Hoover Universal, Inc.

Excel Industries, Inc.

Thomas F Kracht

Marc D Hewko

Robert H Dietze

Joanne H Cole

Curtis F Vail

Jeffrey S Lawrence

Daniel N Higgins

A vehicle seat assembly having a front panel that is deployable to a forwardly extending position to support a vehicle occupant who has moved forward off the seat cushion during a frontal impact collision. Improvements to the panel deployment mechanism are shown including an electronically activated latch release to deploy the panel upon a predetermined deceleration measured by an accelerometer mounted to the seat assembly or elsewhere on a motor vehicle.

Vehicle seat assembly with improved front panel

A window regulator mechanism for motor vehicle door assembly is disclosed having a kick-out feature for moving of the lower edge of the glass outward as the glass is moved upward into the upper position such that the lower edge of the glass can be positioned flush with the exterior surface of the vehicle. Three separate embodiments are disclosed for providing the kick-out feature in the window regulator mechanism. The window regulator combines both the window drive and guidance systems into one mechanism, reducing the number of components in the door assembly.

Window regulator mechanism with kick-out feature

A dual drive window regulator mechanism is disclosed for use in an automobile door assembly for raising and lowering the window glass. The system provides two attachment points to the glass for raising and lowering the glass. This can be accomplished by using various lift mechanisms including a translating rack or a dual cable and drum mechanism. By driving the window at two points as opposed to one point in typical regulator mechanisms, more accurate control of the movement and location of the window glass in the door assembly is achievable.

Dual drive window regulator mechanism

Growing community of inventors

St. Clair Shores, MI, United States of America

Thomas F Kracht