An armrest includes a variable volume storage compartment defined within a first end wall, a second end wall and a telescoping sidewall. A related method of storing items within an armrest is also disclosed.

An articulating armrest includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion that protrude from a member a predetermined spacing apart. Each protrusion aligns within a separate track within a housing configured for stowing the armrest within a seat back. The two tracks include straight and curved portions configured to articulate the armrest. Specifically, the armrest moves along a curvilinear path between stowed and deployed positions by translating along the tracks and pivoting about the second protrusion. The armrest may stow in a seat back and beneath the seat bottom to provide a full length armrest when deployed, and the armrest may stow flush with the seat back for sitting against. Mechanical tension may be provided to automatically deploy the armrest, and a rotational damper and a gas spring may be used to control the speed at which the armrest deploys.

A method of controlling movement of a first component of a vehicle, the first component being a squab or a bulkhead of a rear seat of a vehicle seating arrangement. The method involves receiving a signal indicative of a state of a second component of the vehicle and receiving a request to move the bulkhead so that the seat is in a folded condition. The squab of the rear seat is moved into engagement with the bulkhead of the rear seat prior to moving the bulkhead; and movement of the bulkhead is commenced in accordance with the request and in dependence on the signal indicative of the state of the second component.

A method of controlling a seating arrangement of a vehicle, the seating arrangement comprising a rear seat including a deployable calf rest, the method comprising: receiving a signal indicative of a state of a component of a front seat positioned ahead of the rear seat; and controlling movement of the calf rest in dependence on the signal indicative of the state of the front seat component.

A method of controlling tilting movement of a headrest of a seating arrangement of a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving a request for tilting movement of the headrest; determining if the headrest is attached to the seat by checking for the presence of at least one electrical component that is located within the headrest; and operating a tilt motor to commence tilting movement of the headrest in response to the request only if the or each component is found to be present.

Seat assemblies and methods for fabricating seat assemblies are provided. In one example, a seat assembly includes a seat base portion. A seat backrest portion is configured to extend substantially upright from the seat base portion. An armrest sub-assembly is configured to move between a stowed position that is one of substantially within and laterally adjacent to the seat backrest portion and an extended position that is generally forward of the seat backrest portion. At least a portion of the armrest sub-assembly translates along an incline relative to the seat base portion during movement from the stowed position towards the extended position.

A vehicle seat includes a backrest and a seat base connected to the backrest. The seat base includes a first cushion portion and a second cushion portion with an insert space between the first cushion portion and the second cushion portion. A cushion and console assembly is disposed in the insert space. The cushion and console assembly includes a liner base, an armrest assembly and a displacement connection between the armrest assembly and the liner base. The displacement connection guides a movement of the armrest assembly relative to the liner base between a stowed position, in which the armrest assembly upper surface forms at least a part of a center seat cushion, and an armrest position, with the upper surface raised upwardly and at a changed angle relative to the first cushion portion and the second cushion portion.

Covering device for a through-loading opening of a vehicle interior having first and second housing shells joined together to form a substantially rectangular covering cassette, and a reinforcing arrangement formed from two reinforcing elements and arranged between the housing shells. The reinforcing arrangement reinforces the covering cassette and is provided for a pivotable vehicle-mounted connection of the covering cassette to a rear seatback arrangement surrounding the through-loading opening and additionally for the pivotable support of a central rest arrangement. In a fixedly-mounted state of the covering device, the covering cassette is pivotable relative to the rear seatback arrangement between a covering position and a release position. Each reinforcing element is formed as a longitudinal profile, which profiles are joined with the covering cassette while each extending substantially in the longitudinal direction of the covering cassette and being separated from one another.

A seat assembly includes a seat back that is mounted on a base for relative movement between a first seat position and a second seat position. An armrest is mounted on the seat back for relative movement between a stowed position and a use position. An armrest restrictor prevents movement of the armrest relative to the seat back when the seat back is moved from the first seat position toward the second seat position and allows movement of the armrest relative to the seat back when the seat back is in the first seat position.

A locking structure for an armrest is provided to be pivotable to a folded up or a pulled down position. The locking structure includes a locking pin disposed at a fixed position and a catch pivotably coupled to a fixing bracket in an armrest housing, and has an engaging portion formed at a side thereof so that the locking pin enters the engaging portion, and a projection and a recess are formed to be spaced apart from the engaging portion. A latch is coupled to the fixing bracket and has a protruding portion formed at one side of the latch. A knob rotates the latch and when the armrest housing rotates upward, the catch rotates while the locking pin enters the engaging portion to lock rotation of the armrest housing. When the latch is, the locking pin is withdrawn from the catch, to permit the rotation of the armrest housing.