CA1227409A - Manual seat recliner with positive locking mechanism - Google Patents
Manual seat recliner with positive locking mechanismInfo
- Publication number
- CA1227409A CA1227409A CA000489500A CA489500A CA1227409A CA 1227409 A CA1227409 A CA 1227409A CA 000489500 A CA000489500 A CA 000489500A CA 489500 A CA489500 A CA 489500A CA 1227409 A CA1227409 A CA 1227409A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- drive gear
- brake
- support frame
- adjustment
- seat back
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
- B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
- B60N2/22—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the back-rest being adjustable
- B60N2/2213—Gear wheel driven mechanism
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chairs For Special Purposes, Such As Reclining Chairs (AREA)
- Seats For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
MANUAL SEAT RECLINER WITH POSITIVE LOCKING MECHANISM
Abstract of the Disclosure An adjustable recliner mechanism for manually adjusting the forward and rearward position of an automobile seat back relative the seat base while a passenger is seated therein. The recliner mechanism includes an adjustment arm having an upper end connected to the seat back, a middle portion and a lower end having an arcuate cogged surface. The middle portion of the adjustment arm is pivotally mounted to a support frame, the support frame being secured to the seat base. A
drive gear with a knob to allow manual rotation of the drive gear is mounted to the support frame. A transfer gear is positioned between the drive gear and the arcuate cogged surface to reduce the torque required to rotate the drive gear to pivot said adjustment arm a sufficient amount so that manual forward and rearward adjustment of the seat back can be accomplished even when a passenger is seated in the automobile seat and exerting a rearward pressure against the seat back. A clutch assembly is provided for positively locking the seat back in place when the adjustment knob is not being turned.
Abstract of the Disclosure An adjustable recliner mechanism for manually adjusting the forward and rearward position of an automobile seat back relative the seat base while a passenger is seated therein. The recliner mechanism includes an adjustment arm having an upper end connected to the seat back, a middle portion and a lower end having an arcuate cogged surface. The middle portion of the adjustment arm is pivotally mounted to a support frame, the support frame being secured to the seat base. A
drive gear with a knob to allow manual rotation of the drive gear is mounted to the support frame. A transfer gear is positioned between the drive gear and the arcuate cogged surface to reduce the torque required to rotate the drive gear to pivot said adjustment arm a sufficient amount so that manual forward and rearward adjustment of the seat back can be accomplished even when a passenger is seated in the automobile seat and exerting a rearward pressure against the seat back. A clutch assembly is provided for positively locking the seat back in place when the adjustment knob is not being turned.
Description
I
MANUAL SEAT RECLINER WITH POSITIVE LOCKING MECHANISM
sack round of the Invention g The present invention relates generally to automobile seats and the recliner- mechanisms which provide forward and rearward adjustment of the seat back relative to the base of the vehicle seat. More particularly, the present invention relates to recliner mechanisms which are adjusted manually by the seat occupant.
It is common practice to employ recliner mechanisms in automobiles for adjusting the inclination of the seat back relative the base of the vehicle seat. A variety of recliner mechanisms are available which utilize electric motors to drive the recliner mechanism. Although the motor driven recliner systems are well suited for their intended purpose, it is many times desirable Jo provide a less expensive manually operated recliner mechanism in order to reduce the overall cost of the automobile.
Manually operated recliner mechanisms generally include a hand-operated knob located near the seat base which it turned by the vehicle occupant to drive a suitable mechanism which, in turn, adjusts the inclination of the seat back. It is important in such manual recliner mechanisms that the amount of torque necessary to turn the knob be low enough Jo that the average passenger can adjust the seat back with a minimum amount of effort.
The amount of effort necessary to -turn the adjustment Knob in manual recliner mechanisms is relatively low when the seat is not occupied. However, when a passenger is seated in the automobile seat and exerting pressure against the seat back, the amount of torque necessary to turn the adjustment knob to provide forward adjustment of the seat back is increased substantially. In such situations, i-t is difficult for r I
the average passenger -to manually rotate -the adjustment knob to move the sea-t back forward without the passenger having to lean forward away from the seat back.
It is an object of -the present invention to disclose and provide a manually adjustable sea-t back recliner mechanism for use in automobile seats which allows the passenger to manually adjust the seat back to various desired positions while the passenger is seated in the seat and regardless of whether or not the passenger is exerting back pressure against the seat back.
Some type of locking mechanism is generally included as par-t of the seat recliner mechanism in order -to securely lock the position of the seat back once it has been adjusted to the desired position. The locking mechanism may be part of the recliner mechanism or it may be an additional device which is operated -to a seat locking mode after the seat back has been adjusted to the desired position.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose and provide a recliner mechanism which includes a simple, efficient and durable locking mechanism which provides positive locking of the seat back in the desired position of adjustment.
S many of the Invention In accordance with the present invention there is provided an adjustable recliner mechanism for manually adjusting and locking in place the forward and rearward position of an automobile seat back relative the seat base while a passenger is seated therein comprising: an adjustment arm having an upper end connected to said seat back, a middle portion and a lower end and having a convex arcuate cogged surface; a support frame attached to the seat base; means for pivotal mounting the middle portion of said adjustment arm to said support frame to provide pivoting of said adjustment arm about a first pivot point on said support frame to thereby provide pivoting movement of said arcuate cogged surface relative to said support frame;
manual drive means associated with said arcuate cogged surface on said adjustment arm for moving said arcua-te cogged surface relative to said support frame to provide pivoting of said adjustment arm to provide adjustment of said seat back, said drive means including: a drive gear rotatable mounted to said sea-t base at a second pivot point and having associated there-with a knob for manual rotation of said drive gear; transfer gear means rotatable mounted to said support frame a-t a third pivot point and positioned between said drive gear and said cogged surface on said adjustment arm for providing a gear reduction connection between said drive gear and said cogged surface, wherein said firs-t, second and third pivot points are fixed relative to said sea-t base and fixed relative to each other wherein the number of rotations of said drive gear necessary to pivot said adjustment arm are increased sufficiently by said transfer gear means to thereby reduce -the torque required -to rotate said drive gear to pivot said adjustment arm; and adjustment lock means for releasab]y connecting said drive gear to said support frame to prevent rotation of said drive gear when said seat back is not being adjusted to thereby lock said seat back in place when said seat back is not being adjusted.
The mechanism is easily operated by hand to adjust -the seat back forward even though the passenger is seated in -the seat and exerting a backward pressure against the seat back.
Further, the design of the recliner mechanism in accordance with -the present invention provides for positive locking of the seat back in the position desired by the occupant.
The adjustment lock means preferably includes a brake assembly which is operable to an engaged position to prevent rotation of -the drive gear when manual rotation of -the drive gear is ceased. The brake assembly is further operable to a disengaged position to allow rotation of the drive gear when manual rotation of -the drive gear is begun.
The recliner mechanism including the positive lock feature in accordance with the present invention provides an improved manual adjustment mechanism which is simple, inexpen-size, durable, easily operated and additionally provides post-live locking of the seat back in the desired seat back incline anion. The present mechanism provides the advantage of allowing passenger to adjust his or her sea-t forward with a minimal amount of effort even while leaning against the seat back and additionally provides the feature of positive locking of the seat back even during application of extreme forces to the seat back.
The above described and many other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in con-junction with the accompanying drawings Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a side view of an exemplary preferred recliner mechanism in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a more detailed partial sectional view of the recliner mechanism shown in Figure 1.
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Fig. 3 is a sectional view of Fig. taken in the III-III plane.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of Fig. 3 taken in the IV-IV plane showing an exemplary preferred clutch assembly in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a side view of the spring element of the clutch assembly.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of Fig. 2 taken in the VI-VI plane.
Fig. 7 is a sectional view of Fig. 2 taken in the VII-VII plane.
Fig. 8 is a sectional view of Fig. 2 taken in the VIII-VIII plane.
Fig. 9 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 taken it the IX-IX plane.
Detailed Description of the Invention An exemplary preferred adjustable recliner mechanism in accordance with the present invention is shown generally at 10 in Fig. 1. The recliner mechanism is designed for use in adjusting the seat back of an automobile seat relative the seat base (automobile seat not Sheehan The recliner mechanism 10 includes adjust-mint arm 12 which as best shown in Fig. 2 and 8 includes an upper end 14, a middle portion 16 and a lower end 18.
The upper end of the adjustment arm 14 is securely connected to the seat back by way of bolts or fasteners 20. A support frame shown generally at 22 is attached to the seat base or the floor of the vehicle by way of mounting flange 24. The support frame 22 includes an inner plate 26 and outer plate 28.
Means for pivotal mounting the middle portion of the adjustment arm 16 to the support frame 22 is provided by bolt or pin 30. Bushing or bearing 32 it provided as it conventionally known to allow smooth pivoting of arm 12 about pin 30.
fly As best shown in Fig. 2, the lower end of the adjustment arm 12 includes an arcuate cogged surface 34 having teeth 36 designed for meshing with the manual drive mechanism to pivot the adjustment arm 12 about pin 30, as will be described in detail below. The cogged surface 34 is an arcuate portion of the circle which has as its center pin 30.
The manual drive means in accordance with the present invention for pivoting the adjustment arm 12 about pin 30 to adjust the forward and rearward position of the seat bask is shown generally at 36 in Figs. 2, 3 and 6. The manual drive means includes a drive gear 38 which is mounted to the inner and outer plates 26 and 28 of support frame 22 by way of rod 40. The rod 40 is rotatable mounted to plates 26 and 28 by suitable bearings or bushings A manually rotatable knob 42 is secured to rod 40 by way of bolt 44. Cover 46 is snap-fit over bolt 44 to reduce the possibility of injury to the occupant when the knob 42 is manually turned to rotate drive gear 38. A cover plate 48 is also provided as a housing surrounding the support frame 22 and manual drive means 36 to protect the occupant from the gear mechanism and to prevent jamming of the gear drive by debris and other items which may fall into the mechanism.
Transfer gear means such as reduction gear 50 is positioned between the drive gear 38 and cogged surface 34 on the adjustment arm 12. Reduction gear 50 provides a gear reduction connection between the drive gear 38 and the cogged surface 34, so that the number of rotations of the drive gear 38 necessary to pivot the adjustment arm 12 it increased sufficiently by the reduction gear 50 to reduce the torque required to rotate knob 42 so that the adjustment arm 12 may be pivoted to provide forward and rearward adjustment of the seat hack, even when toe passenger is stated in the seat and exerting a rearward pressure against the set Jack.
The reduction gear 50 includes a large gear wheel 52 having a cogged perimeter 54 and a small gear wheel 56 having a cogged perimeter 58. The two gear wheels 52 and 56 are coccal mounted on rod 60 for common rotation only. Rod 60 is rotatable mounted to plates 26 and 28 by suitable bushings or bearings. The reduction gear 50 is positioned between drive gear 38 and cogged surface 34 so that the cogged perimeter on large gear wheel 52 meshes with drive gear 38 and the cogged perimeter on small gear wheel 56 meshes with the cogged surface 34. The teeth on the various cogged perimeters and cogged surfaces are chosen to be of suitable size so that driving engagement is possible between the teeth along the cogged surfaces.
Preferably, the perimeter of the circle defined I
the arcuate cogged surface 34 is from 15 to 25 times larger than the perimeter of drive gear 38. More pro-fireball, the perimeter of the circle de-fined by the arcuate cogged surface 34 is approximately 20 times larger than the perimeter of the drive gear 38. Pro-fireball, the large gear wheel 52 has a perimeter which is from 3-10 times larger than the perimeter of the small gear wheel 56 to provide the desired gear reduction between drive gear 38 and cogged surface 34. Portico-laxly preferred is a large gear wheel 52 having a perimeter which is approximately 4 times larger than the perimeter of the small gear wheel 56.
Preferably, adjustment limitation means such as pin 62 and slot 64 are provided for positively limiting the forward and rearward pivoting of adjustment arm 12. The slot 64 includes a front-end 66 and rear-end 68. The pin 62 is securely mounted to plate 28 and extends per pen-dicularly through slot 64 so that abutment of pin 62 against the front end 66 of the slot positively limits the rearward adjustment of the seat back while abutment of pin 62 against the rear-end 68 of the slot positively limits forward adjustment of the seat back.
Adjustment lock means such as the brake assembly shown generally at 100 in Figure 3 is provided for releasable connect-in the drive gear 38 to the support frame 22 to prevent rota-lion of the drive gear 38 when the seat back is not being adjusted. The brake assembly 100 provides positive locking of the seat back in place when the seat back is not being adjusted.
The brake assembly 100 includes a housing 102 which is securely attached to support plate 28 by way of rivet or bolt 104 or other suitable connector. The housing includes an inner surface 106 which defines a brake engagement surface. The clutch assembly log further includes a brake spring attachment member 108 which is connected to the drive gear 38 by way of shaft 40. Both drive gear 38 and brake spring attachment member 108 may be press fit or otherwise securely fastened to rod or shaft 40 in order to provide common rotation only. collar 110 along with spring washer 112 are provided for positioning driver gear 38 and brake spring attachment member 108 at the desired location within the recliner mechanism The brake assembly 100 also includes a clutch spring 114 which is a coiled spring as best shown in Figure 5 that has a brake surface 116 which is movable into engagement with the brake engagement surface 106 on housing 102. The brake spring 114 includes a rod shaped element 118 which is coiled to provide a brake spring having a first end 120 and a second end 122. The hook-shaped spring ends 120 and 122 provide means for connecting the brake spring 114 to the clutch spring attachment member 108 so that brake surface 116 is moved out of engagement with the housing 102 when the shaft 40 is rotated. When rotation of shaft 40 is stopped, the brake spring re-e~pands outward so that clutch surface 116 engages housing 102 to thereby provide post-live locking between the drive gear 38 and support frame 22.
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The brake spring attachment member 108 includes opening 124 into which spring ends 120 and 122 are inserted.
Referring to Figure 4, as attachment member 108 is rotated clockwise, the spring end 120 is also moved clockwise to tighten the coil of the spring 114 and thereby move brake surface 116 away from its engaged position with housing 102. When the attachment member 108 is rotated counterclockwise, spring end 122 is also rotated counterclockwise to again coil spring 114 more tightly and thereby move brake surface 116 away from its engaged position with housing 102. When rotation of engagement member 108 is stopped, the brake spring 114 re-expands to its original coiled position in which brake surface 116 is biased outward against the housing in order to provide positive locking engagement between the drive gear 38 and support frame 22.
The support frame 22 is preferably bolted to or other-wise securely attached to the seat base shown in phantom in Figure 2 at 76 by way of bolts 78 or other suitable means. The housing or cover plate 48 is preferably secured to the support frame 22 by way of machine screw 80. The knob 42 preferably includes an undulating surface 82 as best shown in Figure 2 in order to enhance gripping of the knob to provide easy rotation of the knob 42 and drive gear 38.
Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.
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MANUAL SEAT RECLINER WITH POSITIVE LOCKING MECHANISM
sack round of the Invention g The present invention relates generally to automobile seats and the recliner- mechanisms which provide forward and rearward adjustment of the seat back relative to the base of the vehicle seat. More particularly, the present invention relates to recliner mechanisms which are adjusted manually by the seat occupant.
It is common practice to employ recliner mechanisms in automobiles for adjusting the inclination of the seat back relative the base of the vehicle seat. A variety of recliner mechanisms are available which utilize electric motors to drive the recliner mechanism. Although the motor driven recliner systems are well suited for their intended purpose, it is many times desirable Jo provide a less expensive manually operated recliner mechanism in order to reduce the overall cost of the automobile.
Manually operated recliner mechanisms generally include a hand-operated knob located near the seat base which it turned by the vehicle occupant to drive a suitable mechanism which, in turn, adjusts the inclination of the seat back. It is important in such manual recliner mechanisms that the amount of torque necessary to turn the knob be low enough Jo that the average passenger can adjust the seat back with a minimum amount of effort.
The amount of effort necessary to -turn the adjustment Knob in manual recliner mechanisms is relatively low when the seat is not occupied. However, when a passenger is seated in the automobile seat and exerting pressure against the seat back, the amount of torque necessary to turn the adjustment knob to provide forward adjustment of the seat back is increased substantially. In such situations, i-t is difficult for r I
the average passenger -to manually rotate -the adjustment knob to move the sea-t back forward without the passenger having to lean forward away from the seat back.
It is an object of -the present invention to disclose and provide a manually adjustable sea-t back recliner mechanism for use in automobile seats which allows the passenger to manually adjust the seat back to various desired positions while the passenger is seated in the seat and regardless of whether or not the passenger is exerting back pressure against the seat back.
Some type of locking mechanism is generally included as par-t of the seat recliner mechanism in order -to securely lock the position of the seat back once it has been adjusted to the desired position. The locking mechanism may be part of the recliner mechanism or it may be an additional device which is operated -to a seat locking mode after the seat back has been adjusted to the desired position.
It is another object of the present invention to disclose and provide a recliner mechanism which includes a simple, efficient and durable locking mechanism which provides positive locking of the seat back in the desired position of adjustment.
S many of the Invention In accordance with the present invention there is provided an adjustable recliner mechanism for manually adjusting and locking in place the forward and rearward position of an automobile seat back relative the seat base while a passenger is seated therein comprising: an adjustment arm having an upper end connected to said seat back, a middle portion and a lower end and having a convex arcuate cogged surface; a support frame attached to the seat base; means for pivotal mounting the middle portion of said adjustment arm to said support frame to provide pivoting of said adjustment arm about a first pivot point on said support frame to thereby provide pivoting movement of said arcuate cogged surface relative to said support frame;
manual drive means associated with said arcuate cogged surface on said adjustment arm for moving said arcua-te cogged surface relative to said support frame to provide pivoting of said adjustment arm to provide adjustment of said seat back, said drive means including: a drive gear rotatable mounted to said sea-t base at a second pivot point and having associated there-with a knob for manual rotation of said drive gear; transfer gear means rotatable mounted to said support frame a-t a third pivot point and positioned between said drive gear and said cogged surface on said adjustment arm for providing a gear reduction connection between said drive gear and said cogged surface, wherein said firs-t, second and third pivot points are fixed relative to said sea-t base and fixed relative to each other wherein the number of rotations of said drive gear necessary to pivot said adjustment arm are increased sufficiently by said transfer gear means to thereby reduce -the torque required -to rotate said drive gear to pivot said adjustment arm; and adjustment lock means for releasab]y connecting said drive gear to said support frame to prevent rotation of said drive gear when said seat back is not being adjusted to thereby lock said seat back in place when said seat back is not being adjusted.
The mechanism is easily operated by hand to adjust -the seat back forward even though the passenger is seated in -the seat and exerting a backward pressure against the seat back.
Further, the design of the recliner mechanism in accordance with -the present invention provides for positive locking of the seat back in the position desired by the occupant.
The adjustment lock means preferably includes a brake assembly which is operable to an engaged position to prevent rotation of -the drive gear when manual rotation of -the drive gear is ceased. The brake assembly is further operable to a disengaged position to allow rotation of the drive gear when manual rotation of -the drive gear is begun.
The recliner mechanism including the positive lock feature in accordance with the present invention provides an improved manual adjustment mechanism which is simple, inexpen-size, durable, easily operated and additionally provides post-live locking of the seat back in the desired seat back incline anion. The present mechanism provides the advantage of allowing passenger to adjust his or her sea-t forward with a minimal amount of effort even while leaning against the seat back and additionally provides the feature of positive locking of the seat back even during application of extreme forces to the seat back.
The above described and many other features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in con-junction with the accompanying drawings Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a side view of an exemplary preferred recliner mechanism in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a more detailed partial sectional view of the recliner mechanism shown in Figure 1.
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Fig. 3 is a sectional view of Fig. taken in the III-III plane.
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of Fig. 3 taken in the IV-IV plane showing an exemplary preferred clutch assembly in accordance with the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a side view of the spring element of the clutch assembly.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of Fig. 2 taken in the VI-VI plane.
Fig. 7 is a sectional view of Fig. 2 taken in the VII-VII plane.
Fig. 8 is a sectional view of Fig. 2 taken in the VIII-VIII plane.
Fig. 9 is a sectional view of Fig. 1 taken it the IX-IX plane.
Detailed Description of the Invention An exemplary preferred adjustable recliner mechanism in accordance with the present invention is shown generally at 10 in Fig. 1. The recliner mechanism is designed for use in adjusting the seat back of an automobile seat relative the seat base (automobile seat not Sheehan The recliner mechanism 10 includes adjust-mint arm 12 which as best shown in Fig. 2 and 8 includes an upper end 14, a middle portion 16 and a lower end 18.
The upper end of the adjustment arm 14 is securely connected to the seat back by way of bolts or fasteners 20. A support frame shown generally at 22 is attached to the seat base or the floor of the vehicle by way of mounting flange 24. The support frame 22 includes an inner plate 26 and outer plate 28.
Means for pivotal mounting the middle portion of the adjustment arm 16 to the support frame 22 is provided by bolt or pin 30. Bushing or bearing 32 it provided as it conventionally known to allow smooth pivoting of arm 12 about pin 30.
fly As best shown in Fig. 2, the lower end of the adjustment arm 12 includes an arcuate cogged surface 34 having teeth 36 designed for meshing with the manual drive mechanism to pivot the adjustment arm 12 about pin 30, as will be described in detail below. The cogged surface 34 is an arcuate portion of the circle which has as its center pin 30.
The manual drive means in accordance with the present invention for pivoting the adjustment arm 12 about pin 30 to adjust the forward and rearward position of the seat bask is shown generally at 36 in Figs. 2, 3 and 6. The manual drive means includes a drive gear 38 which is mounted to the inner and outer plates 26 and 28 of support frame 22 by way of rod 40. The rod 40 is rotatable mounted to plates 26 and 28 by suitable bearings or bushings A manually rotatable knob 42 is secured to rod 40 by way of bolt 44. Cover 46 is snap-fit over bolt 44 to reduce the possibility of injury to the occupant when the knob 42 is manually turned to rotate drive gear 38. A cover plate 48 is also provided as a housing surrounding the support frame 22 and manual drive means 36 to protect the occupant from the gear mechanism and to prevent jamming of the gear drive by debris and other items which may fall into the mechanism.
Transfer gear means such as reduction gear 50 is positioned between the drive gear 38 and cogged surface 34 on the adjustment arm 12. Reduction gear 50 provides a gear reduction connection between the drive gear 38 and the cogged surface 34, so that the number of rotations of the drive gear 38 necessary to pivot the adjustment arm 12 it increased sufficiently by the reduction gear 50 to reduce the torque required to rotate knob 42 so that the adjustment arm 12 may be pivoted to provide forward and rearward adjustment of the seat hack, even when toe passenger is stated in the seat and exerting a rearward pressure against the set Jack.
The reduction gear 50 includes a large gear wheel 52 having a cogged perimeter 54 and a small gear wheel 56 having a cogged perimeter 58. The two gear wheels 52 and 56 are coccal mounted on rod 60 for common rotation only. Rod 60 is rotatable mounted to plates 26 and 28 by suitable bushings or bearings. The reduction gear 50 is positioned between drive gear 38 and cogged surface 34 so that the cogged perimeter on large gear wheel 52 meshes with drive gear 38 and the cogged perimeter on small gear wheel 56 meshes with the cogged surface 34. The teeth on the various cogged perimeters and cogged surfaces are chosen to be of suitable size so that driving engagement is possible between the teeth along the cogged surfaces.
Preferably, the perimeter of the circle defined I
the arcuate cogged surface 34 is from 15 to 25 times larger than the perimeter of drive gear 38. More pro-fireball, the perimeter of the circle de-fined by the arcuate cogged surface 34 is approximately 20 times larger than the perimeter of the drive gear 38. Pro-fireball, the large gear wheel 52 has a perimeter which is from 3-10 times larger than the perimeter of the small gear wheel 56 to provide the desired gear reduction between drive gear 38 and cogged surface 34. Portico-laxly preferred is a large gear wheel 52 having a perimeter which is approximately 4 times larger than the perimeter of the small gear wheel 56.
Preferably, adjustment limitation means such as pin 62 and slot 64 are provided for positively limiting the forward and rearward pivoting of adjustment arm 12. The slot 64 includes a front-end 66 and rear-end 68. The pin 62 is securely mounted to plate 28 and extends per pen-dicularly through slot 64 so that abutment of pin 62 against the front end 66 of the slot positively limits the rearward adjustment of the seat back while abutment of pin 62 against the rear-end 68 of the slot positively limits forward adjustment of the seat back.
Adjustment lock means such as the brake assembly shown generally at 100 in Figure 3 is provided for releasable connect-in the drive gear 38 to the support frame 22 to prevent rota-lion of the drive gear 38 when the seat back is not being adjusted. The brake assembly 100 provides positive locking of the seat back in place when the seat back is not being adjusted.
The brake assembly 100 includes a housing 102 which is securely attached to support plate 28 by way of rivet or bolt 104 or other suitable connector. The housing includes an inner surface 106 which defines a brake engagement surface. The clutch assembly log further includes a brake spring attachment member 108 which is connected to the drive gear 38 by way of shaft 40. Both drive gear 38 and brake spring attachment member 108 may be press fit or otherwise securely fastened to rod or shaft 40 in order to provide common rotation only. collar 110 along with spring washer 112 are provided for positioning driver gear 38 and brake spring attachment member 108 at the desired location within the recliner mechanism The brake assembly 100 also includes a clutch spring 114 which is a coiled spring as best shown in Figure 5 that has a brake surface 116 which is movable into engagement with the brake engagement surface 106 on housing 102. The brake spring 114 includes a rod shaped element 118 which is coiled to provide a brake spring having a first end 120 and a second end 122. The hook-shaped spring ends 120 and 122 provide means for connecting the brake spring 114 to the clutch spring attachment member 108 so that brake surface 116 is moved out of engagement with the housing 102 when the shaft 40 is rotated. When rotation of shaft 40 is stopped, the brake spring re-e~pands outward so that clutch surface 116 engages housing 102 to thereby provide post-live locking between the drive gear 38 and support frame 22.
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The brake spring attachment member 108 includes opening 124 into which spring ends 120 and 122 are inserted.
Referring to Figure 4, as attachment member 108 is rotated clockwise, the spring end 120 is also moved clockwise to tighten the coil of the spring 114 and thereby move brake surface 116 away from its engaged position with housing 102. When the attachment member 108 is rotated counterclockwise, spring end 122 is also rotated counterclockwise to again coil spring 114 more tightly and thereby move brake surface 116 away from its engaged position with housing 102. When rotation of engagement member 108 is stopped, the brake spring 114 re-expands to its original coiled position in which brake surface 116 is biased outward against the housing in order to provide positive locking engagement between the drive gear 38 and support frame 22.
The support frame 22 is preferably bolted to or other-wise securely attached to the seat base shown in phantom in Figure 2 at 76 by way of bolts 78 or other suitable means. The housing or cover plate 48 is preferably secured to the support frame 22 by way of machine screw 80. The knob 42 preferably includes an undulating surface 82 as best shown in Figure 2 in order to enhance gripping of the knob to provide easy rotation of the knob 42 and drive gear 38.
Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.
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Claims (12)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An adjustable recliner mechanism for manually adjust-ing and locking in place the forward and rearward position of an automobile seat back relative the seat base while a passenger is seated therein comprising:
an adjustment arm having an upper end connected to said seat back, a middle portion and a lower end and having a convex arcuate cogged surface;
a support frame attached to the seat base;
means for pivotally mounting the middle portion of said adjustment arm to said support frame to provide pivoting of said adjustment arm about a first pivot point on said support frame to thereby provide pivoting movement of said arcuate cogged surface relative to said support frame;
manual drive means associated with said arcuate cogged surface on said adjustment arm for moving said arcuate cogged surface relative to said support frame to provide pivoting of said adjustment arm to provide adjustment of said seat back, said drive means including:
a drive gear rotatably mounted to said seat base at a second pivot point and having associated therewith a knob for manual rotation of said drive gear;
transfer gear means rotatably mounted to said support frame at a third pivot point and positioned between said drive gear and said cogged surface on said adjustment arm for provid-ing a gear reduction connection between said drive gear and said cogged surface, wherein said first, second and third pivot points are fixed relative to said seat base and fixed relative to each other wherein the number of rotations of said drive gear necessary to pivot said adjustment arm are increased sufficiently by said transfer gear means to thereby reduce the torque required to rotate said drive gear to pivot said adjustment arm;
and adjustment lock means for releasable connecting said drive gear to said support frame to prevent rotation of said drive gear when said seat back is not being adjusted to thereby lock said seat back in place when said seat back is not being adjusted.
an adjustment arm having an upper end connected to said seat back, a middle portion and a lower end and having a convex arcuate cogged surface;
a support frame attached to the seat base;
means for pivotally mounting the middle portion of said adjustment arm to said support frame to provide pivoting of said adjustment arm about a first pivot point on said support frame to thereby provide pivoting movement of said arcuate cogged surface relative to said support frame;
manual drive means associated with said arcuate cogged surface on said adjustment arm for moving said arcuate cogged surface relative to said support frame to provide pivoting of said adjustment arm to provide adjustment of said seat back, said drive means including:
a drive gear rotatably mounted to said seat base at a second pivot point and having associated therewith a knob for manual rotation of said drive gear;
transfer gear means rotatably mounted to said support frame at a third pivot point and positioned between said drive gear and said cogged surface on said adjustment arm for provid-ing a gear reduction connection between said drive gear and said cogged surface, wherein said first, second and third pivot points are fixed relative to said seat base and fixed relative to each other wherein the number of rotations of said drive gear necessary to pivot said adjustment arm are increased sufficiently by said transfer gear means to thereby reduce the torque required to rotate said drive gear to pivot said adjustment arm;
and adjustment lock means for releasable connecting said drive gear to said support frame to prevent rotation of said drive gear when said seat back is not being adjusted to thereby lock said seat back in place when said seat back is not being adjusted.
2. An adjustable recliner mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said adjustment lock means includes a brake assembly which is operable to an engaged position to prevent rotation of said drive gear when manual rotation of said drive gear is ceased and which is operable to a disengaged position to allow rotation of said drive gear when manual rotation of said drive gear is begun.
3. An adjustable recliner mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said brake assembly includes a spring brake which is engaged and disengaged by manual rotation of said drive gear.
4. An adjustable recliner mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said brake assembly includes:
a housing securely attached to said support frame, said housing having an inner surface defining a brake engagement surface;
a brake spring attachment member connected to said drive gear for common rotation only of said drive gear and brake spring attachment member;
a brake spring having a brake surface which is movable into engagement with said brake engagement surface on said housing; and means for connecting said brake spring to said brake spring attachment member to operably move said brake spring out of engagement wealth said housing when said drive gear is manually rotated and to return said brake spring into engagement with said housing when manual rotation of said drive gear is stopped to thereby provide a positive locking engagement between said drive gear and said housing.
a housing securely attached to said support frame, said housing having an inner surface defining a brake engagement surface;
a brake spring attachment member connected to said drive gear for common rotation only of said drive gear and brake spring attachment member;
a brake spring having a brake surface which is movable into engagement with said brake engagement surface on said housing; and means for connecting said brake spring to said brake spring attachment member to operably move said brake spring out of engagement wealth said housing when said drive gear is manually rotated and to return said brake spring into engagement with said housing when manual rotation of said drive gear is stopped to thereby provide a positive locking engagement between said drive gear and said housing.
5. An adjustable recliner according to claim 4 wherein said brake spring includes a rod shaped spring element having a first end and a second end, said spring element being coiled to form a cylinder having an outer surface defining said brake surface with said spring element ends protruding radially from the cylinder defined by said coiled spring element for connection to said brake spring attachment member wherein the diameter of said cylinder is decreased to move said brake surface away from the housing to disengage said brake spring when said drive gear is rotated.
6. An adjustable recliner mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said transfer gear means includes a gear reduction assembly comprising:
a large gear wheel having a cogged perimeter;
means for fixed rotatable mounting of said large gear wheel to said support frame at a position to provide driving engagement of said drive gear with the cogged perimeter of the large gear wheel;
a small gear wheel having a cogged perimeter;
means for rotatable mounting of said small gear wheel for common rotation only with said large gear wheel, said small gear wheel being positioned to mesh with the arcuate cogged surface on said adjustment arm to provide pivoting of said adjustment arm when said small gear wheel is rotated.
a large gear wheel having a cogged perimeter;
means for fixed rotatable mounting of said large gear wheel to said support frame at a position to provide driving engagement of said drive gear with the cogged perimeter of the large gear wheel;
a small gear wheel having a cogged perimeter;
means for rotatable mounting of said small gear wheel for common rotation only with said large gear wheel, said small gear wheel being positioned to mesh with the arcuate cogged surface on said adjustment arm to provide pivoting of said adjustment arm when said small gear wheel is rotated.
7. An adjustable recliner according to claim 6 wherein said large gear wheel and said small gear wheel are mounted coaxially.
8. An adjustable recliner mechanism according to claim 1 further including adjustment limitation means for providing positive limitation of the forward and rearward adjustment of said seat back.
9. An adjustable recliner mechanism according to claim 8 wherein said adjustment limitation means includes a surface in said adjustment arm defining a slot having a front end and a rear end; and a pin mounted to said support frame and extending perpendicularly through said slot wherein positive limitation of the forward and rearward adjustment of said seat back is pro-vided by abutment of said pin against the front end or rear end of said slot.
10. An adjustable recliner according to claim 6 wherein said arcuate cogged surface is defined by a circle having a perimeter which is from 15 to 20 times larger than the perimeter of said drive gear.
11. An adjustable recliner mechanism according to claim 6 wherein said large gear wheel has a perimeter which is from 3 to 10 times larger than the perimeter of said small gear wheel.
12. An adjustable recliner mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said support frame includes an inner plate and an outer plate having a space there between wherein said adjustment arm, drive gear and transfer gear means are located in said space.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US64500384A | 1984-08-28 | 1984-08-28 | |
| US06,645,003 | 1984-08-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1227409A true CA1227409A (en) | 1987-09-29 |
Family
ID=24587254
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000489500A Expired CA1227409A (en) | 1984-08-28 | 1985-08-27 | Manual seat recliner with positive locking mechanism |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS6171011A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1227409A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3530613A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2569629B1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2163810B (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1182841B (en) |
| MX (1) | MX164300B (en) |
| SE (1) | SE8503992L (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4573738A (en) * | 1984-12-14 | 1986-03-04 | Itt Corporation | Manual seat recliner |
| GB2228765B (en) * | 1989-02-22 | 1993-03-17 | Ihw Eng Ltd | Seat reclining mechanism |
| DE102009029858A1 (en) * | 2009-06-18 | 2010-12-23 | Brose Fahrzeugteile Gmbh & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg | Assembly with snap fitting and free-pivoting mechanism |
| CN112550091B (en) * | 2020-12-01 | 2022-10-18 | 一汽奔腾轿车有限公司 | Two-way unlocking mechanism of car seat back |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3508294A (en) * | 1967-12-06 | 1970-04-28 | Ferro Mfg Corp | Reclining seat mechanism assembly |
| JPS5610047B2 (en) * | 1973-12-14 | 1981-03-05 | ||
| GB1566288A (en) * | 1977-04-29 | 1980-04-30 | Turner Ltd H | Reclining mechanism for a seat |
| DE2845281C2 (en) * | 1978-10-18 | 1986-10-16 | Keiper Automobiltechnik Gmbh & Co Kg, 5630 Remscheid | Articulated fittings for vehicle seats, in particular motor vehicle seats |
| GB2059496B (en) * | 1979-09-01 | 1982-12-22 | Ihw Eng Ltd | Seat reclining mechanism |
| DE8003679U1 (en) * | 1980-02-12 | 1980-05-08 | C. Rob. Hammerstein Gmbh, 5650 Solingen | JOINT FITTING |
| US4521055A (en) * | 1982-08-30 | 1985-06-04 | Ferro Manufacturing Corporation | Power recliner |
| JPS5977812A (en) * | 1982-10-27 | 1984-05-04 | 白木金属工業株式会社 | Reclining apparatus |
-
1985
- 1985-08-27 SE SE8503992A patent/SE8503992L/en unknown
- 1985-08-27 DE DE19853530613 patent/DE3530613A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1985-08-27 GB GB08521301A patent/GB2163810B/en not_active Expired
- 1985-08-27 MX MX206428A patent/MX164300B/en unknown
- 1985-08-27 CA CA000489500A patent/CA1227409A/en not_active Expired
- 1985-08-27 IT IT48494/85A patent/IT1182841B/en active
- 1985-08-28 FR FR858512847A patent/FR2569629B1/en not_active Expired
- 1985-08-28 JP JP60190872A patent/JPS6171011A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IT1182841B (en) | 1987-10-05 |
| SE8503992L (en) | 1986-03-01 |
| GB8521301D0 (en) | 1985-10-02 |
| GB2163810A (en) | 1986-03-05 |
| JPS6171011A (en) | 1986-04-11 |
| FR2569629B1 (en) | 1989-01-27 |
| IT8548494A0 (en) | 1985-08-27 |
| GB2163810B (en) | 1987-10-28 |
| SE8503992D0 (en) | 1985-08-27 |
| MX164300B (en) | 1992-07-30 |
| DE3530613A1 (en) | 1986-03-13 |
| FR2569629A1 (en) | 1986-03-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |