Abstract: A back-rest pivot fitting for a seat, having at least a seat pan, a folding back-rest, which is pivotable coupled to the seat pan, and a pivot fitting. The pivot fitting may have at least a first fitting member which is fixed to the seat pan, a second fitting member, which is pivotable coupled to the first fitting member and which is fixed to the back-rest, a recliner heart and an adjustment member.

Abstract: A back-rest pivot fitting for a seat, having at least a seat pan, a folding back-rest, which is pivotable coupled to the seat pan, and a pivot fitting. The pivot fitting may have at least a first fitting member which is fixed to the seat pan, a second fitting member, which is pivotable coupled to the first fitting member and which is fixed to the back-rest, a recliner heart and an adjustment member.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided including a back panel formed of an aluminum alloy material that is stamped to form an aluminum alloy stamped back panel. The aluminum alloy stamped back panel has a periphery and with fastening locations inwardly of the periphery. A backrest frame is provided comprising steel tubes. A plurality of fastening connections fix the back panel to the backrest frame at the fastening locations. A process is provided for forming a vehicle seat assembly including stamping an aluminum alloy sheet to form an aluminum alloy, stamped, back panel with a periphery and with fastening locations inwardly of the periphery, providing a backrest frame comprising steel tubes, providing a plurality of steel fasteners and fixing the aluminum alloy stamped back panel to the backrest frame with the fasteners at the fastening locations.

Abstract: A back frame (28) for a seat back (18). The back frame (28) has side members (30) and cross members (32). The side members (30) have a dimension (40) which is larger than a corresponding dimension (42) of the crossmembers (32). The dimensions (40) and (42) being taken along the same direction. The crossmember (32) is inserted into a partial opening (34) in the side member (30). Since the dimension (42) is less than the dimension (40), the partial opening (34) does not extend across the entire dimension (42). Instead the opening (34) only partially extends across the dimension (40) to a length substantially equal to dimension (42). The partial opening (34) is arranged against one side of the side member (30), so that the cross member (32) is positioned closer to that side. Sleeve nuts (36) are arranged in the side members (30), and are used to attach a recliner (54) which then attaches to the seat base (16).

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided including a back panel formed of an aluminum alloy material that is stamped to form an aluminum alloy stamped back panel. The aluminum alloy stamped back panel has a periphery and with fastening locations inwardly of the periphery. A backrest frame is provided comprising steel tubes. A plurality of fastening connections fix the back panel to the backrest frame at the fastening locations. A process is provided for forming a vehicle seat assembly including stamping an aluminum alloy sheet to form an aluminum alloy, stamped, back panel with a periphery and with fastening locations inwardly of the periphery, providing a backrest frame comprising steel tubes, providing a plurality of steel fasteners and fixing the aluminum alloy stamped back panel to the backrest frame with the fasteners at the fastening locations.

Abstract: A back frame (28) for a seat back (18). The back frame (28) has side members (30) and cross members (32). The side members (30) have a dimension (40) which is larger than a corresponding dimension (42) of the crossmembers (32). The dimensions (40) and (42) being taken along the same direction. The crossmember (32) is inserted into a partial opening (34) in the side member (30). Since the dimension (42) is less than the dimension (40), the partial opening (34) does not extend across the entire dimension (42). Instead the opening (34) only partially extends across the dimension (40) to a length substantially equal to dimension (42). The partial opening (34) is arranged against one side of the side member (30), so that the cross member (32) is positioned closer to that side. Sleeve nuts (36) are arranged in the side members (30), and are used to attach a recliner (54) which then attaches to the seat base (16).

Abstract: A stowable vehicle seat and seat arrangement are provided for a vehicle having a vehicle floor. The arrangement includes a first outboard seat with a seat base, a vehicle floor connection and a backrest connected to the seat base. A second outboard seat includes a seat base, a vehicle floor connection and a backrest and a lateral guide rail for lateral movement. The stowable seat includes a seat base, a backrest, a floor connection and a linkage between the seat base, the floor connection and the backrest for movement from a seating position blocking lateral movement of the second outboard seat to a stowage position in which the second outboard seat is moveable laterally along the lateral guideway to a position directly adjacent to the first outboard seat.

Abstract: A stowable vehicle seat and seat arrangement are provided for a vehicle having a vehicle floor. The arrangement includes a first outboard seat with a seat base, a vehicle floor connection and a backrest connected to the seat base. A second outboard seat includes a seat base, a vehicle floor connection and a backrest and a lateral guide rail for lateral movement. The stowable seat includes a seat base, a backrest, a floor connection and a linkage between the seat base, the floor connection and the backrest for movement from a seating position blocking lateral movement of the second outboard seat to a stowage position in which the second outboard seat is moveable laterally along the lateral guideway to a position directly adjacent to the first outboard seat.

Abstract: A seat structure may be installed in a seat assembly. The seat structure may comprise plurality of tube members forming a substantially closed structure. Some of the tube members have a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along a substantial portion of its respective longitudinal length. At least a first set of the tube members has at least one of a different dimensional property and a different material property from a second set of the tube members such that mechanical properties of each tube member is configured for stress requirements for a respective region that the respective tube member occupies. The plurality of tube members are joined such that the plurality of tube members are in fixed positions relative to each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor latch (200) for connecting a vehicle seat base portion (204) with a vehicle floor portion, the floor latch (200) comprising an attachment means (301) and a riser (300), the floor latch (200) providing centering of the attachment means (301) for clamping the riser (300) with the seat base portion (204) or with the vehicle floor portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor latch (200) for connecting a vehicle seat base portion (204) with a vehicle floor portion, the floor latch (200) comprising an attachment means (301) and a riser (300), the floor latch (200) providing centering of the attachment means (301) for clamping the riser (300) with the seat base portion (204) or with the vehicle floor portion.

Abstract: A seat structure may be installed in a seat assembly. The seat structure may comprise plurality of tube members forming a substantially closed structure. Some of the tube members have a substantially uniform cross-sectional area along a substantial portion of its respective longitudinal length. At least a first set of the tube members has at least one of a different dimensional property and a different material property from a second set of the tube members such that mechanical properties of each tube member is configured for stress requirements for a respective region that the respective tube member occupies. The plurality of tube members are joined such that the plurality of tube members are in fixed positions relative to each other.

Abstract: A power seat adjuster for bucket type vehicle seats includes inboard and outboard track assemblies each including a fixed lower section, a movable upper or movable section and a precision sliding interface including roller bearings between the moving upper track and the fixed lower track, the surfaces of the tracks that are engaged by the roller bearings being crowned to provide a bearing surface that is slightly convex when the seat is unoccupied but which becomes nearly flat when the seat is occupied, and the bearing surfaces of the track being coated with a multi-layer dry film lubricant including a base coating of an anti-friction material and a top coating of an anti-stick material.

Abstract: A power seat adjuster for bucket type vehicle seats includes inboard and outboard track assemblies each including a fixed lower section, a movable upper or movable section and a precision sliding interface including roller bearings between the moving upper track and the fixed lower track, the surfaces of the tracks that are engaged by the roller bearings being crowned to provide a bearing surface that is slightly convex when the seat is unoccupied but which becomes nearly flat when the seat is occupied, and the bearing surfaces of the track being coated with a multi-layer dry film lubricant including a base coating of an anti-friction material and a top coating of an anti-stick material.