.

Abstract: A transfer assembly incorporated into a part forming operation including a structure exhibiting a generally open interior. A pair of elongated pivotal supports extend in parallel fashion along inner facing sides of the structure and channel the received opposite edges of each part delivered from the part forming operation. A rotary actuating component is mounted at an intermediate end location of the structure between the sides and pivotally interconnects to the end supports via a pair of linkage arms. A proximity trigger switch determines delivery of a part from the out feed location and, upon being activated, actuates the rotary component to separate the side extending supports to release the part for stacking in plural fashion within the open interior, following which reverse actuation of the rotary component pivotally resets the supports for receiving a subsequent part.

Abstract: A seat latch assembly for providing manual triggering and subsequent powered rewinding of a seatback. A stanchion support is secured to a floor location of a vehicle frame. A seatback sector is pivotally supported at a lower end to an upper location of the stanchion. The sector engages along a side location of a frame forming a portion of the seatback in a first upper design position. A lever and trigger initiates forward rotating dump of the seatback. A plurality of four linkage members are also located upon the stanchion and, in combination with a motor, provide upright rewinding of the seatback and subsequent resetting of the linkage mechanism.

Abstract: A seat latch assembly for providing manual triggering and subsequent powered rewinding of a seatback. A vertical support stanchion is secured to a floor location of a vehicle frame. An arm is pivotally supported at a lower end to an upper location of the stanchion. The arm engages along a side location of a frame forming a portion of the seatback in a first upper design position. A lever and trigger initiates forward rotating dump of the seatback. An arrangement of linkage members are also located upon the inboard side of the stanchion for providing upright rewinding of the seatback and for subsequently resetting the linkage mechanism through the driving action of a motor operable drive shaft associated with lowermost pivotal mounting location of the stanchion support.

Abstract: A seat latch assembly for providing manual triggering and subsequent powered rewinding of a seatback. A stanchion support is secured to a floor location of a vehicle frame. A seatback sector is pivotally supported at a lower end to an upper location of the stanchion. The sector engages along a side location of a frame forming a portion of the seatback in a first upper design position. A lever and trigger initiates forward rotating dump of the seatback. A plurality of four linkage members are also located upon the stanchion and, in combination with a motor, provide upright rewinding of the seatback and subsequent resetting of the linkage mechanism.

Abstract: A linear recliner assembly in use with a seat having a seat back pivotally engaged relative to a seat bottom. A housing exhibits a communicating interior between a first and second ends. A drive rod is supported in linearly displaceable fashion from the first end and is secured to the seat bottom. The second end pivotally engages the seatback spaced from its pivot point. A rotatable gear located at a fixed lineal position within the housing receives the drive rod in threadably inter-engaged fashion. A trigger mechanism pivotally secured to the housing exhibits a downwardly biased detent communicating through an opening in the housing to seat between succeeding teeth of the gear. A spring supported within the housing contacts the drive rod. Upon release of the detent, a reclining force applied to the seatback results in displacement of the housing against the drive rod to bias the spring.

Abstract: A jig assembly and corresponding method for swage assembling a workpiece having first and second side components and a central component. A first pair of bi-directional traversable platforms are supported in inward and outward reciprocating fashion relative to a central support fixture, and upon which are mounted supporting structures for mounting the workpiece. A pair of engaging jigs are mounted to inner opposing sides of the pair of traversable platforms. Each of the engaging jigs includes a plurality of fingers which are adapted to seat within aperture locations associated with the workpiece side components and to facilitate loading and positioning the workpiece prior to swaging. A pair of opposing and synchronized inward compressing dies simultaneously swage locations associated with opposite edges of the central component which project through apertures defined in the side components.

Abstract: A retractable headrest exhibiting a plate shaped support embedded within a seatback. A scissor linkage includes a plurality of interconnecting and overlapping link arms pivotally secured to the plate support at one end thereof. A spring biased rivet is disposed at an overlapping intermediate location of the link arms for travel along a linear extending channel defined in the support. A carriage connects to the other end of the scissor linkage and is linearly displaceable along the plate support. A headrest support rod is connected to the carriage and extends from the seatback. A spring loaded and rotatable pawl is pivotally supported proximate a base end of the scissor linkage and includes a catch location in engagement with a first pin extending from the support. A first cable extends from a first remote location and connects to the pawl. A second cable extends from a second remote location and connects to the carriage.

Abstract: A transfer assembly incorporated into a part forming operation including a structure exhibiting a generally open interior. A pair of elongated pivotal supports extend in parallel fashion along inner facing sides of the structure and channel the received opposite edges of each part delivered from the part forming operation. A rotary actuating component is mounted at an intermediate end location of the structure between the sides and pivotally interconnects to the end supports via a pair of linkage arms. A proximity trigger switch determines delivery of a part from the out feed location and, upon being activated, actuates the rotary component to separate the side extending supports to release the part for stacking in plural fashion within the open interior, following which reverse actuation of the rotary component pivotally resets the supports for receiving a subsequent part.

Abstract: A pivoting headrest including a pair of upwardly projecting supports associated with a vehicle seatback and terminating in a pair of spaced apart sectors. A headrest bun supporting frame is pivotally secured to the sectors and includes a pair of elongated and side extending structural supports and a lower interconnecting housing. A widthwise extending bar is disposed relative to the housing, opposite extending ends of which engage the sectors at a first upright position and seat within channels in the side supports. The bar is biased in a first engaging direction against the sectors and, upon being displaced in a reverse direction, causes its ends to unseat from the sectors and the bun to rotate about the sectors to a dump position.

Abstract: A recline mechanism incorporated into a rear row seat and including a latch plate fixed to an interior location of the vehicle. A body is supported in displaceable fashion along locations associated with the latch plate and exhibits an outwardly facing striker engaged by a hook component configured into an opposing side location of a pivotal seatback in order to selectively pivotally slave the seatback to the mechanism. A cable release component is supported on the body and operates to actuate a pivot element exhibiting biased fingers likewise supported on the body from a first position in engagement with the latch plate to a second position permitting the seatback to pivot an angular distance within an overall range defined by the latch plate.

Abstract: A linear latch interconnecting a pivotally adjustable seatback with a frame location of a vehicle interior. A bracket supported housing pivotally secures to a surface of the frame. An elongated member is supported in linearly displaceable fashion to the bracket and exhibits a plurality of spaced apart apertures. A forward extending end of the member connects to the seatback. A coil spring influences seats over the elongated member and biases the same in a first lineal direction away from the housing. A pair of pins are anchored to an inner support member within the housing and which is biased in a first lateral direction to cause the pins to seat through aligning apertures in the elongated member. A cable retracting mechanism displaces the inner support member in a second opposite direction, causing the pins to outwardly displace from the elongated member and to permit adjustment relative to the housing in order to define a range of seatback motion between upright design and rear recline positions.