Abstract: A seat track assembly for a seat of a motor vehicle having a floor and an airbag. The seat track assembly includes a stationary rail fixedly secured to the floor. The seat track assembly also includes a movable rail fixedly secured to the seat and slidably engaged with the stationary rail to move the seat therealong. The movable rail extends along a length between a forward position and a rearward position. A shunt defining an elongated body extends along a portion of the length of the movable rail. A sensor is fixedly secured to the stationary rail and disposed adjacent the shunt to produce a position signal indicating a position of the sensor relative to the shunt. The sensor and the shunt are disposed within the stationary and movable rails to be protected thereby.

Abstract: A seat track assembly for a seat of a motor vehicle having a floor and an airbag. The seat track assembly includes a stationary rail fixedly secured to the floor. The seat track assembly also includes a movable rail fixedly secured to the seat and slidably engaged with the stationary rail to move the seat therealong. The movable rail extends along a length between a forward position and a rearward position. A shunt defining an elongated body extends along a portion of the length of the movable rail. A sensor is fixedly secured to the stationary rail and disposed adjacent the shunt to produce a position signal indicating a position of the sensor relative to the shunt. The sensor and the shunt are disposed within the stationary and movable rails to be protected thereby.

Abstract: The seat assembly comprises a seat cushion (12) and a seat back (14). A recliner assembly (16) operatively interconnects the seat cushion and the seat back for selective locking and adjustment of the seat back between a plurality of reclined seating positions (B) and a stowed position (D). A stop (40) is pivotally mounted to the seat cushion for movement between first and second positions. The stop includes a hook (44) presented for engagement with the seat back when the stop is in the second position for maintaining the seat back in a tilted position (G) between the plurality of reclined seating positions (B) and the stowed position (D). When the stop (40) is in the first position, the seat back may be adjusted between the plurality of reclined seating positions (B.

Abstract: A seat assembly comprising a seat cushion, a seat back and a recliner assembly operatively interconnecting the seat back to the seat cushion. The recliner assembly allows pivotal adjustment of the seat back relative to the seat cushion between one of a plurality of reclined seating positions and a stowed position. The recliner assembly is selectively moveable between locked and unlocked states. An input shaft is operatively assembled to the recliner assembly for switching the recliner assembly between the locked and unlocked states. The seat assembly further comprising a mechanism externally engagable with the input shaft of the recliner assembly for adjusting the angular position of the seat back in one of the reclined seating positions and for maintaining the input shaft in the unlocked position while the seat back is pivoted from one of the reclined seating positions to the stowed position.

Abstract: A seat track assembly for a seat of a motor vehicle having a floor and an airbag. The seat track assembly includes a stationary rail fixedly secured to the floor. The seat track assembly also includes a movable rail fixedly secured to the seat and slidably engaged with the stationary rail to move the seat therealong. The movable rail extends along a length between a forward position and a rearward position. A shunt defining an elongated body extends along a portion of the length of the movable rail. A sensor is fixedly secured to the stationary rail and disposed adjacent the shunt to produce a position signal indicating a position of the sensor relative to the shunt. The sensor and the shunt are disposed within the stationary and movable rails to be protected thereby.

Abstract: The seat assembly comprises a seat cushion (12) and a seat back (14). A recliner assembly (16) operatively interconnects the seat cushion and the seat back for selective locking and adjustment of the seat back between a plurality of reclined seating positions (B) and a stowed position (D). A stop (40) is pivotally mounted to the seat cushion for movement between first and second positions. The stop includes a hook (44) presented for engagement with the seat back when the stop is in the second position for maintaining the seat back in a tilted position (G) between the plurality of reclined seating positions (B) and the stowed position (D). When the stop (40) is in the first position, the seat back may be adjusted between the plurality of reclined seating positions (B.

Abstract: A seat assembly comprising a seat cushion, a seat back and a recliner assembly operatively interconnecting the seat back to the seat cushion. The recliner assembly allows pivotal adjustment of the seat back relative to the seat cushion between one of a plurality of reclined seating positions and a stowed position. The recliner assembly is selectively moveable between locked and unlocked states. An input shaft is operatively assembled to the recliner assembly for switching the recliner assembly between the locked and unlocked states. The seat assembly further comprising a mechanism externally engagable with the input shaft of the recliner assembly for adjusting the angular position of the seat back in one of the reclined seating positions and for maintaining the input shaft in the unlocked position while the seat back is pivoted from one of the reclined seating positions to the stowed position.

Abstract: An automotive seat adjustment assembly adjusts a relative position of a seat cushion. The adjustment assembly comprises at least one front mounting bracket adapted for supporting a forward end of the seat cushion and at least one rear mounting bracket adapted fort supporting a rearward end of the seat cushion. At least one front seat support is movably mounted to the front mounting bracket and adapted for mounting to the forward end of the seat cushion. The front seat support is movable between a first position with the seat cushion in a lowered orientation and a second position with the seat cushion in a raised orientation. At least one rear seat support movably mounted to the rear mounting bracket and adapted for mounting to the rearward end of the seat cushion. The rear support is movable between a first position with the seat cushion in a lowered orientation and a second position with the seat cushion in a raised orientation.

Abstract: A recliner assembly allows adjustment of the seat back relative to the seat cushion between a plurality of reclined seating positions and further allows the seat back to move from a seating position to a fowardly folded-flat position and back to the original seating position. The recliner assembly comprises a seat back bracket rotatably assembled to a seat cushion bracket. The seat back bracket is fixedly attached to the seat back. The cushion bracket is fixedly attached to the seat cushion. The recliner assembly further includes a disc recliner having an outer disc rotatably assembled to and releasably lockingly engaged with an inner disc. The inner disc is fixedly attached to the seat cushion bracket. A shaft rotatably journalized to the outer and inner discs is moveable from an unreleased position to a released position, whereby the outer disc is released from locking engagement with the inner disc. A latch link having first and second ends is pivotally mounted at its first end to the outer disc.

Abstract: A seat cushion assembly includes a seat cushion frame operatively coupled to a seat track assembly by a seat cushion height adjuster for selectively positioning the seat cushion frame between a raised position and a lowered position. The seat cushion height adjuster includes front pivot shaft and rear pivot shaft journaled to the seat track assembly. A front pair of pivot links pivotally interconnect the seat cushion frame to the front pivot shaft and a rear pair of pivot links pivotally interconnect the seat cushion frame to the rear pivot shaft. A horizontal link interconnects each of the pairs of front and rear pivot links for synchronized movement. The adjuster further includes a powered drive assembly having a motor and gear box supported by a motor bracket between the front and rear pivot shafts for driving a screw shaft. A screw nut is threadedly coupled to the screw shaft for movement therealong.

Abstract: A motorized convertible roof system includes at least a portion of a retractable convertible roof operably driven by an electric motor. The motor is operable to maintain the moved portion of the convertible roof in a predetermined position thereby deterring drifting of the convertible roof. In one aspect of the present invention, back EMF deters motor and convertible roof movement. In another aspect of the present invention, an electric motor can be electrically bypassed for manual movement of a convertible roof without necessitating physical disengagement or decoupling of the motor, gears or linkage mechanism.

Abstract: A latching mechanism and method secures a convertible roof to a body of an automotive vehicle acting proximate with the front of the roof, rear of the roof, or both. In one aspect of the present invention, a catch secures the rearmost portion of a convertible roof to a tonneau cover.

Abstract: A window lift mechanism for an automotive vehicle employs a side window which can pivot in a vertical manner from a raised position to a lowered position while simultaneously moving in a crosscar manner. Preferably the window is a quarter window operable with a convertible roof.

Abstract: A latching mechanism and method secures a convertible roof to a body of an automotive vehicle acting proximate with the front of the roof, rear of the roof, or both. In one aspect of the present invention, a catch secures the rearmost portion of a convertible roof to a tonneau cover. In a further aspect of the present invention, a catch mechanism is substantially located and hidden within a front header thereby eliminating undesirable head impact obstructions or unsightliness. In another aspect of the present invention, a first catch mechanism secures a rear portion of a convertible roof to a tonneau cover and a substantially similar second catch mechanism secures a forward portion of the roof to a front header. A further aspect of the present invention employs a movable striker for engagement with a catch. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a latching apparatus is employed in the combination with a retractable hard top roof.

Abstract: A latching mechanism and method secures a convertible roof to a body of an automotive vehicle acting proximate with the front of the roof, rear of the roof, or both. In one aspect of the present invention, a catch secures the rearmost portion of a convertible roof to a tonneau cover. In a further aspect of the present invention, a catch mechanism is substantially located and hidden within a front header thereby eliminating undesirable head impact obstructions or unsightliness. In another aspect of the present invention, a first catch mechanism secures a rear portion of a convertible roof to a tonneau cover and a substantially similar second catch mechanism secures a forward portion of the roof to a front header. A further aspect of the present invention employs a movable striker for engagement with a catch. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a latching apparatus is employed in combination with a retractable hard top roof.

Abstract: An automotive side window system provides a mechanism for retracting and extending a side window into and away from an adjacent portion of a roof structure.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for a convertible top where a single drive mechanism engages and disengages multiple latching points. The latching mechanism serves not only to secure the convertible top but to pull down the top into position as it is being secured.

Abstract: A power latching mechanism for use on automobile closures is disclosed, comprising a pin member, a keeper member having a hollow cylindrical body which receives the pin member, a motor for urging engagement between the pin member and the keeper member, and a spring and associated hardware for selectively retaining the pin member in the keeper member. In one embodiment, the keeper member retentively engages the pin member when the pin member is manually inserted thereinto and is also manually disengagable.

Abstract: The invention involves an inexpensive, rugged, flexible, composite plastic backlight panel that provides an even heat distribution across the entire surface of the backlight panel for a convertible top of a vehicle. Two wires are connected to the car battery. A series of conductive members are each in electrical engagement with each of the wires, forming a closed loop electric circuit. The conductive members are printed onto one of the laminates, forming an interlayer thereon. An inner transparent plastic laminate, and an outer transparent plastic laminate are sandwiched around one end of each of the wires, and the interlayer. The laminates including the wires and members are bonded together and the resulting panel is secured to the convertible top thereby forming the backlight panel. When the circuit is energized, the electrical energy is converted into thermal energy that is transmitted to the outer laminate.

Abstract: A recliner assembly allows adjustment of the seat back relative to the seat cushion between a plurality of reclined seating positions and further allows the seat back to move from a seating position to a fowardly folded-flat position and back to the original seating position. The recliner assembly comprises a seat back bracket rotatably assembled to a seat cushion bracket. The seat back bracket is fixedly attached to the seat back. The cushion bracket is fixedly attached to the seat cushion. The recliner assembly further includes a disc recliner having an outer disc rotatably assembled to and releasably lockingly engaged with an inner disc. The inner disc is fixedly attached to the seat cushion bracket. A shaft rotatably journalized to the outer and inner discs is moveable from an unreleased position to a released position, whereby the outer disc is released from locking engagement with the inner disc. A latch link having first and second ends is pivotally mounted at its first end to the outer disc.