Vehicle seat assembly

US7866696B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Jenne-Tai Wang · Troy, US
• Bing Deng · Beijing, CN
• Margaret M. Andreen · Fenton, US
• Janet S. Goings · Wixom, US
• Dorel M. Sala · Troy, US
• Daniel Shakespear · Eppstein, DE
• Mark A. Kramarczyk · Sterling Heights, US
• Gary Lee Jones · Ottsville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 2, 2005
• Grant date: Jan 11, 2011
• Expiry date: May 13, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2022/208
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a lower seat portion and a seatback portion. The seatback portion is selectively movable to vary the reclination angle of the seatback portion. The seat assembly is configured so that a first part of the lower seat portion rises relative to a second part of the lower seat portion so that the lower seat portion acts as an occupant restraint when a predetermined condition exists. Exemplary predetermined conditions include the reclination angle changing, the reclination angle exceeding a predetermined amount, and conditions indicative of an elevated risk of vehicle impact.