Lear Corporation

Trico Products Corporation

James O'Connor

George Hojnacki

Chad Balk

A polymeric pivot body for a windshield wiper system includes a bracket portion adapted to attach a pivot shaft assembly of a windshield wiper system to a portion of a vehicle and a sleeve portion connected to the bracket portion for receiving and orientating a pivot shaft of the pivot shaft assembly. The pivot body also includes a tube receiving portion connected to and extending outwardly from the sleeve portion for receiving one end of a unitizing tube of a linkage assembly to interconnect the unitizing tube to the pivot shaft assembly. The pivot body further includes at least one I-beam portion interconnecting the sleeve portion and the tube receiving portion in a cost-effective manner while having a lighter weight and reduced stresses, and uses no tools for assembly of the windshield wiper system.

Pivot body for windshield wiper system

A collapsible pivot body having a housing that includes a channel defined therein and a mounting bracket that is adapted to attach the pivot body to a portion of a vehicle. The collapsible pivot body further includes a sleeve operatively disposed within the channel. The sleeve includes an internal passage that is adapted to receive a pivot shaft assembly of a wiper system. The collapsible pivot body further includes a plurality of bridges that connect the sleeve to the housing. The bridges are adapted to fail in response to a predetermined load acting on a pivot shaft assembly and cause the sleeve to collapse within the housing, thereby displacing the pivot shaft assembly and a portion of a wiper arm below the impact line of a vehicle.

Collapsible pivot body for a windshield wiper system

A vehicle seat latching system having four anchor mounting points wherein three of the four points define an engagement plane with respect to a vehicle floor. The fourth mounting point is located in a non-planar orientation to the engagement plane. A compensating latch is provided as part of the fourth mounting point to engage a mating element in a non-planar orientation. The compensating latch has a reduced engagement and release force characteristic.

Latch system for releasably securing a seat to a floor

A vehicle seat includes a seat backrest, bottom, and frame. The seat frame operatively supports the seat bottom and further has a seat backrest rotating assembly that is adapted to allow the seat backrest to move between an upright position and a folded position in which the seat backrest is folded down upon the seat bottom. A hinge mechanism allows the rear of the seat frame to be rotatively lifted upward and forward to move the seat frame to a tumbled position. A first latching mechanism is adapted to latch the seat backrest in the upright position. A second latching mechanism is adapted to latch the seat bottom to the vehicle floor. A release assembly is adapted to cause the first and the second latching mechanisms to be selectively released and has a release member and a pulley assembly to provide a mechanical advantage for operating the release assembly.

Vehicle seat release assembly

A release actuating systemfor a seat assemblyin a vehicle. Conventionally, the system includes a seat backthat is removable through an arcuate range. The seat backis moveable between a design position (tilted upward and rearwardly) in which it may support a passenger, and a full fold flat position. Seat back latchessecure the seat back 14 in the design position. A seat cushionsupports the seat back. The seat cushionhas a rearward portion that cooperates with the seat back. The rearward portion also releasably engages floor latches. The seat cushionhas a forward portion that is pivotally attached to the vehicle floor. The seat cushionand seat backtumble forwardly when (a) the seat back latchesare disengaged; (b) the seat backlies in the full fold flat position; and (c) the floor latchesare disengaged. The tumble forward position facilitates occupant ingress and egress and provides access to luggage and storage areas. In operative communication with the seat back latchesand floor latches, there is provided a release strapand a pair of gears for releasing these latches. The invention also includes a method for actuating a release system for the seat assembly.

Seat assembly with a release system

A seat latch assembly that includes a seat bottom that has a first frame member, a seat back that has a second frame member that is partially mounted on the first frame member about a first pivot, and a latch mechanism. The latch mechanism includes a pin mounted on one of the first and second frame members. The latch pivotally attaches to the other of the first and second frame members about a second pivot. The latch has an open angled hook portion and is movable about the second pivot between a disengaged position and an engaged position. In the disengaged position, the hook portion is spaced from the pin. In the engaged position, the hook portion is in contact with the pin to hook the pin to prevent the first frame member from pivoting relative to the second frame member about the first pivot.

Growing community of inventors

Oxford, MI, United States of America

James O'Connor