Daimlerchrysler Corporation

Troy M Cornell

Christopher J Pesta

Matthew E Dukatz

Murali M Govindarajalu

Mark J Kirschmann

Gerald F Burke

Harjeet Gill

Erin Marie Shipp

Gregory A Beecher

Hai Gu

Pratap Atchutha Naick

Michael Okuniewicz

James M Culp

Douglas L Nieset

Harry Gu

Nicolaos Tapazoglou

Kenneth J Haller

Manfred Staisch

Dave Cottrell

Larry Ososki

Norman Hartmann

A dual-sectioned automotive propeller shaft features a weakened area in a first section. Under an axial load, the first section buckles transversely to a longitudinal axis of the shaft to absorb substantially all of the energy exerted against the shaft. A second section of the shaft is thereby isolated from consequences of the axial load enabling its placement and proximity to other components mounted to the undercarriage of the vehicle.

Energy absorbing propeller shaft system

A method and apparatus for absorbing energy during a frontal collision of a vehicle, through the use of a front frame structure having main frame rails that include several deformable and non-deformable sections which are connected by selectively crushable junctures that are configured to predispose one or more of the junctures and sections to pivot selectively outward, rearward and upward, in a predetermined manner, during the collision. The front frame structure also includes an engine cradle, attached below the main frame rails, and having a pair of side rails that include forward and rear crushable junctures joined by non-deformable intermediate sections, with the crushable junctures of the main frame rails and engine cradle side rails being configured to predispose the intermediate sections of the engine cradle side rails to move downward and rearward during the collision.

Energy absorbing front frame structure for a vehicle

A vehicle seat assembly comprising a seat back and a seat bench that pivot relative to each other so that the seat back may be positioned generally upright to provide an upright seating position or positioned generally folded onto the seat bench to provide a cargo position. The seat assembly is mounted to the floor of the vehicle using front and rear latches which engage respective front and rear anchors. From the upright position, the seat assembly may be rotated forward to provide access to and egress from the area behind the seat. From the folded position, the seat assembly may be pivoted forward to provide additional cargo space. The seat assembly is configured to facilitate installing and removing the seat assembly by preventing the latches from contacting the anchors until such contact is desired. The seat assembly is also configured to facilitate moving the seat while in a vehicle and while removed from the vehicle. A cupholder is included in a cover for the seat assembly. The cupholder remains level while the seat assembly is moved between upright, folded, and tilted positions.

Seat riser fold and tumble mechanism

A vehicle seat assembly comprising a seat back and a seat bench that pivot relative to each other so that the seat back may be locked generally upright to provide a seating position or locked generally folded onto the seat bench to provide a cargo position. The seat assembly is mounted to the floor of the vehicle using front and rear latches which engage respective front and rear anchors. From the upright position, the seat assembly may be rotated forward to provide access to and egress from the area behind the seat. From the folded position, the seat assembly may be pivoted forward to provide additional cargo space. The seat assembly is configured to facilitate installing and removing the seat assembly by preventing the latches from contacting the anchors until such contact is desired. The seat assembly is also configured to facilitate moving the seat while in the vehicle and while removed from the vehicle.

Seat riser fold and tumble mechanism with rollers and skid plate

A vehicle seat assembly comprising a seat back and a seat bench that pivot relative to each other so that the seat back may be locked generally upright to provide a seating position or locked generally folded onto the seat bench to provide a cargo position. The seat assembly is mounted to the floor of the vehicle using front and rear latches which engage respective front and rear anchors. From the upright position, the seat assembly may be rotated forward to provide access to and egress from the area behind the seat. From the folded position, the seat assembly may be pivoted forward to provide additional cargo space. The seat assembly is configured to facilitate installing and removing the seat assembly by preventing the latches from contacting the anchors until such contact is desired. The seat assembly is also configured to facilitate moving the seat while in the vehicle and while removed from the vehicle. A cupholder is included in a cover for the seat assembly. The cupholder remains level while the seat assembly is moved between upright, folded, and tilted positions.

Seat riser fold and tumble mechanism with roller

A seat riser for use with a motor vehicle of the type having longitudinally spaced and laterally extending front and rear floor mounted strikers to removably mount a seat in the vehicle has front and rear latches connected to a frame by pivot pins. Each latch has a hook. The front latch pivots to a latching position in which its hook engages an underside of the front striker. The rear latch pivots to a latching position in which its hook engages an underside of the rear striker. The latches are pivoted to and from their latching positions by a handle connected to one of the latches, with a link interconnecting the latches. The relationship of the latches to each other and to the link is such that one of the latches engages and disengages its striker before the other, thereby reducing the maximum force needed to pivot the latches to and from their latching positions.

Seat riser cinch mechanism

A seatback having a frame formed in a generally U-shape from a tubular material and a plate coupled between the two legs of the U, a back panel, an outer fabric and an attachment device having a plurality of mounting hooks, a handle, a pair of mounting bosses and a pair of mounting legs. The mounting legs are inserted through slots formed in the outer fabric, back panel and plate. Once the mounting legs are fully inserted into the plate, a portion of each of the mounting legs engages the front side of the plate. Threaded fasteners are placed through the mounting bosses and threadably engage clinch nuts that are coupled to the plate. When a the removable seating unit is lifted by the handle, the force associated with lifting the seating unit is transferred directly to the seatback frame through the threaded fasteners and mounting legs. Consequently, the present invention provides an easily manufactured and assembled removable seating unit having a handle and an item supporting device which is robust in design yet cost efficient.

Removable seating unit having a pivoting seatback and a combination

Seat mounted cupholder adapted for seat riser fold and tumble mechanism

Growing community of inventors

Grand Blanc, MI, United States of America

Troy M Cornell