Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seat bottom pivotally coupled to the seat base such that the seat bottom is movable between a seating position, stowed position, and reclined position. A seat guide assembly is configured to couple to a vehicle rear wall, and includes a guide bracket having a slot formed therein and a pin extending through the slot and configured to travel along the slot. The vehicle seat includes a seat back having an upper end, a lower end, and a latch coupled to the upper end. The lower end is pivotally coupled to the seat bottom, and the latch is configured to receive the pin. The seat back upper end travels with the latch and pin along the slot such that the seat back is movable between a seating position, stowed position, and reclined position along a predetermined path relative to the vehicle wall.

Abstract: A seat assembly may include a seatback, a seat bottom and an adjustment mechanism. The seat bottom may include an aft portion adjacent to the seatback, a front portion opposite the aft portion, and a central portion disposed between the front and aft ends. The adjustment mechanism may support the central portion for movement relative to the front portion between first and second positions.

Abstract: An extendible and retractable head rest system for a motor vehicle seat has a head rest coupled to a linkage and an actuator coupled to the linkage. The linkage includes an offset drive link that upon the actuator being actuated to extend the head rest system to an operative position, the linkage moves the head rest up and forward and upon the actuator being actuated to retract the head rest system to an inoperative position, the linkage moves the head rest back and down. In an aspect, the linkage kneels when the head rest reaches an upper position to move the head rest to a forward position.

Abstract: A seat assembly may include a seatback, a seat bottom and an adjustment mechanism. The seat bottom may include an aft portion adjacent to the seatback, a front portion opposite the aft portion, and a central portion disposed between the front and aft ends. The adjustment mechanism may support the central portion for movement relative to the front portion between first and second positions.

Abstract: An extendible and retractable head rest system for a motor vehicle seat has a head rest coupled to a linkage and an actuator coupled to the linkage. The linkage includes an offset drive link that upon the actuator being actuated to extend the head rest system to an operative position, the linkage moves the head rest up and forward and upon the actuator being actuated to retract the head rest system to an inoperative position, the linkage moves the head rest back and down. In an aspect, the linkage kneels when the head rest reaches an upper position to move the head rest to a forward position.

Abstract: A steering column is provided column including a bracket adapted to enable the steering column to move as desired by an operator and a clamping system adjacent to the bracket. The clamping system includes a threaded member. A threaded clamping stud extends through the bracket. The threaded clamping stud is selectively coupled to the threaded member of the clamping device. A transmission is coupled to the threaded member. A motor is coupled to the transmission. The motor is operable to drive the transmission to rotate the threaded member in a first position to unclamp the bracket to enable the steering column to move based on receipt of an input from the operator.

Abstract: A steering column lock assembly and a method of operating the same, the steering column lock assembly including a steering column having a gear portion and a rotatable shaft; an actuator operably attached to the steering column, the actuator being free to translate with respect to the steering column; and a lever arm operably attached to the steering column; wherein translation of the actuator engages the lever arm with the gear portion to lock the steering column.

Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly includes a mounting plate having a slot and a raised contact surface adjacent to at least part of the slot and a bracket coupled to the mounting plate, adapted to support at least a portion of a steering column. A coupler extends through the slot, and has a head overlying at least a portion of the contact surface, and engages with the bracket to retain the position of the steering column mount relative to the bracket. The combined thickness of all members between the head and the connecting portion is greater when the head overlies the contact surface than when the head is not overlying the contact surface. A greater clamping force is applied by the coupler to all members between the head and the connecting portion when the head overlies the contact surface than when the head is not overlying the contact surface.

Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly includes a steering column having a forward section and a rearward section movable relative to the forward section, a mounting plate adapted to be carried by the vehicle and a bracket releasably coupled to the mounting plate, and operably coupled to the rearward section of the steering column for movement therewith. The assembly also includes a stationary reaction surface disposed adjacent to the rearward section of the steering column and adapted to be engaged by the steering column during at least some events wherein the rearward section is displaced relative to the forward section. This maintains the position of a reaction force on the steering column during movement of the rearward section of the steering column, which provides a decreasing reaction force on the steering column.

Abstract: A vehicle steering assembly with a movable steering column includes a mounting plate carried by the vehicle, a bracket supporting a portion of the steering column, movable with the steering column, and coupled to the mounting plate, a bend mandrel, and a bend strap operably associated with the bracket for movement with the bracket. The bend strap has a pair of legs on opposed sides of the bend mandrel and a bight interconnecting the legs and arranged so that upon movement of the bracket relative to the mounting plate the bend strap engages the bend mandrel and one leg is progressively deformed about the mandrel to absorb energy from the moving bracket and steering column. A portion of the leg progressively deformed about the mandrel upon movement of the bracket engages a reaction surface defined by at least one of the mounting plate or the bracket.

Abstract: The present invention is a steering column for a motor vehicle. The steering column comprises a guide bracket, a pivot bracket movably attached to the guide bracket, and a tilt cartridge attached to the pivot bracket. A steering shaft is pivotably attached to the pivot bracket and pivotably attached to the tilt cartridge.

Abstract: A cam lock tilt cartridge for a steering column enables the steering column to tilt with respect to an instrument panel. The cam lock tilt cartridge has a housing connected to the steering column. A pawl is rotatably coupled to the housing. A rack is slideably coupled to the housing and connected to the instrument panel. A cam is coupled to both the pawl and rack to move the pawl with respect to the rack to enable movement of the steering column.

Abstract: The present invention is a steering column for a motor vehicle. The steering column comprises a guide bracket, a pivot bracket movably attached to the guide bracket, and a tilt cartridge attached to the pivot bracket. A steering shaft is pivotably attached to the pivot bracket and pivotably attached to the tilt cartridge.

Abstract: A cam lock tilt cartridge is provided for a steering column. The cam lock tilt cartridge enables the steering column to tilt with respect to an instrument panel. The cam lock tilt cartridge has a housing connected to the steering column. A pawl is rotatably coupled to the housing. A rack is slideably coupled to the housing and connected to the instrument panel. A cam is coupled to both the pawl and rack to move the pawl with respect to the rack to enable movement of the steering column.

Abstract: A tilt mechanism for adjusting an angular position of an automotive steering column. The tilt mechanism includes an adjustment cylinder assembly having a fluid power cylinder, a fluid conduit and a valve. The adjustment cylinder assembly is configured in a closed-loop manner such that the fluid that is displaced from one side of the cylinder is directed to the other side of the cylinder. The valve is employed to inhibit the flow of fluid between the sides of the cylinder to thereby lock the tilt mechanism in a desired position.