Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Daniel W Booth

Paul W Alexander

Nancy L Johnson

Nilesh D Mankame

Robert L Demick

Stephanie C Radion

Wonhee Michael Kim

Janet Christine Robincheck

Heidi H Mcadoo-Wilson

Brennon L White

Onkar S Akolkar

Stephen Rylance

Jeff E Nasca

Samuel Derian

Sarah E Smith

Scott David Thomas

Paul Edward Krajewski

Taeyoung Han

Louis D Thole

Dorel M Sala

Chin-Hsu Lin

William Joseph Barnes

Peter J Gareau

Leigh A Berger

Daniel Arico

David Acosta

Neil Tagner

Michael P Van De Velde

Gerard Kapolnek

Chad C Cairns

William Otto

Conner J Stormer

Edward Thaddeus Kuczynski

Daniel J Ridgeway

Jeffrey J Kilmer

Shaun P Kavanagh

Eric M Bruckbauer

Kelly T Hagelthorn

Michael G Schuplin, Jr

Michele A DeRonne

Udit Patel

Jesse J Brinster

Cheryl L Smith

An anti-submarining seat cushion for a vehicle includes a main body constructed of an anisotropic material. The anisotropic material includes a primary material including a primary stiffness and a plurality of inserts that are dispersed throughout the primary material. The plurality of inserts exert an axial compressive force in response to the main body of the anti-submarining seat cushion experiencing a submarining load, where the axial compressive force is exerted in a direction that opposes the submarining load to increase an overall stiffness of the main body in a direction that aligns with the submarining load.

Anti-submarining seat cushion for a vehicle constructed of an anisotropic material

A vehicle includes a passenger compartment having a roof structure having a front header, a pair of side headers and a rear header. A headliner is disposed beneath the roof structure. At least one inflatable bladder is disposed along at least one of the front header, the pair of side headers and the rear header. The at least one inflatable bladder is connected to an inflator. A rib structure is disposed adjacent to the at least one inflatable bladder. The inflatable bladder inflates to a maximum height of 12 cm below the at least one of the front header, the pair of side headers and the rear header.

Inflatables used to address rollover

An inflatable system includes a first bladder configured to contain gas and a second bladder configured to contain gas. The first bladder includes a top wall, a bottom wall opposite of the top wall, a sidewall extending between and connected to perimeter edges of the top and bottom walls, and a plurality of tethers extending between and connected to interior surfaces of the top and bottom walls. The second bladder includes a top wall, a bottom wall opposite of its top wall, a sidewall extending between and connected to perimeter edges of its top and bottom walls, and a plurality of tethers extending between and connected to interior surfaces of its top and bottom walls. The bottom wall of the first bladder is secured to the top wall of the second bladder.

Reconfigurable seating and cargo systems with inflatable panels

A vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seatback coupled to the seat base. The seatback includes a rigid frame, a first textile layer attached to the rigid frame, a second textile layer attached to the rigid frame, and at least one textile interconnecting tube coupling the first textile layer to the second textile layer. The textile interconnecting tube is attached in tension between the first textile layer and the second textile layer to dampen dynamic loads applied to the seatback. Instead of (or in addition to) the textile interconnecting tube, the seatback may include a plurality of tension elements interconnecting the first textile layer and the second textile layer.

Multi-layer textile seat for dynamic conditions

A vehicle seat system includes a seat back. A seat cushion is positioned proximate to the seat back. The seat cushion includes: a first side configured when upwardly directed for supporting an adult passenger; and a second side oppositely facing from the first side. The second side is configured when upwardly directed for supporting a child passenger and includes: an elevated face positioned proximate to the seat back; and a lower elevation face forward of the elevated face at a lower elevation than the elevated face when the second side is upwardly directed. The seat cushion is releasable and rotatable to configure the seat cushion with either the first side or the second side upwardly directed.

Double sided cushion with provision for child five point harness and booster

A textile comprising: i) a fabric including a laced region associated with a surface of the textile; and ii) a thread inlaid through a plurality of points proximate a perimeter of the laced region. Tightening the thread causes opposite sides of the laced region to be cinched together, thereby forming the laced region into a flap associated with a second surface of the textile opposite the first surface. The textile further comprises a listing wire disposed in the flap. The fabric forms a plurality of perforations within the laced region. The listing wire may be accessed by an attachment device through at least one of the plurality of perforations.

Knitted-in laces for shaping and fitting textiles and fabrics

A seat assembly for a vehicle comprises a seat base fixed to a vehicle floor, a seat back pivotably disposed to the seat base, a first side bolster mounted onto a first side of the seat back, a second side bolster mounted onto a second side of the seat back, a third side bolster mounted onto a first side of the seat base, a fourth side bolster mounted onto a second side of the seat base, and a back insert mounted within the seat back, each of the side bolsters including a support member and an outer trim member, the support members each including a base, an outer frame and a plurality of interior support walls, the outer frame and the plurality of interior support walls defining a plurality of passages extending through each support member to allow light and air to pass through.

Seat assembly

A foldable restraint for a seat of a vehicle is disclosed and includes a body. The body includes a bottom side, a back side, and a spine connecting the bottom side and the back side to one another. The bottom side and the back side are configured to rotate towards one another to fold the foldable restraint into a stowed position and the bottom side and the back side rotate away from one another and into a deployed position. The foldable restraint also includes one or more upper engagement mechanisms connected to the back side of the foldable restraint and configured to releasably attach to a support structure of the seat of the vehicle. The foldable restraint also includes one or more lower engagement mechanisms connected to the seat side of the foldable restraint and configured to releasably attach to a support structure of the seat of the vehicle.

Foldable restraint releasably attached to a main support structure of a vehicle

A trim component for attachment to a vehicle seat includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is disposed on a first side of the trim component and defines a first knit. The second portion is disposed on a second side of the trim component and defines a second knit distinct from the first knit. The first and second portions are integrally knitted. The trim component is configured to be installed on or more support members of the seat. The first side is configured to face the support member. The second portion is configured communicate with an occupant of the seat. In various aspects, the first portion includes a first yarn and the second portion includes a second yarn that is distinct from the first yarn with respect to one or more of density, thickness, and material. In various aspects, the first yarn is a heat-activated yarn.

Vehicle seat trim covers including integrally-knit backing materials and methods of manufacturing vehicle seat trim covers

A knitted seat trim cover for attachment to a vehicle seat includes a knitted trim panel configured to be installed over at least one foam support member of the vehicle seat and a fastener member integrally knitted in the knitted trim panel. The fastener member is configured to connect the knitted trim panel to the vehicle seat and at least a portion of the fastener member is made of a heat-activated yarn.

Vehicle seat trim covers with knitted attachment structures formed with heat-activated yarns

A seat cushion includes a cushion body defining a first body surface and a second body surface opposite the first body surface, wherein the first body surface is configured to face the seat occupant, and the second body surface is configured to face away from the seat occupant. The cushion body defines a plurality of holes extending into the second body surface or columns extending from the second body surface. The holes or columns are arranged on a pattern to allow the cushion body to passively conform to the seat occupant, thereby enhancing comfort.

Waffle-board patterned B-surface for seat cushions

A vehicle seat cushion for a vehicle that includes a seat cushion support structure, and a lattice-structured support that is supported by the seat cushion support structure. The lattice-structured support provides a first resistive force in response to a vertically applied force that is less than a second resistive force in response to a force aligned with an H-point travel path of the vehicle occupant during a vehicle impact event.

Anti-submarine seat for a vehicle

A restraint harness for a vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a seat having a structural support that is attached to a main support structure of the vehicle. The restraint harness includes a body constructed of a restraint material. The body is shaped to secure an occupant body. The restraint material is configured to withstand loads exerted upon the restraint harness by the occupant during operation of the vehicle. The restraint harness also includes an attachment portion that is configured to attach to the structural support of the seat.

Restraint harness attached to a main support structure of a vehicle

An inflatable system includes a bladder configured to contain fluid, a first plurality of tethers disposed within a first region of the bladder, and a second plurality of tethers disposed within a second region of the bladder. The first plurality of tethers has a first tether length, a first tether spacing, a first tether angle relative to one wall of the bladder, and a first tether stiffness. The second plurality of tethers has a second tether length, a second tether spacing, a second tether angle relative to the one wall, and a second tether stiffness. At least one of: the second tether length is different than the first tether length; the second tether spacing is different than the first tether spacing; the second tether angle is different than the first tether angle; and the second tether stiffness is different than the first tether stiffness.

Internally tensioned inflatable structures

A seat assembly for supporting an occupant of a vehicle includes a cushion and a suspension. The cushion has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is configured to engage the occupant. The second surface is disposed opposite the first surface. The suspension includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion includes a third surface. The third surface engages the second surface of the cushion. The second portion includes a fourth surface. The fourth surface defines a first depression. The first depression opens toward the cushion. The first depression is configured to receive a portion of the cushion when the occupant exerts a load on the cushion.

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Troy, MI, United States of America

Daniel W Booth