Seat track assembly with enhanced vertical dislocation resistance

Abstract

A seat track assembly comprises a lower track assembly comprising first and second lower tracks laterally spaced from and aligned generally parallel with one another. Each lower track has a bottom wall and left and right side walls which cooperate with the bottom wall to define a central channel running the length of the lower track. The left and right side walls each have flanges bent over and away from the central channel. An upper track assembly operatively engages the lower track assembly. The upper track assembly comprises first and second upper tracks carried by corresponding first and second lower tracks, allowing the upper track assembly to slide in forward and rearward directions. An elongate upper J-hook is rigidly attached to each upper track, preferably at a top wall of each upper track. An elongate lower J-hook is rigidly attached to each lower track, preferably at a bottom wall of each track. Each upper J-hook slides freely past a corresponding lower J-hook in a normal condition, and each upper J-hook is received by a corresponding lower J-hook to limit vertical dislocation of the upper track assembly from the lower track assembly. The seat track assembly can be used, for example, on a seat anchored to a motor vehicle with spring-biased attachment hooks.