Abstract: A vehicle control assembly and a method and system for controlling a vehicle. The assembly includes a controller. A steer-by-wire component, a brake-by-wire component, and an accelerator-by-wire component are each operably attached to the controller. A track is operably attached to the vehicle. The controller is laterally re-positionable with respect to the track. The method includes the steps of providing a controller, and steering, braking, and accelerating the vehicle by-wire with the controller. The method further includes the step of re-positioning the controller between a first vehicle side to a second vehicle side. The system includes controller means, and means for steering, braking, and accelerating the vehicle by-wire with the controller means. The system further includes means for reversibly positioning the controller means from a first vehicle side to a second vehicle side.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a slide carried by the vehicle and having a moveable portion, a seat carried by the moveable portion and including a seat bottom and a seat back pivotally connected together for movement between an open position and a folded position, and a pivot connector connected between the movable portion and the seat to permit pivoted movement of the seat relative to the slide. In one presently preferred implementation, the pivot connector is connected to the seat back and the entire seat may be pivoted about the pivot connector to move the seat relative to and preferably into a forward or a rearward area in the vehicle interior. The slide permits sliding or generally horizontal movement of the seat in the vehicle and the seat may be pivoted and/or moved into a variety of positions.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a support structure adapted to rigidly support the seat in multiple use positions and to guide the seat into a storage position for minimizing the volume of vehicle interior occupied by the seat. The vehicle seat and support mechanism are adapted to be stored in a recessed compartment of the vehicle. The support mechanism includes a frame spanning the vehicle interior with cross-vehicle members and engaging a track on the sidewall of the vehicle, eliminating the need for under-seat support connected to the vehicle floor, and providing cross-vehicle bracing to increase rigidity and minimize intrusion into the vehicle interior in the case of a side impact.

Abstract: A folding seat arrangement for a vehicle wherein a forward edge of a seat base is mounted to a pivoting front leg, and the rearward edge of the seat base is supported by a roller or pin riding in a longitudinal track on the load floor of the vehicle. The seat back is pivotally mounted to a fixed point on the load floor of the vehicle, and is connected to the seat base by an articulating link. The articulating link is pivotally mounted to the seat back, and to the seat base at the roller so that the lower end of the link follows the longitudinal track on the load floor of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle seat having a support structure adapted to rigidly support the seat in multiple use positions and to guide the seat into a storage position for minimizing the volume of vehicle interior occupied by the seat. The vehicle seat and support mechanism are adapted to be stored in a recessed compartment of the vehicle. The support mechanism includes a frame spanning the vehicle interior with cross-vehicle members and engaging a track on the sidewall of the vehicle, eliminating the need for under-seat supports connected to the vehicle floor, and providing cross-vehicle bracing to increase rigidity and minimize intrusion into the vehicle interior in the case of a side impact.

Abstract: A folding seat arrangement for a vehicle wherein a forward edge of a seat base is mounted to a pivoting front leg, and the rearward edge of the seat base is supported by a roller or pin riding in a longitudinal track on the load floor of the vehicle. The seat back is pivotally mounted to a fixed point on the load floor of the vehicle, and is connected to the seat base by an articulating link. The articulating link is pivotally mounted to the seat back, and to the seat base at the roller so that the lower end of the link follows the longitudinal track on the load floor of the vehicle.

Abstract: A seating system for a motor vehicle that provides one or more seats having independent tilting and height adjustments for an occupant's comfort or manipulation of the seat between a stowed and depolyed position. The seats have first and second support members adjustably linked to a third support member. The adjustable link between the first and third support members controls the tilt of the seat and the adjustable link between the second and third support member controls the height of the seat.

Abstract: A single-stroke internal combustion engine is provided and includes a piston block defining a combustion cavity and a compression cavity. A working assembly is operably disposed within the piston block and includes a piston and a compression paddle, each extending radially therefrom. The piston is disposed within the combustion cavity for defining first and second combustion chambers and the compression paddle is disposed within the compression cavity for defining first and second compression chambers. The piston is reciprocally driven between the first and second combustion chambers via a combustion process, whereby the compression paddle concurrently functions to draw in and compress a fuel/air mixture. The piston is operably interconnected to a crankshaft, including a flywheel, for driving the crankshaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retractable seat assembly for a motor vehicle which is fully retractable below the level of the vehicle's floor. Typically, the invention involves a bench-type seat which is located behind the driver and passenger seats of a minivan or other vehicle. In an operative position, the seat has generally upright seatback which cooperates with a lower horizontal member to provide the seating portion. In the non-operative or stored position, the entire seat assembly is positioned below the level of the vehicle's floor. In one application, the forward edge and rearward edge of the seat are interconnected to the body of the vehicle for pivotal movement about translatable and fixed axes, respectively.