Hoover Universal, Inc.

Mark D Hewko

Robert D Elton

Les Griswold

John Krieger

A vehicle seat assembly with a structural seat back to accommodate the seat belt loads applied to the seat back by the belt system which is carried by the seat assembly. The seat back includes a reinforced beam along one side of the seat back frame to accommodate these loads with a recliner mechanism along the same side of the seat assembly and engaging the reinforced member to resist forward rotation of the seat back caused by seat belt loads applied thereto. The seat assembly while being reinforced to accommodate the seat belt loads is configured to be as similar to conventional seat assemblies as possible to minimize the need to redesign the non-structural components of the seat assembly. In addition, the seat assembly includes many features found in current production seat assemblies such as a fore and aft adjuster, an adjustable lumbar support, a seat cushion lift and a seat back recliner. While reinforcing the seat structure, care has been taken to efficiently manage the seat belt loads without adding unnecessary structure and weight to the seat assembly.

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Greenwood Canton, MI, United States of America

Mark D Hewko