Abstract: A variable lumbar support including a frame and a support extending between an upper end and a lower end wherein the support bracket includes a first longitudinal direction. A pad having a first surface is provided within the assembly. The first surface of the pad contacts the lumbar portion of the seat assembly. The pad is positioned between the lumbar portion and the seat back cushion. Upon a sliding movement of the lumbar member along the support while in contact with the pad, a curved surface of the pad is displaced in the first longitudinal direction and a second direction normal to the first direction. As the lumbar member contacts the curved areas of the pad, the foam is displaced and pushed towards (a bulge) the seat back cushion so that the user of the vehicle seat feels a fore-and-aft movement of the lumbar member.

Abstract: A seat portion is pivotally mounted to a seat back at a main pivot point. A striker pin is mounted to the seat portion. The striker pin includes a free end. A bracket is further connected to the main pivot point wherein the bracket includes a main body. The bracket further includes an arm extending away from the main body. The arm extends away from the main body to support the free end of the pin to further support the striker pin during a latched construction. The main body of the bracket and the arm of the bracket support the free end of the pin during rotation of the seat portion towards the seat back from a down position to an up position allowing for a fixed latch on the seat back to engage with the pin of the seat portion.

Abstract: A variable lumbar support assembly for a seatback of a vehicle seat assembly includes a support bracket and a lumbar member. The support bracket has an upper end, an opposite lower end, and a pair of side rails extending between the upper end and the lower end. The support bracket has a curved central portion positioned between the upper and the lower end. The lumbar member is slidingly attached to the pair of side rails of the support bracket. The slidingly attachment of the lumbar member along the pair of slide rails provides both a vertical displacement and a fore and aft displacement of the lumbar member.

Abstract: A variable lumbar support assembly for a seatback of a vehicle seat assembly includes a support bracket and a lumbar member. The support bracket has an upper end, an opposite lower end, and a pair of side rails extending between the upper end and the lower end. The support bracket has a curved central portion positioned between the upper and the lower end. The lumbar member is slidingly attached to the pair of side rails of the support bracket. The slidingly attachment of the lumbar member along the pair of slide rails provides both a vertical displacement and a fore and aft displacement of the lumbar member.

Abstract: A reinforcement assembly for reinforcing a seat belt apparatus for use with a seat assembly is provided. The seat assembly includes a seat back frame having a pair of downwardly directed side frame members affixed to the vehicle floor. A top frame member traverses the pair of side frame members. A seat cushion frame is pivotally supported on the seat back frame. The reinforcement assembly includes a floor bracket and an elongated vertically aligned reinforcement member. The floor bracket includes a first side which faces the vehicle floor and an opposite second side. The reinforcement member is positioned between the pair of side frame members and includes a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is affixed to the top frame member of the seat back frame. The second end includes a mounting surface which contacts the second side of the floor bracket and in which the mounting surface is affixed to both the floor bracket and the vehicle floor.

Abstract: A seat frame structure having frame components that are symmetrical about a longitudinal center line is provided. The seat frame components can be symmetrical about a longitudinal center line and thereby enable the component to be rotated about the center line so it may be used on a right side or a left side of the seat with all structural and/or functionality preserved. Some structural and/or functional features of the seat component that are carried over from a right side to a left side, and vise versa, when the seat component is symmetrical include but are not limited to recliner attachment holes, cable attachment holes, crossbar attachment holes, an airbag slot, flanges, and backboard attachment holes, etc.

Abstract: A tether bracket assembly for securing a connector of a child seat is used in conjunction with a seat assembly having an U-shaped seat back frame. The U-shaped seat back frame includes a top horizontal cylindrical bar. The tether bracket assembly includes a mounting bracket having a concave surface which includes a curvature complementary to the cylindrical bar of the seat back frame, the concave surface being affixed to an underside of the cylindrical bar. The tether bracket assembly further includes an elongated tether bracket having a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is operatively attached to the mounting bracket. The second end is adapted to engage with a connector of a child seat to secure the child seat to the seat assembly. The elongated tether bracket projects generally upward beyond the top horizontal cylindrical bar of the seat back frame.

Abstract: A suspension device having a leaf spring and a piston-cylinder unit. The leaf spring has a first end that is movably attached to a frame and a second end pivotally attached to the piston-cylinder unit. In addition, the piston-cylinder unit is pivotally attached to the frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an automotive vehicle seat assembly allowing for fold flat functionality as well as sliding capabilities along a track located within the automotive vehicle. The seating assembly further including a plate. The seating assembly includes a handle bracket having an abutting edge, a biasing member connected to the handle bracket, and a planar bracket having a first end and a second end. The first end of the planar bracket having a stopper which abuts the abutting edge when in contact. The second end of the planar bracket operable to connect to a cable wherein the cable connects to a release mechanism allowing for movement of the seat assembly along the vehicle track.

Abstract: A belt integrated seat tower for a seat system. The seat tower can include a single piece of bent sheet metal in the form of an elongated discontinuous section tube having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge adjacent to the first longitudinal edge. A butt weld can join the first and second longitudinal edges to form a lapless seam and a generally flat weld surface.

Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle which provides easy access to a third row of passenger seating and folds to provide additional cargo space. The seat assembly includes a base frame operatively attached to the floor of the vehicle. A seat back is pivotally coupled to the base frame about a first pivot axis for movement between a seated position, a stowed position, and a folded position. A proximate end of a sub frame is pivotally coupled to the seat back about a second pivot axis for movement between a seated position and a folded position. A seat cushion is pivotally coupled to the sub frame at a third pivot axis for movement between a seated position, a stowed position, and a folded position. A first end of a link member is pivotally coupled to the base frame and a second opposite end of the link member is pivotally coupled to a distal end of the sub frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a vehicle armrest assembly mounted to a vehicle seat back movable from a stowed position to a functioning position. The armrest assembly includes an armrest housing having a gas shock disposed within the armrest housing. A pivot bracket is mounted within the armrest housing and in line with the gas shock. The pivot bracket has a first end and a second end. The first end of the pivot bracket abuts the gas shock so as to actuate a nozzle on the gas shock. The second end of the pivot bracket abuts a button. When the button is pressed, the button pushes the pivot bracket, transfers energy through the pivot bracket to the nozzle of the gas shock, and actuates the nozzle of the gas shock thereby permitting movement of the armrest assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a suspension apparatus having a primary leaf spring and a secondary leaf spring. The primary leaf spring can have a pair of spaced-apart ends that are attached to a frame and the secondary leaf spring can have a pair of spaced-apart ends that are unattached to the frame. A movable block is also included, can be attached to the frame and is located proximate to one of the pair of unattached ends of the secondary leaf spring. The movable block is operable to move closer to and further away from the proximate unattached end of the secondary leaf spring.

Abstract: A reinforcement assembly for reinforcing a seat belt apparatus for use with a seat assembly is provided. The seat assembly includes a seat back frame having a pair of downwardly directed side frame members affixed to the vehicle floor. A top frame member traverses the pair of side frame members. A seat cushion frame is pivotally supported on the seat back frame. The reinforcement assembly includes a floor bracket and an elongated vertically aligned reinforcement member. The floor bracket includes a first side which faces the vehicle floor and an opposite second side. The reinforcement member is positioned between the pair of side frame members and includes a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is affixed to the top frame member of the seat back frame. The second end includes a mounting surface which contacts the second side of the floor bracket and in which the mounting surface is affixed to both the floor bracket and the vehicle floor.

Abstract: A suspension device having a leaf spring and a piston-cylinder unit. The leaf spring has a first end that is movably attached to a frame and a second end pivotally attached to the piston-cylinder unit. In addition, the piston-cylinder unit is pivotally attached to the frame.

Abstract: A tether bracket assembly for securing a connector of a child seat is used in conjunction with a seat assembly having an U-shaped seat back frame. The U-shaped seat back frame includes a top horizontal cylindrical bar. The tether bracket assembly includes a mounting bracket having a concave surface which includes a curvature complementary to the cylindrical bar of the seat back frame, the concave surface being affixed to an underside of the cylindrical bar. The tether bracket assembly further includes an elongated tether bracket having a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is operatively attached to the mounting bracket. The second end is adapted to engage with a connector of a child seat to secure the child seat to the seat assembly. The elongated tether bracket projects generally upward beyond the top horizontal cylindrical bar of the seat back frame.

Abstract: A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle having a rear actuated release mechanism is provided. The seat assembly includes a seat frame, and a seat back pivotally mounted to the seat frame about a pivot axis for movement between a seated position and a stowed position. The seat assembly further includes a release mechanism capable of locking, releasing, and moving the seat back from a seated position to a stowed position. The release mechanism is actuated by a release handle having an elongated slot formed therein. An egress mechanism operable to actuate the release mechanism from the rear of the seat assembly, includes a bracket pivotally attached to the seat frame and having a pin engaged within the slot of the release handle. The rotation of the bracket from a first position to a second position rotates the release handle to actuate the release mechanism to pivot the seat back from the seated position to the stowed position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a removable rear seat assembly for use in a motor vehicle having a passenger compartment and a vehicle floor. A seat frame is mounted to the vehicle floor. A release mechanism is provided operatively connecting the seat frame to the vehicle floor as to prevent movement of the seat frame. A release handle is mounted to a rear of the seat frame and is connected to the release mechanism for purposes of activating the release mechanism. The release handle may also be used as a carrying handle allowing for increased maneuverability of the seat frame after removal. The seat frame is removable from the passenger compartment upon a downward pulling and upward rotation of the release handle. This specific movement requirement prevents the inadvertent release of the seat frame from the vehicle floor. The release handle is prevented from an immediate rotation upwards preventing a vehicle occupant from activating the release mechanism by kicking or lifting the release handle.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an automotive vehicle seat assembly allowing for fold flat functionality as well as sliding capabilities along a track located within the automotive vehicle. The seating assembly further including a plate. The seating assembly includes a handle bracket having an abutting edge, a biasing member connected to the handle bracket, and a planar bracket having a first end and a second end. The first end of the planar bracket having a stopper which abuts the abutting edge when in contact. The second end of the planar bracket operable to connect to a cable wherein the cable connects to a release mechanism allowing for movement of the seat assembly along the vehicle track.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a vehicle armrest assembly mounted to a vehicle seat back movable from a stowed position to a functioning position. The armrest assembly includes an armrest housing having a gas shock disposed within the armrest housing. A pivot bracket is mounted within the armrest housing and in line with the gas shock. The pivot bracket has a first end and a second end. The first end of the pivot bracket abuts the gas shock so as to actuate a nozzle on the gas shock. The second end of the pivot bracket abuts a button. When the button is pressed, the button pushes the pivot bracket, transfers energy through the pivot bracket to the nozzle of the gas shock, and actuates the nozzle of the gas shock thereby permitting movement of the armrest assembly.