Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

John J Salvia, Iii

Christopher M Vargo

Vasudeva Sankarshana Murthy

Todd Muck

Robert Joseph Hazlewood

Vikas Bhatia

Patrick J Edgar

Charles S Hansen

Sathya Shankar Kuttumukkula Chandrasekaran

Lynne Susan Dykins

A retention mechanism for a removable access door includes a retention tab positioned along a side of the access door. The retention tab includes a resiliently deflectable stem and at least two engagement heads projecting from the stem. The tab extends to a first distance from a reference surface of the access door. An overstress prevention structure is positioned along the side of the access door so as to enable the retention tab to contact the overstress prevention structure when the stem is deflected a predetermined amount. The overstress prevention structure extends to a second distance from the reference surface, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. Support walls may strengthen the overstress prevention structure against forces exerted by the retention tabs during deflection of the tabs. The support walls may form a protective 'shroud' around the retention tab.

Retention mechanisms for service access doors

A rear seat assembly is provided. The rear seat assembly includes a seat frame, a seat back, a seat cushion frame, and a power tilt assembly. The seat cushion frame is pivotally coupled to the seat frame at a tip up pivot axis to move between a seated position and a tip up position such that in the tip up position, the seat cushion frame is pivoted towards the seat back in a generally vehicle vertical position. The power tilt assembly is coupled to the seat cushion frame and is configured to adjust an angle of a seat cushion with respect to a vehicle floor.

Seat assemblies having tip up and tilt seat cushion frames

Embodiments described herein relate to a center console assembly that includes a housing having a support surface and a receptacle recessed with respect to the support surface, a lid and a retaining mechanism. The lid includes an exterior surface, an opposite interior surface, and an opening extending between the exterior surface and the interior surface is coupled to the housing for movement between a closed position and a raised position. In the closed position, the interior surface faces the support surface of the housing and access to the receptacle is permitted through the opening of the lid. The retainer mechanism is coupled to the lid. The retainer mechanism is configured to retain an object between the support surface and the retainer mechanism when the lid is in the raised position.

Cup holders within console assemblies for vehicles

A removable upper garnish member is provided for a tailgate of a vehicle. The upper garnish member may include a longitudinally extending top portion, an exterior facing side portion, and an interior facing side portion. A camera is positioned within a space defined by the exterior facing side portion. The camera is configured to provide an image depicting a point of view of from a direction behind the vehicle. The removable upper garnish member is configured to be selectively positioned as part of a vehicle tailgate that is movable between one of a closed position, an open position, and a bed extender position. The camera point of view is preferably the same in both the closed and bed extender positions.

Integrated tailgate bed extender with back-up camera

A vehicle seat includes a seat base and a retractable electrical connectivity device mounted to the seat base. The electrical connectivity device may be mounted in a receptacle incorporated into the seat base.

Vehicle seat with retractable electrical connectivity device

A vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seatbelt buckle coupled to the seat base. An armrest is coupled to the seat base. The armrest includes a retractable arm support portion movable to positions between, and including, a retracted position and a fully extended position. The armrest is structured and coupled to the seat base such that, when the buckle is at a maximum forward position of the buckle and the retractable arm support portion is in the retracted position, a first plane extending perpendicular to a fore-aft axis of the seat and through a forward-most portion of the buckle is rearwardly spaced apart from a second plane extending parallel to the first plane and through a rear-most portion of the retractable arm support portion.

Vehicle seat armrest with retractable arm support portion

A seat for a vehicle is provided. The seat includes a seat base and a seat back coupled to the seat base so as to be rotatable with respect to the seat base about a seat back rotation axis. The seat also includes a first linkage having a first link rotatably coupled to the seat back at a first connection and a second link rotatably coupled to the seat base at a second connection. The first link is also rotatably coupled to the second link at a third connection. The third connection is structured to be movable with respect to the seat base responsive to rotation of the seat back about the rotation axis.

Rear seat having two independent modes

A stowable seat for a vehicle is provided including a seat portion pivotably connected to a back portion, the back portion having a first base portion and a first extendable portion, the first extendable portion movable from a stowed position to an extended position, the extended position defined when the first extendable portion is spaced apart from the first base portion the seat portion having a second base portion and a second extendable portion, the second extendable portion movable from a stowed position to an extended position, the extended position defined when the second extendable portion is spaced apart from the second base portion. The seat assembly may be configured to move to a stowed position only after the first extendable portion of the back portion and the second extendable portion of the seat portion are moved to the stowed position.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

John J Salvia, Iii