Back Tilts And Bottom Moves Forwardly Patents (Class 297/341)
  • Patent number: 11951883
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a five-bar linkage for moving the seat assembly between a plurality of positions in an automotive vehicle. A first link is rotatably coupled to a seat back at a second pivot point disposed coaxial to a first pivot point, and to a seat base defining a fifth link at a third pivot point. A second link extends axially between the first and second pivot points. A third link is defined by a lower seat back portion and a seat cushion and extends between the first pivot point and a fifth pivot point disposed adjacent a front portion of the seat cushion. A fourth link is rotatably coupled to the third link at the fifth pivot point and the seat base at a fourth pivot point. The seat assembly is capable of moving to both a pitched easy entry position and a stow flat to floor position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventors: Shriram Agalave, Harshad Naikare, Akshay Lamkane, David Runde, Cheikh Dioum, Bruno Carraro
  • Patent number: 11938849
    Abstract: A seat for a vehicle having a fold-and-dive function is proposed. When a seatback is rotated forwards and folded, a seat cushion is moved down, so the fold-and-dive function of the seat is realized. When a full-flat mode is realized by the reclining operation of the seatback, a rear end of the seat cushion is moved up, so a step between the seat cushion and the seatback can be significantly reduced or eliminated. Furthermore, a front link connecting a back cushion interlocking frame and a cushion fixing bracket to perform the fold-and-dive function is installed to have directivity where it is inclined rearwards, thus preventing a submarine phenomenon of the seat in the event of a forward collision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mu Young Kim, Sang Do Park, Ho Suk Jung, Jun Young Yun, Jun Hwan Lee, Chan Ho Jung, Hyeok Seung Lee
  • Patent number: 11845366
    Abstract: A seat of a vehicle comprising a seat base, fixation means for fixing to the floor of a vehicle, a front connecting rod pivoting along a first axis at the fixation means and along a second axis at the base, a lower rear connecting rod pivoting along a third axis at the fixation means, an upper rear connecting rod pivoting along a fourth axis at the base and along a fifth axis at the lower rear connecting rod, a locking means able to transition: from a locked state, wherein it prevents the rotation of the lower rear connecting rod in relation to the upper rear connecting rod, to an unlocked state, wherein it enables the rotation of the lower rear connecting rod in relation to the upper rear connecting rod, and conversely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: FAURECIA Sièges d'Automobile
    Inventors: Sylvain Roche, David Epaud, Farouk Bouzid
  • Patent number: 11840163
    Abstract: A front upper support surface and a rear upper support surface facing an upper surface of a rear end of an operation handle are provided in a lock release lever with a gap between the front upper support surface and the rear upper support surface in the vehicle front-rear direction, and front lower support surfaces are provided below the front upper support surface. An upper rail is provided with a rear lower support surface, which is positioned below a rear upper support surface. A clearance is provided between the front lower support surface and a lower surface of a rear end of the operation handle, and a clearance is provided between the rear lower support surface and the lower surface of the rear end of the operation handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: TF-METAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shunsuke Kuroda
  • Patent number: 11801776
    Abstract: A vehicle seating system includes a seatback pivotally coupled to a seat base. The seatback is operable between an upright position and a reclined position. A lift assembly is operably coupled to the seat base. The lift assembly is operable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. A position sensor is coupled to the lift assembly via a ball joint, wherein the ball joint and the position sensor adjust with movement of the lift assembly. A seat controller communicatively is coupled to the position sensor, wherein the seat controller determines if the lift assembly is in the disengaged position or has moved to the engaged position based on position data received from the position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Kulhawik, Antonio Del Puerto, Ryan John Craig
  • Patent number: 11642983
    Abstract: A wire harness connected to a sensor is positioned on a back surface of a pad of a vehicle seat supported by a panel. The vehicle seat (1) includes a panel (4); a pad (11, 51) supported by the panel; a skin material (12, 52) covering a front surface of the pad; and a sensor (32) provided between the front surface of the pad and the skin material for acquiring information on a seat occupant, wherein the pad is provided with a through hole (35, 58) passed from the front surface of the pad to a back surface of the pad, and a recess (45, 61) formed in the back surface of the pad and connected to the through hole, the wire harness connected to the sensor extending in the through hole and the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Ozawa, Naohiro Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11548419
    Abstract: A seat assembly having a seat bottom, a seat back, a seat track, and a rear mounting unit. The seat bottom may be pivotally mounted to the seat back. The seat back may be pivotally mounted to the rear mounting unit. The rear mounting unit may be moveably disposed on the seat track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Antoine Moulin, Patrick Faye, Thibaud Condamin
  • Patent number: 11458865
    Abstract: A seat track mechanism for a vehicle seat. The seat track mechanism may include an upper track, a lower track, a striker, a lever, and a pawl. The lever may be rotatable about a lever axis. The pawl may be rotatable with respect to the lever about a pawl axis when the striker engages the pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Stutika, Slavomir Basarik, Michael Wojatzki, Alfred Cziomer, Marian Tkac, Marian Podhorsky, Pavol Plocar, Miroslav Dedina, Ondrej Prokop, Peter Alberty
  • Patent number: 11279261
    Abstract: A vehicle seat adjustment device includes a first adjustment mechanism, a second adjustment mechanism, and a controller. The first adjustment mechanism is moved in a first direction upon driving of a first motor to adjust a position of a vehicle seat. The second adjustment mechanism is moved in both the first direction and a second direction orthogonal to the first direction upon driving of a second motor to adjust the position of the vehicle seat. The controller controls and drives the first motor and the second motor. A speed at which the second adjustment mechanism is moved in the first direction is lower than or equal to a speed at which the first adjustment mechanism is moved in the first direction. When the second motor needs to be driven, the controller drives the second motor while driving the first motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignees: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takashi Okada, Soichiro Hozumi, Shunsuke Tanaka, Shinichiro Komaki
  • Patent number: 11225176
    Abstract: In a vehicle seat that can switch the state of a seat main body which includes a seat back and a seat cushion between a seatable state in which the seat back is erected to a car body floor to allow a seated occupant on the seat cushion and a storage state in which the seat back tilts down to the car body floor and the seat cushion is disposed between the seat back and the car body floor, the vehicle seat is provided with a guide part that contacts the lower portion of the seat cushion and supports the seat cushion when the seat state is in the seatable state, that slidably contacts a part of the seat main body in the transition of the state to the storage state, and that thus guides the movement of the seat back and the seat cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masao Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11214177
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a rotational device for a vehicle seat having an upper connecting element and a lower connecting element, a ring shaped profile rail, where the ring shaped profile rail is guided by several rollers in a manner rotatable about a rotational axis, where the several rollers are each mounted in a manner rotatable about roller axes, and the rollers are in contact with interior contact surfaces of the profile rail in such a way that the rollers upon rotation of the profile rail roll off on the interior contact surfaces, thereby guiding the profile rail in its rotational movement about the rotational axis, whereby the upper connecting element is connected to the lower connecting element via the rotatable guided ring shaped profile rail in such a way that these can be twisted in relation to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventor: Bertrand Touzet
  • Patent number: 11192471
    Abstract: A sliding device for a vehicle seat includes a pair of tracks, each having a lower rail and an upper rail, and a locking arrangement having a pair of locking assemblies, each including locking pins for locking a respective one of the upper rails to a respective one of the lower rails. The locking arrangement includes a releasing assembly for driving the locking pins of each of the locking assemblies to an unlocking configuration. The releasing assembly includes a releasing member and a pair of connecting members. The connecting members are each in a force transmission connection with the releasing member and with the locking pins of a respective one of the locking assemblies. The connecting members are entirely received within the tracks, and the releasing assembly is configured to convert rotational movement of the releasing member into linear movement of the locking pins of each of the locking assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: MARTUR ITALY S.R.L.
    Inventors: Luigi Spagnoli, Can Üstünberk
  • Patent number: 11142100
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat base and a backrest. A seat base track arrangement has a fixed track and a moveable track that is moveable along the fixed track. The seat base fixed track is connected to a vehicle seat support or fore/aft track to adjust an entire vehicle seat position. The seat base moveable track is connected to the seat base. A backrest track arrangement has a backrest fixed track and a backrest moveable track that is moveable along the backrest fixed track. The backrest fixed track is connected to a vehicle backrest support. A link arm pivotably links the seat base and the backrest. A seat base pivot connection is formed between the link arm and the seat base. A link arm and backrest pivot connection is formed between the link arm and the backrest and the moveable track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.á r.l.
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Eric Michalak, Nathan Caruss, Jennifer Carlson, Brent Burton, Matthew McClelland
  • Patent number: 11077773
    Abstract: A vehicle seat having a backrest, which can be pivoted about a backrest pivot axis, at least one pair of seat rails for adjusting the seat length of the vehicle seat, and a locking device for locking the at least one pair of seat rails, wherein there is at least one lockable fitting for deflecting the backrest relative to a seat part, and the backrest can be pivoted into an easy-entry position, which can be assumed for easier accessibility to a row of seats, wherein the vehicle seat has an easy-entry mechanism, which comprises a latch, which is arranged on a drive element and which can be captured by an easy-entry stop, arranged on the backrest, during pivoting of the backrest into the easy-entry position and can thereby follow the motion of the backrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Robert Szlag
  • Patent number: 11077000
    Abstract: A track assembly for mounting a movable object includes a track having a web and at least one flange joined with the web. A stop assembly is mounted to the track at the web by a releasable connection and configured to engage the flange to form a moment restraint for the connection of the stop assembly to the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Caitlin Marie Braun, Brandon David Naber, Levi Joseph Scheenstra, Michael Joseph Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11059391
    Abstract: A vehicle seat slide device includes an upper rail, a lower rail, a lock mechanism, and a lock release mechanism. The lock mechanism restricts relative movement of the upper rail. The upper rail includes two side walls and an upper wall. The lock release mechanism includes a lever member, a push portion, and a spring member. The push portion pushes an unlock element of the lock mechanism and performs an unlocking action with the lock mechanism when the lever member is pivoted based on an operation force. The spring member applies an urging force to the lever member in a direction opposite to the direction in which the lever member is pivoted. The spring member includes an engagement end, which engages the lever member, and a spring body. At least the spring body is arranged in an inner space of the upper rail defined below the upper wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takuya Nishio, Takanori Sato, Koji Kumagai
  • Patent number: 11046210
    Abstract: A slide device includes a lower rail, an upper rail, a lock member, and a lock release member. The upper rail is coupled to the lower rail in a movable manner. The lock member is configured to restrict movement of the upper rail relative to the lower rail. The lock release member is configured to release a lock by the lock member. The lock release member includes a bracket fixed to the upper rail. A cover is attached to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shunsuke Aoki, Takanori Sato, Koji Kumagai
  • Patent number: 11007906
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly has a seat base, a seat back rotatably connected to the seat base and movable between an upright position and a folded position. An arm has a first end region connected to the seat base and a second end region defining a cam surface. A follower such as a pin is connected to the seat back and fixed relative thereto. The follower engages the cam surface when the seat back is in the folded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Adarsha B. Madhu, Stephen Douglas Redwood, Christopher O. Jasman
  • Patent number: 10960789
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a fixed frame; a tower frame arranged at a position offset from the fixed frame toward a first side along a seat-width direction; a recliner arranged between the tower frame and the fixed frame; a tilt restriction mechanism arranged opposite to the recliner relative to the fixed frame; and an abutting member arranged on a same side as the tilt restriction mechanism relative to the fixed frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Motoi
  • Patent number: 10940774
    Abstract: An adjusting device for longitudinal adjustment of a vehicle seat comprising a first rail and a second rail movably guided in a longitudinal direction relative to the first rail includes a guide piece mounted to a side-wall of the first rail, comprising a main body, a plurality of connecting devices for connecting to the first rail, and a positioning device locked in a positioning recess, for positioning the guide piece with respect to the first rail in the longitudinal direction. The connecting devices are formed as hook-like members that are inserted through the locking recesses and grip behind the side-wall to fix guide piece to the first rail. The guide piece comprises a flexible portion connected to the positioning device and the main body, which is configured to bend in a transverse direction when mounting the guide piece to the first rail and to be locked in the positioning recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile SE & Co. KG (Coburg)
    Inventors: Ronald Kujawa, Leo Ioppolo
  • Patent number: 10933775
    Abstract: On each of the two longitudinal sides of the cushion (2) of a seat (1) there is provided a front mechanism (4) and a rear lever (5) to move the seat, varying the height and inclination thereof. The rear lever (5) is hinged to the cushion (2) and to a rear supporting bracket (7). The hinging axis (a1) between the rear lever (5) and the cushion (2), is located at a lower position than the horizontal hinging axis (a2) between the rear lever (5) and the rear supporting bracket (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventor: Pier Guido Castelli
  • Patent number: 10894495
    Abstract: Seat assemblies and methods for making seat assembly are provided. In one example, a seat assembly includes a seat base and a seat backrest. An armrest is disposed adjacent to the seat base and has an upper armrest section that extends towards a forward armrest section for supporting an arm of a seat occupant. A lever handle is disposed within a hand-length below the upper armrest section such that the lever handle is accessible to a hand of the seat occupant while at least a portion of the arm of the seat occupant is supported on the upper armrest section. A lever arm has a first end coupled to the lever handle and a second end pivotally coupled to a part of the armrest that is disposed below the upper armrest section such that the lever handle moves in an arcuate upward direction when actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Davies, Jeremiah Mallette, Aram Kasparian, Timothy O'Hara
  • Patent number: 10773614
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seatback pivot, a rear-access lever that rotates an overslide cam and a pawl of the seatback pivot. Operation of the rear-access lever with the seatback pivot in a first radial range defines selective rotation of the overslide cam by the pawl. Operation of the rear-access lever with the seatback pivot in a second radial range defines a deflection of the pawl by the overslide cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Macit Aktas
  • Patent number: 10640016
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat bottom is coupled to a floor of a vehicle to move relative to the floor. The seat bottom and seat back extend upwardly away from the vehicle floor and move relative to the vehicle floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Faurencia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery T. Bonk, Donald A. Sharnowski
  • Patent number: 10625635
    Abstract: A vehicle seat for use with a vehicle having a locking mechanism includes a seat bottom mountable on the vehicle so that a position of the seat bottom may be fixed by the locking mechanism, a seat back pivotally attached to the seat bottom and movable between first and second positions, and a release mechanism configured to release the locking mechanism. The release mechanism includes a release lever connectable to the locking mechanism, and a release bracket engageable with the release lever. One of the release lever and the release bracket includes a cam to cause the release lever to release the locking mechanism when the seat back is pivoted from the first position toward the second position. The cam includes a dwell surface that enables the locking mechanism to remain released until the seat back reaches the second position, or a position proximate the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eric Veine
  • Patent number: 10549655
    Abstract: Forward tilting of a seat back and pushing of the seat forward allow fixation between an upper slide and an upper slide rail to be released, thereby allowing the upper slide to reach a tip end position of the upper slide rail. With this structure, a lower lock mechanism releases fixation of a lower slide to a lower slide rail and a vertical slide lock mechanism fixes the upper slide and the lower slide. Further, pushing the seat back toward a seat front side allows the lower slide integrally provided with the upper slide to move to a tip end position of the lower slide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignees: NHK Spring Co., Ltd., Imasen Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Sasaki, Akihiro Hayashi, Hiroaki Takeuchi, Donghyoun Kim, Shunichirou Osa, Yuji Masuda
  • Patent number: 10486561
    Abstract: A lock release lever attachment structure includes: a case that includes a case body, an upper portion of which opens as a first opening, and a first flange, a slit being formed to penetrate through at least a portion of the first flange in a seat up-down direction along a peripheral edge of the first opening; an operation lever that releases a locked state of a seatback; and a cover that includes a cover body, an upper portion of which opens as a second opening, and a second flange, the first and second openings being placed in communication by inserting the cover body into the case body through the first opening and fixing the cover body inside the case body, and an edge of a covering material that covers a surface of the seatback being inserted into the slit and gripped by the first and the second flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Shirai, Koji Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 10471857
    Abstract: A reclining rear seat system is provided for a motor vehicle. That reclining rear seat system includes a front seat, a first actuator for displacing the front seat between a first position and a second position, a reclining rear seat and a second actuator for displacing the reclining rear seat between an upright position and fully reclined position. Further the system includes a controller configured to control the reclining rear seat system and a front seat occupant sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Woodhouse, Bonghoon Lukas Chung, Moray Stuart Callum, Soo Young Kang-Morales
  • Patent number: 10471852
    Abstract: Provided is a sliding device for a vehicle seat. The device includes a fixed rail, a movable rail, a lock portion, an operating lever, a first locking protrusion, and a lock lever. When a first contact surface among side faces of the first locking protrusion and a second contact surface among side faces of a second locking protrusion of the lock lever are in contact with each other, the operating lever is retained in one of a first position or a second position, and when a protruding-direction end of the first locking protrusion and a protruding-direction end of the second locking protrusion are in contact with each other, the operating lever is retained in the other of the first position or the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kosuke Taniguchi
  • Patent number: 10449875
    Abstract: A conveyance seat that can increase an engagement force in a walk-in mechanism is provided. One mode of the present disclosure is a conveyance seat comprising a back frame; a tilting member; an engagement member; and a locking member. The tilting member transmits a pivoting force to the back frame and is pivotable relative to the back frame. The engagement member is displaceable between an engaged position and a non-engaged position relative to the tilting member. The locking member is displaceable between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to the engagement member. The engagement member comprises a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion that are offset from each other along the pivot axis of the back frame. The tilting member comprises a first receiving member engageable with the first engagement portion, and a second receiving member engageable with the second engagement portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koji Takiya, Masato Kuroda
  • Patent number: 10415628
    Abstract: A cable actuator system includes an actuating cable for connection to an actuator and to an actuatable device and a bypass assembly connected to the actuating cable. The bypass assembly includes a bypass input with a first input position and with a second input position. With the bypass input in the first input position the bypass assembly acts on the cable such that an actuating movement of the cable by the actuator moves the cable an actuating distance at the actuatable device to actuate the actuatable device. With the bypass input in the second input position the bypass assembly acts on the cable such that the actuating movement of the cable by the actuator does not move the cable the actuating distance at the actuatable device. A vehicle seat, with a seat base, a backrest, an actuator, and a vehicle seat actuatable device, also includes the cable actuator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Adient Engineering and IP GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kapusky, Duane Potes, Nathan Caruss
  • Patent number: 10391893
    Abstract: A vehicle slide rail device including a memory member defining a default seat position wherein, before operation of a release operation mechanism, the release operation mechanism is inserted into a concave portion formed in the memory member and recessed in a direction substantially perpendicular to a sliding direction and the release operation mechanism is in an engagement state of being engaged integrally with the memory member in the sliding direction, wherein, when the release operation mechanism is operated, the release operation mechanism pushes the concave portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sliding direction and removes the memory member from a state of defining the default seat position, and wherein, when a memory operation mechanism is operated, the memory operation mechanism removes the release operation mechanism from an inside of the concave portion and releases the release operation mechanism from the engagement state with the memory member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoki Goto, Hiroyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10384567
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion frame, a slide mechanism, a drive source, and a transmission mechanism configured to receive a driving force from the drive source and to cause the seat cushion frame to move in a front-rear direction. The slide mechanism includes a guide member extending in the front-rear direction and a slide member movable along the guide member relative to the guide member; the seat cushion frame is fixed to one of the guide member and the slide member, and another of the guide member and the slide member is fixed to a floor of a vehicle; and the drive source is fixed to the floor of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hajime Yoshida, Koji Onuma, Hideki Usami, Kazuhiro Hayashi
  • Patent number: 10377271
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a latch for securing a seatback to an elevated rear wall of a vehicle passenger compartment, and in which a striker having a crosswise engaging portion extends rearwardly from the seatback. The latch includes a fixed sector adapted to being mounted to the rear wall. A hook is pivotally supported to the sector, with a slide plate sandwiching the hook between the slide plate and the fixed sector such that upward displacement of the slide plate causes forward pivoting of the hook. Rearward pressing of the seatback and striker causes rearward rotation of the hook to receive the striker, the slide plate being upwardly displaced to cause forward rotation of the hook to disengage the striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: BAE INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen C. Bruck
  • Patent number: 10252647
    Abstract: In a rear seat having a configuration which, in the state that a seat cushion is folded forward with a seat back flattened on the seat cushion side, makes an upward back surface of the seat back become almost the same height with a floor surface of a cargo room, to avoid giving a restriction and hurt in amenity to a passenger seated on the seat cushion in the space on which feet of are put, the present invention provides a vehicle seat to which parallel link mechanism portions are equipped that connect the seat cushion to a floor surface under the seat cushion of the vehicle, and a mechanism is provided to fold the seat cushion forward with the posture of the seat back held by the parallel link mechanisms in the state that the seat back is flattened to the seat cushion side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Norihisa Narita, Hiromi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10183593
    Abstract: A vehicle seat (1) has an easy-entry module (6). A backrest (2) is adjustable relative to a seat part (3) between at least one comfort position (P1) and at least one easy-entry position (P3). The backrest (2) is, together with the seat part (3), arranged so as to be longitudinally displaceable by way of rails (4) along a movement travel (W) over a longitudinal adjustment range (L) at least between two seat positions (S1.1 to S1.n). To limit the movement travel (W), at least one switchable abutment (10) is provided in the region of the rails (4). The backrest (2) is, at a predefined seat position (S2), settable upright by way of the switchable abutment (10) from the easy-entry position (P3) into the comfort position (P1) and lockable to the seat part (3) in the predefined seat position (S2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S.àr.l.
    Inventors: Christian Wolf, Jan Simo, Thomas Dill, Olaf Kreuels, Heinrich Hammann
  • Patent number: 10106056
    Abstract: An occupant support for a vehicle includes a vehicle seat and a foundation. The vehicle seat is configured to support an occupant of the vehicle above a floor of the vehicle. The foundation is configured to interconnect the vehicle seat to the floor to permit movement of the vehicle seat relative to the floor along a linear path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery T. Bonk, Dale J. Frye
  • Patent number: 9963058
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly having a seat including a support frame. A seatback is pivotally coupled with the seat and is adjustable between a passenger support position configured to support the weight of a passenger and a cargo position. The seatback is folded forward to a substantially horizontal position. A seat cushion includes a dynamic forward portion and a generally static rearward portion. An articulation feature is disposed below the forward portion of the seat cushion. The articulation feature is operable between a deployed and a non-deployed position. Movement to the deployed position results in the dynamic forward portion of the seat cushion being adjusted to a raised position. Movement to the non-deployed position results in the dynamic forward portion of the seat cushion being adjusted to a lowered position that allows the seatback to fold forward to the cargo position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Daniel Ferretti
  • Patent number: 9937824
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat frame having a first end connected to a vehicle and a second end cooperating with a latching system having a latching mechanism to releasably secure to at least one receiving portion. A seat structure adjustably positionable on the seat frame includes a seat bottom and a seat back pivotally connected to the seat structure. A seat adjustment system includes a first guide member proximate the latching mechanism having a first channel portion and a second guide member proximate the seat structure having a second channel portion configured to align with the first channel portion. A coupling element operatively connected to a first actuator includes an elongate projection that is translated from a locked position in the first channel portion to an unlocked position in the second channel portion to release the latching mechanism from the at least one receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Claudemir Pereira, Leonardo A. Piccardi, Eduardo H. Lofrano, Luiz E. Carmona
  • Patent number: 9919622
    Abstract: A seat track assembly includes a latch mechanism operable to allow movement of a movable track relative to a fixed track between a plurality of positions. A memory mechanism is operable between a home position, coupled with the movable track, and a memory position, coupled with the fixed track, to define a selected position. Actuation of the memory mechanism to the memory position unlocks the latch mechanism to allow movement of the movable track in a first direction away from the selected position to an easy-entry position. In response to movement of the movable track in a second direction from the easy-entry position, the memory mechanism blocks the movable track at the selected position, allowing the latch mechanism to lock and the memory mechanism to return to the home position. The latch mechanism operates independently to unlock the latch mechanism when the memory mechanism is in the home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Magna Seating Inc.
    Inventors: Omar D Tame, Ameya Gupte, Macit Aktas, Jeffrey P Carroll
  • Patent number: 9849811
    Abstract: A vehicle seat reclining device is disclosed. An operation mechanism allows a second memory member to engage with and disengage from a first memory member, and locks and unlocks a lock member in conjunction with the engagement and disengagement. When the first memory member is in a predetermined rotational position relative to the second rotating member, the second memory member is inserted into an engagement slot provided in the first memory member, thereby restricting rotation of the first memory member relative to the second rotating member. The operation mechanism includes a link member that is linked to the second memory member inserted into a guide hole provided in a plate-shaped member. In the thickness direction of the plate-shaped member, the link member is arranged on the same side of the plate-shaped member as the first memory member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Mikihito Nagura, Shinya Isobe
  • Patent number: 9827880
    Abstract: Vehicle seat including: a seat back pivoted to a side of the floor, a seat cushion pivoted to the seat back; and a front leg element having an upper end pivoted to the seat cushion and a lower end pivotally locked to the side of floor in a releasable manner, thus normally providing a four-pivotal-point linkage in the seat. Maintaining the four-pivotal-point linkage adversely restricts design and actions of the seat. Inequality conditions are therefore set in that four-pivotal-point linkage, such that folding down the seat back by an angle exceeding a predetermined angle results in unlocking of the lower end of the front leg element from the side of floor, thereby destroying the four-pivotal-point linkage. Hence, a freedom of design is increased for the seat and floor. Further, leverage mechanism(s) may be provided to facilitate the ease of unlocking the front leg element from the side of floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Minoru Fukutani, Norito Akimoto
  • Patent number: 9731630
    Abstract: A seat slide device includes a lower rail, which is provided along a front-and-rear direction; an upper rail, which is movably engaged with the lower rail; a lock mechanism, which is configured to lock and unlock a movement of the upper rail; a walk-in mechanism, which makes a seat be movable into a walk-in area located by unlocking the lock mechanism; and a movable-range restriction unit which: allows the seat to move into the walk-in area when the seat is moved toward the walk-in area from a rear side in a state where the walk-in mechanism is operated; and prevents the seat from moving into the walk-in area when the seat is moved toward the walk-in area from the rear side in a state where the walk-in mechanism is not operated and the lock mechanism is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: SHIROKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazutaka Sasaki, Norihisa Nozue, Nobumasa Higashi, Shingo Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 9676299
    Abstract: Vehicle seat including: a seat back pivoted to a side of floor; a seat cushion pivoted to the seat back; and a front leg element having an upper end pivoted to the seat cushion and a lower end pivotally locked to the side of floor in a releasable manner, thus normally providing a four-pivotal-point linkage in the seat. Maintaining the four-pivotal-point linkage adversely restricts design and actions of the seat. Inequality conditions are therefore set in that four-pivotal-point linkage, such that folding down the seat back by an angle exceeding a predetermined angle results in unlocking of the lower end of the front leg element from the side of floor, thereby destroying the four-pivotal-point linkage. Hence, a freedom of design is increased for the seat and floor. Further, leverage mechanism(s) may be provided to facilitate the ease of unlocking the front leg element from the side of floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Minoru Fukutani, Norito Akimoto
  • Patent number: 9649956
    Abstract: A vehicle seat, particularly a motor vehicle seat, has a seat cushion and a backrest, and a seat mechanism connecting the seat cushion and/or the backrest to at least one seat rail pair. The seat rail pair has two seat rails that can be displaced relatively to one another and which can be locked together by a rail locking mechanism. The vehicle seat can be shifted by the seat mechanism from a use position to a non-use position. A coupler couples the seat mechanism and the seat locking mechanism together in such a way that a least one seat rail pair is locked in the use position and the non-use position of the vehicle seat and is unlocked in an intermediate position of the vehicle seat located between the use position and the non-use position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: JOHNSON CONTROLS COMPONENTS GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Marcel Lehmann, Lars Kramm, Matthias Klein, Thomas Hässel
  • Patent number: 9604552
    Abstract: A vehicle seat which can retract a seat body in a refraction floor with components of a refraction structure not arranged on a surface of the retraction floor is provided by a simple structure. This includes: a support leg detachably retained by a leg retaining member, located on a vehicle body floor, and supporting a seat cushion; and a support base connected to the vehicle body floor to support a pivotable seat back. The seat back pivots relative to the support base to move the seat cushion to the refraction floor. The support leg pivots relative to the seat cushion in accordance with a pivotal movement of the seat back and reaches from the leg retaining member when the seat back has reached a predetermined pivoted position. The support leg is positioned lower than the leg retaining member when the vehicle seat is in a retracted state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignees: TS Tech Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Akutsu, Koki Sato, Mitsumasa Nakamura, Maki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 9566879
    Abstract: An unlocking device for a vehicle seat with an entry facilitation function includes a bracket-like element and a guide bar. The guide bar is arranged by at least one fastening device on a lower rail of a rail system for longitudinal adjustment of the seat. The bracket-like element is coupled to a triggering lever for the entry facilitation function. A method is provided for operating an unlocking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Kai Schumann, Ingo Teufel
  • Patent number: 9545857
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat back is coupled to a seat base for movement between an upright position and a folded-forward position when a vehicle seat recliner is in an open configuration. The vehicle seat includes a recliner hold-open mechanism that locks the recliner in the open configuration even after a user releases a handle or otherwise disengages an actuator of the recliner. The seat back is thus free to move between the upright and folded-forward positions without the user being required to hold the actuator in any particular position during the movement. The hold-open mechanism may be configured to cooperate with a seat-base motion controller to free the vehicle seat for movement along a foundation frame while the seat back is between the upright and folded-forward positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Faurecia Automotive Seating, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas J Cooley
  • Patent number: 9487113
    Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a seat part, a backrest part and a least one fitting which connects the backrest part with the seat part pivotally about a pivot axis and in a locked condition is formed to hold the backrest part in position to the seat part, and in an unlocked condition is formed to permit pivoting of the backrest part relative to the seat part. For actuating the at least one fitting, a first actuating element and a second actuating element different from the first actuating element are provided. Via a coupling element, the second actuating element is coupled with a fitting lever, wherein by shifting the second actuating element the fitting lever is movable for actuating the at least one fitting. The coupling element and the fitting lever are coupled with each other via a first connecting means and a second connecting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GmbH & CO. KG, COBURG
    Inventor: Juergen Schukalski
  • Patent number: 9475408
    Abstract: A seat rail apparatus for a vehicle may include a guide rail fixedly installed along a lower rail mounted to a bottom surface of the vehicle, a lock assembly installed to be movable along the guide rail in an unlocked state and selectively locked and unlocked with and from the guide rail as a locking pin is moved forwards and rearwards, a driving assembly integrally installed at an upper rail mounted to a cushion frame, wherein the driving assembly locks and unlocks the lock assembly with and from the guide rail by operating the locking pin and locks and unlocks the lock assembly such that the lock assembly is operated integrally with the lock assembly according to a walk-in lever, and a stopper provided at the upper rail, for contacting the lock assembly locked with the guide rail when the seat returns after a walk-in operation to stop the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, DAS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ji Hyun Kim, Hyeong Jong Kim, Hyeong Jun Kim, Seong Jun Hwang, Jae Chul Jung